Batam - It's industrial Indonesia after all!

[markis10]

For the more romantic there is the option of poolside private dining.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

This looks interesting. Might have to consider a little side trip next time I pass through SIN.

it looks hideous to me but each to their own

 

[markis10]

The terrace restaurant is the main venue and is open twenty four hours, something normally found at a casino. It's the venue for breakfast, which costs 150000 IDR or around $15. It was not the best breakfast I have had nor the most expensive, if you can get it in your room rate cheaper its good value.

 

[markis10]

If you don't feel like eating out, the room service menu is one of the more extensive I have seen.









Prices are in 1000's of IDR and are ++

 

[TomVexille]

it looks hideous to me but each to their own

It's alright, I know I have a strange choice in what to see on holiday.

 

[smit0847]

Gosh, and people thought my Guam trip looked bad!

 

[markis10]

So what is there to do outside of the hotel? As I trip this time is short I don't have the time, however in the interests of balance I asked the concierge that question.

Barelang bridge
This is a chain of six bridges linking Batam, Rempang, and Galang. Travelling from first to last bridge takes about fifty minutes and stretches 50km in total. The bridges are not busy, clearly another build it and they will come thing, and are now more important for their tourist attraction capabilities than the infrastructure benefits they provide.

Vietnamese Camp
Located on Galang island it served its purpose from 1975-1996. Well preserved by its former inhabitants, you can even see the boats they escaped in, still ready to go today.

Apparently there are a number of temples across the island worth a visit, of Buddhist and Hindu origin. Batam is also home to the biggest statue in Indonesia, the Kuan Im Statue, 23m high. It's visible in the day on the ferry ride to Sekupang.

If your after beaches, the best ones can be found on the North eastern part of the Island, Pantai Melayu Nongsa claims the crown apparently as the best. On the front stretch of Nongsa beach there is an outlying island called Pulau Putri or island of the princess. Accessible by canoes, apparently it's worth a visit.

 

[markis10]

A different view of the pool.



Hi tech poolside ordering system

 

[markis10]

It's a very effective yet simple system.

 

[samh004]

It's alright, I know I have a strange choice in what to see on holiday.

Looks interesting

 

[markis10]

After two days it was once again time to head back to Singapore. Waterfront city is not the place Suharto dreamed it will be and the landscape is dotted with potential. The big shed you may have noticed in one of the earlier shots used to be snow world, built in the 90s it fell into disrepair as the wheels came off the big project and caught fire in 2006.

Meanwhile the 1 Million folks living on Batam eek a living from where they can, including fishing in little boats in big water.



Checkout was quick and easy. Soon I was on my way with the free mini bus transfer to the ferry terminal.

 

[markis10]

Seeing the terminal in the light of day made me realise just how much it was like an airport, without planes.







Some operators have yet to discover the lure of Hot Dogs when it comes to attracting customers, give them cake anyday,

 

[markis10]

The One Water alliance even has a lounge.



In the waiting area prior to boarding, I did wonder about the effectiveness of the Holiday Inns marketing campaign:



I suppose they are hoping to snag the memory of a traveller leaving batam less than impressed with their stay elsewhere.

 

[markis10]

We boarded the ferry twenty minutes late, no idea why although the first mate arrived late, perhaps he slept in for the 11.30 departure, argh, island time.



Sadly seat Guru does not have Batam Fast seat maps.


If you have the option, do the ferry during the day, the trip goes so quick when there is so much outside to see.



This tug was towing a barge with about 60 40 foot containers on it, a common sight in Singaporean waters where ship loading is not always done in port.

Before I knew it we were back in Singapore at the ferry terminal.

 

[markis10]

So that brings my short stay in Batam to a close. Would I go back, yes, for short periods. If your looking for some quality time by the pool or getting Spa treatments the value is hard to beat, I suspect they get very busy on weekends for that reason. As a couple I would imagine you could easily get by on $200 a day full board including mini bar and pool drinks, all meals etc. A similar experience in Singapore might be cleaner, with better service etc, but at 3x the cost.

I have done a number of trips to Indonesia, some leaving a sour taste in my mouth when it comes to bribes and corruption. Batam is largely Malay when it comes to the population makeup and it shows. People are easy going, touts non existent and I never saw any need for a bribe or corruption in my daily experiences. Batam may look like a dump from potential not realised, but I have a feeling if you dig deeper and get to know the natives, both your life and theirs will be better for the experience, and even your wallet will get to relax.

 

[lovestotravel]

Thanks for the detailed report, but definitely not on my places to visit list that's for sure.

My first ever overseas trip (as an Adult) was to Fiji and we just sat by the pool and never left the resort, having learnt from that it's not my idea of a holiday anymore.

 

[casanovawa]

The hotel looks ok to me, its just looks like there is a lack of anything to do outside the hotel, which means me personally I wouldn't want to do much more than 3 days or so, although might be good to get you some points from some of these hotel chain promotions (never done a mattress run either)...

You could stay there i guess and even include the return ferry ride and still come up cheaper than many hotels staying in Singapore if your up for 2 hours of travel a day... Wonder if they have $5 1 hour massages outside the hotel like you can find in Bali??? Wonder if they have any of the water sports like Bali as well, cheap jetskis, diving etc??

 

[markis10]

The resort labelled the HI on google does have a water sports centre as the complex is on the water, the Harris resort. Prices seem ok:

Marina Beach, Batam @ JoTravelGuide.com

 

[Major]

Are there any restaurants or shops near the resort ?

 

[markis10]

Are there any restaurants or shops near the resort ?

Across the road there are a few shops in the waterfront city complex but nothing of interest. There are a few large malls nearby and there is a shuttle service from the hotel that runs every day.

http://enjoybatam.com/mega-mall-shopping-center-in-downtown-batam-center/