Hyatt Regency Kota Kinabalu, Malaysian BorneoJust the word Borneo conjures images of a mystical, wild place with strange animals found nowhere else. The island has long been on our wish-list and shortly after the KL/Siem Reap Do, we used the opportunity of having a week in SE Asia to visit Malaysian Borneo. The combination of wanting to stay with Hyatt due to a promotion that counted nights stayed in a particular timeframe plus not being fans of roughing it, meant we decided to spend 4 nights in the Hyatt Regency in Kota Kinabalu, affectionately known as KK, the capital of the state of Sabah. Although rates were not high, we used Hyatt Gold Passport points plus cash for this stay - great value at 2500 points + $45/night - plus a suite upgrade certificate.
A 15-minute taxi ride (30 or 40 MYR depending on time of day) from KK International Airport, we arrived at the hotel after 10pm and were checked in quickly. All staff we encountered were friendly and helpful, allowing us to quickly print our boarding passes for our next day's early flight to Sandakan whilst checking-in and escorting us to a spacious Sea-view Executive Suite on the 6th floor. Regency SuiteThe bedroom and lounge here are just as generous as in the more expensive Executive suites. The bathroom is smaller and there is only one sink instead of the his-and-hers arrangement. Overall, the bathroom facilities are about the same as in a Club King. There is plentiful wardrobe space and all the same perks including the mini-bar, coffee maker and so on. So, you decide on the basis of what is most important to you.
There is a very large flat-screen TV if you like that kind of thing and a hugely comfortable corner sofa unit to doze or cuddle up on. Needless to say, Club access is also included with a Regency Suite. Club LoungeIn general, we were impressed with the Regency Club in KK. The view at sunset was beautiful, overlooking the harbour and Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and sitting looking out over the busy harbour below whilst eating breakfast is a great way to start the day.
In the morning, there was a choice of continental breakfast, a local specialty (e.g. vegetable noodles or Nasi Lemak with beef rendang) and eggs were available to order, with sides of sausage, hash browns and grilled tomato. The evening spread was pretty good with a daily soup, fresh bread, a couple of hot canapés (e.g. fried fish or pakora), sushi and plentiful cold canapés, a cheese board, fresh fruit and many desserts. There was a good selection of alcoholic beverages, our choice being the Cono Sur sauvignon blanc. Whilst not top drawer, the drinks were of satisfactory quality and were better than many Regency Clubs offer. |
Club King/TwinAll rooms at the HR KK were refurbished reasonably recently (in around 2012). The balconies were incorporated into the room-space and the bathrooms made more open to increase the feeling of space in the rooms. There is little difference between the basic room types - City vs Sea view and Standard vs Club.
Although the sea-view is likely to be preferred by most, the city view is interesting and these rooms also have a great mountain view of Signal Hill. Club rooms are identical to standard rooms, except that they have a bath tub as well as a shower, and the carpet under the bed does not extend as far. Naturally, club rooms also come with the all-important access to the Regency Club. King rooms have a comfortable chaise long in the window - a fantastic place to relax and watch the busy harbour below, if you are lucky enough to have a sea-view room. Executive SuiteOur room was an Executive Suite with a beautiful sea-view and view of the hotel's swimming pool. Entry to the suite was through the lounge area, which had a comfortable corner sofa, workable desk and dining table for 4. There was also a guest cloakroom with Toto toilet.
Through the bedroom (good size, comfortable bed but strangely placed chaise long) was a great walk-in wardrobe leading to a huge bathroom offering twin sinks, a soaking tub set in marble, large rain shower and Toto toilet. Standard Regency bathroom amenities (Portico) were provided. On our third day, a delightful fruit bowl was delivered with some dark chocolates. We were slightly disappointed that the fruit was unexciting (banana, apple, orange), but we learnt that it isn't easy to get fruit in KK during the rainy season. DiningAlthough we ate in the club lounge for breakfast and dinner on most nights, we did have a chance to use the hotel's dining and catering services as well. One day, we chartered a boat to explore the marine park (around 150-200 MYR from the jetty opposite the hotel) and the hotel prepared a gorgeous picnic for us with white wine, grilled chicken salad and fresh fruit. The price of this was very reasonable and everything was packed beautifully in a cool box with ice, glasses and plates.
On our final night, we decided to eat in the hotel's Japanese restaurant, sitting at the sushi bar. We shared a mixed sushi and an Unagi bento box. The miso soup was delicious, the fish varied and fresh and the unagi delightfully sticky. The sushi selection was interestingly displayed (on a bed of rice with fish in a rosette over the top) but worked very well. The chef also gave us a present from the kitchen of a full serving of unagi sushi. We highly recommend eating in the Japanese restaurant - just like being in Kyoto! |
Overall Impression
The HR in KK is a quality hotel in a really rewarding destination. For Hyatt Gold Passport members with points to burn, at just 5000 points or 2500+$45/night, the hotel is a steal, although paying outright is also good value. Rooms have been recently renovated and are spacious. The club lounge has fantastic service, great views and reasonable food options. Although the hotel is on the edge of a marine park with beautiful beaches for swimming or snorkelling, the property also offers a compact gym and outdoor swimming pool. It will be interesting to see the changes made to the ground floor restaurants over the coming year, but don't let the ongoing work put you off going, we had a great time with perfect service and no disruption at all.
As for what to do in KK, we suggest you hire a boat from the jetty at the front of the hotel and have lunch on a deserted beach, fly to Sandakan to see the orang-utans and proboscis monkeys or visit the local market just outside the hotel and try a fresh Pandan coconut. The hotel is a very good Regency property and the best option in the city. For honeymooners set on coming to Borneo, we might suggest you consider one of the Shangri-La properties, but why not combine that with a stay at Hyatt Regency KK?
As for what to do in KK, we suggest you hire a boat from the jetty at the front of the hotel and have lunch on a deserted beach, fly to Sandakan to see the orang-utans and proboscis monkeys or visit the local market just outside the hotel and try a fresh Pandan coconut. The hotel is a very good Regency property and the best option in the city. For honeymooners set on coming to Borneo, we might suggest you consider one of the Shangri-La properties, but why not combine that with a stay at Hyatt Regency KK?