Batam? It is so boring.. Where got things to buy??

This was what I usually hear from people when I ask 'Hey, how is Batam like?'. Having no expectations, I was surprised with what Batam could offer. I was there with BFF for a cheap getaway during the weekend before Christmas. Booked a package with Chan Brothers express at $125 per person for a 2D1N stay at i Hotel including round-trip ferry tickets and land transfer. Note that you will need to pay a terminal fee of $20 in Singapore and $7 in Batam. Ferry from Harbourfront to Batam Terminal takes around one hour.

Stay at i Hotel?Why?
To say the truth, this hotel wasn't my first choice. We were looking at Harris resort and  Holiday Inn but unfortunately these two hotels were all fully booked. We had no other choices left. However, I hotel was a pleasant surprise and we would definitely stay here again.

• I Hotel is situated besides the largest shopping mall in Batam, Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall. It is a 5-minute walk away from the hotel. 
• Easily accessible to Batam Terminal, less than 15 minutes drive away.
• Swimming pool and heated jacuzzi at Level 3 were opened until 10pm every night.
• It is clean and big.

The trip started off with the land transfer from Batam Terminal to i Hotel. The mini bus stopped at multiple hotels (Harris, Holiday Inn and many more) before reaching i Hotel. It is a waste of our time as it took almost an hour to reach i Hotel from Batam Terminal although it is less than 15 minutes away.
Best service during our trip
We went to Isabella Massage House for spa. The spa looks a little rundown and I couldn't say that their therapists have the best skills. BUT but but but but! Their service is excellent. They provide free pickup services from anywhere in Batam to everywhere in Batam. It means they could pick you up at your hotel, drop you off for shopping and pick you up again for dinner at seafood restaurant and send you back to hotel.
Things to buy
We went shopping at the nearby nagoya hills shopping mall which holds many shops including j.co donuts, A&W, Polo Ralph Lauren and a departmental store, Matahari. Polo Ralph offer you 20% discount if you buy 2 pieces and 30% discount if you buy 3 or more. Wacoal lingerie at Matahari are a lot cheaper as compared to Singapore. They are on the average at about SGD$25 each. Although prices are comparable to Bangkok, Bangkok definitely has a lot more variety in terms of designs and colours. Prices of lingerie from Pierre Cardin and Young Hearts are about the same in Singapore. Both Polo Ralph and Matahari accept Visa and Masters card payment but not Amex.
Hypermart is our favourite shop in Batam. It is a huge supermarket that sells toiletries at a fraction of Singapore's prices. Seriously, how cheap can it get??  A MUST buy in Batam is Ellips hair products which are also sold at Watsons Singapore. Big plasters are also extremely cheaper at SGD$1.20 for 24 pieces. Laurier sanitary pads (22.5 cm) are selling at SGD$1.20 for 20 pads. Quaker oatmeal is only SGD$0.25.

Ellips Hair Mask

Ellips Hair treatment