[nono1973]

Originally Posted by censored

Sorry bro, I knew you talk about famosa is best for newbie as got King Massage, Alishan KTV, Hapy 8 booking joint (and Nagoya Citywalk Mall). Also mentioned about gideon etc. However agent only offer these 4 hotel thus seeking your advise.

No problem, most probably the tour agent couldnt get formosa hotel room becos it is ALWAYS full. Happens all the time during peak season.

Ok, lets talk about the 4 hotels suggested by your tour agent :

Batam City hotel -

Batam City Hotel is a 3 starred hotel which i have stayed before. It is located at Penuin area and the closest shopping mall is BCS Mall. I usually recommend aunties and uncles who wish to visit Batam to look for better food and some quality clean good massage to go there. There is a rather high end Grand Dragon KTV in the hotel itself (equivalent to that of M1 and M2 KTVs)and New spa is just a min or 2 away from this hotel (New Spa like the KTV which is inside the hotel itself,check with receptionist).

The bad - There is practically no overnight booking joint in this area. Unless you wish to walk to Utama area or take a taxi or ojek there. And then back again.

Harmoni hotel -

This is a 4 starred hotel in Batam. I have also stayed there before and after reading your PM, and knowing you are looking for "pubs" to catch a "drink". This hotel should be the best place among the 4 choices given by your tour agent. Walk down stairs at 630pm Batam time and behind the hotel, you see no less than a dozen pubs and clubs. Many bros i knew here do pub-hop there,hehehe...there are lots of more westernized food in the area. There are some local street food that only operate in the early evening.

About 8 to 10 mins walk to Memory KTV booking joint and 13 to 17 mins walk to Sekar Massage booking joint if you can locate Lumba Lumba Inn Hotel which is diagonally behind Harmoni Hotel. Note : Opposite lumba lumba inn hotel is New Hotel, beside it is Memory Hotel/KTV. Beside Lumba Lumba Inn hotel is Dynasty 99 which is STILL under renovation.

As for how to walk to Sekar, i suggest you google for Hana Hotel. Lumba Lumba Inn Hotel is quite close to it and Sekar Massage booking joint is directly opposite Hana Hotel.

The bad - In my view, everything there is expensive, the K-mart and provision shops sells everything more expensive than other K-marts in the island.

Aston batam hotel -

Forget this one, this hotel is located somewhere in the middle of Nagoya area and Batam center area. Good hotel no doubts for its facilities, new beds etc and all that but no one whose intention is to monger will take this hotel. Its is more of a preferred choice for golfers and youngster who bring their girlfriend/s, families to Batam. Good place for non-hanky panky tour,hehehe...

Grands hotel nagoya -

I believe the tour agent means Grand I-Hotel Nagoya,hehehe...this is also a 4 starred hotel. And a very expensive one too. Stayed there once before sponsored by my part-time boss. This is a very good hotel which is well-maintained after many years and its also located near to Nagoya Hill Mall. One of Batam most expensive shopping mall (on par with Mega Mall). In that area, you can visit Delta spa at the out-skirt of Nagoya Hill Mall or you can walk over to Formosa Hotel,hehehe...i guess no need to explain much to you what Formosa hotel has in stall,right?

It would takes about 6 to 8 mins walk from Grand I-hotel to Nagoya Hill Mall and another about 7 to 8 mins walk from Nagoya Hill Mall to Formosa Hotel.

Behind Formosa Hotel is Nagoya City Walk mall, locate Baba Street food court and opposite it is Happy 8. The other end of Nagoya City Walk is Biz Hotel, and outside of Biz Hotel opposite it at almost 10 o'clock diagonally and walking down about 5 to 6 mins, you should see Utama hotel,hehehe...

Side Note : Beside Biz Hotel is a coffee shop where the famous Swee's curry puff is sold.

I repost the map done by bro Freedom 3 over years ago here.

it may be a bit outdated but still useful

(Orchid,Permata Indah and Indah 2 closed down, New Berry change name to Sekar)

You should see Harmoni Hotel and Formosa Hotel on the above map. And as for Grand I-Hotel, you can use the Spa Secret written on the map to bench mark.

Batam City Hotel and Aston hotel is not seen on the map.

Hope this reply helps you get a rough idea where you are heading to and make a decision from the 4 choices of hotels your agent gave you.

Note here that i am replying base on your this question :

"Able to advise which hotel surrounding more happening and have pubs to drinks?"

...and if you haven't make a 2nd PM to me regarding this :

"Sorry bro, I knew you talk about famosa is best for newbie as got King Massage, Alishan KTV, Hapy 8 booking joint (and Nagoya Citywalk Mall). Also mentioned about gideon etc. However agent only offer these 4 hotel thus seeking your advise."

...i probably might not have replied to your PM,hehehe...

Cheers and may you have a good Batam trip!

* more than 4k in words limitation on PM,hence gonna reply you in this way with your nick censored off from the public. My apologies.