Perhentian Resort Island Pir - BlueStar

Perhentian Resort Island PIR - BlueStar is a straightforward island resort for a stay built around the essentials: a beach at the door, a restaurant on site, and somewhere to cool off between outings. The setting keeps the focus where it belongs on Perhentian Besar: the water, the sand and the useful business of doing very little when you are not out exploring.

A swimming pool surrounded by greenery gives you another place to spend the warm part of the day. The resort also offers free Wi-Fi throughout, handy when you need to check a message, sort tomorrow's plans or simply confirm that the outside world is still there.

The resort sits on Pulau Perhentian Besar, in Terengganu, Malaysia, directly by the sea. Perhentian Beach is nearby, and the resort is within easy reach of the local centre on foot, so the location is not cut off from the island's immediate surroundings.

That position gives you a beach-first stay rather than an inland base. Sun loungers and parasols are available on the beach, while the island setting keeps the rest of the day close to the water.

The room choice is fairly easy to read. The standard room keeps things simple, while the standard family room gives you a room category aimed at travelling with more than two people. For a couple, the standard double room with balcony is the clearest fit: it has a double bed, air conditioning and a private bathroom, with the balcony adding somewhere to sit outside without leaving your room.

The same double room also includes a desk, shower, towels and toiletries. Air conditioning matters on an island where the heat does not politely leave at sunset, and the private bathroom means you can get cleaned up without making a production of it. The balcony is the useful extra for a quiet coffee, a bit of drying-off time or a last look outside before bed.

Pinang Seribu Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, so the main meals can stay on site rather than becoming another excursion. Breakfast is included in the room rate, giving you a practical start before heading to the beach or out on the water.

The restaurant offers carefully prepared food and attentive service. Meal arrangements can be limited during Ramadan, so that seasonal point is worth bearing in mind when planning the stay.

The outdoor pool is the obvious place for a slower afternoon. It is surrounded by greenery and designed for swimming and cooling down, with the beach providing a second option when you would rather have sand under your feet. Sun loungers and parasols are available there.

When sitting still has run its course, the resort offers snorkelling, kayaking, jet-skiing and boat excursions. Those choices cover a few different speeds: drift around with a mask, paddle under your own steam, or let a boat do the moving for you.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to 18:00, with check-out by 11:00. An airport transfer service is available as a paid service and should be arranged with the resort. The island setting makes that transfer part of the journey rather than a minor detail to leave until the last minute.

Payment is accepted in cash, by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal or bank transfer. Couples sharing a room must present a valid marriage certificate at check-in. Pets are not admitted.