'The wheels of progress are never made out of emotions. If this sacrifice is made, it will be remembered for generations to come.
Joko Widodo, incumbent Indonesian President, had this to say regarding the criticism that the government was receiving for choosing to further develop Batam Island in industrial ways.
Such has been the fate of this tiny island in Indonesia that elections have been fought and won over the issues relating to it. Located around 25 miles off the coast of Singapore, Batam Island is one of the most famous tourist places in Indonesia “ but for reasons that may lie much below the surface.
Indonesia is a developing country that has to bear the brunt of population growth and rising poverty. The only viable way to do this “ as history has shown many a times “ is to adopt industrialization. Indonesia has done the same, choosing Batam as its provincial industrial hub. That decision, taken a while ago now, turned Batam, an insignificant tropical island, into a major industrial activity center, attracting a number of businesses from the country as well as from the world at large. Because of this industrialization, employment rates soared in Batam and the infrastructure, as a result of it all, improved much above the par level of the country.
So, as executives and board members of MNCs swarmed the island, bars, night clubs and golf courses sprang everywhere, transforming Batam into a strange industrial tourism island.
Much of the fame that Batam holds today in way of tourism is owed directly to much-talked-about nightlife of the island. Parties that go on all night long is a regular thing here, and that's what seems to attract loads of tourists from everywhere.
If you are planning on visiting Batam to taste this extravagant and mischievous party life, you should know some basic facts about hotels in Batam and the hospitality industry, in general.
This article aims to get just that done for you!
Finding Affordable Hotels in Batam
It's never easy to tell a good hotel from a cheap one, and an expensive hotel from a quality one. More often than not, especially in South East Asia, hotel prices are too reasonable for tourists to think about, and they end up in a situation where the hotel they arrive at looks nothing like what was promised to them ˜online'.
So, it's always in the best interest of money and safety to go for a reputed hotel, in place of a cheap one. Among cheap hotels that can be positively recommended, Grand Palace Hotel is the first name that comes to the fore.
Located in the central district of Batam, Grand Palace is an unassuming property (unlike the name it bears!) that can help you walk the tightrope walk that is maintaining your tour budget.
Hotel Utama can also be a good budget alternative in Batam, especially for those who need a better located hotel for their stay in Batam.
Luxury Resorts and Spas in Batam
Nothing spells a vacation in better means than the word ˜luxury'. If there's one way that you can turn your regular vacation to a remote island into a memorable one, you have to, nay, you must make it a point to stay at a luxury hotel. Even at the risk of toppling your budget of the tour, the luxury you will be able to see eye to eye during this stay will definitely be one of the high points of your holidays.
Talking about luxury hotels in Batam, the first name that many tourists would be able to conjure up has to be Turi Beach Resort. Located just by the famous Turi Beach, this is a luxury resort that offers everything from in-house local sauna therapies perfected by hundreds of years of fine tuning to luxurious Jacuzzi pools that leave you utterly content when you get out of them.
Montigo Resorts Nangsa is our next choice of a luxury resort in Batam. Much like Turi Beach Resort in most ways, this is a definite hit among travelers who prefer a more formal, sophisticated stay.
Allium Batam Hotel and I Hotel Batam are also worthy mentions in this segment of luxury Batam hotels.
Finding Alternatives to Regular Lodging in Batam
It's a well-construed fact that there exists a certain type of tourists who are not at all taken up by the idea of staying at a hotel for long periods of time. What they crave for is that homely warmth that few cheap hotels or luxury resorts can mimic, regardless of what they charge their guests per night.
So, as a solution to this problem, many alternative lodging options have sprung up all over Batam. These are usually holiday rentals that are located in close proximity of beaches or other local attractions, making them a tremendously popular tourist choice.
Tourists who wish to stay in Batam for 30 days or more can even obtain permit from the local council to rent a villa or a condo, in order to make their stay in Batam comfortable, convenient and extremely affordable, too!
Things You Should Remember While Visiting Batam
Batam has a high safety record during day hours. So, there's no solid reason for tourists to harbor caution during daytime.
However, at night, it's advised for tourists to stay together in a group, as opposed to travelling alone. Also, tourists are better off not carrying too much of valuables that are not really necessary, while sightseeing.
Ideal Time to Visit Batam
The most ideal time to tour Batam is during the months of May and August, as the heat is manageable and rains are not really heavy.
During the months of October and April, Batam receives most of its annual rainfall, making it rather unsuited for travel.
These months are, however, typically preferred by tourists who wish avail of room tariffs lowered by many Batam hotels.
Because of the tropical weather, Batam can also experience untimely rainfall “ a probability that can put weather speculations off the track!