A 111-Year-Old Ship Reborn as Indonesia’s Most Unique Luxury Hotel
The world’s oldest ocean liner, the Doulos Phos, has begun a new chapter as a luxury beachfront hotel. After a dramatic history spanning over a century, the 111-year-old ship now rests on an artificial island in Bintan, Indonesia—shaped like an anchor.
The vessel’s journey started in 1914, serving first as an onion transport ship before becoming a floating Christian missionary and library. Its past also includes a dark incident: a terrorist attack involving grenades left two people dead.
In 2010, the ship faced scrapping until Singaporean businessman Eric Saw intervened. He purchased it for £800,000, outbidding a Chinese buyer, Wang Yong, who had offered $10 million. Saw then spent 15 years and £13 million transforming the Doulos Phos into a high-end tourist destination.
The ship’s original spartan cabins were converted into 93 stylish rooms. Moving it to its final location took seven weeks, with the vessel inching forward at just 3 feet per day. Now docked permanently, it operates as a hotel, with Saw taking only a symbolic $1 annual salary. All profits instead fund Christian charities.
The Doulos Phos had sailed over 360,000 nautical miles before retirement. Its new life as a hotel preserves a piece of maritime history while offering visitors a unique experience.
The Doulos Phos has traded its seafaring days for a permanent home in Indonesia. Its transformation from a working ship to a luxury hotel ensures its legacy continues. The project also supports charitable causes, with operational profits directed to Christian organisations.
