Batam/Bintan on weekend

[invisible999]

I have a friend from States who is here in Singapore for several weeks. He wanted to go either to Batam/Bintan in the upcoming weekend or at both places.

I am quite skeptical what one can do at either place because he is not into either food/shopping/massage/etc. He is mostly interested in nature/sightseeing.

Any thoughts/ideas?

 

[beanstalk6]

Diving or snorkelling at Bintan is possible. Relaxing at the beach resorts can be considered a nature activity.

 

[belgarathc]

Can try hiking Mt Bintan and spend the night at the rustic mountain resort there. I have been there a few times and it's nice weekend getaway.

 

[invisible999]

Thanks folks. We (he actually) decide to do some a little bit more crazier idea - get to Batam, rent a car there, get with the car on ferry going to Bintan, get out there, drive around, stay one night, get on ferry back, drive around Batam, drop off car, come back to Singapore.

So he will take care of car rental and I will take care of of hotel booking. The thing is - we need a property with two rooms, not two separate rooms (has to be one property expense for reimbursement, not two rooms).

Do you know any such at Bintan (Batam booked already)?

P.S. If you can recommend good javanese massage place at Batam - would appreciate too - I can use it while he is running around on car.

 

[delceer]

You are female ?

Sent from Samsung Note 7 using GAGT

 

[amebelle]

I guess you can stay at one of the resorts.
I stayed at nirwana gardens, its about 130 sgd per night with breakfast + transfer from the ferry terminal. There were nice beaches there.

I went to the mangrove tour, then there are some white sand sculptures about 30 mins drive away.
https://indonesia.tripcanvas.co/sumatra/things-to-do-in-bintan/

 

[invisible999]

You are female?

Nope, just 40-something old dude. Where this question came from?

A little bit on serious mode - I have some back problems and found that Javanese type massage (at least in Java/Bali) is easier on my back than other types.

 

[invisible999]

I guess you can stay at one of the resorts.
I stayed at nirwana gardens, its about 130 sgd per night with breakfast + transfer from the ferry terminal. There were nice beaches there.

I went to the mangrove tour, then there are some white sand sculptures about 30 mins drive away.
https://indonesia.tripcanvas.co/sumatra/things-to-do-in-bintan/

I am Mayang Sari at this moment and I DO NOT recommend to stay here. Following review has been submitted to TripAdvisor

I feel sorry for people who think that this is five star property.

Where can I start... The only thing at this property can qualify for five stars is sounds of waves, which BTW you can buy at iTunes for $0.99 and save the rest of minimum $199.01 per night you would have to pay. Because honestly the rest qualifies from 'ok' (room and beach) to plain 'bad' (food at restaurant).

Cost cutting on facilities and amenities is clearly visible - slippers provided in the room are made from paper, bathroom window does not close, coffee provided in the room is 10c instant coffee, yet guests are charged arm and leg: can of Coke- 40k IDR, 1h massage - 380k IDR and so on.

Special mentioning deserves the Spice Restaurant. I have a feeling that cooks/personnel there either have some grudge towards guests or (most likely) are plain incompetent in terms of cooking ANY food. Because how can you screw up Indonesian, Chinese, Malay and Indian food - all of them are in menu and ALL of they they managed to do it - is beyond me. Satay was over salty, crab dish was plain not fresh, pasta and keropoks (crackers) were saggy and they even managed to screw up tandoori chicken, while charging IDR 250k-300k per meal.

Honestly, if you planned to go stay at this property, it would be better if you order waves sounds for 99c and donate $199.01 for charity.

 

[trd2970]

I went Batam a few times with family and personally hate the long queues at immigration. Packed like sardine and very disorganized.

If it's a weekend beach getaway u want, I suggest flying to Berjaya Tioman. The water there is awesome and you can do a lot there.

 

[invisible999]

I went Batam a few times with family and personally hate the long queues at immigration. Packed like sardine and very disorganized.

Arrival at batam was very fast, no complaints - just 5 min waiting in line.

If it's a weekend beach getaway u want, I suggest flying to Berjaya Tioman. The water there is awesome and you can do a lot there.

