Day 2 | Breakfast buffet spread @ Terrace Café was rather spectacular: pastries, salad, oriental and local food, egg counter, cereal, juices and hot beverages.

We were accompanied by a Korean tour group at breakfast and it seemed like the resort do receive them often from the Korean translations provided on the food labels.

After breakfast, we took a relaxing dip at the pool. There are two goalposts where guests could try their hand at water polo. The kids pool is so much more fun with a water slide!

The resort provides free shuttle to Batam City Square (BCS) Mall & Nagoya Hill Mall at fixed timings. Do remember to make prior reservations with the Concierge.

Although we have not been to Nagoya Hill Mall (the biggest mall on the island), we opted to return to BCS Mall (our 3rd time!) to eat our favourite Best Fried Chicken (BFC) Nasi Goreng!

It took more than 30min to reach BCS Mall and our first stop was BFC!

We ordered two sets of Nasi Goreng (PAHE-C) for $70,000 IDR (~S$7). Although the rice was slightly undercooked, it was still sedap.

After satisfying our nasi goreng craving, we looked for a café to chill. We docked @ 郑叔叔 café and ordered Yuanyang ($9000 IDR). The blend of tea and coffee was very well prepared; both flavours were strong but not clashing.

Feeling stuffed from the extravagant breakfast and lunch, we decided to settle for cup noodles for dinner. Hence, we raided JC supermarket for snacks, juices, beer, shampoos and cleansers. We also shopped for the famous local product Kueh Lapis or layer cake.

Upon returning to the resort, we yielded to a sinful spread of junk food while watching trashy movies on HBO (Pain & Gain, Hangover III).

Day 3 | After another satisfying breakfast, we finally made use of the balcony, reclining on the wooden chairs, sipping 3-in-1 coffee and cereal, having a tête-à-tête while listening to the gentle tapping of the drizzle.

It was a much needed getaway for us. The missus was having a torrid first trimester and was throwing up every night. But the 2 nights we stayed at the resort, she actually felt fine. We guess the relaxing surroundings, friendly staff and abundant fun distractions must have helped us to stay relaxed. Thank you Holiday Inn Batam.

Travel Tips

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[Ferry] Ferry to Batam is free seating. Take the window seat to the left of vessel for views of Sentosa, St John Island, MBS and flyer skyline. Window seat to the right for views of Reflections at Keppel Bay, Bukom, Semakau, Sebarok islands. Opposite directions apply for return trip.

 

[Porter] Porters at the ferry terminal will offer to carry your bags/ luggage but they expect to be paid ($1 per item). So insist on carrying your own bags if you do not want to pay.

 

[Holiday Inn Resort] To watch TV in bed in the one bedroom suite, move the coffee table to the entrance of the divider and place the TV on it. There's no need to remove/reattach any cables. As a form of courtesy, do arrange the furniture back before checking out.

 

[Shuttle Services] The resort provides free shuttle services to BCS Mall, Nagoya Hill Mall & ferry terminals (fixed timings). Do make prior reservations with the Concierge.

 

[Drinking Water] Tap water is not potable in Batam. If you need more water than the 2 complimentary bottles, the gym has a water dispenser where you can fetch both hot & cold water.

 

[TV] The TV in the room has a USB port. If the plethora of cable channels cannot satisfy you or your kids need their daily dose of Barney, you may want to bring along a thumbdrive loaded with your favorite videos. Short of charger heads? Connect your device via usb for makeshift charging. Remember to remove your thumbdrive after that!