Feb 26, 2025 08:00:00 AM
Reviewer Type:
Solo Traveller
Travel Purpose:
leisure
Positive:
A really enjoyed staying Here, it was what I wanted. Danny ,the owner, is very friendly and always happy to do anything extra for the guest. Really nice built bunglalows with a private bathroom, which you don't get in the other resort ,, good food, lots of fresh fish.They dont have any activities priorgsnised but they can organize it for you, it would be bit pricey as all trips around the here are. Yeah you might see a rat but it's not like they're running around, actually I only saw one after 5 days staying here. Considering the price it's really the best deal on the Island
Descover paradise at the Palambak Paradise Resort
Darko, Netherlands
Dec 2, 2024 08:00:00 AM
Reviewer Type:
Solo Traveller
Travel Purpose:
leisure
Positive:
It was an authentic natural island environment, with a beach and jungle, and the sound of the crashing wave. You walk around the island in 3 hours+, in saltwater and climbing over coconut tree stumps. Although simple, the bungalow was well made and functional, with mosquito net, bathroom and verandah. The dining hall was spacious, and the cat was friendly. Nelson the fisherman and helping hand was good, and would catch fresh fish everyday, play the guitar, but was a chain smoker... The grilled fish or curry fish was excellent, prepared by Deni.
Negative:
A formula of 3 meals per day was imposed from the beginning, no 'a la carte' menu available... Breakfast was either omelette or pancake, lunch was either 'nasi goreng' or 'mie goreng', dinner was fine but repetitive with fish, rice, vegetables and watermelon for dessert. Deni, the owner, was rather money-minded, expecting you to take the 3 meals/day, not happy if you had dinner only on day one or breakfast only on the last day... He became pushy, aggressive, abusive with language, and in the end, gave me a bad feeling... He wants you to accept his terms.
Summary:
A double-sided Robinson Crusoe experience...
Pierre, France
Sep 29, 2024 07:00:00 AM
Reviewer Type:
Solo Traveller
Travel Purpose:
leisure
Positive:
- 50% for single travelers
If you are alone, you only pay 50% for the bungalow.
- Own good private bathroom, which other bungalows of the same price do not have.
Some only have a shared bathroom.
- Bungalows are located directly on the very long sandy beach.
- Comfortable double bed
- Quiet
No mosque, no chickens to be heard in the morning from my bungalow.
I was the only guest for 7 days.
- Mosquito net without holes
- Manager speaks good English.
- Friendly manager named Mr. Deni.
- The manager organized the transport from my bungalow to Lake Toba.
- Free WiFi at the restaurant
- Electricity from 6 p.m. to about 10 p.m.
- Diving mask for rent
But I had my own goggles and diving fins.
- Fish and corals were OK, but I had to swim about 400 m into the open sea for them.
The manager can take you there.
- Free drinking water, tea and coffee 24/7.
- Pick up in Balai
When I arrived with the local boat in Balai on Pulau Balai, a gentleman was waiting for me and took me to the second boat.
- Good food whenever I wanted
But you should bring enough snacks.
Dinner was more rice than I could eat, lunch was OK, but for breakfast there was only a very thin banana pancake.
On the way to Singkil I bought waffles, marshmallows, cookies, chocolate cookies, small breads with cheese or chocolate for 25 EUR.
I was not hungry and I did not lose weight.
- Some useful information
2 flights per week from Medan to Singkil with Susi Air.
The manager recommended a good, quiet and cheap hotel in Singkil called Alviya.
Private taxi from Medan to Singkil 1,500,000 IDR.
The local boat to the resort runs every day between 10 and 11 am.
You can get the ferry schedule from Mr Darmawan from Banyak Island Travel, Darmawan Singkil <dmawan_skl76@yahoo.com> or from Customer Service ASDP <cs@asdp.id>.
Private taxi from Singkil to Lake Toba 1,200,000 IDR organized by the manager.
Boat from Balai to the resort 350,000 IDR.
Negative:
- In my bungalow the only power socket was broken.
But there was another power socket at the restaurant.
- It takes an entire day to get there with 2 boats from Singkil.
- You can't choose your food from a menu.
The manager will suggest something he has.
I always said OK.
- You should bring the following with you as you can't buy anything on the island.
There is only one other resort and nothing else.
Any medicine you might need.
Flashlight with spare batteries
Sun hat
Sunscreen
Lots of different snacks, especially if you like chocolate like me.
2 large water bottles for refills.
Summary:
7 days Robinson Crusoe with full board and private bathroom
Heinz-Willi, Germany
Sep 28, 2024 07:00:00 AM
Reviewer Type:
Solo Traveller
Travel Purpose:
leisure
Positive:
- 50% for single travelers
If you are alone, you only pay 50% for the bungalow.
- Own good private bathroom, which other bungalows of the same price do not have.
Some only have a shared bathroom.
- Bungalows are located directly on the very long sandy beach.
- Comfortable double bed
- Quiet
No mosque, no chickens to be heard in the morning from my bungalow.
I was the only guest for 7 days.
- Mosquito net without holes
- Manager speaks good English.
- Friendly manager named Mr. Deni.
