Firstly, thank you to bro nono for the information and updates, and other bros who may have contributed indirectly one way or another. Would like to post my experience while my memory is still fresh from the trip.
Had a virgin trip from last Saturday to Sunday (2 days 1 night), with my base camp chosen at Batam Harbour Boutique Hotel. Similar to the other bro who's a bathtub/jacuzzi lover, I would prefer places with a good bathtub (albeit an luxury option for me). However, Formosa and Vienna rates shot up sharply one day before my intended trip, so I decided to choose a hotel closer to the harbour area for a start that is still within my planning budget.
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The following post below are of my personal experiences.
Pre-Trip
Booked a two-way trip with Horizon Fast scheduled at 1415hrs.
Reached around 12 plus. Was advised by the counter staff that they still have tickets for 1315hrs and asked if I wanted to check in immediately. Took up the exchange offer since I am traveling solo.
Day 1
Batam Harbour Boutique Hotel
Note: They require a 200k security deposit upfront which will be returned upon checking out.
The first room they assigned to me was a room with twin beds on the ground floor. Did a quick check and realized the TV was not working despite several attempts to switch it on. Requested for the counter staff to check and he offered to do a room exchange with a single king size bed. It was still on the ground floor and facing towards the road. There's no view for this room but didn't really matter much to me.
In the replacement room, the heater plug was pulled out and I had to get the counter staff to use a scissors to get it back inside (apparently they denied my request to borrow a scissors due to safety reasons which I understood the rationale)
Exchanged at the money changer near the hotel @ 2.1 juta for 200 SGD, similar to xe rate at 1.056 though many shops were offering at 1.04 juta.
After settling down and getting my supplies from the mall supermarket nearby, decided to start my "hunt".
1.
Adorabella Spa (third floor of Pacific Palace hotel)
Note: There's a stretch of road without proper walkway pavements with ongoing construction works if you intend to walk over to this place. Do take note if you intend to travel via this option.
This spa was discovered by accident as I intended to look for Octopuss spa, but somehow the lift only goes up to level 3. After searching through the hotel for alternate routes (and almost trespassing a kitchen at level 4), I gave up and settled for this spa instead.
(Need experienced bros to advise how do I even reach the place if the lifts doesn't bring me to level 8, or if I'm in the wrong section of the hotel?
)
Was assigned a female masseur, slightly petite but had decent strength. The room I was assigned to had a bathtub beside the massage bed though it was not utilized.
Damage: 275k @ 90mins
2.
Namii Massage
The most expensive clean massage of all my trips, but the female masseur I had was one of the best masseurs I had out of the 4 places. Her strength was perfect covering all areas. My body was literally on ragdoll mode when she did the back/leg stretches.
Damage: 340k @ 120mins (plus 51k tax @ 15%)
3.
Alamanda Spa (in-hotel spa)
When I exited the lift, I spotted a few ladies (most likely their staffs) leaving the spa smiling at me as they entered into the lift. I made a critical mistake of not verifying if there's any female masseurs left available, which I was assigned a
male masseur instead!
Wasn't really bothered since I have my tolerance set for male masseurs. His strength was slightly soft as compared to other masseurs. Got grabbed in the crotch a few times while he was massaging my thighs but #nohomo.
The counter staff and her female colleague was not really friendly which they seemed to be more interested in what was going on in their phones instead.
Damage: 270k @ 120mins
4.
Massage shop located at previous Ocean Spa joint
Walked past after ending my session #2 while exploring, which a dude popped out from the door and waved at me to enter shortly but I was already far off so I decided to check back later. Ocean is no longer there as it is replaced by a ktv, however there's still a massage shop. Whether if it's under a new management or anot, I've no idea.
Went back around 11pm and was greeted by another person. Opted for 90 mins "sensual" massage (bad mistake here tbh), but the entire duration probably lasted a hour. Was quoted FJ for 500k. Tried to bargain down as per bro nono's tips, but failed. FYI, she was already squeezing my face with her huge boobs (iirc D size?) so I wasn't even in a good position to bargain with.
She gave me a shower in the bathtub before I left (though I didn't really wanted to get inside the tub as it looks old with the stains), felt like a kid getting washed up instead as she cleans up every area thoroughly.
Overall, an interesting experience for the night...
Damage: 380k(?) + 500k
Somewhere between #3 and #4, I recalled my WeChat account getting blocked (and unable to self-unblock because it requires another active WeChat account which neither my friend nor family members have an account). Decided to get a sim card from the place bro nono suggested. It takes a while to register, so once you receive the SMS from the telco you should be set. Got a new WeChat account in less than 10 minutes.
Just a side note, don't use android simulators for WeChat. My main account was banned because of that.
Day 2
Woke up around 9am and had the free breakfast (though there wasn't really much left, went for the typical koko krunch + milk instead). Decided to laze around in bed until 11am before checking out.
I still have enough cash left so I was thinking between Manzu or Eska, went for Eska instead because I intended to take up a 2 hour massage and don't intend to rush for my boarding which was at 2pm.
5.
Eska Spa (second floor of Bayfront shopping centre)
This place looks brand new with facilities that feels more appeasing as compared to other joints.
For the final massage, I was served by a female masseur. Strength wise, she is decent but focuses abit more on the lower body. Overall a good massage before the departing trip.
Damage: 310k (plus 31k tax @ 10%)
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Overall summary:
Enjoyed my trip, though I should be more cautious with my spending in terms of massages.
Food wise I spent quite little since most of the local food doesn't fancy me that much.
Some things I've learnt & noted from this trip:
1. If in doubt if there's female masseurs available, always ask. Some massage places like Namii and Eska will ask in advance if you prefer a male or female masseur.
2. "Sensual" massages are probably the same as those "prostate massages" in SG. Just opt for the normal massages and you'll never get "buyers regret".
3. Tax seems to vary each massage joint. For the budget conscious people, consider asking the counter staff in advance and decide accordingly.
Adorabella Spa and Alamanda Spa doesn't require me to pay in advance, whereas the remaining places requires upfront payment before the service.
4. It may be good to carry a travel adapter if you intend to charge your devices.
That said, looking forward to my next trip. Probably will settle myself nearer to Nagoya instead.
Note: I'm more of a massage lover than ST/LT stuff. But who knows if this might change over time?