Escape to Paradise: Iskandar Hotel, Kota Kinabalu Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Iskandar Hotel, Kota Kinabalu Awaits! - A Totally Honest (& Kinda Messy) Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause you're about to get the real deal on the Iskandar Hotel in Kota Kinabalu. Forget those sterile, perfectly polished reviews. I'm dishing up the dirt (and hopefully the good stuff too!) with a healthy dose of genuine, unfiltered opinion. I'm talking all the nitty-gritty, from the glorious to the… well, less glorious. And yes, that means we're diving headfirst into the rabbit hole of Escape to Paradise: Iskandar Hotel, Kota Kinabalu Awaits! This review will be SEO-tastic, packed with keywords, but also… well, me.
First off, let me say, I really needed a vacation. Like, BAD. Stressed, fried, running on fumes. So, Kota Kinabalu and the Iskandar Hotel? Pinch me, I'm dreaming, right? Let's get this show on the road…
Getting There & Around (Accessibility & Practical Stuff)
- Accessibility: This is where things get a bit… mixed. The hotel claims to have facilities for disabled guests, and I saw an elevator, which is a HUGE plus. However, the specific details on how accessible things are… well, that’s where a deeper dive is needed if you require specific accommodations. I'm not a mobility expert, so I can't fully comment on that.
- Airport Transfer: YES! A lifesaver. Book it. Just do it. After that long flight, collapsing into a taxi is golden.
- Car Park [Free of Charge] & Car Park [On-site]: Excellent. Parking is one less thing to stress about. Plus, car power charging station: Bonus points for the EV drivers!
- Taxi Service: Readily available.
- Bicycle Parking: I did see some bikes locked up, so there's space for those adventurous types.
Rooms: Where I Lived (Or, More Accurately, Slept & Occasionally Wrote)
- Available in all rooms: Okay, let's run through the essentials: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free],: This is a solid list, and I'd say it checks most boxes!
- Internet Access: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! Thank goodness! Needed that to post those drool-worthy Instagram stories of my vacation, duh. I mean, to check emails, of course.
- Internet [LAN]: Didn't use this, so I can't comment much.
- Additional toilet, Interconnecting room(s) available, High floor, Private bathroom, Separate shower/bathtub, Soundproofing: All lovely bonuses. I didn’t need these, but it's good to know they're available.
- I specifically appreciated the Blackout curtains, let me tell you. Sleep is a rare commodity these days, and those curtains helped make sure I was getting enough.
The Hotel Itself: Cleanliness, Safety, & Those Little Details
- Cleanliness and safety: Okay, look, I’m picky about cleanliness (germaphobe, maybe?). And the Iskandar Hotel seemed to do a good job! Especially considering the times we're living in. I'd say they take it seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good to know!
- Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Professional-grade sanitizing services: Reassuring, right?
- Hygiene certification: Another tick in the positive column.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Thank goodness.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Definitely saw staff diligently wiping down surfaces, and they were generally observant.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, Security [24-hour]: Feeling safe is important, and I definitely felt secure here.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Peace of mind.
- Non-smoking rooms: Excellent. Air's fresher for it.
- Cashless payment service: Convenient!
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Fueling My Soul (and My Instagram Feed)
- Restaurants: Several restaurants! Asian cuisine, International cuisine, Vegetarian restaurant are the options but availability may vary.
- Breakfast [buffet] & Breakfast service: The buffet was decent! I’m a sucker for a good breakfast. Great way to kick off the day.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant & Coffee shop: Vital. Seriously, vital.
- Poolside bar & Bar: Happy hour!
- Room service [24-hour]: Heaven sent after a long day of… relaxing. (More on that later).
- Desserts in restaurant Dessert is a must if you ask me.
My Single, Shiny Experience: The Spa. Oh, the Spa.
Okay, I need to gush. Let's talk SPA. The Spa. Forget everything else for a moment. I went in, a grumpy, stressed-out, digital-detox-needing creature. I came out… feeling like a newly forged, oiled machine of relaxation and bliss.
I opted for the Body scrub. Then, the Body wrap. Then, the Massage. Oh, sweet, merciful heaven. I think I almost fell asleep on the table. Then the Sauna and Steamroom and… honestly, it was total sensory overload in the best way.
