Everyone in Singapore is familiar with Batam. Like how can we not be? It is one of the nearest getaway sites that we can run off to whenever we are in a desperate need for a recharge.
There are 5 ferry operators that will send you from either of Singapore's two ferry terminals to
7 different locations in Batam.
Awesome muchhhhhhhh!
This is my virgin trip to Batam and I explored mostly Nagoya and Harbour Bay during this trip.
Transportation
I took Horizon Ferry (aka the renewed 'Prima Ferries') and I must say that my trip was smooth-sailing and comfortable. It was less boring than I thought due to the presence of two 20" LCD TV, playing Channel NewsAsia, in each section (front and back) of the ship.
The round trip ticket for the Economy Class cost me SGD $48. To get bumped up to Business Class, it was an additional $8 per trip.
The benefits of being in Business Class were listed as such on their
site:
- Priority in embarking and disembarking the ship
- Being seated on the upper deck of the ferry which would guarantee low noise levels
- Spacious legroom and plusher seats
- On-board steward/stewards to assist you and ensure the additional paid-level of comfortability
- Better view of the sea? (dependent on the seat that you choose)
Passengers who would like to enjoy more privacy on board can request for their VIP room, which without saying comes at an additional cost of $50 per trip. Do note that the VIP room is only able to contain 3 guests at any one time.
Accommodation
Allium Panorama Hotel Batam
Komplek Panorama Nagoya, Kepulauan Riau 29432, Indonesia
Contact: +62 778 452888
Website: http://alliumbatam.samalihotels.com/
Overview of Executive Room
Marble bathroom with bathtub and shower facilities
Breakfast buffet in the morning
Room service to satiate midnight hunger pangs
Damages: SGD 100 ($50/night)
- Price stated includes breakfast buffet for 2 and internet access
- Price stated does not include transport service from the ferry terminal to hotel, however it can be arranged upon request and would cost an additional $9.50 per trip
- The room is furnished with a king size bed, working desk, and offers a splendid view of Nagoya
- Gym and pool are available for usage by hotel guests
Review:
- Clean room but disappointing hotel amenities. (Within my room, there were two buggy sockets and two buggy lights. My nights were spent in a dimly lit environment.)
- Water heating system seems to be failing as I had to take a lukewarm bath on my second night
- Half of the food served during the morning breakfast buffet were cold and had a lack of sufficient seasoning. However food from the room service was awesome!
- Friendly staff who always had a smile on their faces and were eager to extend their help
- Private concierge service available from a counter at the hotel lobby, which makes travelling around the island extremely convenient
- Where Paris-Lyon Café (ranked #73 on TripAdvisor's "Top Restaurants in Batam", and #4 on "Best Cafés in Batam") is situated at
Entertainment
The Spa Secret
Komp. Nagoya Garden Phase I Blok D No. 1-2-3, Riau 29432, Indonesia
Contact: +62 778 423123
Website: http://www.spasecretbatam.com/
Reception area
I wasn't keen on sight-seeing nor shopping in Batam, and so after doing some research, I chose the best thing for me on TripAdvisor's list of "
Things to do in Batam".
I chose a price-worthy spa package at
The Spa Secret, rated #3 on TripAdvisor's list of "
Top Spas in Batam".
Some light refreshments available for their guests
Foot reflexology area
Single Spa Room
Couple Spa Room
En suite jacuzzi pool in the Couple Spa Room
Damages: SGD 79 (for 2.5 hours of "Fruits" Spa treatment)
- Price depends on the type of spa treatment chosen, it ranges from SGD 68 to SGD 96
- We paid full in cash thus there was no hidden GST, service charge nor additional service fee
- No complimentary transport service available for this spa parlour
Review:
- Plus points for convenience (directly opposite Nagoya Hills Shopping Mall)
- Facilities were clean, and amenities provided was hygenic
- Service provided by the administrative staff was professional and on-the-point
- Masseuse was friendly and observant. Always asking about my level of comfortability, and was patient in explaining each treatment process
- Price worthy spa package as it included 9 different treatment processes and a complimentary drink
Arcade
Nagoya Hills Shopping Mall
3rd floor, Jalan Teuku Umar No. 1, Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29432, Indonesia
Contact: +62 778 433988
Website: http://www.nagoyahill.co.id/
FunWorld @ Nagoya Citywalk Batam
Jl. Imam Bonjol, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444, Indonesia
Contact: +62 778 430000
Website: http://nagoyacitywalk.wix.com/nagoya-citywalk
Review:
- Inexpensive arcade games at SGD 0.20 per game (!!!)
- Got the chance to play all of the arcade games that I never would have in Singapore, and deliberately chose the silliest ones in the game centre
- Reminisced over old-school paper tickets that were dispensed upon winning a game (compared to the electronic system in Singapore where all tickets are charged to a player's game card)
- Small and uninteresting variety of prizes to exchange for with the tickets
- Preference for the arcade at Nagoya Citywalk due to the lack of individuals smoking indoors #indoorhaze
Dining
Baresto Cafe
Nagoya Hills Shopping Mall
3rd floor, Jalan Teuku Umar No. 1, Batam,
Kepulauan Riau 29432, Indonesia
Damages: SGD 14 for 2 pax
Review:
- Best thing about Indonesia? Good food at an even better price!
