Review Analysis
What Guests Are Saying
Google Reviews - Beach Resort (4.7★ / 223 reviews) + Private Island (4.7★ / 248 reviews)
Positive Themes
Staff and Warmth
Mentioned in nearly every review - the #1 differentiator
"The staff are so nice! They offer great service and call us by our names."
- Yolanda Yin · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Private Island
"The absolute highlight, and our long-lasting takeaway is the staff who are all just so friendly. It's difficult to single out individuals as nothing was ever too much trouble for any of them."
- Paul Bingham · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Private Island
"I was surprised to know they prepared porridge for my infant!"
- Sandra Aw · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Beach Resort
"Not some super polished 5 star resort, it's much more homely and unpretentious and utterly charming as a result."
- Paul Bingham · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Private Island
"People in this resort are so nice! We loved the beach, and the rooms over the sea."
- Sarah Berthier Vonderscher · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Beach Resort
Easy and Stress-Free
Booking, getting there, being there - guests love the simplicity
"Everything about the booking process was easy and comms from the resort were timely and very helpful. From advance advice on ferry bookings to being met at Sekupang and escorted and accompanied to the island, Telunas staff were reassuringly helpful."
- Paul Bingham · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Private Island
"Just 2 ferry rides away from Singapore, a great destination for a quick getaway from city life to enjoy tranquility."
- Sandra Aw · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Beach Resort
"The replies and followup by the booking staff was phenomenal. Room was clean and environment was super chill."
- Bernard Phua · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Private Island
Unplugged and Peaceful
Guests consistently describe feeling at peace and exceeding expectations
"The perfect place to truly unplug and relax. The atmosphere is incredibly peaceful."
- Steph Tan · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Private Island
"It's really the kind of holiday where you relax and do nothing. The kids love it for the sea and fishing opportunities."
- Sandra Aw · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Beach Resort
"From the moment I arrived, I felt relaxed, welcomed, and completely at peace. The surroundings were beautiful, the atmosphere was calming."
- Jesphin Silva · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Beach Resort
"The experience was way beyond expectation. The room is nice and windy, it feels comfortable even without aircon."
- Yolanda Yin · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Private Island
"We love the beauty, the nature, the local tradition and absolutely kind, smiling and welcoming staff."
- Veronique Doux · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Beach Resort
Food (Positive)
Recent reviews are more positive - improvement noted
"The food was so good at every meal and being able to fish from the seawall and eat what we caught was wonderful for the kids."
- Sarah Berthier Vonderscher · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Beach Resort
"The food was even better than I'd expected and they catered very well for me as a non-fish and seafood eater. Excellent breakfasts with selections of western and Asian dishes - the difficulty is trying to not eat too much!"
- Paul Bingham · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Private Island
"Every meal was delicious and clearly prepared with care, which made the experience even more special."
- Steph Tan · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Private Island
"Great people, Great Food, Great Ambience."
- The Never Ending Footsteps · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Private Island
Exceeds Expectations
Key indicator - guests arrive and get more than they expected
"The experience was way beyond expectation."
- Yolanda Yin · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Private Island
"This stay wasn't just a holiday; it was a meaningful Christmas gift to myself. I'll cherish the memories and would absolutely love to return."
- Jesphin Silva · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Beach Resort
"I do intend to come back a 3rd time!"
- Veronique Doux · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Beach Resort
"We will be planning to return in June with our Families."
- The Never Ending Footsteps · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Private Island
Negative and Critical Themes
Food
The most common criticism across both resorts - though recent reviews suggest improvement
"The 3 meals were simple but satisfactory."
↳ Even in a 5-star review, 'satisfactory' is not a selling point
- Wati Wati · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Beach Resort
"Overwater Room: everything was wonderful - except the food."
↳ TripAdvisor review title - full text behind login wall
- TripAdvisor reviewer · Beach Resort
Note: Recent reviews (Dec 2025+) are more positive about food. An independent blogger noted meals are "mostly buffet of Indonesian or Western-influenced meals" - functional, not memorable. If food has genuinely improved, this is a win - but don't oversell it on the site. Let it be a pleasant surprise.
School Groups (Beach Resort)
Undisclosed school groups ruining the peaceful experience
"SCHOOL GROUPS NOT DISCLOSED - HORRIBLE HOLIDAY"
↳ TripAdvisor review title (June 2025) - guests paying for a peaceful getaway were not told school groups would be on-site
- TripAdvisor reviewer · Beach Resort
Operational issue: If Beach Resort hosts school groups, guests need to be informed at booking time. This directly conflicts with the "Unplugged" pillar.
Comfort and Basic Amenities
Not necessarily negatives if expectations are set correctly
"The mattress/bed was not too comfortable for me BUT overall was good enough."
- Wati Wati · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Beach Resort
"The room is nice and windy, it feels comfortable even without aircon."
↳ Some guests love it - but others may not expect no AC
- Yolanda Yin · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Private Island
Also noted: No TV, limited WiFi (intentional), no room service, no air conditioning in overwater villas. These are features, not bugs - but the site needs to set this expectation so guests aren't surprised.
Accessibility and Mobility
"Not somewhere I'd suggest for anyone with mobility issues as there's a fair amount of steps and walking to contend with."
- Paul Bingham · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Private Island
Loft beds too steep for kids under 5. Walking distance to villas from common area. Worth noting on the site so guests with mobility needs can plan accordingly.
Limited Activities
"Not much activities available at the resort (if that's what you looking for). It's really the kind of holiday where you relax and do nothing."
- Sandra Aw · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Beach Resort
This aligns perfectly with the "Unplugged" pillar - but needs to be communicated clearly. Guests who want action-packed resorts should self-select out before booking.
General Disappointment
"Greatly disappointed."
↳ TripAdvisor review title - full review behind login wall
- TripAdvisor reviewer · Private Island
Pricing Insight (from independent blog)
An independent blogger broke down the real cost for a couple, 3 days / 2 nights at Private Island:
Source: girleatworld.net (July 2025). This is the pricing complexity guests face today - six separate line items. An all-inclusive number eliminates this friction entirely.
Data sources: Google Places API (471 reviews), TripAdvisor (862+ reviews, titles only - login wall), independent blog reviews.