I could have stayed in that room all day, but I'm glad I went. The aroma, the tranquility, the gentle hands erasing the tension… it was everything. The therapist was amazing, attentive, and honestly, the best money I've spent in a long time, for the price. I didn’t know how much I needed that.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Because, Well, Vacation!
- Swimming pool [outdoor] & Pool with view: The pool was lovely, very Instagrammable.
- Gym/fitness & Fitness center: Didn't use it (see: relaxation. And also, I was eating all the food). But it was there.
- Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: (See above! My happy place.)
- Foot bath: sounds nice.
- Kids facilities & Babysitting service: For those travelling with the kiddos, this is fab.
- Family/child friendly: Looks like a good place for those traveling with kids.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Extras that Make Life Easier
- Concierge: Always helpful!
- Doorman: A nice touch.
- Daily housekeeping: Loved it. Came back to a clean room every day.
- Laundry service & Dry cleaning & Ironing service: Essential for a vacation.
- Luggage storage: Helpful!
- Currency exchange: Very convenient!
- Convenience store & Gift/souvenir shop: Handy for picking up last-minute essentials or cheesy souvenirs.
- Elevator: Really helps you if you have lots of bags!
- Meeting/banquet facilities & Meetings & Seminars & Audio-visual equipment for special events: Good to know, for those wanting to mix business with pleasure.
- Smoking area: For those nicotine loving folks!
The Stuff That Made Me Go "Hmm…"
- Internet services: Had a great connection, but sometimes it got a little slow.
- While the hotel has a bunch of amenities, some can depend on availability. So, you'll likely have to check on those.
- The "proposal spot" listed… well, I didn't propose or get proposed to, so I can't rate that!
Overall Verdict & The (Shameless) Booking Pitch!
Okay, so here’s the lowdown. The Iskandar Hotel in Kota Kinabalu? It’s a solid choice. It’s got the right mix of comfort, convenience, and those little touches that make a vacation feel special. The spa? ABSOLUTELY BOOK IT. Seriously, don't even hesitate. I am still dreaming of that massage.
So, are you ready to Escape to Paradise?
Here's why you should book the Iskandar Hotel today:
- Relaxation overload: Spa is an amazing experience. You deserve
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we’re about to embark on a chaotic, opinionated, and probably slightly sweaty adventure in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. My base camp? The Iskandar Hotel. (Or, as I’ve affectionately started calling it, "The Iskandar Isn't-So-Bad After All, Actually" Hotel. Depends on the day, honestly.)
Day 1: Arrival, Jet Lag, and Mango Mayhem
- 9:00 AM (ish): Touchdown at KKIA. Okay, first impression? Heat. Glorious, sticky, instantly-clinging-to-your-skin heat. Found the hotel transfer (thank GOD I pre-booked, otherwise I’d probably STILL be wandering around looking bewildered). The driver, bless his cotton socks, was chatty and charming. Made me feel instantly welcome… until the traffic hit. Then it was a lesson in Zen patience.
- 10:00 AM: Arrive at The Iskandar. The lobby… well, it's functional. Reminds me of my grandma's living room, but with more marble and fewer crocheted doilies. Check-in was smooth-ish. The receptionist smiled a lot, which I appreciated, mostly because my brain was still stubbornly refusing to function.
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Unpack, nap, and generally try to remember what day it is. The room? Basic, but clean. The aircon? My new best friend. Jet lag is a beast, people. It's like having a tiny, grumpy gremlin living in your head, constantly whispering things like "eat all the carbs," or "sleep forever." I gave in to the "sleep forever" part for a bit.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch! Found a little hawker stall near the hotel. Ordered something that looked vaguely like noodles. It was delicious! And cheap! I almost wept with joy. Also, the iced tea? Oh my GOODNESS. Forget everything.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Attempting a "cultural experience" - a stroll around the waterfront. Got distracted. Massively. By… mangoes. Glorious, juicy, sunshine-yellow mangoes. I may or may not have bought three. And eaten two. Right there. On the spot. Sticky fingers and a happy, mango-smeared face. That's me. No regrets.
