Batam

Overall, I think Batam is a good place for spa and seafood. If you are looking a spa retreat getaway at a lower price, consider Batam as your option because the spas in singapore are mostly more than $150. With the same amount of money, you can get to enjoy spa and a truly relaxing getaway from singapore. However, if you are thinking of a shopping destination, I would advise you to go countries like Bangkok, Hongkong and Taipei where you can source for cheap deals instead. How about going there during the labour day period with your loved ones? Both of you can do spa together in a couple's room? Great idea? Most likely, I will try cable ski next time. :)

Guan Yin Statue At KTM Resort

Food At KTM Resort

Here are some of the pictures to share with all of you. The food at KTM Resort was quite cheap. We ordered 8-9 dishes for about $90. The food tasted much more better than the 933 Golden Prawn.

Tom Yum Soup

Steamed Garoupa
Scallops
Crabs, Vegetables, Gong Gong
Black Pepper Crabs ( The Shell was big but not inside)

Batam Spa Villa

These are some of the pictures taken at Batam Spa Villa. Here is my personal feedback about them...... I felt very welcomed by them upon arrival and their customer service were very good. The Masseuse that did the massage for me was professional and skillful. Batam Spa Villa was just opened for a year, so in terms of overall setting, this place is still very new and clean.

What is there to hype about this place? Hmmm, I got to enjoy hydrotherapy bath with the sea view and breeze. Soothing music was plugged in with the sound of waves when I was enjoying the whole process. Ginger Tea was served to warm my body after the massage. Two words, "Shiok lah!"

Well, most likely the next time i go Batam, I will just either choose to stay at Harris Resort or Hotels in Town because I really do not like their rooms and arrange a 3 hour spa treatment at Batam Spa Villa since I find it really okay. Anyway, I was told transport could be arranged if you are interested to visit their spa from other hotels. Advance Booking should be made to avoid any disappointment!


Website: http://batamspavilla.com/
Email: spavilla@bathessential.com.sg
Tel: (65) 63530282
Fax: (65) 62534573

This is the Sea View you will be enjoying

Outside The Spa

Our Spa Room

Jacuzzi Bath Tub

Outside The Spa

Pictures at 933 Golden Prawn Seafood

Seafood lunch was included in our tour package. Here are some of the pictures to share! The "Free" Lunch at 933 Golden Prawn tasted "okay" only. Prawns were not as nice as what we thought, but I heard from my friends that if you are going there for dinner, the quality of the food will be better. We had crabs, clear soup and fruits as well, but I was too busy eating, so i did not take the pictures down. Anyway, the crabs were smaller than what we have in Singapore......

Sweet and Sour Deep Fried Fish

Gong Gong

Curry Vegetables

Steam Prawn

Pictures of My Batam Trip

Pictures taken at Barelang Fisabillah Bridge Barelang Fisabillah Bridge
That is me taking a picture at Barelang Fisabillah Bridge
Barelang Fisabillah Bridge
Traditional Dance by the Local People
Golden Prawn 933 Seafood Restaurant
I will be posting more pictures in my next post. Cheers! :)

Batam Trip Itinerary

Here is the itinerary that I have for my batam getaway.

Day 1
7.50 am
- Depart from Singapore to Batam

7.50am
- Reach Batam Sekupang Ferry Terminal and proceed for immigration and custom clearance. You will be pick up by KTM staff who will escort you to the resort.

8.15 am
- Check into our rooms

9.00 am
- Board onto air-conditioned coach with a friendly local chinese speaking tour-guide.
- Visit scenic spot and take pictures at Barelang Fisabillah Bridge, the biggest bridge linking few islands of batam.
- Visit Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Laughing Buddha Temple, the largest buddhist temple in south east asia.
- GST Local Product Shop - Variety of local products can be found here such as coffee, batik and handy craft.

1.30 pm
- Seafood lunch at Golden Prawn 933 Seafood.
- Watch traditional dance by local kampong villagers like swallowing fire and eating glasses.

