Batam Info / Interest / Help Thread

[MiG27]

JH Beauty Map


I found Mega Hotel on Google maps.

Location just about right. Hana is on the bottom left side of the map shot.

[nono1973]

The L Hotel Entertainment

Another new hotel that just started business not too long ago. This hotel is nearby to Dgrande Hotel (about 2 roads away) and this is a 3 star hotel. And according to map,they are both relatively nearby the Windsor Food court area.

Recently,it looks like many new hotels is coming up and what i have seen around Batam,seems like there will be even more to come. Good for the tourists as more hotels equates to bigger competition,bigger competition usually means better price? Hehehe...too bad,hotel room charges usually cannot bargain. (the charges for L hotel rooms above is as of the date of this post and inclusive of tax)

1st,it was Zest Hotel,then Cardinal Lucky Star Hotel and DGrande. Now,its this L Hotel.

Note : Seems like there is a big mirror in the room of L Hotel.Didnt like that but those who likes to see themselves bonking their girls may love it.

[grandfather]

Originally Posted by Naka_Timo

I tried it few days ago when it is name as habourbay hotel, not sure i got the name correct a not. I think now renovated, room should be better.
...............
Maybe can try M1 hotel standard room for 350 000 or zest is nice, clean and good ambience too.

book from hotel or booking .com also ? hahhaa...
same lah... 30mar to 2apr also
only 19SGD , some more very near to harbour......

[MiG27]

Originally Posted by Naka_Timo

I tried it few days ago when it is name as habourbay hotel, not sure i got the name correct a not. I think now renovated, room should be better.

I book from booking.com to reserve and make payment for a room. However, when i reach there. They told me no room. They offer me a bigger room but have to pay the balance to off set. I was like, WTF!!! room was reserve, if no room should offer me that room for the rate that was being paid and not ask me to offset. During that time, that hotel is the only one at that area and i do not want to move around so end up i paid and from that time on, i never stay there again.

Maybe can try M1 hotel standard room for 350 000 or zest is nice, clean and good ambience too.

This is pretty bad.....in most times....the upgrade should be free....
Dun think the hotel is inside Booking dot com liao....lol.

Originally Posted by Naka_Timo

Judging from the way u mention, i doubt there is improvement since the past. Although is cheap, I think is a good choice to give it a miss.

To give credit, there are a few Good reviews (Agoda)...but most times we focused more on the Bad ones...and quite a few and they are in 2016.....

[nono1973]

An observation post :

Looking at the school holiday weekdays on March 2016,the below hotels were all sold out of their rooms in one of the online hotel booking site,hehehe...

I always have the tendency to ask myself,why are they sold out? What are their similarities? What makes them MORE attractive to tourist/s than other hotels that are not sold out? And lastly,what are their tourist group type (eg families,couples,cheongster,golfer etc) there?

The answers to my questions help me with what are the main tourist type that goes to Batam on a certain time staying in certain hotels,hehehe...simple questions,makes me look for simple answers which at most time produce simple results which i need for the most basic guideline (factoring other factors too) for picking out the date to go Batam. Think simple,hehehe...

Batam on April 2016 will be yet another scene,the same for May,June,July and so on.

My Batam group trip application for 15th of March 2016 is now closed.

Now i will be moving forward to booking a desire hotel as well as making my trip arrangement.

[SibeiNew]

Woah , that piece of mirror in the room of L hotel.....

[MiG27]

Originally Posted by nono1973

The L Hotel Entertainment

Recently,it looks like many new hotels is coming up and what i have seen around Batam,seems like there will be even more to come. Good for the tourists as more hotels equates to bigger competition,bigger competition usually means better price? Hehehe...too bad,hotel room charges usually cannot bargain. (the charges for L hotel rooms above is as of the date of this post and inclusive of tax)

1st,it was Zest Hotel,then Cardinal Lucky Star Hotel and DGrande. Now,its this L Hotel.

Note : Seems like there is a big mirror in the room of L Hotel. Didnt like that but those who likes to see themselves bonking their girls may love it.

Mirror face the bed.....hmm....for bonking, it is nice....but sleeping.....not good.

Anyway, I don't see prices coming down but more options means less opportunities for hotels to inflate prices during peak seasons.
Lesser occupancy at some hotels might mean more leeway to get check in if arrive early (provide got pre book).

Btw, it is high time KAHA include new hotels into their list.

[SibeiNew]

Originally Posted by nono1973

I always have the tendency to ask myself,why are they sold out? What are their similarities? What makes them MORE attractive to tourist/s than other hotels that are not sold out? And lastly,what are their tourist group type (eg families,couples,cheongster,golfer etc) there?

