Unbelievable Kingston Hotel Deals in Kota Kinabalu: Book Now!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a detailed review of (let's pretend it's The Grand Majestic Hotel, shall we? Keeps the anonymity going, you know?). And trust me, it's going to be less "professional travel writer" and more "your slightly caffeinated, overly-opinionated friend who just got back." Prepare for rambles, imperfections, and the unvarnished truth. Let's get messy!
SEO & Metadata - The Boring Stuff (But Necessary!)
- Keywords: The Grand Majestic Hotel Review, luxury hotel, accessibility, spa, pool, dining, Wi-Fi, COVID safety, family friendly, wheelchair accessible, fitness center, restaurants, room service, hotel review, best hotel, international cuisine, Asian cuisine, couple's room, business facilities, airport transfer.
- Meta Description: A brutally honest, but heartwarming, review of The Grand Majestic Hotel. Accessibility, dining (trust me on this one!), COVID safety, and that all-important free Wi-Fi are all thoroughly dissected. Prepare for the good, the bad, and the slightly wonky!
Accessibility: Navigating Nooks and Crannies (and My Own Two Feet!)
Okay, first things first: Accessibility. I'm not a wheelchair user, but I always pay attention because, frankly, it's just the right thing to do. The Grand Majestic claims to be aces, and I'm inclined to believe them. Wheelchair accessible is prominently listed, and I did see ramps and elevators that seemed easy to navigate. However, and this is a big "however," I didn't put it to the ultimate accessibility test. The lobby, at least, was wide open. And the elevator… well, it got me where I needed to go. The Facilities for disabled guests is listed and I appreciate it being there. If you're reliant on a wheelchair, please do your due diligence and ring the hotel directly to confirm everything meets your specific needs. This review is an opinion piece, not a guarantee.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: This is crucial. If a lounge or restaurant are inaccessible, it means you can not go with friends or family.
Cleanliness and Safety: COVID-19 Angst (and My Sanity)
Alright, let's address the elephant in the room: the pandemic. I'm a germaphobe, and the thought of sharing air with other humans still gives me hives. The Grand Majestic, bless their little cotton socks, tried. And I give them major props for it.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check. I saw people spraying things down constantly. You know how you get that "freshly-cleaned" smell? They had that, cranked up to eleven.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Like, strategically placed hand sanitizer landmines. I approve.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yes, and I got a little card on my door when I checked in. It was a nice touch and made me feel like I was in a safe and clean building.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They tried. Let's be honest, in the buffet situation (more on that later), it was a little tricky. But they had markers on the floor, and staff were, for the most part, vigilant.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They were, and by the looks of them, a bit tired of hearing about it. Still, they were polite and gave me reassurance when I needed it.
- Safe dining setup: This was a mixed bag. Some tables were spaced out, others were… well, a bit cozy.
Room Sanitization Opt-Out Available: I appreciate them providing an opt out option because it's not always needed.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Where the Magic (and the Madness) Happens
Oh boy, the food. This is where The Grand Majestic really shines, and also, occasionally, stumbles.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The buffet. Ah, the buffet. The siren song of the hungry traveler. The Grand Majestic's was… extensive. Extremely extensive. Breakfast [buffet]. Asian breakfast. Western breakfast. Eggs every which way, noodles, sausages, mountains of pastries that called to my inner carb-monster. I tried to pace myself, but failed. It was glorious. There were tons of options.
- A la carte in restaurant: I got a perfectly cooked steak, when I had the chance to order food. They have an excellent selection.
- Restaurants: Multiple. Seriously, I lost count. Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant… something for every taste bud.
- Poolside bar: Ah, the poolside bar. Paradise found.
- Snack bar: Useful for that mid-afternoon "I'm-starving-but-don't-want-a-full-meal" craving.
- Room service [24-hour]: Bless them. Essential after a long day of sightseeing (or, you know, just general holiday laziness).
My Personal Buffet Saga: Here's where things got messy. The food was fantastic. But the buffet setup? A little… chaotic. The "flow" wasn't ideal. You had people crisscrossing, reaching for things, and let's be honest, a few people getting way too close for comfort. I'm talking about the guy who sneezed on the croissant tongs. It was, ultimately, manageable. You can't expect perfection in a buffet, and they did a good job, it was just a little too close for comfort.
My Anecdote: One evening, I ordered room service, and my waiter was a lovely young man who clearly hadn't had a break in hours. He managed a smile, though, and was exceptionally kind, even though my meal was a little delayed. It was the sort of small interactions like this that made the stay feel special.
