Where to stay in Tanjung Pinang
Tanjung Pinang sits on the south coast of Bintan Island, at the mouth of the Bintan River, and it has been a Malay trading and cultural centre for centuries. Ferries and speedboats link it to Batam, Singapore and Johor Bahru, and the airport lies about 7 km east of the city centre, so most visitors arrive by sea or by a short flight.
For a visitor, the layout is simple. The waterfront and the streets around the ferry terminal form the commercial heart, where most of the practical places to stay are within walking distance of the port. Further out along the main roads towards the airport you find larger hotels and resorts, while Senggarang, known for its Buddhist temples, and Penyengat Island, with its royal tombs and the old Masjid Raya, sit outside the centre and are reached by road or by boat. This guide covers which areas to base yourself in; it does not recommend individual properties.
Best areas to stay in Tanjung Pinang
1. Around the ferry terminal and waterfront
This is the most convenient base for a short stay or a first visit. The port is the arrival point for ferries from Batam, Singapore and Johor Bahru, and a cluster of hotels sits within a short walk of the terminal, some offering a shuttle to and from it. You will find simple, clean rooms with air conditioning, television and private bathrooms, plus a few places with restaurants and English-speaking staff.
It suits travellers who want to step off the boat and be settled quickly, and anyone using Tanjung Pinang as a stopover. Be aware that rooms facing the waterfront can pick up noise from port activity and from the open eating area set up at the pier at night.
2. Central Tanjung Pinang, along the main streets
Inland from the port, along streets such as Jalan Pancur and Jalan Pasar Ikan, you are a short walk or a few minutes' drive from the terminal, with supermarkets, restaurants and food courts nearby. Accommodation here ranges from budget rooms to comfortable mid-range hotels, generally with air conditioning, hot showers and wi-fi.
This area suits visitors who want everyday amenities within walking distance and a quieter night than the waterfront. It is also the handiest base for the city's cultural centre, where Malay music and dance performances and festivals are held.
3. Senggarang
Senggarang lies outside central Tanjung Pinang and is known for its Buddhist temples. Staying here puts you close to those sites rather than to the port and the main commercial streets.
It suits travellers who have already seen the centre and want a different setting, and who do not mind being away from the ferry terminal. Expect to rely on road transport for the sights and for connections onward.
4. Penyengat Island
Penyengat Island is part of the city and holds the legacies of the Riau–Lingga Sultanate: the old ruler's palace and royal tombs, including the grave of Raja Ali Haji, and the old vice-royal mosque, the Masjid Raya, which is still in use.
Basing yourself here suits visitors whose main interest is the island's heritage and who want to be among those sites rather than in the city. It is reached by boat, so plan your crossings around your arrival and departure.
5. The road towards the airport and Batu 10
Further from the centre, along the routes out towards the airport, you find larger hotels and resorts with facilities such as pools, gyms and convention space, and some with restaurants, shops and supermarkets within walking distance. The airport is about 7 km east of the city centre, and some properties in this direction are a 25-minute drive from both the airport and the ferry terminal.
This area suits business travellers, families and anyone wanting resort facilities and space rather than a central location. The trade-off is distance: you will need transport for the waterfront, the port and the city's cultural sights.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Simple rooms and no-frills places, including long-established backpacker accommodation. Expect the basics, sometimes with fan only and a bucket shower, and prices at the lowest end of the range.
- Mid-range: Clean, air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms, television and often wi-fi, sometimes with a restaurant, a supermarket opposite, or a mall and waterfront park attached. A few have swimming pools.
- Splurge: Upscale and convention hotels, mostly away from the centre, with facilities such as outdoor pools, fitness centres, spas, lounges, convention and meeting space, and in some cases dining rooms, mini-kitchens and beach activities.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself around the ferry terminal and waterfront. It is where you arrive, it puts the port, the waterfront and the city's commercial streets within walking distance, and it keeps you close to transport for Penyengat Island and Senggarang. Choose a room away from the waterfront side if you want to avoid noise from port activity and the pier's evening eating area.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Tanjung Pinang?
By ferry or speedboat from Batam, Singapore and Johor Bahru, or by air through Raja Haji Fisabilillah International Airport, which is about 7 km east of the city centre.
Which area is best if I want to be near the heritage sites?
Penyengat Island, which holds the old ruler's palace, the royal tombs and the Masjid Raya. Senggarang, outside the centre, is the area for the Buddhist temples.
Where should I stay if I want resort facilities?
Look along the road towards the airport and Batu 10, where the larger hotels and resorts are, some with pools, gyms and convention facilities. Note that these are a drive from the port and the centre.
Is the waterfront area noisy?
It can be. Rooms facing the waterfront may get noise from port activities and from the open eating area set up at the pier at night, so ask for a room away from that side if quiet matters to you.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide.