BAWAH RESERVE PUTS ANAMBAS ISLANDS ON THE LUXURY MAP
In the remote waters of Indonesia’s Anambas Islands, Bawah Reserve is redefining what it means to blend barefoot luxury with environmental stewardship.
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Until recently, the Anambas Islands were barely a blip on the radar of international travellers. Scattered between Singapore and Borneo, this little-known archipelago has become an emerging hotspot for high-net-worth travellers seeking privacy, nature and sustainable luxury. At the centre of this rise is Bawah Reserve, a secluded six-island retreat that can only be reached by private seaplane.
The Reserve is set within a marine conservation zone that protects coral reefs, lagoons and rainforest. With just 36 villas and bungalows, Bawah was never designed to be a mass tourism destination. Instead, it is positioned as a model of low-impact development: activities are curated to connect guests to their surroundings while ensuring the fragile ecosystem remains intact.
Nature as the main attraction
Days at Bawah revolve around the landscape. Guests can dive and snorkel in reef systems still teeming with marine life, trek through rainforest to elevated lookouts, or simply swim off one of the Reserve’s 13 beaches. Those after a slower pace gravitate towards the Aura Wellbeing Deck for sunrise yoga or the spa, where treatments use botanicals sourced from the islands.
Food and culture also form part of the experience. The resort runs Indonesian coffee workshops and even a “scent bar” where visitors can create perfumes using tropical ingredients. One of the most talked-about experiences is the Castaway Picnic, which ranges from a white-tablecloth meal prepared by a private chef to a stripped-back family beach outing.
Evenings are more communal, with stargazing, cinema screenings beneath the open sky, or traditional Indonesian beach barbecues.
A growing profile
Paul Robinson, COO of Bawah Reserve, frames the philosophy around connection. “Bawah isn’t just a place you visit – it’s a place that stays with you. Our activities are crafted to connect guests to the spirit of the islands, whether through adventure, creativity, or quiet moments of reflection”.
That approach appears to be working. In recent years, the Anambas Islands have gained attention among Asia’s luxury travellers, partly due to their proximity to Singapore and partly because of properties like Bawah that position sustainability as part of the drawcard. The Reserve’s ultra-private Elang Residence, available only for exclusive group stays, has further lifted its profile.
The bigger picture
Bawah is part of a broader trend in high-end travel: ultra-remote destinations that sell not just luxury but the sense of being among the last to experience an untouched landscape. Unlike the Maldives or Phuket, the Anambas remain largely under the radar — a fact that gives Bawah an advantage with travellers tired of crowded hotspots.
The challenge, as with many eco-luxury projects, will be balancing exclusivity and environmental responsibility as demand grows. For now, Bawah Reserve stands as both a sanctuary for travellers and a statement about the future direction of Southeast Asian luxury tourism.
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A stellar field of performance cars was recognised at Robb Report’s annual event, with Citizen Kanebridge backing the experience alongside leading luxury partners.
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Aston Martin’s Vanquish has been crowned overall winner of Robb Report Australia & New Zealand’s 2025 Car of the Year, taking top honours at an exclusive event in Sydney.
Held at the Harbourside Residences Display Gallery by Mirvac, the evening brought together drivers, partners and industry figures for the long-awaited announcement of the 2025 Car of the Year.
Exclusive private member’s club Citizen Kanebridge was among the partners supporting the event, which has become a fixture on the luxury automotive calendar, showcasing the very best in performance, design and innovation across the global car market.
Across a tightly contested field, category winners reflected the breadth of today’s high-end automotive landscape, from traditional combustion engines to hybrid and fully electric performance models.
Among the standout winners, the Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider took out Best Combustion Supercar, while the Aston Martin Vanquish was named Best Super-GT before ultimately securing the overall title.
Other notable winners included the Mercedes-Benz G580 as Best Off-Roader, the Audi RS Q8 Performance for Best SUV Coupe, and the Aston Martin DBX 707 for Best Super-SUV.
Electrification continued to shape the upper end of the market, with the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray named Best Hybrid Supercar and the Audi RS e-Tron GT Performance taking out Best Electric GT.
The Lamborghini Urus SE was recognised as Best Hybrid SUV and also placed third overall, while the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance secured second place overall in the coupe category.
Guests were also given a first look at a short film capturing the spirit of the two-day Car of the Year program, produced by SONDR, alongside photography that will feature in a dedicated 40-page portfolio in the upcoming issue.
Guests were welcomed alongside a curated group of Car of the Year partners, including Jacob & Co. and La Prairie, with Peter Lehmann Wines and Glenfiddich ensuring the evening unfolded in suitably polished fashion.
The broader program was supported by partners including Citizen Kanebridge, Msquared Capital, Hardy Brothers, Bell Helicopters, Saddles and Spicers Retreats, reflecting the wider luxury ecosystem that underpins the event.
With full results set to be published in the next issue of Robb Report Australia & New Zealand, attention now turns to the next instalment of the program, with this year’s Car of the Year drive scheduled for September.
For those in the room, however, the message was already clear. In a field defined by innovation and performance, the Vanquish still knows how to stand apart.
With full results published in the next issue of Robb Report Australia & New Zealand, attention now turns to the next instalment of the program, with this year’s Car of the Year drive scheduled for September.
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