WORLD'S OLDEST PASSENGER SHIP TURNED INTO A LUXURY HOTEL
Built in 1914 at the Newport News Shipyard, the SS Medina is known as one of the world's oldest passenger ships, with a history spanning 111 years. The historic ship, which once carried cargo, served the army in World War II, and was later used as a passenger ship, cruise ship, and even a mobile library, continues its journey today with a completely different identity.
Bought in 2010 by Singaporean businessman Eric Saw for 900,000 euros, the ship was saved from being scrapped at the last moment. Restored with an investment of approximately 18 million dollars, the ship was placed on an artificial peninsula on Bintan Island, Indonesia, and transformed into a hotel. The process of moving the 6,800-ton ship to land took weeks and it was placed on a special concrete platform.
Today, operating under the name “Doulos Phos,” meaning “Servant of Light,” the hotel boasts nearly 100 cabins and suites. The ship's narrow corridors, propellers, steel cladding, and porthole windows have been preserved, offering guests a genuine maritime atmosphere. In the establishment, “rooms are called cabins, floors are called decks, and employees are called crew.”
The hotel, which first opened in 2019, had to close due to the pandemic. However, with the lifting of border restrictions, it began welcoming guests again in 2023. Today, Doulos Phos has become one of the prominent tourist attractions on Bintan Island, offering a unique alternative for both history enthusiasts and those seeking a different accommodation experience.
