Luxury Escapes Await: Kensington Hotel Sandakan, Malaysia
Luxury Escapes Await: Kensington Hotel Sandakan - Malaysia? My Hot Take! (Brace Yourselves…)
Alright, let's talk about the Kensington Hotel Sandakan. Luxury Escapes, huh? Well, I'm back from my stay, and I've got opinions. Buckle up, because this isn't your sanitized, perfectly-crafted travel blog post. This is me, unfiltered, giving you the real deal.
First, The Good Stuff (Because, honestly, you gotta start somewhere…)
Right off the bat, the location is chef's kiss. Sandakan itself is a bit of a gem, and the hotel's proximity to… well, everything, is fantastic. Accessible? Yes, in a major way. Wheelchair accessible isn't just a box they ticked; they genuinely seem to care. Kudos! The elevator is a lifesaver, and the facilities for disabled guests are clearly thought-out. Huge win.
Internet & All That Jazz - The Wi-Fi Wars!
Okay, so Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yep, it’s there. But let’s be real: sometimes that “free” part is more like "slow and unreliable." This time, it held up pretty well! I even managed a video call with the fam without needing to throw my laptop out the window. They also boast Internet [LAN], which, let's be real again, I didn't even touch. Wi-Fi in public areas? Fine. No complaints there. Just… you know, don’t expect lightning speed if you're trying to download a whole season of your favorite show.
Cleanliness & Safety - Because, COVID, am I right?
Look, the world is a germ fest right now. The Kensington gets it, thankfully. They've got the whole COVID shebang down pat. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer everywhere… it felt genuinely safe. Rooms sanitized between stays? Absolutely. Staff trained in safety protocol? Yep. They were also using Professional-grade sanitizing services. I saw them doing it. And while, yeah, it can feel a bit clinical, I'd take it over a petri dish any day. The safe dining setup was also reassuring. They even had the Individualy-wrapped food optios, which for a germaphobe like me, was basically paradise.
Food, Glorious Food (and Some… Less Glorious Moments).
Okay, the food. This is where things get… interesting. The Asian breakfast was a delight. Seriously, the noodles were divine. And the fresh fruit? Spot on. I mean, the Asian cuisine in restaurant was pretty good too, but that specific breakfast… perfection. Pure unadulterated bliss. They had breakfast [buffet], but I'm more of an a la carte kinda gal, so I gave that a miss. It was a solid buffet though. There's a Coffee shop which is good, as is the poolside bar, which is great for cocktails. The restaurants are also of a high standard.
I did try the International cuisine in the restaurant one night, and it was… meh. Bland is a word that springs to mind. But listen, you can’t win ‘em all! The salad in the restaurant was a good pick though. And they had a Snack bar, which always comes in handy when you're mid-hanger attack. As for the Vegetarian restaurant, I didn't see one. And the Western cuisine in the restaurant? Nope, didn't see that either!
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (My Zen Moment, or Lack Thereof…)
Alright, the spa. This is where my inner diva usually comes out to play. Massage? Yes, please! The Spa? Sign me up! They have a Sauna, Spa/sauna, and a Steamroom, but I went STRAIGHT for that massage. It was decent. Not life-altering, but definitely relaxing. The Pool with view was pretty stunning. Definitely photo-worthy. I'm not sure I'd completely called it "amazing", but I would reccomend it. They also had a Swimming pool, but I forgot about it until I was leaving. They have a Fitness center too, but it looks like going there requires some effort.
Rooms - The Sanctuary (Mostly)
The rooms are well-appointed. Air conditioning worked like a charm, thank God. Non-smoking rooms are the law of the land, which is always a plus. Complimentary tea/coffee maker? Check. Free Bottled Water? Yup. They provide a lot of water, which is essential when you’re exploring Sandakan. Alarm clock, Air conditioning and Bathtub, are other benefits included. I definitely made good use of the Desk, and the Bathroom phone (to shout at the front desk I was out of towels!).
Services & Conveniences - The Little Things That Matter
Concierge? Helpful. Daily housekeeping? Excellent. Laundry service? Affordable. Cash withdrawal? Essential. These are the things that make a stay smooth. The Doorman was also very helpful.
The Quirks (Because Every Hotel Has 'Em!)
Okay, here’s a little (a few) imperfections:
- The TV signal was a little patchy at times.
- The lighting in my room was a bit… harsh.
My Verdict?
The Kensington Hotel Sandakan is a solid choice, especially if you're looking for a safe, clean, and well-located base for exploring the region. It's not perfect, but it has a lot going for it. It's definitely a step up from a budget hostel, and definitely worth considering if you're after a little bit of luxury.
Now, for the Hard Sell (Because You Deserve a Treat!)
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Why Book This?
- Unbeatable Value: Luxury at a price that won't break the bank.