- The manager organized the transport from my bungalow to Lake Toba.
- Free WiFi at the restaurant
- Electricity from 6 p.m. to about 10 p.m.
- Diving mask for rent
But I had my own goggles and diving fins.
- Fish and corals were OK, but I had to swim about 400 m into the open sea for them.
The manager can take you there.
- Free drinking water, tea and coffee 24/7.
- Pick up in Balai
When I arrived with the local boat in Balai on Pulau Balai, a gentleman was waiting for me and took me to the second boat.
- Good food whenever I wanted
But you should bring enough snacks.
Dinner was more rice than I could eat, lunch was OK, but for breakfast there was only a very thin banana pancake.
On the way to Singkil I bought waffles, marshmallows, cookies, chocolate cookies, small breads with cheese or chocolate for 25 EUR.
I was not hungry and I did not lose weight.
- Some useful information
2 flights per week from Medan to Singkil with Susi Air.
The manager recommended a good, quiet and cheap hotel in Singkil called Alviya.
Private taxi from Medan to Singkil 1,500,000 IDR.
The local boat to the resort runs every day between 10 and 11 am.
You can get the ferry schedule from Mr Darmawan from Banyak Island Travel, Darmawan Singkil <dmawan_skl76@yahoo.com> or from Customer Service ASDP <cs@asdp.id>.
Private taxi from Singkil to Lake Toba 1,200,000 IDR organized by the manager.
Boat from Balai to the resort 350,000 IDR.
Negative:
- In my bungalow the only power socket was broken.
But there was another power socket at the restaurant.
- It takes an entire day to get there with two boats from Singkil.
- You can't choose your food from a menu.
The manager will suggest something he has.
I always said OK.
- You should bring the following with you as you can't buy anything on the island.
There is only one other resort and nothing else.
Any medicine you might need.
Flashlight with spare batteries
Sun hat
Sunscreen
Lots of different snacks, especially if you like chocolate like me.
Two large water bottles for refills.
Summary:
7 days Robinson Crusoe with full board and private bathroom
Heinz-Willi, Germany
Feb 26, 2024 08:00:00 AM
Reviewer Type:
Family With Children
Travel Purpose:
leisure
Positive:
We travelled with our kids (1,5 and 3 years old at the time of travel).
The location is great: on a remote island, nestled on the side naturally sheltered from the wind. During our stay (mid-February), there were a few strong night storms, but they were pleasant and caused absolutely no problems or damage. The rooms are spacious, the bathroom is nice, and the mosquito nets are wide, new, and without any holes.
We loved the remote feel of the location. We typically spent our days at the resort or on the beach just around the corner - this beach ranks among the top three best beaches we have ever seen and is completely deserted. With palm trees on white sand and shallow water at around 30 degrees Celsius.
We particularly enjoyed the dinners - we had fresh fish every evening (we mentioned our love for fish upon arrival). Deni went fishing every afternoon and prepared fresh fish each evening, along with really tasty vegetables.
The owner, Deni, is very kind. He is a great cook and made our boat excursion truly memorable - we saw a manatee and many turtles. He arranged our transportation, promptly replied to all our messages, and truly deserves recognition for his outstanding hospitality.
Negative:
We would love some more variety for breakfast (excellent banana pancakes every day).
The rooms are really hot during night, making the sleep a bit uncomfortable.
Summary:
Amazing beach cpottages
Kaja, Slovenia
Dec 9, 2023 08:00:00 AM
Reviewer Type:
Solo Traveller
Travel Purpose:
business
Positive:
Great island. Great resort. Basic wooden hut with toilet and shower. Even without a fan (there is electricity from around 6 to 10 PM) it does not get too hot. Lovely, clean garden/beach area. Not too many mosquitos. There is Wifi (not everywhere, but it works).
Good food, great host (Deni - contact him with whatever question you have, f.e. transport to/from the island).
Enjoy the turtles, the fishes, the sand and the coconut :-).
Negative:
Nothing. It is indeed a paradise.
Summary:
Fantastic
uligaen, Switzerland
Nov 14, 2023 08:00:00 AM
Reviewer Type:
Solo Traveller
Travel Purpose:
leisure
Positive:
Perfect place to spend a time in natural tropics!
Deni and staff - cool friendly guys, who make your rest the best as far as possible on a desert island
Negative:
Nothing!
Dmitrii, Russia
Sep 1, 2023 07:00:00 AM
Reviewer Type:
Solo Traveller
Travel Purpose:
leisure
Positive:
It was an amazing stay. Deni was really attentive and made me feel not as a guest, but as a part of the family. The coral reefs surrounding the property were really nice and provided a good opportunity to snorkel. All in all, would stay again!
Lovro, Croatia
Aug 19, 2023 07:00:00 AM
Reviewer Type:
Couple
Travel Purpose:
leisure
Positive:
This truly was paradise on earth. The rooms all have beach front views, right on the water. The washroom was big and had excellent facilities. Everything was clean.
The food! Omg some of the best food we have had in indonesia! Fresh fish, veggies and the spices to die for!
Deni was amazing, kind and accommodating. Definitely will be back!
Summary:
True paradise!
Chels, Canada