Damai Beach Resort, your Gem by the South China Sea

If you are looking for a place by the beach, Damai Beach Resort would be your ideal place. Holiday Inn Damai Beach Resort is located at the best beach Sarawak has to offer and it’s a 4-star hotel resort. Damai Beach Resort is an award winning resort complemented by lush tropical forest and the majestic Mount Santubong, which overlooks the South China Sea.

A mere 40-minute drive from Kuching the capital city of Sarawak and 50-minute drive from Kuching International Airport will take you there but the distance is worth the travel as the location is beautiful, close to nature, peaceful and quiet. Located on Teluk Bandung’s sandy beach facing the South China Sea and comprising 90 acres of sea frontage, Damai Beach Resort is majestically nestled within the world’s oldest tropical rainforest,

Damai Beach Resort is also close to the world famous Sarawak Cultural Village which showcases various attributes of major ethnic population in the whole state of Sarawak, namely the Malay, Chinese, Iban, Orang Ulu, Bidayuh, Melanau and Penan all in one village.

Damai Beach Resort is modeled after a traditional fishing village, days are often too short to experience all the activities the Resort has to offer. The Resort is a very popular holiday destination for locals during weekends and public holidays.

Damai Beach Resort has 256 comfortably furnished rooms with magnificent views of the sea or the lush greenery of Mount Santubong. You can have choices of rooms in the main buildings and in chalets on hillsides. All rooms are complete with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, telephone, personal safe, hair dryer, TV with in-house movies and satellites, and in-room mini-bar complimentary coffee/tea making facilities.

The Resort is a window to many experiences – a hilltop retreat, beach paradise and the ultimate rainforest living experience with value for money offerings. You will indeed be spoilt for choices. You can swim in the large swimming pool or spend relaxing time by the beach and the sea.

They promise you a gratifying and unforgettable experience. Be it doing nothing or everything, your time at Damai Beach Resort will be an enriching one, a true celebration of life.

Damai Beach Resort is the place to be in Borneo. It only happens here. Go here to make your booking: bestkuchinghotels@gmail.com

All we need is your check in/check out dates and no of pax staying & of course type of room required.

Abell Boutique Hotel Kuching

All we need is your check in/check out dates and no of pax staying & of course type of room required.If you are looking for a 3 days 2 nights kuching tour, come check out Cuti-cuti Kuching Tour with us. Just

Email us: bestkuchinghotels@gmail.com

Pullman Hotel the 5 star Babe

Pullman Hotel, the new 5 star baby that just opened last November 2009. It sits majestically on top of the hill overlooking the cat city in her daily activities. This hotel has over 300 rooms and is ever ready for visitors at any time.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by cheerful bellboy and bright spacious lobby. The hotel’s concept of “ check in and chill out” will see you getting a speedy check in into one of their 389 spacious rooms. Their rooms are reasonable but you get a majestic view of the city skyline. Business Travellers will fancy the largest banquet hall in Sarawak, fast internet connection and Wifi, fashionable bars, restaurants, fitness centre, business centre and a spa facility with 7 treatment rooms.

The room decorations are nice with a ceiling to floor glass window and the bathroom is charming with two beehive like lamp dangling from the ceiling.

The plus point of this hotel is that the walls are insulated with sound proof material. That way, you will not be so affected by the noise next door.

For great meals or drinks at the hotel, check out the list below:

Puzzle – Lobby Level (6.00am – 11.00pm) Puzzle, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant offers a relaxing indoor and al fresco dining experience while those whose who wish to dine in privacy can do so via that restaurant’s private room. At Puzzle, international dishes with a focus on Intra Asia Cuisine are available throughout breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests can choose to enjoy their meals from the buffet line or simply order à la carte. A special ‘Chef’s Table’ is also available to whip up tantalising dishes to each guest’s desire.

Nu Er Hong – Lobby Level (11.00 am – 2.30 pm & 6.00 pm – 10.30 pm daily & opens at 10.00 am on Sunday) Within the naturally lit contemporary décor of the open-concept kitchen Chinese restaurant, Nui Er Hong serves authentic Chinese Cuisine that promises a heady dining affair fit for royalty. Nui Er Hong also offers private rooms for parties up to 12 people.

Déjà Vu – Lobby Level (4.00pm – 12.00mn) Déjà Vu, the hotel’s relaxing and cosy lounge at the lobby, offers house pouring and wide selection of cocktails and is the perfect location for casual business discussions or relaxing with acquaintances.

Liquid – Level 2 (Sun-Thurs 9.00am – 9.00pm & Fri-Sat 9.00am – 12mn) Liquid is the hotel’s superlative ambience poolside outlet that serves freshly squeezed fruit juices and healthy snacks during the day and allows guests to dine and chill in cool, urbane style lounge at dusk. Liquid also houses guest DJs every Friday and Saturday night where guests can unwind or dance the night away amidst the scenic city night-lights.

Cafe Ch@t – Lobby Level (7.30am – 10.30pm) Café Ch@t is a great place to catch up with friends while checking emails over a good cuppa or a light snack. Here, there’s nothing better than to sip freshly brewed coffees, teas, fresh juices or even sweeten your tooth with some homemade ice creams or choose from Café Ch@t’s freshly baked desserts, pastries and Pullman’s pralines on display.

