I've spent nearly a decade searching for a lodging - now, my seaside hotel resides on a 110-year-old vessel.
Freakin' Old Ship Transformed into a Beach Hotel - A Tale of Perseverance
Eric Saw, the 73-year-old mastermind behind Doulos Phos The Ship Hotel in Bintan, Indonesia, took a leap of faith back in 2010. The leap was over 130 meters long and 96 years old, to be exact - that's the MV Doulos, a ship previously owned by a Christian missionary and renowned for its 33-year tenure as a floating library.
I used to watch this monstrous seafarer with my kids when it docked in Singapore. Little did I know that a few years later, we would be the proud owners of this ships-of-yore.
Built in 1914 in Texas, just two years after the Titanic sank, the MV Doulos had an eventful life as a cargo ship, transporting onions, before being converted into a floating library. Can you imagine? Onion soup made from century-old onions! Things you can only dream of.
Buying the ship was one thing, turning it into a beach hotel was another. But Eric saw past the rust and grime, envisioning the ship's potential. Nine years later, that vision became a reality as the ship found its new home on a custom island built specifically for it in Indonesia.
The Sea Dog's First Encounter with Ships
Eric's love affair with ships began in 2000, when he bought a riverboat that used to be A&W Restaurant's floating pride. He turned it into a Tex-Mex restaurant on the shores of Sentosa, Singapore's ritzy island known for luxury hotels, amusement parks, and beaches.
When the opportunity to acquire the MV Doulos surfaced in 2010, he saw it as a chance to do something extraordinary. But he wasn't the only one chasing the dream. Several private companies, military forces, and shipbreaking yards from all corners of the globe were interested in the ship.
In the end, Eric won the bid. But dealing with the ship was a tough nut to crack. The project was much bigger than he had anticipated, and he soon realized he was in way over his head.
The Ship's Final Anchor in Bintan, Indonesia
Eric initially wanted to dock the ship near Singapore's picturesque coastline. But dreams of an easy mooring spot were shattered when the authorities weren't too keen on shaking hands with the century-old vessel.
Months dragged on as Eric submitted application after application to various authorities. His savings dwindled as he footed the bill for the ship's upkeep in the shipyard. By the time he met Frans Gunara, a hotel developer from Bintan, Indonesia, he was ready to call it quits.
Frans saw the potential in the MV Doulos and offered Eric a lifeline. He promised to provide a mooring spot for the ship and a piece of land for a dry dock that would protect the ship from water damage. But Eric had higher expectations. He wanted an island - shaped like an anchor, no less.
building the ship's infrastructure was just the beginning. The interior of the ship was dark and cramped, more fitting for a museum than a luxury hotel. So, Eric and his family sketched out a plan to transform the ship into a modern yet historically-rooted beach retreat.
The transformation involved gutting much of the ship and redesigning the cabins, pools, restaurants, spa, and fitness center. Reinforcing the ship's structure was a vital step, as were adjustments to the cabins to allow for ocean views.
It took nearly ten years to complete the project, but Eric doesn't regret a single moment of it. The Doulos Phos The Ship Hotel finally opened its doors in 2019 and has been showered with praise from guests ever since.
- What about his love for ships prompted Eric to take a chance on the MV Doulos, a 96-year-old ship transformed into a beach hotel in Bintan, Indonesia?
- Given its history as a floating library and a cargo ship transporting onions, can you guess what kind of lifestyle the Doulos Phos The Ship Hotel in Bintan offers to its guests?
- Even though the transformation of the MV Doulos into a luxury hotel required overcoming numerous challenges, Eric saw past its rust and grime, making the ship's potential a reality.
- With its unique anchored island location and historically rooted yet modern interior, the Doulos Phos The Ship Hotel appeals to travelers seeking a unique blend of old and new when embarking on their journeys.
