Swiss-Belhotel Harbour Bay (Batu Ampar, Indonesia)

Stylish rooms make a lasting impression on most travellers, with their super-modern décor and bags of space. Guest's appreciate the cable TV, fast Wi-Fi, super-strength air-conditioning and plush beds. Sparklingly-clean bathrooms are oft mentioned in reviews, as well as the opulent oversized bathtubs therein.

For Batam Island weekend getaways, Swiss-Belhotel Harbour Bay scores high for its location, within walking distance of local precinct Harbour Mall, several beachfront seafood restaurants including the popular Wey Wey, and the island's main ferry terminal with boats offering day trips to and from Singapore.

This hotel's truly international breakfast offering whets most guests' appetites. Reviewers rave about the tempting array of items available, in particular the sweet pastries and cakes, the fresh fruit with blenders for making healthy juices, the excellent sushi and hot cooked items including fried rice and noodles.

Reviewers occasionally grouse about the room service delivery times, with some having to wait up to an hour for meals to arrive. A few guests have expressed annoyance at having to call forgetful front desk staff several times to get additional items brought up to their room.

Not all rooms at this hotel come with pleasant views. Many reviewers expecting lush tropical greenery felt short-changed opening their curtains to a wall or abandoned, unkempt spaces, with some claiming they had to travel out of the locale to witness the bountiful beauty of Batam.

Spa-goers occasionally balk at the price and quality of treatments offered at this hotel's health club. Some claim staff are unwelcoming and prone to cutting treatments short, while others gripe about having to ask for simple things such as towels, initial health checks or specific aromatherapy oils.