2.30 pm
- Visit Bengkong Dry Food Stuff Market
- Visit Polo Shop were Polo Ralph can be purchased at reasonable prices.
- Tua Pek Kong Chinese Temple. (The famous & Oldest Batam Chinese Temple which was moved from kusu island of Singapore during 1980)

- 3.30pm
- Batam City Shopping Mall (One of the biggest and newest shopping mall in town)

- 5.30 pm
- Tour ended. We requested the tour guide to bring us to a massage parlour for massaging. Massage cost $20 lasted about 1 and half hour. Proceed back to resort by taxi about 40,000 rupiahs.

Day 2

-9.30 am
Massage at Batam Spa Villa

- Rest of the day
Free and Easy
(Pictures can be found in the next post)

Batam Trip Getaway- KTM Resort Part 3

On the second day, we were checked into the beachfront cottages. Beachfront cottages were small, but very clean. You will have shared balcony with your neighbour. We were quite happy with the shared balcony as there were six of us and it gave us more conveniency instead. However, if you are going together with just your partner, I guess it is kinda weird to share with unfamiliar faces. The view at beachfront cottage was much better. You can see fishes swimming in the lagoon from your cottage because the lagoon will be directly below your cottage. You can also swim with the fishes if you want to,but I chose not to because the water seems hmmmm.....................

View 1 from my room

View 2 from my room

View 3 From my room

View 4 From my room

View 5 From my room

Beach Front cottage

Beach front Cottage

Batam Getaway - KTM Resort Part 2

This is Me, acting silly

View 1
View 2

These pictures were taken outside our Family Cottage. If you would like to check out more on this resort. You may visit their website: http://www.ktmresort.com/ for more information

Batam Trip at KTM Resort

Finally, I am back to Singapore! As I expected, the rooms did not turn out to be fantastic, but the sea view from the villa was great!

Upon arrival at batam on the 21st March, we were picked up by their bus. KTM Resort was situated about 5 minutes car ride from the jetty. On our 1st day, we were checked into 1 standard stilt and 1 family cottage. To our astonishment, the standard stilt room really cannot make it!!! I swear it was horrible!! I didn't take the pictures of the standard room because all of us were too shocked when we saw the room. Anyway for that night, all of us bunked into the family cottage. The ventilation for the standard stilt was bad, if you are thinking of booking their standard stilt room the next time, I would strongly advise you to pay more and get the beachfront cottage. To our understanding, standard stilt room was meant for the elderly and their staffs to stay there. It was not built on wood, the floor was ceramic tiles, toilet lock was rusty, it looks worse than staying in a 1 room flat in singapore! The whole concept was bad and rubbish!

Whereas, family cottage was very different. There is a living room, pantry and 2 rooms. It was well equipped with refrigerator, flask, stoves and pots. It seems fine to us, just that walking to the restaurant was quite a distance away.

If your purpose of the trip is just to find a good spa, but budget constrain, you may try KTM Resort. They have excellent spa, but PLEASE remember to select either the beachfront or family room if you are staying there. (However, do note that it is not going to be like 5 stars standard resort) You will regret for sure if you choose their standard room!

Family Cottage A2

Antique Chairs (Scary sia!)

The Other side of the Living Room

One of the Rooms

Toilet

Batam Trip Getaway

Another few more days to good friday. I managed to find a cheap and great deal for 3 days 2 nights getaway at Batam. Many resorts were fully booked this friday, so we decided to settle down at this "Kelong Lookalike" resort named KTM Resort since budget is our priority. As there will be 6 people going for the trip, we were given a family style cottage and a standard room for the first night and 3 beachfront cottages for the 2nd night. I hope this trip can really unwind my tiredness & also to let me "rot" on the island.....

Stay: 3 days 2 nights at KTM Resort
Price per pax: $148
Inclusive: -Breakfast for both days
- Ferry Tickets (Return)
-90 Minutes ocean spa (Foot bath, Hydrotherapy Bath and Aromatherapy Massage)
- 1 Seafood Lunch
- One Day tour around batam with chinese speaking tour guide.

I shall update this site with more pictures and information on batam trip again. Cheers! :)