A Day in Paradise

Montigo Resorts Review

Resort Address:  Telephone Number: Reservations: Email: Website:

Jl. Hang Lekir Nongsa – Batam, Indonesia +62 778 776 8888 reservations@montigoresorts.com info@montigoresorts.com http://www.montigoresorts.com/nongsa/index.html

Dates of stay: 22-23 November 2013
Category: Two bedroom seaview villa
Price: Advance purchase S$460.75++ inclusive of 4 breakfast
Additional S$100 for 5th person
Includes complimentary WiFi, Minibar & Transfer from ferry terminal

So my girlfriends and I went to Batam last weekend and rented the two bedroom seaview villa for the night. There were a total of 5 of us, as I couldn't make it initially, and my friend got her boyfriend to replace me, and some sort of miracle happened, I could go again!

The villa in Singapore's context, is not really a villa. It's a freaking manor/bungalow! If you know where I work, this is as good as a 3-Bdrm Manor at my workplace. It is has three levels and it's humongous, even for 5 people. 

The first level is the kitchen, living room, dining area, and the outdoor pool. The second level consists of the 2 bedrooms, and the third level is a roof top chillax area, suitable for a BBQ out under the stars! Pardon the mess in the InstaVideo, we were eating and drinking before the idea of taking a video occurred to me. It would be such a waste not to take a video of it.

Let me break the post down into three parts: Warm Welcome, Anticipation of Needs, Fond Farewell. If you're a true blue hotelier, you'd know that this is the service process we use at most hotel establishments. (Now, I feel like I'm working again!)

Warm Welcome

We arrived at Nongsapura Ferry Terminal and there was a gentleman who picked us up. He had a list of all the guests who are arriving today and checked us off before asking us if we wanted to wait in the bus or do a bit of tidbit buying, while we wait for others to arrive. Now, as a hotelier point of view, I think this is a smart move. He is able to call up before hand (maybe 15-20mins) and inform the Front Desk who is arriving and they better get the Villas ready. I mean, the Villa is humongous! They would probably need 3 hours to clean it!

Shuttle bus from Nongsapura to Montigo

The arrival at the resort was a wow factor! Not just the iced-tea and cold towels (come on, my hotel does that too!) or even the warm greetings and assistance with luggage; it was the spectacular view of the vast ocean which weren't dotted with oil tankers like Singapore's! The lobby is spacious and it doesn't have any walls to obstruct the view! Perhaps this is one of the tactics they use to distract you and try to weasel some money out of you (just kidding!).

Montigo Resort Lobby

 The receptionists were walking around the lobby, ensuring everyone is being taken care of. They seated everyone down and brought the registration cards, and other things which were essential to the check in. Everything was in a controlled, calm and organized manner! Impressive, considering that they just unloaded a bus full of excited Singaporeans. They have a system in place!

I wasn't around when the receptionist was registering us, as I was too comfortable and my stomach decided to act up and give me a bad case of tummy ache! I was however around when my friends demanded for my credit card because they forgot to bring theirs.

I know. Seriously?

Pardon my girlfriends, for what will they ever do without me!

The receptionist then went through all the inclusions that we had, maps she pulled out and even explained where the socket to place the key for electricity was! It was a thorough check in, and although it was a tad bit long, I enjoyed it very much as I know what I have and what to expect!

Buggy!

She than handed over our keys to the bellman who brought us to our room in the buggy and even explained where everything in the villa was! But I wasn't listening much, very distracted by the view and the size of the manor, I mean, Villa.

Exterior of the villas

Anticipation of Needs

So, after a great welcome and arrival, I was looking forward to the rest of the stay being as awesome as my first impression. However...

We paid an extra of S$100 for the 5th person. So technically, I was expecting an extra bed, with extra towels, toiletries, bathrobe and slippers. Nope.

Bedrooms

I was kind of hoping they'd stock everything in 5s. Like 5 cookies/snacks which they provided. Now, that will really blow me away. But, nope! I was a bit disappointed already at this point, because we're trained to pay so much attention to detail back at my workplace, and I guess I am expecting too much, or really am pampered to expect such service. I had to call the reception to request for extra bathrobes and slippers, which they brought promptly. I didn't really mind not having an extra bed too anyway, because 3 of us can squeeze onto a King sized bed.

Living Room

Technically, we paid the extra S$100 is just for the 5th person's breakfast, because everything else in the villa is set for four! Now, at this point, I told myself not to expect too much! This is Batam! Not some world class hotel with lots of awards (cheyyyy!).

Rooftop

The property is so beautiful! The architecture and layout is simple yet somewhat luxurious. However, I felt that they could put in more efforts to maintain the property. Maybe paint the Villas at least once a year to cover up all the stains they cannot remove. Or varnish the wood to remove scratches and stains, also, at least once a year. Or actually, just vacuum or mop the floor because it was just damn dusty. I'm not sure if it's a culture in Indonesia not to clean the floors or what, because my friend who has been to Montigo before said that her previous Villa's floor felt dusty too.

Or... Are we, Singaporeans, too clean and pampered?

Well, I like my floors clean!

I'm not sure if all the packages include complimentary mini bar and snacks, but ours certainly did. There's 8 cans of soft drinks inside the fridge and two packets of dried crisp fruits. In every washroom, there's also two small bottles of mineral water.

Complimentary Snacks

My girlfriend signed up for some iPrefer membership (which was free anyway), and we received some VIP amenity! We had a VIP fruit basket, bottle of red wine (which was surprisingly easy to drink, considering I am not a wine person) and two plates of cookies and kueh-kuehs. We were definitely happy about that! Girlfriend was so overjoyed at the prospect of being a VIP, she kept reminding us not to finish all her cookies!