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Philippines Paradise: 3BR Villa & HUGE Private Pool! (Angeles/Clark)
Hotel Kensington Sandakan: My Tropical Tango with Disappointment (and Unexpected Joy!)
Okay, alright, so let's be brutally honest. This wasn't supposed to be a trip to the Maldives, you know? More like a "Hey, let's see what's going on Borneo and maybe spot a proboscis monkey!" kind of deal. The Hotel Kensington in Sandakan, Malaysia? Well, the pictures online looked…adequate. Now, armed with my camera, a questionable sense of direction, and a healthy dose of optimism (that quickly faded), here's how it went down:
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Room Debacle
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Arrived at Sandakan Airport. Smooth, right? Wrong. My luggage decided to take a scenic detour to… I don't even know where. "Lost forever" would be a good start. Cue slight panic attack. Found a taxi driver with a grin that could launch a thousand ships (or at least a beat-up minivan). He seemed to understand my flailing hand gestures and the universal language of "Hurry! Luggage! Need it!"
- My Emotional State: Mildly terrified, slightly hangry having been up since 5 AM, desperately needing a shower.
- Quirky Observation: The air in the taxi was thick with the scent of…something. Maybe durian? Maybe just Malaysia. Who knows?
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Check-in at the Kensington. Lobby was…well, it was there. Smelled faintly of disinfectant and something I couldn't quite place (again!). The staff were lovely, bless their hearts, but the room… the room. Let's just say the photos lied. The "city view" turned out to be a wall. The "king-sized bed" was two twins mashed together. And the air conditioning sounded like a dying walrus. I swear, I almost cried.
- My Emotional State: Utterly deflated. This was not the serene jungle retreat I'd envisioned. More like a slightly grimy motel room in a place I'd never even dreamed of.
- Messy Rambling: Okay, I'll be honest, I almost broke down and called my mom. But then I realized, "Hey, you're traveling! Suck it up, buttercup!" Also, how could I call my mom without my phone charger? The irony would have been delicious.
Afternoon Cont'd/Evening (4:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Forced out of the hotel to find a snack. Found some chicken rice from a street vendor. Now that was good. Actually, it was phenomenal. The chicken was so tender, the rice so fragrant, the chili so…lethal. I think I shed a tear of pure joy.
- My Emotional State: Slightly revitalized by the chicken rice. Still a little grumpy about the room, but fueled by delicious carbs, I could fight anything.
- Opinionated Language: The chicken rice was a revelation! Forget Michelin stars, this was real food, people!
Evening (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Wandered around Sandakan, trying to get my bearings. Beautiful views of the harbor, and the town was buzzing with activity. Started to feel…better. Maybe this trip wouldn't be a total disaster.
- Quirky Observation: The locals were incredibly friendly. Smiling, waving, offering help even when I clearly didn't need it… or maybe I did.
Evening (9:00 PM onwards): Back to the room. The walrus was still dying. Decided to channel my inner explorer and dare to try the in-room coffee. Regretted it instantly. Then, a major improvement. The luggage finally arrived!
- My Emotional State: Pure, unadulterated glee. Finally, clean clothes!
- Messy Structure: Okay, so maybe the day started rough, but by nightfall, things were looking up.
Day 2: The Sepilok Shuffle & Monkey Mayhem
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. OMG. This. Was. Amazing. The fact that these beautiful, intelligent creatures are endangered gutted me. Seriously, I got all teary-eyed watching them just… exist. The feeding time was insane. So many orangutans swinging from the trees, stuffing their faces with bananas. I saw one steal someone's hat!
- Doubling Down on an Experience: The sheer grace of these animals! The way they moved through the trees! The babies clinging to their mothers! I could have stayed there all day, just watching them. It was magical. The whole experience was so powerful. It truly touched me deeply.
- My Emotional State: Overwhelmed with wonder, sadness, and a deep respect for these amazing creatures. Still a little bit sweaty.
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM): The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Another absolute must-see. Sun bears are adorable and cuddly…until you realize they're also struggling to survive. The enclosure was well-maintained. The tiny bears were eating their daily porridge. The keepers were passionate.
- Opinionated Language: These conservation efforts are so important. I'm a sucker for a good rescue story, and these bears were the ultimate underdog heroes.
- Messy Structure: Lunch went on the back burner. Priorities, people!
Afternoon/Evening (4:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Back to the Kensington. Walked with the hotel's jungle walk. The hotel guide, bless his heart, was clearly doing this for the money. I spent the whole walk swatting mosquitoes. I found some wild orchids. Not bad, good, yeah.
- My Emotional State: Tired, a little itchy, and still buzzing from the orangutans.
Evening (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Dinner at a local restaurant. The food was good. The company was…a mosquito. Still, all is well.
- Quirky Observation: The mosquito. It's everywhere!
