Michi Photostory: hotel

Before I start sharing my Disney Adventure Cruise series, let me take a little break to feature another hotel my husband stayed at during his week-long trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur is the fifth hotel he has stayed at in the city. If you're looking for more accommodation options, you can check out my previous blog post, Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where I've featured the other hotels we tried.

This is also the third JW Marriott property he has experienced! I've previously shared his stays at JW Marriott Hanoi in Vietnam and JW Marriott Jakarta in Indonesia.

This time, let's take a closer look at his week-long stay at JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur, including the room, breakfast buffet, location, and a few things he liked and didn't like about the hotel.

Deluxe King Room

My husband stayed in the Deluxe King Room, which measures approximately 40 square meters. Since he was staying for a week, having a comfortable room was especially important.

One thing worth mentioning is that the hotel offers connecting rooms. These can be convenient for families or groups traveling together, but they may not be ideal for guests who prefer a quieter stay.

On one night, during the wee hours of the morning, my husband could hear noise coming from the adjoining room. Thankfully, this only happened once during his week-long stay.

The Bed and Room Temperature

As I mentioned earlier, my husband has stayed at other JW Marriott hotels, so he already had a few experiences to compare this property with.

Unfortunately, the bed at this branch wasn't his favorite. He found the mattress too firm and even commented that our bed at home was much better!

Another thing he noticed was how cold the hotel felt. Even after turning off the air-conditioning in his room, he still felt cold. He eventually caught a cold during his trip, although we can't say for sure whether the hotel's temperature had anything to do with it.

The Bathroom

The bathroom features a separate bathtub and shower, which is a nice touch for guests who enjoy soaking in a tub after a long day.

However, we found the bathtub a little amusing because it looked surprisingly short! I would estimate it to be only about three feet long, although I didn't actually measure it. It might be fine for a quick soak, but its size certainly caught our attention.

Breakfast Buffet

My husband was satisfied with the breakfast buffet at JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur. During his week-long stay, he enjoyed the food and beverages served at breakfast and appreciated the service provided by the hotel staff.

Having breakfast at the hotel was also a convenient way to start his day before heading out for work and other activities.

Unfortunately, I don't have more details about the individual dishes, but overall, he was happy with his breakfast experience.

Hotel Facilities

JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur also offers facilities such as an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center, along with dining options for guests who prefer to enjoy a meal without leaving the hotel. Unfortunately, my husband wasn't able to try any of these facilities because he was busy organizing their event throughout his stay.

Perhaps on his next visit, he'll have more time to explore the hotel's amenities and enjoy what the property has to offer beyond his room and breakfast.

Location: Near Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and Bukit Bintang

One of the biggest advantages of JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur is its location. Situated along Jalan Bukit Bintang, the hotel is within easy reach of popular shopping destinations, including Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. The surrounding area also has plenty of restaurants, cafés, and entertainment options, making it a convenient base for travelers who want to explore the city.

The hotel is also about a 20–30-minute walk from the Petronas Twin Towers, making it possible to visit this famous Kuala Lumpur landmark on foot.

Speaking of the Petronas Twin Towers, I even reminded my husband to take a photo of my Malaysia paper craft while he was there! He walked all the way to the towers just to take this photo. It's always nice to have a little piece of my hobby included in our travel memories, even when I'm not the one on the trip.

I may not have been in Malaysia with him, but at least my paper craft got to travel there!

JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur
183 Jalan Bukit Bintang,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

After sharing our experiences in Batam, Indonesia, through several blog posts, I wanted to put everything together in one travel guide.

Batam was a quick getaway during our 9-day trip to Singapore, Indonesia, and the Disney Adventure Cruise. We traveled from Singapore to Batam on the second day of our overall trip and returned to Singapore the following day.

Although our stay was short, we managed to enjoy a hotel stay, try delicious food, explore some of Batam's popular attractions, and shop for pasalubong to bring home.

In this post, I'll share our 2-day Batam itinerary, including how we traveled from Singapore, where we stayed, what we ate, and the places we visited.

How to Get to Batam, Indonesia, from Singapore and Vice Versa

One thing that made our Batam getaway convenient was taking the ferry. Since Batam is accessible from Singapore by ferry, it's a practical option for travelers planning a short trip.

We booked our ferry tickets through Klook and used two different operators for our journey:

· Singapore to Batam: Majestic Fast Ferry
· Batam to Singapore: Sindo Ferry

Here's how our ferry experience went.

Singapore to Batam: Majestic Fast Ferry

For our journey to Batam, we took Majestic Fast Ferry. Since we planned to stay overnight, I booked a one-way ticket instead of a round-trip ticket.

Under the booking option I selected on Klook, I could book either a one-way ticket or a same-day round-trip ticket. Since we weren't returning to Singapore that day, booking a one-way ticket was the more practical choice.

Upon arrival at the ferry terminal, we claimed our tickets at the counter and paid the additional fuel surcharge.

Batam to Singapore: Sindo Ferry

For our return journey, we took Sindo Ferry from Batam to Singapore. We also booked this ticket through Klook, but the process was different.

Our booking voucher had already been confirmed by the operator, and we were informed that we only needed to present our passports for the trip. It was a pleasant surprise to find that our booking had been processed ahead of our travel date!

