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Just a 40-minute ferry ride from Singapore's Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, Batam is one of those no-brainer weekend escapes that works for almost everyone. Couples get their dose of romantic sea views and spa time, groups of friends get private villas to turn into mini house parties, and families – especially those travelling with excitable toddlers and grandparents in tow – get an easy, all-in-one holiday. No long flights, no complicated itineraries, and absolutely no jet lag.
On my recent family trip, the journey was smooth. From Singapore, we hopped on the Batam Fast Ferry, which went straight to Nongsapura Ferry Terminal, where immigration took less than 10 minutes. On the other side, we had a Montigo Resorts Nongsa staff waiting to shuttle us to the resort. Then about seven minutes later, we rolled into the breezy hilltop lobby, greeted with a cool drink and the resort’s chirpy yellow chick mascot, Tigo. If there were ever a sign that this was going to be a wholesome family getaway, that was probably it.
Photograph: Montigo Resorts Nongsa
Why stay at Montigo Resorts Nongsa?
Convenience is the name of the game here. Montigo Resorts Nongsa is close to the ferry terminal, and the moment you enter the property, the vibe shifts from quick weekend trip to sweet tropical retreat. The resort sprawls across a lush hillside overlooking the sea, with white villas cascading down towards the water – think Santorini but Southeast Asia.
What really sets the resort apart is its collection of private sea-facing villas, each with its own infinity pool. Instead of the typical hotel-room setup, you get a sprawling space that feels more like a holiday home. And with all the restaurants and facilities, the resort is expansive enough to feel like a proper escape, yet compact enough that you won’t spend half your holiday getting around.
The preferred mode of transport here? Buggies. Simply WhatsApp the front desk or flag down a friendly staff member, and within about 10 to 15 minutes, a buggy will whisk you to your next stop – be it breakfast, spa or your villa.
What are the villas like at Montigo Resorts Nongsa?
The resort is made up of 88 spacious beachfront villas spread across roughly a kilometre of private coastline, each boasting around 3,300 square feet of space and sweeping views of the South China Sea. Most villas are two-storey, two-bedroom units, making them ideal for small families or couples travelling together.
The design leans more classic resort than cutting-edge boutique – think airy interiors, white walls and lots of natural light – but the real magic happens outdoors. Each villa features a sky terrace, an al fresco dining area and a private infinity pool, so you can easily spend entire afternoons drifting between pool dips, sunset drinks and slow conversations.
Photograph: Cam Khalid
For bigger groups, the resort also offers larger multi-bedroom villas like the five-bedroom villa we stayed in. Unlike the two-storey villas, this one is a single-storey layout with rooms spaced out across the property, which means plenty of privacy even when travelling with a full house. The main bedroom comes with a king-sized canopy bed, a living room and a spacious bathroom with twin sinks and a jacuzzi.
However, the interiors and TVs, admittedly, feel slightly dated. And you can only lock your bedrooms from the inside and not the outside, so be sure to use the safe boxes for precious items. Your only key is a big padlock for the main door.
Photograph: Montigo Resorts Nongsa
Nonetheless, the villa’s layout more than makes up for it. Our villa had a large communal living and dining space that easily doubled as an entertaining area. One evening, we turned it into our own private barbecue spot by the pool, with the resort's very own chefs grilling meats and seafood as the sky turned shades of orange and pink.
Photograph: Cam Khalid
Where to eat and drink at Montigo Resorts Nongsa?
Food is a big part of the experience here, and the resort offers enough variety that you could happily stay within its grounds all weekend. Breakfast happens at Tadd's, the resort’s all-day dining restaurant. The buffet leans heavily into Indonesian comfort food like mee goreng, mee soto and other local favourites. There are breads, pastries and kerupuk for lighter starts, while live stations dish out roti prata, roti kirai and eggs cooked to order. And yes, freshly made kopi tarek and teh tarek are available too. I asked for my kopi extra strong, and it delivered the exact caffeine jolt needed to kickstart the morning. If you can, grab a table by the sea, as the view plus a hot breakfast is a chef’s-kiss combination.