- Wide variety in the menu, from Asian delights to local Indonesian cuisine and Western food too
- Generous with food portions
- Huge dining area, thus I was able to select a table that was away from other smoking diners
- Lack of proper inventory check as they were already out of fish when we arrived at about 6pm for dinner
- Only selective staff members were able to converse in English
Kangen Cafe
Nagoya Hills Shopping Mall
3rd floor, Jalan Teuku Umar No. 1, Batam,
Kepulauan Riau 29432, Indonesia
Damages: SGD 18 for 2 pax
Review:
- Most staff were able to converse in basic English
- Food is affordable, but the price point is slightly higher as compared to Baresto Cafe
- In terms of food fragrance and food proportions, Baresto Cafe has got the upper hand
- Tons of diners smoking within the indoor restaurant which made the dining experience dreadful and unbearable
- Not advisable to order their strawberry juice as it is mostly made out of strawberry syrup #artificialflavouring
- Highly recommend their Deep Fried Fish in Mango Sauce — addictively appetising!
A&W
Nagoya Hills Shopping Mall
B1 and 1st floor, Jalan Teuku Umar No. 1, Batam,
Kepulauan Riau 29432, Indonesia
Damages: Average price of SGD 4 per pax
Review:
- Root beer float, curly fries, fresh waffles topped with vanilla soft serve drizzled with strawberry syrup... Need I say more?
- Affordable but considered to be on the relatively pricier end, given the standards of food pricing in Indonesia
- It felt really good to finally satiate my many years of craving for A&W (ROOT BEER FLOAT!!!)
Bella Italia Pizzeria Restaurant
Komplek Harbor Bay City Walk No. 16
Jalan Duyung, Batu Ampar, Kepulauan Riau 23424, Indonesia
Contact: +62 778 7415225
Opening hours: 11am to 11pm
Website: http://bellaitaliabatam.co.id/
Ranked #1 as the "Best Restaurant in Batam" by TripAdvisor
Funghi Saltati in Padella (SGD 8.70)
"Sautéed wild mushroom dressed with balsamic syrup"
La Frittura di Calamari e Gamberi (SGD 8)
"Deep fried squids & prawns with tartar sauce"
Gli Gnocchi alla Fiorentina (SGD 9.90)
"Dumpling Potato Pasta Served With Bolognese Sauce, Mushroom, Tomato & Cream"
Bella Italia Pizza (SGD 11.20)
"Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella Cheese, Beef Ham, Mushroom & Egg"
Damages: SGD 42 for 2 pax (including GST and service charge)
Review:
- Price point is on the higher end based on Indonesia's food pricing standards
- The mushroom dish was an incredible starter to work-up an appetite
- Calamari and prawn fritters were lightly battered and fried to perfection as the calamari was not rubbery nor was the prawn too soft. Plus points for the usage of fresh seafood!
- Gnocchi was unfortunately on a slightly softer side, whereas the bolognese sauce was a perfect combination of tangy and sweetness which made the dish hard to resist
- Pizza was average and toppings were scattered unevenly. It took a long time to cook (more than 30 mins), thus we had to have it packed to go.
- Concurred with TripAdvisor's statement as this being the Best Restaurant in Batam. Worthy of a second visit!
Snacks and Drinks
Mois Layer Cake House
Nagoya Citywalk
Jln Wiratno Ruko Sederet Hotel Kaputra, Tanjungpinang
Damages: SGD 8 (for 6" x 6" original flavor lapis cake)
Review:
- Buttery flavoured. Not too sweet nor oily
- Lack of the layered cake texture that would be expected in lapis cakes
- Preference for original flavour instead of prune flavour for this bakery due to its increased fragrance and buttery taste
Brewsky & Co Microbrewery
Nagoya Citywalk Batam
LG no. 06-09, Riau Islands Province, Indonesia
Contact: +62 778 429999
Opening hours: (Mon-Thurs) 12pm-1.30am, (Fri-Sun) 12pm-2.30am
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Brewsky-Co
Belgium Booze (SGD 3.15 for 350ml)
"Golden colour, aromatic hop, tangy, refreshing. Alcohol by volume: 5.5%"
Brewsky Kölsch (SGD 3.15 for 350ml)
"Golden colour, moderate hop, tangy and refreshing. Alcohol by volume: 5.5%"
Damages: 6.30 (for 2 pax, excluding GST and service charge)
Review:
- Limited beer choices were available for order despite the wide variety on their menu
- The beers were exceptionally hoppy for its types
- They also had a sour aftermath which is either due to the lack of proper filtration or excessive yeast added
- Plus points: These draft beers are considered to be cheap, as compared to the price point in Singapore
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Total damages: SGD 250/pax
- Ferry: SGD 48 for round-way ticket
- Accommodation: SGD 50 for 2 nights
- Transport around Batam: SGD 50(SGD 5/taxi ride)
- Food & Entertainment: SGD 100
