If The White Lotus has taught us anything, it’s that luxury resorts are the perfect backdrop for secrets, scandals, and the occasional whodunit. And while you won’t find Jennifer Coolidge lamenting in a caftan at Cempedak Island’s inaugural Murder Mystery Weekend, you can step into your own high-society thriller at the resort’s latest event, happening from 11th to 13th April.
Set on an ultra-exclusive private island off the coast of Bintan, this immersive experience swaps poolside ennui for cryptic clues, shadowy motives, and a weekend of decadent sleuthing. The only question is: will you solve the mystery, or become part of it?
Where is Cempedak Island?
Image: Cempedak Island
First, a quick introduction. Tucked away off the coast of Bintan, Cempedak Island is a 17-hectare private sanctuary. The adults-only retreat is a place where busy city dwellers can get in touch with nature. Think white-sand beaches, sculpted granite boulders, and dense tropical forests home to wildlife.
The island’s bamboo villas, with their curved thatched roofs and open-air design, blur the line between indoors and out. Each comes with a private plunge pool and expansive decks, ensuring uninterrupted views of the surrounding waters.
And here’s a bonus: Cempedak Island has strict no-guests-under-15 and no-crowds policies. It’ll just be the sound of waves, rustling palm trees, and the occasional call of a hornbill overhead.
A Murder Mystery Weekend on Cempedak Island
Image: Cempedak Island
With a setting so serene, you’d hardly expect anything suspicious to unfold. But that’s exactly what awaits. In fact, the game begins before you even set foot on Cempedak Island. Guests who board the 11.10am ferry from Singapore to Bintan on 11th April might receive their first cryptic clue, setting the tone for a weekend of mystery, deception, and discovery.
Upon arrival, actors from Evolve School of Performing Arts go incognito among the island’s staff and guests, their roles hidden until the chilling revelation of a murder on the first night. From that moment on, every guest becomes both investigator and suspect.
Image: Cempedak Island
Saturday plays out like a detective novel brought to life. Participants scour the island for clues, interrogate suspects, and connect the dots. The events of the day will lead up to a communal dinner where theories are debated, alliances are formed, and suspicions mount.
Adventure and nature beyond the mystery
Of course, even the most dedicated investigators will need a breather. In between the interrogations, Cempedak Island’s landscapes provide a striking contrast to the unfolding mystery. Participants of the Murder Mystery Weekend can spend the day soaking in the private plunge pools of their villa, indulging in gourmet island fare, or sipping cocktails by the sea.
Image: Cempedak Island
The island also offers a guided walking trail through lush rainforest, rock climbing on a natural boulder, kayaking at sunset, and ample opportunities for wildlife encounters. Look out for marine life like sea otters, turtles, and the elusive Irrawaddy dolphins—there’s plenty to marvel at between sleuthing sessions.
How to get to Cempedak Island from Singapore?
Your journey to Cempedak Island begins at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, where a high-speed catamaran whisks you to Bintan Resorts (Bandar Bentan Telani) in under an hour. Upon arrival, a private driver will welcome you and take you on a one-hour car ride across Bintan. From there, it’s a 30-minute speedboat ride to Cempedak Island.
In total, the trip takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes door-to-door. A round-trip transfer, inclusive of the car journey, speedboat, and VIP lounge access at Bintan Ferry Terminal, is priced at S$100 per adult. Ferries can be booked at www.brf.com.sg.
With a journey this smooth, you’ll be in paradise before you know it.
Be part of the plot at Cempedak Island’s Murder Mystery Weekend
If the thought of a weekend filled with suspense and barefoot luxury has you intrigued, Cempedak Island’s Murder Mystery Weekend is one to mark on the calendar. Rates start at S$1,845 per villa for single occupancy, S$2,200 per villa for double occupancy, and S$3,156 per villa for triple occupancy.
The package includes two nights’ accommodation, three gourmet meals per day, return transfers from Bintan Ferry Terminal to Cempedak Island, and a fully immersive whodunit, hosted by professional actors from Evolve School of Performing Arts. Plus, there’s still time to soak in the island’s untouched beauty while the plot thickens.
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