Manuka By Havis Hotel at Penuin

We were close to Batam City Square and Grand Batam Mall, with plenty of massage places, salons, eateries, and some nice cafes nearby. Batam City Square was a five-minute walk and Grand Batam Mall about ten minutes away. Check-in was hassle-free, and although reception was small, customer service was responsive and helpful. Our room was clean and spacious, and the requested Happy Birthday decor cost IDR 100k. The only downside was the nearby mosque’s morning prayer, which lasted about 15 minutes around 6 am each day.

The staff gave us a friendly welcome, and the rooms were clean with suitable, practical equipment. My girlfriend wanted to give service four stars because reception couldn’t exchange currency. But womp womp, it was on us for spending too much cash instead of using Visa or Mastercard.

The location worked well, with cafes downstairs, BCS about four minutes away, and Grand Batam mall a ten-minute walk away. The staff were friendly, and the minimalist rooms are easy to settle into for a few nights. There’s also a mini kitchen with an induction cooker, pot, and sink. We didn’t cook, but it could help if you want to heat up food. There were several problems during our three-day stay. The door code never worked, so we had to use the master password the whole time, which didn’t feel secure. Our room had a strong damp smell, possibly from the toilet bowl solution or poorly done piping. My friends noticed it as soon as they came in. On the first night, the water stopped; when it returned, it came out yellowish, with visible sediment, so we ran the taps for a few minutes. The water heater also wasn’t working well. And the rooms weren’t soundproof. We could hear our friends talking in the room next door, as well as noise from the corridor.

The service was decent. Otherwise, it was okay, but mistakes with bookings can be costly, like with budget airlines. Make soft bookings until you’re completely sure you’re going that way.