Services and Conveniences: The Nitty-Gritty
- Internet Access [LAN], Wi-Fi [free]: Absolutely. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! The Wi-Fi was strong, reliable, and I could Netflix and chill without buffering. Essential.
- Concierge: Helpful, knowledgeable, and managed to get me tickets to that sold-out show. A lifesaver.
- Daily housekeeping: My room was spotless every single day.
- Laundry service/Dry cleaning: Fantastic and quick.
- Elevator: Yep, worked perfectly, and got me where I needed to go.
Things to Do: Ways to Relax… or Just Not Get Bored
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Gorgeous. Pool with view. Seriously, stunning. I spent hours just staring at the sky.
- Spa: Yes to everything. Massage. Sauna. Spa/sauna. I got a massage that completely melted away my tension. Utter bliss.
- Fitness center/Gym/fitness: It's there, and from what I saw it looked well-equipped. Don't ask me if I used it. Let's just say, the buffet happened…
For the Kids: (I Didn't Have Any, But I Noticed…)
- Family/child friendly: Absolutely! Kids facilities were apparent.
- Babysitting service: Available.
Available in All Rooms: Creature Comforts
Right, let's get into the nitty-gritty of the rooms.
- Air conditioning: Thank goodness.
- Blackout curtains: Essential for sleeping in.
- Coffee/tea maker: Important.
- Free bottled water: Nice touch.
- Hair dryer: Check.
- In-room safe box: Always a good idea.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Crucial!
My Room Rant: My room looked like it was recently updated, and I appreciated it.
Cleanliness: my room was well-cleaned.
Getting Around: Navigating the Real World Stuff
- Airport transfer: Easy and efficient.
- Car park [on-site]: Handy if you're driving.
- Taxi service: Available.
The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Wonky (My Final Thoughts)
The Grand Majestic Hotel, in my oh-so-humble opinion, is a solid choice. It does a lot of things very well, and the staff genuinely seem to care. The dining options are fantastic. The facilities are top-notch. The COVID precautions, while imperfect, were clearly a priority. But honestly, the little imperfections are what made it feel real, and relatable. Will I go back? Absolutely. I'm already dreaming of that buffet… and the poolside bar.
Escape to Paradise: CAMAKILA Tanjung Benoa's Unforgettable Bali Getaway
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because planning a trip to Kota Kinabalu (KK) is like herding cats, only the cats are sunshine, spicy food, and the overwhelming urge to buy a batik shirt. This itinerary? Consider it a suggestion. A loosely-held-together, likely-to-be-blown-to-hell-by-a-tropical-downpour suggestion.
Base of Operations: Kingston Hotel, KK. (God, I hope I booked the right one)
Day 1: Arrival & The Mystery of the Missing Towel (and My Sanity)
- Morning (7:00 AM): Landed in KK! Oh, the humidity! It hits you like a warm, damp hug right when you step out of the air-conditioned airport. Already sweating, and realizing I massively underestimated the amount of insect repellent I'd need. Spent a solid half hour trying to decipher the taxi situation. Turns out, grab the Grab app, people. Learn from my mistakes. Finally at the Kingston Hotel. It looks… well, it looks like a hotel. Check-in was smooth-ish. Except, my room… where's the towel? Seriously? It's a fundamental of hotel-ing!
- Morning (8:00AM): The hotel. The room. No towel.
- (8:30am): Okay, breathe. Called reception. They assured me one would appear. In the meantime, I'm contemplating the questionable cleanliness of using my t-shirt.
- Late Morning (10:00 AM): Towel achieved! Victory! Now, exploration! I decided to be brave. I ventured out. Walked around my hotel. I felt like a true local.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM): Lunch: Some kinda local place a few meters from the hotel. I gambled. Ordered something I couldn't pronounce. Turned out to be delicious, spicy noodles. My mouth is still buzzing, but in a good way. So, so good.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Attempt at the Waterfront. The heat is brutal. I walked 5 minutes and already feel like a limp noodle myself. The waterfront is… well, it's waterfront-y. Boats, restaurants… the air smells of both the sea and something vaguely fishy. But I still enjoy it.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): Back to the hotel, defeated by the heat and the urge to nap. This jet lag hits you hard, even if it's not technically jet lag. It's more like "climate shock."
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner: Found a restaurant with a rooftop view, or at least, I thought it was a rooftop. Turns out, it's just a very high-up floor. The food was decent, the view was okay. I was more focused on not dropping my chopsticks. I'm a master of that art.
- Evening (8:00 PM): Attempted to explore the night market (I heard the food was legendary) but was overwhelmed by the crowds and the smells. Mostly the smells. Found some delicious snacks. The night ended with a very satisfying durian smoothie because, when in Rome (or KK).