Batik Boutique Hotel, the new Kid

Batik Boutique Hotel is the latest kid around the block. She is from a different “genre” however in all aspects from checking in right up to room decoration.

Upon arrival at the hotel, do not bother to look for the hotel reception counter because there is not any available. Instead, you will be greeted by a coffee bar, have a coffee and relax at the sofa. The front desk will come greet you and at same time will serve you a cup of tea and a slice of cake. Dont you FEEL VERY WELCOME already? The officer will process your checking in. Then you will proceed to your room thereafter.

What I like about this hotel is the owner’s generosity. Request for an extra bed is “FOR NOW” FREE of charge, and this includes breakfasts too. This is their current promotion for the meantime.

They have also built a jacuzzi right at the backyard of the hotel. Go and have a dip and have the sun set over you.

For a nice dinner, you may consider checking out their inhouse Japanese Restaurant. Being a lover of Unagi, I give thumbs up for their Unagi. There are other dishes like sushi, tempura and many others. I was informed that a group of Japanese expatriates frequent the restaurant so the food must have passed their taste. The food is not too pricey either.

The hotel only has 15 rooms and because rooms are limited, the staff there is able to give you personal attention of your needs. When you come to Kuching, go check out the hotel. It is quite economical for you too if you have a third person coming in terms of the costs since an extra bed is FREE of Charge. The rate per room per night is only rm250 nett with 2 breakfasts or 3 breakfasts if there is a third person be it adult or child.

HURRY! BOOK THROUGH US FOR THIS SPECIAL OFFER!

Go here to make your booking: bestkuchinghotels@gmail.com

All we need is your check in/check out dates, and no of pax staying & of course type of room required.

360 Xpress City Centre, Kuching

This chic new hotel at Jalan Song Thian Cheok, Kuching sits smack right in city centre and enjoys almost 100% occupancy everyday.

Rooms are not large, no windows in room but one can watch on flat screen TV what is happening  in the streets outside (to compensate the no windows), free internet cable available, safe deposit box, hair dryer, kettle, mini fridge,2 bottles mineral water, fire exits available at both ends of corridor for every floor. A lebanese restaurant is available next door. It is 3 minutes walk from Grand Continental Hotel. The rooms do not come with breakfasts though but a step outside the hotel and you will be spoilt for choices on cafes from halal to non halal to choose from as they are available at every nook and corner. So food is not a problem. In fact, food in kuching is never a problem because at every shop lot there will always be a cafe.

The type of rooms that they have are the deluxe family room, deluxe double, deluxe twin and deluxe single rooms. Their bathroom however has a see through glass door. So you may be shy to stay with a business partner or friend of opposite sex unless you are travelling with your gf/bf or life partner.

Rates are competitive and their plus point are their free internet service, free self service laundry and free self service ironing. If you are on a budget, do not have any windowless room phobia and is all right with the see through bathroom glass door, then this hotel will suit your accommodation needs. Other than that, My view is that the rooms are rather cozy with its warm decoration and if I am travelling alone, i will choose this hotel.

Mega Hotel in the Heart of Miri

I recently had the chance to stay at Mega Hotel, the can’t be missed blue and white vertical striped hotel for one whole week for my project. Having stayed at the hotel on their highest floor, 16^th, for one whole week, here are my thoughts and review of the hotel.

The hotel is of 4 star status. Their lobby is nicely decorated with the native design as it was also Hari Gawai when I was there. Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai!! (that is the Harvest Festival for the natives of Sarawak)

The hotel has grand foyer and the staff are friendly and courteous. All the receptionist female staff have the same 60s Audrey Hepburn hairdo or do you call it the air-stewardess type of hairdo which I thought was neat with their beige-brown motive print kebaya dress. A friend of mine used to call those hair do as the “Curry Puff” type of hairdo.

The room was large and comfortable with a fridge, 2 bottles of complimentary water, free wifi etc. Their hot/cold shower works well. The amenities inside the room is ok though nothing to shout of. Their gym is located on the 11^th floor though their swimming pool is at 4^th floor. It is a rule that guests who jump into the pool must wear swim shorts or swimming suit and not any other type of clothing. The management adheres to the rule strictly.

Their breakfast variety is reasonable with asian and western fare. There are many coffee shops outside the hotel and is within walking distance from the hotel that serves good Miri local food.

Mega mall is the adjoining mall to the hotel. Nothing much to shop there unless you need to book a tour, there is a travel agency, Tropical Adventure Tours & Travel (borneotropicaladventure.com) at the ground floor specializing in Mulu tours. There is also a shop across that sells genuine bird’s nest which is a favourite delicacy amoung the Chinese.

On the whole, I would stay at this hotel again if I were to go to Miri because of its very central location and its reasonable rate of rm180.00 per room per night with 2 breakfasts but I believe the hotel could do with a facelift.

