MV Doulos: Ship that stopped in Southampton now a hotel
Historic Ship Transforms into Luxury Hotel
The MV Doulos Phos, once known as the SS Medina, has undergone a remarkable transformation from a storied ocean liner to a unique land-based hotel. Launched in 1914, the ship holds the title of the world’s oldest active ocean-going passenger vessel until its retirement in 2009. After a series of identities and missions, including serving as a floating book fair, the ship now offers guests a blend of maritime history and modern luxury on Bintan Island, Indonesia.
A Century of Maritime History
The SS Medina was launched on August 22, 1914, just as World War I began. Built by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Virginia, she was designed as a freighter, primarily transporting goods between Galveston, Texas, and New York. With a length of over 427 feet, she was one of the largest freighters on the Atlantic coast at the time. However, her commercial career was interrupted by global conflict, and she served as a military supply ship during both World Wars.
After surviving the wars, the Medina transitioned to passenger service in 1949, becoming the SS Roma. This new identity allowed her to transport pilgrims and emigrants, but her time as a passenger ship was short-lived. In 1952, she was acquired by the Italian firm Giacomo Costa fu Andrea, renamed Franca C, and underwent significant modifications, including a switch from steam to diesel propulsion. This marked her entry into the cruise industry, where she became a pioneer in Mediterranean and Caribbean cruising.
After decades of service, the ship faced the scrapyard once again in 1977. However, she was saved by a German charity, Gute Bücher für Alle, and renamed MV Doulos. For 32 years, she sailed the globe as the world’s largest floating book fair, providing access to literature in over 108 countries and welcoming more than 22 million visitors.
From Ocean to Land: The Doulos Phos Transformation
In 2009, the Doulos was decommissioned due to extensive structural corrosion. However, her story continued when Singaporean businessman Eric Saw purchased her in 2010, renaming her MV Doulos Phos, meaning “Servant of Light.” The ambitious plan was to convert the retired vessel into a luxury hotel. After initial refurbishments in Batam, Indonesia, the ship underwent extensive hull work to prepare for its new life on land.
The most dramatic phase of the transformation involved towing the ship to Bintan Island, where it was hoisted out of the water onto a specially constructed promontory called “Anchor Isle.” Officially renamed “Doulos Phos, The Ship Hotel” in February 2016, the vessel underwent a $25 million conversion, resulting in 104 hotel rooms and suites, along with amenities such as restaurants, a pool, and a spa.
Preserving its historical features was a key focus, with plans to retain the original bridge and engine room as part of a Maritime Heritage Museum. The hotel officially opened in June 2019 and, after a temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reopened in August 2022. Today, Doulos Phos stands as a testament to a century of maritime history, offering guests a unique experience that blends the past with modern luxury.