Day 2: Island Hopping – Paradise Found (and Lost, briefly)
- Morning (7:00 AM – 8:00 AM): Breakfast at the hotel. Pretty standard. Now, if you're reading this and you're a hotel manager, please, PLEASE, offer more than just toast and jam. People need to fuel up for the tropical adventure.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Island Hopping! Signed up for a tour that goes to Sapi Island and Manukan Island. Pack sunscreen, people. Lots and lots of sunscreen. I applied it… twice. I still burn.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Boat ride! The water is this incredible turquoise. The boat is… a boat. Slightly dodgy-looking, but hey, it floats. The trip to Sapi Island was fast.
- Morning (10:30 AM): Sapi Island. Oh. My. God. This is postcard-perfect. White sand, crystal clear water, palm trees swaying in the breeze. Snorkeling was amazing. I saw so many fish. I almost lost my mind.
- Morning (11:30AM): Lunch on Sapi Island. Grilled fish, chicken, and rice. Simple, delicious, and somehow makes everything tastes better. But there's a slight problem. A massive swarm of mosquitoes descended on us. I mean, relentless. We were swatting and slapping at ourselves like lunatics. They were tiny vampires.
- Afternoon (12:30 PM): Manukan Island. More beautiful beaches. More snorkeling. A few more sunburns. A few more fish. But the highlight? The view from the top.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Boat ride back! Absolutely exhausted, sun-drenched, and thoroughly content.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): Back to the hotel. My body aches from all the swimming and sun. Took a shower. The water was surprisingly hot. Bliss.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner: I found a very nice restaurant close to the hotel. Some local delights. But mostly, the best thing about this dinner was the absence of mosquitoes.
- Evening (8:00 PM): Early Night. My body is begging for sleep. Sunscreen, insect repellent. And then, sweet, sweet slumber.
Day 3: Culture, Food, and a Potential Wildlife Encounter
- Morning (8:00 AM): Breakfast. Trying to make it a bit better but failing.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Atkinson Clock Tower. A little underwhelming. Still, history!
- Morning (10:00 AM): Sabah State Museum. My brain is frazzled. But cool exhibits.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM): The Kota Kinabalu City Mosque. Stunning architecture. Absolutely breathtaking. It's like something out of a fairytale. I’m not deeply religious, but I found myself sitting there, stunned by its beauty, feeling a sense of calm. An absolute must-see. (I'm not a religious person, but I have to admit it was amazing).
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Eating. Always eating. Wandered around, found a super local place. Ordered something without knowing what the heck it was. It was chicken rice. The absolute best chicken rice. Seriously. In fact, if anyone back home is reading this… can someone send me chicken rice?
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): Attempted a stroll at Likas Bay. Gorgeous view. Felt an instant urge to nap. The heat is a thing. It's very much a thing.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner: Seafood! Found a bustling seafood restaurant. The place was packed! Seriously, packed. I had prawns that were so fresh they practically jumped into my mouth. Delicious. Utterly and completely delicious.
- Evening (8:00 PM): Went for a long walk along the beach. The stars here are incredible. Did I see a monkey? Maybe. Possibly. Definitely could have been a squirrel.
Day 4: Departure & Farewell Durian (or, The Art of the Last-Minute Panic)
- Morning (7:00 AM): Breakfast. Contemplating whether it's too early for a durian. Probably not.
- Morning (8:00 AM): The dreaded packing. I've over-bought souvenirs. And more clothes than I'd need.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Check out. The hotel seems to have been a good choice.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Last-minute souvenir shopping! Found a batik shirt for my uncle. And maybe one for myself.
- Midday (11:00 AM): Airport. Traffic was terrible. I almost missed my flight. Heart almost stopped.
- Midday (12:00 PM): I survived! On the plane, reflecting on my adventure. I'm a mess. But I am a happy mess.
- Afternoon (1:00 AM): Bye-bye, Kota Kinabalu! I'll miss the food, the beaches, and the general laid-back vibe. And hopefully, I’ll be back someday.
Final Thoughts: This itinerary is a suggestion. Adapt it. Embrace the unexpected. Get lost. Try the weird food. Don't be afraid to sweat. And most importantly, remember to slap on that sunscreen. You've got this. Relax! You may die of jet lag, but you'll die happy.
Escape to Paradise: Pelangi Hotel & Resort, Bintan Island Awaits!
So, what *is* this whole "FAQ" thing about anyway? Like, why am I even reading this?
