Travel: Indonesia - Batam/Bintan

[ooptimizer]

In Batam, the big shopping centres and the restaurants in hotels can use S$. But the small shops may use Rupiah.

[ooptimizer]

For Turi Beach, please try not to bring along senior citizens who cannot climb or walk well. You will have to climb up many steps to go to your room. But for children this will be fun.

[spring]

Looking at so many gd review of Bintan, tinking of bringing my dd for a trip there during May. But is e activities at e kids club suitable for 2 1/2 yrs old? N anyone of you has park ur kids at tis young age with kids club care taker n go jalan with ur spouse or go for a massage? N do they hav pre natal massage?

[chixchix]

Hii all I am thinking of going bintan over the weekends. have stayed in Bintan Lagoon … but not club med …any recommendation which is better ?


Thanks

[jacsplace]

csc:

I prefer Batam to Bintang.


Harris Resort is a nice place with a good spa too. The food is not too bad.
There is also nice seafood nearby and a shopping mall nearby where one can get manicure, pedicure at a reasonable rate.

But given a choice, I would rather be off to beaches off the East Coast of Malaysia - Redang, Kuantan and offshore islands like Rawa, Sibu, Tioman anytime.

Hi, just read this Jul 09 post. We're thinking of going to Harris end-May/early-June with our 6-year-old girl and 4-year-old boy. Can you give more details of your trip, like condition of your room, swimming pool, f&b, kids club, etc.
Thanks!

[jacsplace]

chixchix,

I stayed at Bintan Lagoon about two years ago. The villas are old but in generally good condition. Lights and showers worked properly. Service is okay. But f&b prices are sky-high, everything is in Sing dollar. The sea is nearby but if you want to swim, stay near the lifeguards area as the currents are really strong. Some of my family members almost drowned (we were at the other end of the beach).
I stayed at Club Med Bintan when it opened just over 10 years ago. I think they renovated recently so perhaps condition is better than Bintan Lagoon. The Club Med experience is unique so can't really compare with Bintan Lagoon (or any other resort). Club Med has organised activities throughout the day and it's up to you if you want to take part in them. The food spreads were like nothing I've seen before, really international with something for all tastes. This is a great place for young and old, one of the few Club Meds worldwide with a trapeze. Price is all-inclusive so if you are a typical KS Singaporean (otherwise why be a member here, right, :lol: ) you may be tempted to try out all activities and eat everything. The only thing I didn't like about my stay was the late-night partying (I could still hear the music in my villa, although it wasn't very loud) and the effeminates (guys wearing make-up, wearing skin-tight clothes, pretending to act female). I don't know if they're still there but Club Med being a French company, I don't think they will turn them away. So be prepared with answers if your kids see them and ask.

[LKT]

Anyone stayed in the Harris Resort at Batam this year ?


I'll be going next Monday, hope it is a nice resort

[jacsplace]

We wanted to go to Harris but it was fully booked, it seems to be very popular. I asked for more details in a post more than a month ago but no replies so far

[corneyAmber]

jacsplace:

We wanted to go to Harris but it was fully booked, it seems to be very popular. I asked for more details in a post more than a month ago but no replies so far

Harris is a stone's throw away from Holiday Inn. I have not stayed at Harris before, but I have good feedback about Holiday Inn, though location wise is very far from town centre. Very nice hotel, clean and comfortable. Good buffet too. Good for family with kids as their rooms come in either 1-bedroom suite or 2-bedroom suite.

I normally book with Indo Falcon Travel.

http://www.indofalcon.com.sg/TPIndoB_2DHolidayInn.html

[buds]

I shared my honest review here on this resort. > http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3483&start=20


Frankly, we didn't have a great impression of Harris.
Not worth the go for us. We're thankful that we opted
for Holiday Inn on our last trip.

The place and its facilities a bit run down. The so called
beach was more like a kampong pond and... dirty. Even
the sand wasn't clean for children to engage in sand play.

Bowling centre stuffy and staff not helpful. No shoes for
children... and the staff make it seem like children aren't
encouraged to bowl there.

The kids' club? Gosh.. cannot make it. :roll:

We'd choose Holiday Inn over Harris anytime.. no matter
how fully booked or popular Harris seems to be. We still
cannot figure out why they're that popular.. cos the price
range almost similar.