Batam Island (Indonesia) Hotels
Batam Island Rundown
Inordinate financial clout, a hot economy in hyperdrive and a stamp of approval by the World Bank as the best place in the world to do business have untold repercussions on a country as small as Singapore and, indeed, on every other country in the neighbourhood. To wit, the city-state’s maturation as major global financial capital has had significant echo effects in both Malaysia and Indonesia. One of the most superficial yet notable examples is Batam. ... Read more »
The free trade island in Riau Islands Province, Indonesia, much like Johor Bahru, Malaysia, is a de facto annex of Singapore and a quasi-holiday target some 20 km from Sentosa. In the not too distant past, Batam was largely unadulterated, with a small, subsistence population and lush, old growth forests. The events of the last three decades, however, mirror the rapid growth and development of many other islands in the South China Sea.
So while the tale of Batam is not necessarily novel, the island’s appeal to scores of weary nine-to-fivers from the Lion City is. After all, land is hard to come by in Singapore and with a population that shows no sign of regression, those that can afford it tend to look elsewhere for diversion and leisure. Batam is a convenient and obvious spot, most significantly as the low-cost labour supply in the SIJORI (Singapore, Johor Bahru, Riau Islands) Growth Triangle. The best resorts on the island are at Waterfront City and Nongsa and duly pamper weekend getaway types. Batam will never be Bali but for those keen to make a tropical dash from Singapore, the island is a decent bet.
It is important to stress, however, that what defines Batam is a role as both gateway to and from Sumatra and base for expats in the employ of multinationals. As such, the island is not rife with tourist attractions in the traditional sense. Golf, casinos and wanton nightlife form a bona fide unholy trinity of sorts on the island of 1 million people.
WHEN TO GO
A tropical rainforest climate makes Batam desirable for much of the year, despite heavy humidity and rain from November to January. Temperatures waver from 75°F (24°C) to 91°F (33°C) for the year.
GETTING AROUND
Hang Nadim International Airport is the only airport on Batam and serves the likes of Jakarta, Medan, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Johor Bahru and Singapore. The small hub handles more than 3 million passengers a year.
The ferry from Singapore is the most hassle-free way in to Batam. Total journey time seldom exceeds 45 minutes.
On the island, most visitors simply rent a car or take taxis rather than rely on the small Batam public bus network.
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