He did not want to go to 'beach getaway'. He wanted to see what 'real' Indonesia might look like. And we actually did it.

But as a side note - neither Batam nor Bintan are tourist destinations by any means. I know that plenty of people from Singapore go to Batam for 'massage' and Bintan Resorts area thinking that they are getting a good deal. I feel sorry for them.

 

[IceX]

are all bintan resorts fully booked for the cny period?

wanted to go there during cny period as ive never been there before and i dont really celebrate cny but my friend checked and informed all resorts are booked.

 

[invisible999]

are all bintan resorts fully booked for the cny period?

This weekend they've been pretty much empty.

wanted to go there during cny period as ive never been there before and i dont really celebrate cny but my friend checked and informed all resorts are booked.

If you wanna go - go. But I've already wrote my opinion below. I would not spend my own money going there. Note that in addition to resorts you also need to pay transportation costs.

 

[kediraksith]

question for Bintan... does anyone know any scooter rental or car rental at or near Tanjung Pinang ferry terminal? Would like to roam on my own in Bintan

 

[deedeerai]

Taking Alcohol To Bintan

Hi There,
I am going to Bintan Lagoon Resort on 1st Jan! Is the alcohol cheaper at Tanah Merah Duty Free or is it better to take alcohol from SG local shop? Any problem if we bring alcohol from SG to Bintan?

And can somoene PLEASE suggest me a good place to buy meat/veggies for BBQ?

Thank You!

 

[geran87]

Try this new hotel

Paragon@nagoya Hotel, address: Komplek Nagoya Business Center Blok 4 No 10-13, Nagoya, Batam Island, Indonesia, 29444. price=From SGD 30.00. Rooms in this New 2018 hotel are spacious, clean, equipped with air conditioning, cable TV and safe. Simple Buffet style breakfast is included. Massage center is in the premise with rate just $13/90 minutes. Standing in city center, it is only 5 minutes walk to NagoyaCity Walk, and 8 minutes walk to Nagoya Hill mall. BCS mall and DC mall is just 5 minutes taxi ride. Book through Agoda.com or Booking.com

Now go batam is cheap, just buy open ticket from carousell for $40 two way.
The hotel like above which is new, clean and at city only for $35.

Massage for only $13.... where to find such a good deal nearby Singapore...
Less than $200 for 2 person... u get a super get away deal.
Can't even eat 2 nice crab in Singapore.

 

[coolava]

Thanks folks. We (he actually) decide to do some a little bit more crazier idea - get to Batam, rent a car there, get with the car on ferry going to Bintan, get out there, drive around, stay one night, get on ferry back, drive around Batam, drop off car, come back to Singapore.

So he will take care of car rental and I will take care of of hotel booking. The thing is - we need a property with two rooms, not two separate rooms (has to be one property expense for reimbursement, not two rooms).

Do you know any such at Bintan (Batam booked already)?

P.S. If you can recommend good javanese massage place at Batam - would appreciate too - I can use it while he is running around on car.

You can check out KTM resort, they have chalet type bungalow, maybe have more room. A big place with a chinese temple, facing the sea, has a basketball court and a beach nearby via the back exit.
Bintan spa villa is a small place but very friendly with decent good food, beach front with jacuzzi and swimming pool. They also have limited family room, with nightly karaoke and pool table.

 

[invisible999]

You can check out KTM resort, they have chalet type bungalow, maybe have more room. A big place with a chinese temple, facing the sea, has a basketball court and a beach nearby via the back exit.
Bintan spa villa is a small place but very friendly with decent good food, beach front with jacuzzi and swimming pool. They also have limited family room, with nightly karaoke and pool table.

Well, hope someone can use above info because for the original request it is 1 year late already...

 

[kitkat2]

Well, hope someone can use above info because for the original request it is 1 year late already...

you don't intend to go back after 1 year?

 

[invisible999]

you don't intend to go back after 1 year?

Why? Honestly both of these places really don't have anything worth to go back.

 

[joann07088]

Woda Villa in Batam seems like a great new place to hangout too!