Evening (9:00 PM onwards): Slept. Slept the best I could at least.
- My Emotional State: Exhausted but happy.
Day 3: Goodbye, Sandakan (and a newfound appreciation for the imperfect)
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Checked out the hotel. Said goodbye to the dying walrus (the air conditioning). Found my way to the airport for my flight to my next destination. * My Emotional State: A little bit of sadness, but also a sense of accomplishment.
Overall Assessment: The Hotel Kensington wasn't perfect. The room wasn't what I expected. But you know what? It was a base, and the experience, the people, the food, and the conservation efforts I witnessed exceeded all expectations. Sandakan and Borneo were phenomenal. Flawed, but real, and full of unexpected beauty. That's my takeaway. And what’s life if not a bit messy, a bit imperfect, and utterly, wonderfully human? Yeah, I'd go back. Maybe with a better room next time.
- Stronger Emotional Reactions: This trip wasn't just about ticking off boxes, they were about feeling, experiencing, and getting a whole bunch of bug bites!
- Messy Rambles: Okay, so maybe I didn't get the perfect vacation. But maybe the perfect vacation doesn't exist. Now, I've got to remember the chicken rice. And the orangutans. And that mosquito. And I'd return for sure!
Alright, spill the beans: Is Kensington Hotel Sandakan ACTUALLY luxurious, or is it just… *luxury-adjacent*?
My shower, bless it’s little heart, was giving me a lukewarm water-only situation the first morning. Thankfully, I'm a patient soul, and after a quick call, it was fixed. But that momentary panic? Priceless. And the Wi-Fi? Let's just say it was… a committed supporter of the slow internet movement. So, luxury? Yes. Flawless? Nope. But hey, who's perfect, right?
Did you actually do any of the Luxury Escapes excursions? Like, the REAL ones?
…the Kinabatangan River cruise. Okay, picture this: we’re on the river, the sun setting, painting the sky in every shade of orange and purple imaginable. We're looking for monkeys, and all of a sudden, this huge Croc surfaces! A freaking *crocodile*! My partner, who's usually the calm one, practically jumped into my arms. Totally worth the money, especially after the driver of the boat, who was a very nice man, also told us the croc's name was 'Dave', because it was very active in the area.
The food. Let's talk about the food. Was it Michelin-star amazing, or "hotel buffet" predictable?
The in-house restaurant, though? That was a different story. A definite step up. The service was impeccable. And one night, they had this amazing local fish with a chili paste that made my eyes water in the best possible way. Another night, I ordered the beef rendang. Delicious! You can tell they try really hard, and the presentation is *chefs kiss*. Did I love every single dish? No. But did I eat well? Absolutely. And honestly, after a long day of jungle trekking, even a mediocre meal feels like a gourmet delight. That exhaustion will do it to you!
The staff – were they genuinely helpful and friendly, or just going through the motions?
I remember the time I managed to spill coffee *all over* my white dress (don't ask) as I was about to go on the Kinabatangan river cruise! The staff were amazing! They rushed to help me, got me stain remover, and even offered to have the dress laundered for me. Seriously, they turned a major wardrobe malfunction into a minor blip. They really did make me feel so welcome, and that makes a huge difference.
Could I have booked this cheaper myself? That’s the burning question, isn’t it? The whole Luxury Escapes thing… is it actually a deal?
The whole package comes with a lot of extras: the transfers, the tours, the breakfast (did I mention the fruit?). You've got convenience, especially if, like me, you're not exactly a travel planning guru. And, if you get a decent deal, it can be very worthwhile. So, my verdict? Check the prices. Do your research. But Luxury Escapes can *definitely* be worth it, especially if you want a relatively hassle-free experience with a touch of… well, let’s call it “aspirational luxury.”
Anything I should warn other people about prior to going? Like, any *gotchas*?
- **Be Prepared To Sweat:** Sandakan is tropical. It's hot. It's humid. Pack light, breathable clothing. And embrace the sweat. It's inevitable. Seriously, I looked like I'd been dunked in a lake most of the time.
- **Mosquitoes are Real:** I repeat: mosquitoes ARE REAL. Bring bug spray. The good stuff. Honestly, slather yourself in it.
- **Internet Hiccups:** The internet can be a little… temperamental. Accept it. Embrace the digital detox (maybe?).
- **Embrace the Unexpected:** Things don't always go to plan. Flights get delayed. Showers misbehave. That's part of the adventure. Just roll with it, laugh it off, and enjoy the ride.
- **Don't Underestimate the Jungle Noise:** You'll be surrounded by jungle. At night you'll hear noises. From the jungle, from the river, and quite possibly from the hotel staff. It's not scary, it's a new experience, and it helps you sleep. Honestly, it will become the best thing about the trip!
And finally, be ready to fall in love with Borneo. Because you will.
