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If you're an avid beach-goer, you might have heard of an up-and-coming island development in Indonesia touting "Maldives-style living", reported to be just 15 minutes away from Singapore.

Dubbed Nirup Island, the "meticulously master-planned island development" by Indonesian firm PT Citra Tritunas Prakarsa boasts a collection of 94 villas, five-star hotel facilities, and sea-side adventure activities.

The epitome of luxury, located just eight nautical miles south of Singapore.

Here are impressions of what the resort will look like:

Accessibility

However, upon investigation, there appears to be a few irregularities in the offerings listed on the developer's website.

For instance, this:

"Located just 15 minutes away from Singapore ONE15 Marina Sentosa Cove, with 10 ferry trips daily."

But a spokesperson from ONE15 Marina clarified that in reality, only visitors who make the trip via private or chartered yacht from Sentosa Cove will be able to enjoy a 15-minute journey.

Needless to say, a yacht, even if chartered, doesn't come cheap.

For visitors who go by ferry, the journey will instead comprise a rather more arduous two-part ride: first, a ferry from Harbourfront to Batam, and then another from Batam to Nirup Island.

Each ferry ride will take 45 minutes, totalling a 1.5-hour journey.

The marina will open in July 2023, with ticket prices yet to be finalised.

Island issues

The Nirup Island development is split into two parts:

• The water side (including the marina), managed by ONE15
• The land side, including the island's accommodation and residences.

Previous reports noted that the the five-star M Gallery Hotel would be the island's flagship accommodation.

A 2020 press release by SUTL, owner of the ONE15 brand, also noted that the marina was previously expected to open in August 2021, with the island hosting a five-star resort managed by M Gallery.

But Mothership understands that instead of M Gallery, a new vendor will be selected to develop the villas, hotel rooms, and facilities.

There is currently no mention of which hotel it will be on the website, although previous illustrations of a hotel lobby with M Gallery's logo remains on the website.

This change will likely push back the opening date of the Nirup Island development, last slated for 2023.

According to ONE15's spokesperson, the development is currently undergoing construction and the opening date will be announced later.

Mothership reached out to PT Citra Tritunas Prakarsa for comment but did not receive a response by press time.

Residential community

In addition to being a luxury holiday destination, Nirup Island has also been advertised as an "exclusive residential community".

A 2022 Lifestyle Asia report noted that individuals can purchase and own properties at The Riahi Residences. If the owners are away, the residence would be included in the hotel's inventory and managed by them.

Owners would also receive a cut of the revenue and an annual complimentary stay.

However, it's not clear if all this will also be true under the new hotel vendor. While property on The Riahi Residences have been advertised since as early as 2018, there are currently no details available on the developer's website.

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Top image via PT Citra Tritunas Prakarsa and Google Maps