Doulos Phos, Bintan: Hotel Inside a Historic 1914 Ship

Ever wanted to sleep inside a historic ship? In Lagoi, Bintan Island, Doulos Phos The Ship Hotel has turned the MV Doulos into a hotel on dry land, right by the sea and next to the Bandar Bentan Telani ferry terminal. In our video, nightly rates ranged from RM281 to RM719.

The ship was built in 1914 at Newport News, Virginia, USA, and has also been called Medina, Roma and Franca C. From 1977 to 2009 she sailed as Doulos, a floating book fair that called at more than 100 countries, and was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest active ocean-going passenger ship. Doulos Phos means 'Servant of Light' in Greek.

In the video we saw the Master Mariner cabin with a work desk and a twin-sink bathroom, and the top deck with a jacuzzi and loungers facing the sea. There's a seaside infinity pool with sunset views, the Arisetaffel restaurant and the Piano Lounge. Most unique of all is the twice-daily ship tour to the captain's cabin and the original engine room, nicknamed 'The Heart of the Ship'.

From Malaysia, the easiest route is to cross into Singapore and take the ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bandar Bentan Telani, about 1 hour 10 minutes. The hotel is only about a five-minute walk from the terminal. It's also close to Natra Bintan and Treasure Bay if you want two stays in one trip.

The ship was bought in 2010 by Singaporean businessman Eric Saw, who brought her ashore in Bintan and opened the hotel in 2019. The roughly 130-metre ship now sits on an anchor-shaped piece of reclaimed land. Other activities include air-rifle shooting, mudflat walks and fishing.