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Centennial SS Medina Was Saved From Scrap And After Million-Dollar Restoration It Became The Luxurious Doulos Phos The Ship Hotel In Indonesia
What was once considered the oldest passenger ship in the world has gained a new life on dry land. Built in 1914, the SS Medina went through different phases before becoming the current Doulos Phos The Ship Hotel, located on Bintan Island in Indonesia.
Over more than a century, the vessel was a cargo ship, served in military operations, went on cruise trips, and even became a floating missionary library.
Now, after a restoration process that took years and millions of dollars, it has turned into a luxury hotel fixed on land, preserving part of its memory.
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A History Marked By Changes
The SS Medina started its journey transporting onions and other products. With the outbreak of World War II, it was incorporated into the American army. Later, it became a passenger ship and then a luxury cruise.
In the last years of navigation, the ship was named MV Doulos, operating as a floating missionary library. It visited over 100 countries, bringing books and evangelization.
During this phase, it also faced moments of danger. In 1991, Muslim separatists attacked the ship in the Philippines with grenades. Two evangelists were killed in the attack.
The Savior Of The Ship
In 2010, unable to navigate and about to be dismantled, the SS Medina was auctioned. Singaporean businessman Eric Saw, then 74 years old, decided to bid on the vessel for 900,000 euros, around US$ 1.1 million.
He stated that he spent 15 years and his own fortune to prevent the ship from being turned into scrap.
“If I hadn’t taken on this project, I might have a Ferrari and a Lamborghini in the garage. But I felt it was a calling from God,” he told CNN.
After the purchase, a long restoration process began. In 2015, with cranes, air rollers, and a specially built concrete platform, the ship was brought to dry land.
Details Of The Restoration
The project cost around US$ 18 million, nearly 100 million reais. The hotel blends modernization with preservation of the past’s memory.
Security systems, elevators, and new plumbing were installed. However, original elements remain.
Six lifeboats are still hung on the sides. The old engine has been kept intact, and part of the original cabins has been preserved.
The giant propeller, once submerged, is now on display. The 130-meter-long hull continues to draw attention, built with steel plates fastened by rivets.
The Guest Experience
The low-ceiling corridors lead to about 100 cabins and suites. Some maintain the traditional round windows, while others feature private balconies facing the sea.
Daily rates range from US$ 105 to US$ 235. The idea is to offer both the feeling of being on a ship from the past and the comfort of a modern resort.
Despite the rates charged, Saw asserts that he does not receive a salary, only a symbolic US$ 1 per year. All the hotel’s profits, according to him, are allocated to Christian social causes.
The Legacy Of SS Medina
Transformed into Doulos Phos The Ship Hotel, the old centennial ship keeps its history alive. From cargo ship to cruise, from missionary vessel to luxury hotel, the vessel has weathered wars, attacks, and changes of purpose.
“It’s just a mass of steel. What we do with it is what gives it meaning,” Saw said, affectionately calling the liner “the grand lady of the seas.”
Today, in the heart of Bintan Island, visitors can experience a piece of this unique journey. What once almost became scrap is now a tourist destination for those seeking accommodation marked by memory and exclusivity.
With information from G1.
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