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner at a seafood restaurant. Oh man. Seriously, the seafood here is incredible. Fresh, flavorful, perfect. Ate too much. Probably. Feeling a little bit like a beached whale, but a happy, well-fed beached whale.
- 8:00 PM - ???: Bed! (Hopefully.) Unless the gremlin in my head decides to throw a party…
Day 2: Island Hopping, Seasickness and a Fishy Situation
- 8:00 AM (ish): Wake up. Still have the gremlin. Sigh. Breakfast at the hotel was… passable. Coffee was surprisingly decent. Needed a coffee. Desperately.
- 9:00 AM: Island hopping tour! Got on a boat. Feeling optimistic. Sunk quickly.
- 9:30 AM: Seasickness hit. Hard. Let's just say, it wasn't pretty. Regretting that giant breakfast. And maybe the night before. The boat ride? Bumpy. The views? Still beautiful, when I could manage to look up without wanting to hurl.
- 10:30 AM: Arrived at “Sapi Island.” It’s pretty. The water is ridiculously clear and I was determined to enjoy myself, despite the nausea. Snorkeled, saw some fish, got stung by something (I think it was a jellyfish, but hey, who’s counting? Definitely me, though) and then the panic set in. I ran out of the water like a crazy person. Back on the boat. Hide.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at another island. Some sort of barbecue. The food did not go down well. Seasickness won.
- 2:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Immediately crashed. Never been so happy to be horizontal.
- 4:00 PM: Stumbled out for a walk. Needed air! Needed something! Needed to get away from the memory.
- 5:00 PM: Found a street vendor selling fish. Freshly grilled. And it smelled amazing. I was apprehensive. Very. But curiosity won. I bought a piece. It was… unbelievably good. Almost made up for the morning. Almost.
- 6:00 PM: Back to the room. Still feeling slightly queasy, but also… incredibly relaxed. The heat does that to you.
- 8:00 PM: Back to bed. Still the gremlin but a slight appreciation for the day overall.
Day 3: Culture and Shopping
- 9:00 AM: Morning. More coffee. Definitely needed more coffee. Determined to be productive.
- 10:00 AM: Visited the Sabah State Museum. Actually, really interesting. Learned about Sabah’s history and culture. (And, let's be honest, escaped the sun for a bit.) Found myself fascinated by the indigenous crafts. Might have even bought a tiny, ridiculously overpriced but incredibly beautiful beaded keychain.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Hawker stall, again. Chicken rice this time. Delicious, as always.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Shopping! Went to a local market. So much stuff! So much noise! So many people! Bargained like a pro (or at least, I tried to). Ended up with a batik shirt that’s probably hideous. But, again, no regrets.
- 4:00 PM: Cooling down at a cafe. (Air con essential). People watching. KK is actually a really interesting city and I'm starting to see the charm beyond the heat.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner somewhere different. Tried some local dishes I couldn't even pronounce. Surprisingly good.
- 8:00 PM: Final night. Packing. Already dreading going home and having to face reality.
Day 4: Departure
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast. One last iced coffee. Saying goodbye to my new favorite drink.
- 8:00 AM: Check out. Said goodbye to the friendly staff at the Iskandar. (Maybe I wasn't so bad, after all.)
- 9:00 AM: Airport transfer. Staring at the world, not wanting to leave.
- 10:00 AM: Flight. Looking back. I'll be back! (Hopefully without the seasickness).
Final Thoughts:
Kota Kinabalu. Chaotic. Humid. Gloriously messy. The food is OUTSTANDING. The people are lovely. The Iskandar Hotel? Well, it's got character. And sometimes, that’s all you need. Despite the occasional sea sickness and my own ineptitude. I loved it. Absolutely loved it. And I am definitely going back. Maybe with a better stomach and some Dramamine. But definitely going back.
Escape to NYC: Unforgettable Hudson River Views Await!
So, is Iskandar Hotel *actually* paradise? Because the marketing sure makes it sound that way.
Okay, let's be real, marketing is a conspiracy. Iskandar Hotel... paradise? Nah, not *actual* paradise. More like, "pretty darn nice, especially after the flight from, you know, *that* airport." (Looking at you, Kuala Lumpur International). I mean, the view from the balcony *is* killer. Seriously, that South China Sea? Breathtaking, especially with a cold beer in hand at sunset. But paradise, as in, no mosquitos, no questionable plumbing, and all-you-can-eat chocolate fountain? Nope. Definitely not.
