Nikoi is a member of The Long Run.
THE NIKOI STORY.
We Couldn’t Find the
Kind of Holiday We
Wanted - So We Crafted It
That vision led them to a little-known island off the east coast of Bintan. Fringed by white sand and coral reefs, and almost untouched by footprints, Nikoi felt like a secret waiting to be told. In 2005, with the help of local craftspeople, they began to build. Driftwood, alang-alang grass and time spent under the sun shaped the first villas.
From the start, Nikoi was never meant to be a resort. It was to be a place where simple yet thoughtful design, genuine hospitality and the rhythms of nature came together in harmony. Over the years, the island has grown: a few more villas and a few more team members, but its spirit has not changed. Nikoi remains what it was always meant to be: an escape that gives back to its guests, its people, and the land it calls home.
How a simple idea because a shared journey for a group of like-minded friends.
When Andrew Dixon moved to Singapore in the late 1990s, he found himself searching for the kind of holidays he had grown up with in Australia - outdoors and close to nature. What he discovered nearby though, were glossy resorts stripped of character or beach shacks barely holding together. So, along with a few friends who shared a love for nature, adventure and good food, he began to imagine something different.
2001
The current owners first visited the island (in a leaky boat)
2004
Acquired the leasehold titles to the island
2005
Construction on the island begins
2007
Nikoi Island officially opens to the public
2010
Owners form The Island Foundation
2013
Nikoi becomes a member of The Long Run
2017
Established a 7ha permaculture farm on Bintan
2020
The team help establish Seven Clean Seas whilst the islands are closed
2022
The Ubah Rumah artist residency is launched
2022
Nikoi becomes a Global Ecosphere Retreat (under The Long Run)
2022
The East Bintan Marine Protected Area (MPA) is gazetted
2023
The Island Life cookbook is published
A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
OUR AWARDS
2025
ICRT - Southeast Asia Responsible Tourism Awards - One to Watch
2024
Expat Living - Readers Choice Award - Best Overseas Hotel for a Family Getaway
2023
The Regenerative Travel Impact Awards 2023 – Regenerative Travel Experience (Finalist)
2019
Tripadvisor Hall of Fame
2019
World Travel & Tourism Council - Tourism for Tomorrow Awards - Social Impact Award
2018
Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence
2016
HICAP Sustainable Hotel Awards - Sustainable Communities
2016
Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award
2015
Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards -
Most Inspiring Responsible Tourism Operator
2015
Green Hotelier Awards - Winner
2015
Global Initiatives - Sustainable Business Award Indonesia - Winner
2015
Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award
2014
Sustainable Business Award Indonesia
2015
National Geographic - World Legacy Awards - Finalist
2013
Travel + Leisure - Global Vision Award (Sustainability) - Runner-up
We protect what we’re part of
We look after the land, the sea, the people and the culture around us.
We go beyond
what’s expected
Our service is instinctive, not scripted, and always personal.
We question the usual
From how we build to how we host, we’re not scared to do things differently.
ISLAND ETHOS
For us, being ethical does not mean we have to compromise on standards. In fact we believe the opposite. By harmonising with the local environment, the local community and culture, customers get a better experience. An experience with the soul put back in.
From the outset we have been keen that Nikoi should have a positive impact on all stakeholders. We have tried to avoid the ‘eco resort’ label as we believe this description has been overused and, to some, implies that guests are asked to either pay more or accept less. Rather, the goal has been to try and offer guests a unique experience which minimises negative impact in the short term and has a long term positive impact on the local community and environment.
In itself we see this endeavour as a journey. The approach might not always seem logical or standard industry practice but even small initiatives are given a lot of thought. As owner and operator, decisions are made with the guest in mind rather than just the bottom line, industry practice or the conflict of a different owner and operator. We believe returning guests are our best endorsement and that is why you will not see us pay for advertisement. As owners, we regularly holiday on the island as paying guests and this helps ensure we continue to maintain standards and offer value.
Our Name
We are told that Nikoi gets its name from a local derivation of the Hokkien word for the papaya fruit originally farmed on the island, but there is no written history about the island. The earliest reference we have for the name is from a map published in 1863, where the name of the island is spelt “Nekkoi”.
Our Team
Nearly all of Nikoi’s 150+ employees are Indonesian. Typically there are no more than 50 guests on the island meaning there are always ample staff on hand. Many of these same staff started with us during the building phase and so have a true affinity with the place they helped to create.
We have worked hard to create a relaxed and convivial work ethic that breaks away from the traditional hotel model. Our goal has been to have healthy and happy employees who take pride in their jobs. We encourage them to learn new skills and many of our staff have moved from back of house roles to front of house ones. This has been rewarding for all of us involved.