For dinner, we headed next door to Warung Montigo. The restaurant channels classic kampung charm with warm wooden interiors and rustic décor. Our meal began the Indonesian way: fresh coconut water before tucking into bold, flavour-packed dishes like ayam panggang berempah, beef rendang, bakar iga madu and nasi goreng kampung. The flavours here don’t hold back and that’s exactly why they’re so satisfying.
For something more casual, there’s TIIGO Nongsa. This laid-back beach club comes with a pool where you can dip your toes while sipping cocktails. We ordered wood-fired pizzas and a seafood platter, and the portions were so generous we ended up packing leftovers back to the villa. In the evenings, the venue doubles as an entertainment spot with karaoke sessions, while mornings might see cooking classes – we joined one focused on Indonesia’s famously punchy sambals and left with plenty of recipe notes.
Photograph: Cam Khalid
Craving Japanese? Hinotori is a contemporary izakaya serving beautifully fresh seafood. The Hinotori roll, Hinotori-style salmon sashimi and gindara misoyaki (24-hour marinated miso black cod) were standouts, though the matcha tiramisu was the quiet scene-stealer that balanced the meal perfectly.
Even better: the resort has plans to open more restaurants soon, which means future stays could be even more delicious.
Photograph: Cam Khalid
What are the facilities like at Montigo Resorts Nongsa?
There’s no shortage of things to do here, especially if you’re travelling with children. The craft room was a hit with our group, where we tried traditional Indonesian arts like batik painting and tie-dye. My three-year-old enthusiastically joined the tie-dye session and proudly produced a colourful masterpiece that we brought home. There’s also a kids’ club, though an adult needs to stay with their children during playtime and it closes at 5pm.
Photograph: Montigo Resorts Nongsa
Fitness enthusiasts might find the outdoor gym slightly underwhelming. The equipment is limited and there’s no treadmill. But you can easily clock your activity in other ways, like a pickleball session on the rooftop tennis court, archery sessions, water sports like jet skiing and kayaking, or off-road adventures on an ATV that take you around the resort and even into nearby villages.
The must-do experience, however, is the resort’s spa. Housed in traditional huts, treatments draw on Indonesian wellness traditions, blending acupressure, reflexology and aromatherapy with classic Javanese scrubs made from fresh herbal ingredients.
Before our massage began, we were invited to choose an essential oil. I went for ginger to soothe tired muscles, and opted the Montigo signature treatment, which uses long strokes with light-to-medium pressure to create a deeply relaxing session that melts away travel fatigue and gets circulation flowing again.
What’s the area like around Montigo Resorts Nongsa?
The beauty of Montigo Resorts Nongsa is that you barely need to leave it. But if you’re curious about Batam beyond the resort, staff can arrange excursions like mangrove tours, sea fishing trips or even guided city tours to explore the island’s markets and local culture.
Just keep in mind that Nongsa is relatively quiet. Ride-hailing apps aren’t widely available here, and public transport is limited, so getting around independently can be tricky. Most outings are best arranged through the resort.
Why you should book a stay at Montigo Resorts Nongsa
The resort works brilliantly for families thanks to the spacious villas and kid-friendly activities, while couples can enjoy sea views, spa treatments and sunset dinners. Large villas, like the five-bedroom one we stayed in, also make it a great pick for big family holidays, birthday trips or even corporate retreats.
Not every aspect of the resort is flashy or ultra-luxurious. But what truly stands out is the service. Staff members consistently went out of their way to help, whether it was arranging buggies, recommending activities or simply checking in to make sure everything was going smoothly.
Add reliable Wi-Fi throughout the property, plenty of dining options and a setting that feels worlds away from Singapore – yet barely an hour from it – and it’s easy to see the appeal. In other words, if you’re craving a tropical reset without the airport queues, this Batam hideaway might just be your next weekend plan. Find out more here.
Address: Jl. Hang Lekiu, Sambau, Kecamatan Nongsa, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29465, Indonesia
Price per night: From S$170 (GBP 100) per night for the standard studio
Closest transport: 40-minute ferry ride from Singapore’s Harbourfront Ferry Terminal