We recently booked on a family trip to Batam with our two little ones, together with another of our friend family.
Our chosen accommodation was Batam View Beach Resort, by right it is located along the picturesque coastline.
In this post, we share our experiences and insights, revealing both the highlights and shortcomings of our stay.
Why We Choose Batam as our Family Travel Destination
With the June holidays in full swing, we wanted a break from the traffic jams of Malaysia.
Batam seemed like the perfect alternative, offering a delightful ferry journey for the kids, who had never experienced such an adventure before.
Discovering Batam View Beach Resort
Our search for a beachfront resort led us to Batam View Beach Resort.
Eager to savor the serenity of a resort-style holiday, we opted for a spacious villa to accommodate our family comfortably. We went with our friends and each got a “side by side” Villa.
Apparently.
The one beside us was under maintenance. So we were actually another Villa away.
Day 1 - The Journey to Batam
We embarked on a convenient drive to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, where we parked our car and hopped onto a ferry destined for Nongsa Pura, Batam.
The 50-minute ferry ride provided ample excitement for the kids as they marveled at the scenic views.
Parking at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal is approximately $24 a day. So expect $72 of parking fees when you park for 3 days.
It is also advisable to drive there as during the arrival back to Singapore, you have encounter limited availability of Grab cars.
Moreover with young kids, you can only get a taxi.
2 Way Ferry Ticket: $73 per pax (same for kids)
First Impressions of Batam View Beach Resort
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a warm welcome but a sibei long check-in process.
We had taken the early morning ferry, we reached the resort at 10.30am our room wasn't ready until 2pm.
We made the best of our time, exploring the resort's surroundings for awhile and deceided that we will take a taxi out to Batam Megamall.
We were quoted like 250k Rupiah for the the taxi to Batam Megamall from Batam View Beach Resort. It's a 7 seater transport.
Megamall Batam
Megamall Batam, situated in Batam City's Central Business District, is a prominent five-story shopping center offering a diverse range of stores, including local and international brands, and amenities such as a cinema, game arcade, and food court with a sea view.
The mall is conveniently connected to the Batam Centre International Ferry Terminal, making it particularly accessible for tourists arriving from Singapore.
Lunch: D'penyetz Resto & Coffee
Decent lunch at the restaurant. Can cater to 8 pax and we ordered chicken soup noodles and rice for the kids while we had the different kinds of Ayam Penyet.
The serving was actually quite small for an adult. Have to order some other sides.
Play: TimeZone Learn and Play
After lunch, we still have 1 hour plus to spare that we brought them to the indoor playground.
The entrance tickets was pretty affordable. Approximate 120k (~$12) per kid.
The play is a little small but good enough for 1 hour play.
Back to Batam View Beach Resort
We were still thinking if hiring Grab in Batam is forbidden. But to my delight, Can leh! It’s actually legal and legit now. So now going back to the resort cost like 175k (~$17) compared to the 250k we came from.
Journey took us 50 mins and of course the tired kids just napped in the car.
Accommodations at Batam View Beach Resort
We make our way to the reception, where the staff greets us with warm smiles and poor efficiency.
We were probably the 2 groups of family left as we are checking in at 5pm. Knowing that we will eventually checked in, they should have done the administrative prior.
So we ended spending another 20mins at the reception counter.
We are handed the keys to our room. As we unlock the door and step inside, we are welcomed by an elegantly furnished space that looks kinda rustic.
The room boasts a king size bed, and a private balcony that offers breathtaking views of the beach and the sea.
Our chosen 1-bedroom villa had a old charm, although some areas showed signs of wear and tear. The phone is not working, the door knob chui already.
On their website, shows a bathtub, but we were greeted but a luxurious bathroom space but no bathtub.
While we missed having a bathtub, the spacious room and powerful air conditioning ensured a comfortable stay for our family.
Swimming!
So we went back to our villa to get changed for a swim. Our initial intent was to swim and head to the kelong for dinner.
But after swimming, we saw an advertisement for al fresco BBQ dinner at the resort. So we were thinking why not.
Swimming pool was swarmed with alot of guest. They had 2 pools, one was 50cm and another was up to 3metres deep!
Our kids were all prepared, and they had their swim floats. Once done with the swim, we head back to get changed for dinner.
BBQ Al Fresco Dinner
Upon arriving at the al fresco dining area for the BBQ dinner at Batam View Beach Resort, the anticipation was high but was soon met with disappointment.
The first thing that struck us was the limited menu; the spread was not as extensive as one would expect for a BBQ buffet.
The options were super limited lah.
Particularly when it came to meats and seafood. We only had pieces of beef, chicken, the grilled corn never seem to be available the entire evening.
And the cooking was slow. There was a queue just to take out food. And once it was cooked, it is being cleared by all the hungry guest.
Additionally, the dining area was plagued by a significant number of flies, which made it extremely difficult to enjoy the meal.
This could be attributed to the outdoor setting, but it seemed as though no measures were taken to mitigate this issue.
The atmosphere was further dampened by the lack of a breeze.
The area had still air and was uncomfortably warm, making it challenging to sit and enjoy a meal. The combination of the heat and the flies created an environment that was far from the relaxing and enjoyable experience we were hoping for.
The staff, though polite, seemed overwhelmed and were not as attentive as one would expect in a resort setting. It took a while to get their attention for drink refills or to address other needs.