The answers to my questions help me with what are the main tourist type that goes to Batam on a certain time staying in certain hotels,hehehe...simple questions,makes me look for simple answers which at most time produce simple results which i need for the most basic guideline (factoring other factors too) for picking out the date to go Batam. Think simple,hehehe...

Yea other factors will be SG companies affiliated with those mentioned hotels which gives very good rates as incentives ($$45-50 for usual $60-80 rooms)

I had some friends that booked through their company and the rate was a huge difference. Some of the companies even paid for their rooms.

Awaiting your next adventurous journal ! Have fun !

[flyingarrow]

Originally Posted by MiG27

To give credit, there are a few Good reviews (Agoda)...but most times we focused more on the Bad ones...and quite a few and they are in 2016.....

The review system is rigged. I had given my bad review before and it was not published. Then I emailed to them and they replied that the reviews are randomly picked (ya right, more likely they censored the -ve ones)

Personally, I think they can make the review for hotels to appear higher. For example, out of 10 reviews, 5 good, 5 bad. They can "randomly" picked all 5 good and only 1 bad, which will give a impression that it is very good. I believe other hotels booking do the same things

That why I checked other websites like TripAdvisor and noted the vast difference in the reviews.

But I agree reviews are subjective and we tend to focus on the -ve ones

[MiG27]

Originally Posted by flyingarrow

The review system is rigged. I had given my bad review before and it was not published. Then I emailed to them and they replied that the reviews are randomly picked (ya right, more likely they censored the -ve ones)

But I agree reviews are subjective and we tend to focus on the -ve ones

Thanks for the info....

I forgot about that....

But Trip Advisor also got good reviews.....

Anyway, I also look at what are the bad points.....Staff dun understand language or slow in responding or bad location or so so breakfast.....maybe still can accept.
But when it comes to the hygiene part.....dirty rooms, bad smell, dirty smelly bedsheets...yellow water.....I definitely cannot accept.

But the best and truthful reviews is still from our beloved Bros here.....

[MovingTarget]

Originally Posted by MiG27

No....it is outside...IIRC....should be the right side of Top 100 building....along the shophouses....right at the end.

Thanks for the info. Will try when around there.

[NewFreedom]

Originally Posted by MiG27

This is pretty bad.....in most times....the upgrade should be free....

i hv no idea how upgrades shld always be free. every hotel worldwide is always "subjected to availability" n even if they choose nt 2 upgrade u, there is nothing wrong as long as u r given wat u paid for. even if given, is out of goodwill and u cannot demand 4 goodwill.

[NewFreedom]

Originally Posted by flyingarrow

The review system is rigged. I had given my bad review before and it was not published. Then I emailed to them and they replied that the reviews are randomly picked (ya right, more likely they censored the -ve ones)

depending on d amt of commission paid, placement of hotels in search results n reviews can be rigged.

[MovingTarget]

2 days ago, went to this new family spa called Kalea which was opened in Oct 2015, somewhere near to the busy junction of Jl. Raja H Fisabilillah and Jl. $$$$$mana Bintan. Kalea Spa has a Balinese designed and with the burning of aroma oil, it created a warm and welcome feeling. The customer service endeavours by the lady boss and her staff added a tinge of pampering effect to the already cajoling environment. They provided free transport to pick me up from Batam Centre Ferry Terminal to the spa and thereafter sent me to anywhere within Nagoya/Baloi/Jodoh/Utama areas that I desired. I have chosen a 2 hours Mineral Shine (1.5 hrs massage & 0.5 hr body scrub) which cost Rp430k. By Batam standard, it is expensive but let's not forget, it is a spa and couple with free transport to & fro. I would think it is reasonable.

The therapist assigned to me came from Jakarta and before she proceeded, she showed me a watch indicating 11.44 am. She provided Balinese style massage in a detail and complete fashion from rubbing, kneading and patting to stimulate circulation, increase suppleness and relieve tension. I would say good work done by the therapist for a complete relaxation. Then follow by body scrub using grain like ingredient added with milk for some watery effect to rub onto the body. At all time the therapist never left the room. After the 2 hrs treatment, she again showed me the watch which indicated 1.47 pm. Hence, a complete 2 hrs spa with no slack by the therapist.

Upon leaving the room feeling rejuvenated, I would say (for me) the price of Rp 430k is worth it.

[MovingTarget]

Upon payment and having some small talk with the Spa owner, I went over to next door C Anambas Kopitiam for lunch. Food was good and the price was even better. I ordered Nasi Goreng Petai Bilis (Rp 20k) and Avocado Milo (Rp 20k) for a good lunch.



(Have adjusted the photo for horizontal viewing but still came out in vertical position)