Hotel Holiday - Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Comment by Hans

August 2005

I just spent two nights at Hotel Holiday — Kota Kinabalu/Sabah from August 23rd — 25th, 2005. I had NO advance reservation — I just walked in on the basis of THIS Web site. The hotel was full by the evening, and when I arrived, only the deluxe room was available. The room was clean, approx. 12 sq. meters, with a small fridge, mini-bar, and a TV with mostly local channels (and sometimes one English language program running). The room had air-conditioning, a bathtub with cold and warm water, and two comfortable single beds. The staff and reception were very friendly and the overall service was good. The price of 80 RM [Malaysian ringgits) per night (plus taxes) was certainly justified for a clean hotel in the center of a city, with most facilities, including shopping, post office, harbor, city park, and the first tropical hills, all within walking distance of less than 5 minutes. A deposit of 100 RM is requested upon registration, in addition to one night advance payment. Keep in mind that airport has NO money changing facility or any bank. You need to bring your local currency or find a moneychanger near by. All bills are paid in local currency, RM. all published prices will have the sales tax ADDED — currently it is about 5 percent, in restaurants also. If you like Indian style food, there are several restaurants within 100-200 meters with cheap but excellent Indian style food, different style curries and vegetables. A full meal with a soft drink will be approx. 8 RM. The nearby restaurant, "Little Italy," has excellent coffee and tiramisu. Across the road are two Internet cafes for your e-mailing. The hotel itself has neither Internet nor wireless LAN — but there are IDD [International Direct Dialing] phones in all the rooms. If I go back to Kota Kinabalu I most likely will take the very same hotel again. I enjoyed the friendly service.