Source : Business Times - 23 Apr 2009
THE Indonesian island of Batam is only very slightly known as a marine leisure playground. To most people, it is more often thought of as Singapore’s industrial extension where many of our shipyards and manufacturing companies have relocated their lower-end operations. As such it suffers from the perception of being a huge polluted island dedicated to providing low-cost services.
But to boaters and leisure seekers that know better, there are little pockets of tranquillity and luxury to be found. The island is much bigger than the main shopping and industrial areas that most Singaporeans would be familiar with and apart from the main Batam island, there is a chain of islands stretching southwards that have yet to be developed or explored for the most part.
On the northeastern fringe of the island lies a small string of beaches centred around Nongsa Point. This area is conveniently located just 20 km from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and is served by its own ferry terminal. The less than one hour ferry ride makes connections quick and hassle-free.
This area is best known for the Nongsa Point Marina, one of the few entry points where leisure boats can clear in and out of Indonesian waters and the main gateway to the Riau archipelago. The marina has been recently given a major face-lift and is poised to serve the high-flying superyacht crowd as well as other leisure boaters who come to Batam for its rural charm of rustic fishing villages, friendly people and quiet beaches lined with majestic palms.
The area is also home to understated luxury resorts and is starting to see some new developments as well. The Turi Beach Resort just round the corner from the marina has also been recently refurbished and now has a new wing featuring an updated modern resort look. The cluster of high-end waterfront lifestyle-oriented developments has attracted others to the area.
Diversified real estate investment, development and management group KOP Group is developing its luxury seafront resort development, Montigo Resorts, on a 12-hectare site there. KOP, majority-owned by the Dubai Group, is known for innovative projects in Singapore like Hamilton Scotts, a luxury high-rise condominium featuring special elevators that bring cars right up to the units.
With one kilometre of pristine waterfront on Nongsa Beach, Montigo Resorts will offer 133 seafront villas, of which 45 are private villas and 88 are terraced and semi-detached homes. All homes come with the option of private swimming pools and/or jacuzzi.
‘Boaters often complain that they don’t have any place to go when they are out on their boats so hopefully this may be something that appeals to them,’ said KOP marketing and communications manager Joanne Lim. ‘We’re well known in the luxury developments area and we felt we could provide a solution to meet the boaters’ needs and create products that suit their lifestyle,’ she said.
‘There are also many who wish to enjoy a beachfront lifestyle without having to endure the hassle of flights and long transits so this will be ideal for them,’ she added.
Montigo Resorts will be easy to get to, being just a short ferry hop away. And if there’s a need for privacy or perhaps a bit of pampering, private yacht rides will also be provided for residents. Montigo Resorts offers its residents a modern haven with breathtaking sea views, sun, sand and fresh air, a welcome respite from the madding world yet with all the creature comforts of a modern and luxurious home.
The resort will offer residents all the services and amenities of a world-class hotel with fine dining restaurants, swimming pools, an exclusive clubhouse, a state-of-the-art spa, and even play areas and water sport facilities. The site is also within easy reach of Batam’s six championship golf courses, two modern marinas and a wide range of boutiques and luxury shopping malls.
KOP had planned to launch 60 villas in the first of three phases during Boat Asia, but 30 of these have already been sold as at yesterday. Each villa will have an approximate built-up area of 3,300 square feet.
‘The show is a good platform to launch this development because it provides a very targeted audience and will help us create awareness as well as meet potential clients so we are better aware of their needs,’ said Ms Lim.
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