VIP Amenity

At the balcony of the living room on the first floor, we had our own private infinity pool overlooking the sea. We were soaking in the pool in the evening when we realized we needed more towels as we didn't want to use the same towels we were going to use after our shower. I mean, the towels would contain chlorine water, and than what's the point of showering right?

Infinity Pool

So, I called the operator asking for five more towels. Twice. Within the span of about 40mins. It didn't turn up until room attendants came over for turndown service and we requested more, which they complied. I know it may seem 'on the way' for them, but, really?

Anyway, the towel dog they left on our bed to 'welcome' us back was really cute though!

Towel art

Did I mention there's Wii console in the Villa as well? Well, we were trying to cramp a lot of activities (or not) into just a short 1 night's stay, and by the time we actually got down to play the Wii, we realized the only game they had to offer us is some NBA game. It didn't fly well with us. Again, called up the reception asking if we can go down to take a look at the other games, but the area/department that handles all the Wii games are closed and we have to get back tomorrow. Oh well, just our luck. We decided to just go out to the balcony and laze by the pool, sipping our wine like adults.

Tiigo Bar

Just chilling by Tiigo Bar

After dinner, we headed to Tiigo bar for some drinks. They have an indoor and outdoor sitting areas, as well as cabana beds dotting side of the the infinity pool. It is truly beautiful. We walked in at about 9.30pm and it was empty, except for 2 couples who were having some fun with the fooseball.

The lady who attended to us actually checked the condition of the cabana to see if it was wet or not. Though it was just a small gesture which she may casually over look, it truly impressed me. After looking through the menu, my friends saw that they served Jaggermeister. She asked the lady if they had redbull, and she said, yes. So my friends wanted to order two portions of each. The lady looked at us blankly, nodded and walked away.

If you're a drinker, you'd know we just ordered a Jaggerbomb.

Tiigo Bar in the day

Shortly, a gentleman walked over to clarify our order. Again, my friend repeated for a glass of redbull and a shot of Jaggermeister, fearing they didn't know what a Jaggerbomb is. This gentleman, however, promptly clarified if we wanted a Jaggerbomb. Yes! Success! This guy knows his cocktails!

I had this strawberry peach cocktail thing which wasn't that fantastic. It brought back some memories of cough syrup. Other than that, we had a really good time just chilling by the pool and counting stars.

Despite the minor hiccups in the day, we were having such a good time, we didn't want to leave!

Tadd's

Breakfast at Tadd's

In the morning, I woke up with a pounding headache! We got ready and went to breakfast nonetheless!

Breakfast was at Tadd's, the all day dining restaurant which is located between the main swimming pool & Tiigo Bar. There was a wide selection of food, and I would say the spread is really good! (Not sure if it's worth S$100 though.)

Main swimming pool

They had the usual, egg station, fruits, cereal, bakery, hot food. They also had a Ayam Soto & Roti Prata station which I enjoyed very much! After breakfast, we went back to Tiigo Bar's infinity pool to swim and relax. Even though the bar is not open, no one cared if we were swimming there. One staff even helped us take a photo!

Fond Farewell

After swimming, we went back to shower and get ready to leave Batam. As I was taking a ferry from a terminal different from my friends and also a 20min taxi ride away, I went and got ready first. I called for a buggy at 12.20pm. And again at 12.40pm. Time was running out as I had plan to leave the property latest by 12.45pm. at 12.45pm, I decided to walk up to the lobby instead as I didn't want to miss my ferry.

On my way out, I saw two staff on buggies just chilling outside a villa, about halfway up the lobby. I knew the slope up to the lobby was really steep and I didn't have the energy to walk up or want to perspire (I was working night shift that evening).  So, I stopped their chatter and got one of them to send me up to the lobby.

Boy, was I irritated.

I went to check out first, and the receptionist was asking if I have any luggages in the villa. I replied saying I waited for 30 mins for a buggy, so I walked up because I didn't want to miss my ferry! My friends are still inside waiting for a buggy! To which she just replied, "Oh, we're sorry about that."

No, she didn't look sorry, nor did she attempt to find out more or get a buggy over immediately. To me, she just shrugged it off.

I choose not to do anything about it because I understand her position. It wasn't her fault there are high demands for buggies. But at least she could have empathize a little more? Find out what went wrong? Explained why it took freaking 30 mins (or more) for a buggy to arrive?

I just kept quiet and asked for a taxi to be prepared immediately while she process my check out, so I didn't have to wait too long. Guess what, she only called for the taxi AFTER she processed my check out.

Not efficient at all.

I still had to wait for them to get a taxi over, and by then my friends finally made it to the lobby.

When I finally got into the cab, it was already 1.05pm. My ferry was at 2.10pm. I was trying my best not to panic. Then, I sat inside the taxi for another 5-8 mins which their bellboys wrote a receipt and tell the taxi driver where my destination was. Why couldn't they arrange it when I was doing my check out?

Anyway.

I made it to the ferry terminal at 1.45pm. Thank goodness I didn't miss my ferry.

Overall

I like the property a lot. I like the contemporary design, the spacious layout and all the amenities and facilities. I just feel that should put more heart into maintaining the property, if not, it's just going to be another old property with nothing much to offer anymore in 10 years time.

However, what I liked about Montigo was just the tangible stuff. Stuff I can see and touch and feel.

The service staff needs to learn how to be more empathizing and need to improve on their anticipation of needs skill. They are friendly and nice, but they have no sense of urgency. When I was panicking about missing my ferry, they just took their time with my check out and ordering a taxi for me.

I don't know. Is this a Batam style? Or are Singaporeans too anxious about everything?

Will I be back? Yes, of course. I will give it a second chance. On a weekday probably, so I don't have to wait 30 mins for a buggy pick up.