Using two different ferry operators worked well for our itinerary because we could arrange our departure and return trips separately.

Ferry Travel Tips: Allow Enough Time at the Terminal

Whether you're traveling from Singapore to Batam or returning to Singapore, make sure to allow enough time at the ferry terminal before departure.

You'll need to complete the required check-in procedures, clear immigration, and go through security checks before boarding. Depending on your ferry operator and booking arrangement, you may also need to claim a physical ticket.

I recommend arriving well ahead of your scheduled departure, especially during weekends, holidays, and peak travel periods. Always check your operator's instructions for the required check-in time and boarding procedures to avoid rushing or missing your ferry.

Where to Book Ferry Tickets to Batam

We booked both ferry trips through Klook, which made it convenient to arrange our transportation ahead of time.

You can also check the ferry operators' official websites or inquire at the ferry terminal about purchasing tickets, subject to availability. Compare the available schedules, fares, and booking requirements before deciding which option works best for your trip.

I recommend booking in advance if you have a preferred departure time, particularly during busy travel periods.

Our Ferry Expenses from Singapore to Batam and Back

Here's a breakdown of our ferry expenses for three people, including fuel surcharges and the additional fee we paid to transfer to an earlier ferry schedule.

Singapore to Batam via Majestic Fast Ferry

· Ferry tickets for 3 people: PHP 5,921
· Fuel surcharge: SGD 18 (SGD 6 per person), approximately PHP 864.38

Batam to Singapore via Sindo Ferry

· Ferry tickets for 3 people: PHP 5,454
· Fuel surcharge: IDR 195,000 (IDR 65,000 per person), approximately PHP 698.55
· Fee to transfer to an earlier ferry schedule: IDR 90,000 (IDR 30,000 per person), approximately PHP 322.41

Total Ferry Expenses for 3 People: PHP 13,260.34

These are the amounts we paid during our trip. The PHP equivalents of the surcharges and transfer fee are approximate conversions, so the actual amounts may vary depending on exchange rates. Ferry fares, surcharges, and schedule-change fees may also change, so check the latest rates and policies before your trip.

Day 1: Traveling from Singapore to Batam, Indonesia

It was our second day in Singapore, but we said goodbye to the city for now as we headed to Batam for a quick getaway!

After arriving at the Batam Ferry Terminal, we took a taxi to our hotel for IDR 70,000. (cash only) Our accommodation, Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam, also offers a shuttle service from Mega Mall, Lobby C. However, the shuttle schedule didn't match our arrival time, so taking a taxi was more convenient for us.

The hotel also offers a private car transfer for IDR 130,000 if you prefer to arrange transportation in advance. If you're planning to stay at the same hotel, I recommend checking its transportation options and schedules before your arrival.

Where We Stayed: Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam

We stayed at Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam during our short visit. It gave us a comfortable place to relax between our travel activities.

For more photos and details about our accommodation, read my full review of Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam.

Our Food Trip at Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam

Of course, no trip is complete without good food! We also enjoyed a food trip at the hotel, which was another highlight of our stay.

Check out my full post about our food experience at Radisson Golf & Convention Center Batam to see what we ate.

Day 2: Exploring Batam with a Private Tour

To explore Batam, we booked a private Batam tour through Klook, which included a car and driver. This was a convenient way to explore the city and visit several attractions during our short stay.

With our own transportation, we could travel between the different stops on our itinerary, including Barelang Bridge, the Welcome to Batam sign, Rumah Kue Wiweka Shop, Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya, and Nagoya Mall.

Since we only had a limited amount of time in Batam, booking a private tour helped us arrange our sightseeing around the places we wanted to visit.

For more photos and details about each destination, read my complete guide to the places we visited in Batam.

Pasalubong from Indonesia

Before leaving Batam, we also made time to shop for pasalubong to bring home. Shopping for souvenirs and local treats is always one of my favorite parts of traveling. It's a nice way to bring home a little piece of the destination and share something from the trip with family and friends. If you'd like to see what we bought, check out my Batam pasalubong shopping guide.

Traveling from Batam Back to Singapore

After our short getaway, it was time to return to Singapore. We took the Sindo Ferry, which we had booked through Klook.

Our two-day trip was brief, but we managed to enjoy our hotel stay, try different food, visit several attractions, and shop for souvenirs before heading back.

Traveling by ferry made it possible to add another destination to our Singapore trip without spending too much time getting there.

Final Thoughts: Is 2 Days in Batam Enough?

For us, two days in Batam were enough for a quick getaway from Singapore. Although our first day was mostly dedicated to traveling and enjoying our hotel stay, we still managed to visit several attractions and shop for pasalubong on the second day.

If you're looking for a short trip with opportunities to explore local landmarks, enjoy good food, and shop for souvenirs, Batam is worth considering. Planning your transportation and activities ahead of time can help you make the most of your stay.

Batam was a lovely addition to our Singapore trip, and I'm glad we had the chance to explore another destination just a ferry ride away.

I hope this itinerary helps you plan your own 2-day Batam adventure. Don't forget to check out the individual posts linked throughout this guide for more details about our hotel, food, attractions, and shopping experiences.