Good Night!
After a warm evening, we head back to our Villa to wash up for the night. It was actually quite a tiring day. Finally we got to rest.
Luckily the aircon is super powerful that we need to tune down a little.
Day 2 - Explore Batam City
I woke up to change the sunrise, but sadly not much of a sunrise though. As we are pretty much blocked by some island far away. But still the view is calming.
Sad Breakfast Experience
We eagerly headed for breakfast at Batam View Beach Resort at around 8:30 am and were taken aback to find a queue waiting to be seated. It took me a good 20 minutes just to secure two tables for our group of eight.
Upon being seated, we immediately noticed the absence of utensils at our table and, to our disappointment again, there were no kid-friendly utensils available either.
The food selection was disappointingly limited. The buffet seemed to only offer fried rice and beehoon, accompanied by sausages, potato wedges, and hot dogs. The quantity was not sufficient and what was concerning was that the food was not being replenished in a timely manner.
As we moved towards the beverage section, we found the drink jars to be empty. The bread station was equally jialat, and even the cereal containers were all kosong.
The overall ambiance of the dining area was chaotic and it seemed like the staff was struggling to keep up with the demands of the diners.
The lack of variety and the shortage of essentials like utensils and beverages significantly dampened our breakfast experience.
Rain!
As we wanted to get the kids to swim after breakfast, but rain came and dampened the mood. So ended up in the playroom again with some sub par toys and legos. But the kids do enjoyed the toys.
Trip to Batam Grand Mall
We realise that we can actually take a grab out to the mall. But we choose to take taxi from the hotel which cost 250k (~$25) instead of 170k shown on the app.
Throughout the trip, the driver is trying to get us to hire him on a full day transport rate of 600k. Which does sound reasonable, and confirm can negotiate one.
But with kids, we are unable to determine our schedule. Hence we turn him down.
So Batam Grand Mall - Opened 2019 - Batam Grand Mall is a bustling shopping hub offering a diverse range of stores, from fashion to electronics, and a food court with an array of cuisines.
Play: Kidzilla
The super highlight of the trip was the indoor playground - Kidzilla
It is considered one of the best indoor interactive playgrounds. It offers children a lot of engaging activities such as creating brick homes, sliding down slides, and playing in colorful ball pools.
The place was probably 4x bigger than the playground we went yesterday.
Ticket was 120k a kid.
Lunch - Holycow!
As we took turn to grab our lunch. We selected a steak restaurant - Holycow.
After a sad BBQ dinner yesterday, the craving for steak is still pounding on me. I know I had to try this steakhouse.
We ordered a Wagyu Steak and a cheaper option.
The cheaper option was infact more tasty than the Wagyu. There was also a chef signature steak. We should have tried that.
Wagyu was 400k. The cheaper option was 300k.
The signature one was actually 200k!
Bill was 800k. Actually quite ex for 2 portions of steak plus drinks and side. But because the Wagyu already cost 400k.
Shopping at Batam Grandmall
After 3-4 hours of indoor playground, the kids was famished. So we brought them for lunch at the chicken rice store.
The rice was fragrant, meat is tasty. Yummy!
Grab back to Resort
Grab back was 160k.
Another 50 mins back to Resort while the kids sleep in the taxi. It is a good idea for such itinerary as the kids can have some rest before they become cranky in the evening.
Dinner - Kelong Seafood
Dinner at Kelong Seafood was an interesting experience. The ambiance was dimly lit, which added a certain charm to the place, though some might find it dark.
The menu offered a decent variety, but what caught my attention were the prices - they were on par with Singapore, which means it can be considered pricey for the local standards.
The views at the kelong were a redeeming factor, with the serene waters providing a calming backdrop.
The service was efficient in terms of food being served promptly, though it's noteworthy that the restaurant was operating at a mere 10% capacity during our visit on a Sunday evening.
Good Night Again!
We headed back to the Villa for another tiring day. And we planned for beach play in the morning as the idea of coming to Batam View Beach Resort is the beach right?
And we only realise the beach is just next to our villa. This small beach! I thought there was a huge beach somewhere.
Another disappointment.
Day 3 - Departure Day
We got the kids up early to go swimming because the pool was really close to our villa. It was easy to just walk over and jump in. The kids had a lot of fun splashing around in the water. After swimming, we all went to have breakfast.
Checking Out
Checking out of Batam View Beach Resort was a smooth process. The staff at the reception desk were efficient and polite, making sure that everything was in order for our departure.
As we waited, we took one last look around the lobby and thought about the enjoyable moments and all the disappointments we had during our stay.
With our bags packed and check-out completed, we thanked the staff and made our way out, carrying with us memories of the small beach, the chui activities, and the slow paced atmosphere of the resort.
While we thoroughly enjoyed our time at the resort, the real highlights came from venturing into Batam city.
The visit to the indoor playground in Batam Grand Mall became an unforgettable experience for the kids, allowing us parents some well-deserved relaxation and dining time.
Conclusion
If you're seeking a resort with vibrant activities and top-notch service, we recommend exploring other options. Batam View Beach Resort, while offering a slower pace and proximity to the ferry terminal, may not provide the same level of amenities and experiences as resorts in Sentosa or other similar destinations.
However, if you're longing for a truly laid back. Slow paced holiday.
Do try Batam View Beach Resort, you will not be disappointed.
TLDR: Don’t waste money lah