Here's the thing: I went in expecting a flawless hotel experience. My mistake. The first room...let's just say it had a *very* strong air freshener smell. Like, enough to knock out a small elephant. I requested a switch, which was handled smoothly, but that initial whiff? Not paradise. Not remotely. However, seeing how the staff handles the issues, even the small ones, makes me feel better.
What's the deal with this "stunning" view everyone keeps raving about? Spill the tea!
Okay, the stunning view? It’s not a lie. Seriously, it’s a major selling point, and for good reason. Picture this: you wake up, bleary-eyed from the jet lag, and you stumble out onto your balcony. And BAM! The sea, the islands, the sky... it's all just *there*. Makes you feel like you're in a movie and you could just jump off and swim to the nearest island (don't do that).
The sunset? Forget about it. I once saw the sunset just after having an argument with my wife, and everything was just alright again. Seriously, it's worth booking a room JUST for that view. Just make sure you get a room on the higher floors. We were on the 7th and it was great, but I imagine the higher up you go, the more spectacular it is.
The reviews mention a pool. Is it actually swim-worthy, or more of a glorified puddle?
The pool? Okay, it’s not the Olympic-sized infinity pool of your dreams. And yes, there were some kids having the time of their lives. Which, let's be honest, is what pools are *for*. Me, I am more of a relaxer, and I did just that.
It's clean, it's refreshing (especially after a hot day), and there's a decent amount of space to actually swim. It did get a bit crowded at times, but hey, that's what vacation is about, right? Sharing space and hoping nobody pees in it. I actually did spend a decent amount of time there. After a long day out, it's a great place to unwind and cool off, I would always recommend it.
How's the food? I'm a picky eater, and I need specifics!
Okay, food. This is where things get… interesting. The breakfast buffet is a mixed bag. There's a lot of variety, which is great. Western and local options, fruits, pastries, the whole shebang.
I tried the nasi lemak, which was pretty good, the pastries? Not so much. Dry, not fresh, but hey, I still ate them. The coffee? Drinkable, but not life-changing. The omelet station? That's where it's at. Get your omelet, custom-made, and all is well with the world.
What's the location like? Is it easy to get around and explore Kota Kinabalu?
Location is pretty good. Not *perfect*, but definitely convenient. It’s close enough to the waterfront, which is great for restaurants and the night market. You could walk, but it does get hot, so a Grab (the local ride-hailing app) is your best friend.
There are also local buses, but navigating those? Not so easy, and the smell on a warm day... oof. Just stick with Grab, it is so much easier.
Alright, let's talk about service. Is it friendly and helpful? Or just… there?
Service? Okay, this is where Iskandar shines. The staff, across the board, were lovely. Super friendly, always smiling, and genuinely helpful. I had an issue with a flickering light in my room, and it was fixed within minutes. No attitude, no hassle, just efficient and pleasant.
I remember how they helped me plan a day trip. They didn't just suggest a tour; they asked about my interests, gave honest advice, and genuinely seemed interested in making my trip memorable. That level of service? It makes a huge difference.
Any Quirks or minor annoyances? Stuff the brochures won't tell me?
Oh, there are always quirks! Like, the WiFi wasn't always the most reliable. I think it went down a couple of times. Not a deal-breaker, but annoying when you're trying to upload your Instagram-worthy sunset photos.
And, this is a personal pet peeve, but the air conditioning in the lobby could be a little... enthusiastic. It's like stepping into a polar vortex. Bring a sweater!
Would you go back to the Iskandar Hotel? And if so, why?
Honestly? Yeah, I would. In a heartbeat.
I went in with a mix of excitement and slight dread. Now, I would go back because of its location, its staff, and, most of all, that view. Plus, after a day exploring Kinabalu, the pool is a welcome sight. Okay, it isn't perfect, but it has a unique charm, and the good far outweighs the bad. And let’s be serious, you can’t beat that sunset. I’d recommend it for sure. Just go in knowing it's not *actual* paradise, but pretty darn close.
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