Kingwood Inn Kuching

Kingwood Inn Hotel Kuching is one of the many Kingwood Inn Hotels in Sarawak. There are also other Kingwood Inn Hotel and resort in Mukah, Sibu and Miri. This hotel is 3 star. The location of Kingwood Inn Hotel Kuching is strategically located opposite Hock Lee Centre Mall which is a shopping mall, convenient to get your daily needs, clothes, restaurants behind the mall. There is also another shopping mall called Crown Square behind the hotel, around 10 minutes walk. The hotel is a mere 5 minutes drive to tourist attractions like the Cat Statue, Padungan street, Carpenter Street or Waterfront. Kuching International Airport is a mere 20 minutes drive provided there is no traffic jam.

The hotel’s ever popular Eden Café offers the best of local and Western cuisine at reasonable price. Their Foochow prawn noodles is very popular. Do check it out if you happen to be there. The café and its cozy atmosphere is a perfect place to relax  on a weekend or to discuss about businesses.

This hotel has been around for over 10 years and the rooms are reasonable. The rooms are clean and spacious but you can’t compare it to a new hotel. If you need to be in this section of town, this hotel is reasonable and with its good location, it is worth staying there.

Four Points, the Hotel that is about Fun & Simplicity

Four Points by Sheraton located near Kuching International Airport was completed in less than a year. It opened its door officially this year. When it first started business, not many of the local folks have heard of Four Points. For the Chinese community, they all wondered why the owner chose Four Points. The number Four is not a good number. Here is an explanation of why the hotel is called Four Points by Sheraton.

Four Points by Sheraton was started in 1995 as a sister brand to the all time Sheraton Hotels. Both are different however. The hotel rates by Four Points are slightly lower than Sheraton Hotel. Four Points main emphasis is all about fun, simplicity, comfort and value. Their rooms come equipped with free high speed internet access. You can make use of the gym that is open 24 hours 7 days a week. The hotel understands your basic needs and they do not charge you for the basics. Four Points is part of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide that has over 860 hotels in 95 different countries.

My Pinwheel

Do you remember that pinwheel that we used to play with when we were young? We get really excited when it started to twirl or turn being blown by the wind. I remember being exposed to it in my Science class. Whenever I see a pinwheel, I am reminded of the wind turbin in Holland.

For Four Points hotel, they use Pinwheel as part of their logo to denote simplicity and fun during carefree times. Four Points Hotel believe that travelling is still fun. After all, it will be what you make it out to be.

I visited the rooms. The rooms are large and contemporarily designed with bright, cheerful colours. You just blend in immediately when you stay there. The beds are large and very comfortable. Its plush mattresses, feather down pillows and cozy duvets is what the guests can look forward to after a long day. Its large writing desk and white swivel chair suits me just great for me to tap away on my laptop. Their comfort room is 36 metres in size. Large enough to give you a feeling of space. It has 2 bottles of drinking water, Lcd tv, safe, coffee and tea maker, makeup or shaving mirror, free newspapers on weekdays, bathrobe and slippers being the standard features of a 5 star hotel.

Their Premier room has an iPod dock installed for you music lovers out there. This is something new definitely.

If you have a family, you may want to check out their Junior suites, Comfort Suite, Premier Suite, Premier Deluxe Suite or the ultimate Four Points Suite that has a workout room with an exercise bike and treadmill, or an entertainment ground with TV and DVD player. It has a separate rainforest shower, Jacuzzi, spa bed and plasma television.

If you are hungry, they have good selection of food at The Eatery and Wrapped. Have your meal at The Eatery as you watch over your kids playing at the outdoor swimming pool. For nice pastries, check out Wrapped. Their pastries are at half price after 9pm.

What else can you ask for for such simple pleasures and cool comfort to make your DAY?

check out their special rates from us: bestkuchinghotels@gmail.com

Delightful Kingwood Hotel Mukah

Kingwood Hotel Mukah is a delightful place to stay in after a 1 hour plus journey in twin otter MASwings flight from Kuching. This flight is so small that it can only seat 20 people maximum. The flight even had two small fans in front of the passenger deck to cool down everybody. I felt giddy after the flight so the hotel is a breath of fresh air for me.

The hotel is located at Lot 96, Block 17, Mukah Land District, 96400 Mukah, Sarawak. The hotel was newly completed and everything is new there. It has 99 spacious air conditional rooms with private bath or shower, television programs, mini boiler, IDD, tea and coffee making facilities, 2 bottles of complimentary mineral water and free internet access. This hotel is the best there is in Mukah for comfort and convenience.

Mukah is a flourishing town and the hotel is located just at the fringe of the town centre. So it is walking distance to everywhere.

This hotel has quite a number of rooms and very big restaurant area. The food though is nothing to shout of. I find it just average. It seems that the chef would sit at the restaurant reception counter when there are no customer. He sure is a multi tasked chef. Either he is bored to be in kitchen or he is a hardworking person. Good for the hotel.

If you travel frequently like me, you will need to access and check your emails. The internet connection however is rather poor. I was not able to access the internet on both times when I stayed there. Don’t bother to ask the technician to look into it as the guy even ended up changing my computer setting. So you may just have to do without internet access during yoru stay there unless you have a friend with TELEKOM streamyx internet connection for you to surf or you carry a Blackberry with you.