Honestly? I'm not entirely sure anymore. It *started* as a way to answer some common questions, you know, keep things tidy. But then I got bored. Turns out, asking myself the same questions over and over again felt as exciting as watching paint dry. Now? It's more like therapy, except you're involuntarily participating. Let's just call it a "deep dive into the existential dread of Q&A." You're welcome.
Okay, okay, I get the weirdness. But *what* are we even talking about here? Like, the topic, the subject?
Ugh, fine. The general gist? Whatever the heck is currently stuck in *my* brain at this very moment. It could be anything – the crushing weight of student loan debt, that oddly satisfying way a cat folds its paws, the existential horror of choosing a font. Think of it as a digital mood board, but instead of pretty pictures, it’s just *my* brain splattered all over the internet. You have been warned.
Is this supposed to be helpful? Like, is there going to be *actual* advice?
Helpful? Maybe. Probably not. Look, I'm winging it. My advice tends to fall under the categories of: "don't do that," "maybe try this," or "just give up and order pizza." (The last one is, admittedly, my most frequent recommendation.) If you're looking for actionable steps, consult a professional. If you're looking for sympathetic commiseration, you came to the right place. I excel at wallowing.
What's with the messy structure? Isn't this supposed to be easy to read? My eyes!
Look, I *tried* to be organized. I really did. I even made a little outline (which I immediately abandoned). But my brain operates more like a chaotic dance party than a well-oiled machine. Thoughts jump around, tangent city is my home, and my attention span is roughly the length of a goldfish's. So, yeah, it's messy. Deal with it. Or, you know, close the tab. No hard feelings.
Alright, fine. But what are your credentials? Why should I trust any of this nonsense?
Credentials? Honey, I barely made it through high school English. My only qualification is a remarkable ability to overthink *everything*. And honestly, I don't expect you to trust me. Doubt is healthy, question everything. Just take everything with a grain of salt the size of your head. Consider me a cautionary tale, a walking embodiment of "don't do what I do." But, hey, at least I'm honest. Mostly.
Can I ask *you* questions? Like, actually, personally?
Ehhh... maybe? I’m pretty good at dodging actual human interaction. I might respond (eventually). Or I might just stare at the question for days, paralyzed by the implications of having to *answer* it. The truth is, I'm as afraid of the outside world as a vampire is of sunlight. Send me a message. Who knows? Maybe I'll surprise even myself.
Okay, let's get to the nitty-gritty. What's the *one thing* that really, truly, annoys you?
Oh, where do I even begin? Okay, okay. First, the incessant chirping of my smoke detector when the battery dies. Seriously, do you have *any* idea how psychologically damaging that noise is? It feels like a tiny, plastic drill chipping away at my sanity. Then there's the existential dread of running out of coffee. I've had to experience that level of despair more than a few times. But, if I *have* to choose one, I'd say... people who chew with their mouths open. It's a visceral, immediate, full-body NOPE. I'd rather face a pack of rabid squirrels.
What's the best day you've ever had? Paint me a picture!
Oh man, that's a tough one. Best day... hmm. It's probably not the day I nearly won that online video game tournament (I choked in the final round, heartbreaking). It’s probably not the time I accidentally set off the fire alarm practicing my own cooking (embarrassing). It’s probably not when I got that B- on the history paper I poured my soul into. I'd say...It's a collection of days, like a collage. One that comes into mind right now is when I first met my best friend. I had already felt like a social outcast all my life, but that day, we just... connected. We sat in a park, the sun was shining, the leaves were turning, and we talked for hours. Real, honest, messy conversation, the whole thing I had so longed for. No judgement, just understanding. It felt like a weight lifted, like I finally found my tribe. It made me believe in the power of connection. And, to a lesser extent, good pizza. I would say the pizza was pretty good that day too. Pretty. Good.
What's the worst day, though? And feel free to get angsty.
Oh, the *worst* day? Okay, here we go. It was after getting yelled at by my then-boss. I was a fresh-faced, starry-eyed intern, and they tore me to shreds. The words... they were harsh, critical, and completely unwarranted, by the way. I remember going home and just... collapsing. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, I just sat there, staring at the wall, feeling like a failure. I felt so many emotions at once--humiliation, anger, and a deep-seated self-doubt that has lingered to this day. I second-guessed everything I did, I questioned everything I thought I knew. It's like a part of me just... shriveled up and died. The memory of that day still stings, so much that I can feel that ache, that nausea, that fear, all over again. I'm getting a headache just thinking about it. The worst part? It taught me that even those in authority, the ‘experts’ you look up to, are just as imperfect. And I still have trouble trusting authority figures because of that traumatic experience. I still hate being yelled at. And that experience made me more afraid to take risks. It took a long time to rebuild my confidence. And even longer to accept thatWhere To Stay Now
