Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu — Hotel in Borneo

I am not one for normally writing reviews.

But I truly feel, I have to write a scathing review about the Citadines, Kota Kinabalu. Having stayed numerous times in both the Citadines, Manila and Cebu, I truly and honestly believed that this alleged brand new Citadines hotel, would rival or improve on the two apartment / Hotel complexes mentioned above.

I arrive here in the Citadines, Kota Kinabalu, and what an absolute letdown compared to Manila and Cebu. My bedroom(s) alone in the previous Cities were bigger than the living area, bedroom and bathroom combined. This hotel has attempted to put as many bedrooms in as possible, at the expense of giving more space in the premium rooms or suites as they class them. I paid for a premium suite for a week, and paid nearly £1000, this is not worth the money I have paid. £1000 for 7 days in a substandard room and a very shocking hotel. This is as mentioned a supposedly new hotel, however the corridors on each floor, lack character, the walls are blank and dull. There is not one picture or print to try and improve this very bland and disgraceful hotel. The doors to most of the bedrooms are marked, and look as if they have never been painted.

On arriving in the hotel today, the Internet in the room did not work, i reported this and the IT department arrived and swapped over an Internet router, however this has not really resolved the issue, because I lost Internet a further 2 times, and I ended up having to report this again to reception.

On an update, on my 4th day here, the router in my room was so hot, that once again, IT came and changed the router, during which the man stated, that these routers are being changed over, because there are so many issues. ?? The windows in this hotel are disgusting, they do not appear to have ever been cleaned, considering this is a fairly new hotel.

I would strongly recommend that you utilise some of bigger hotel chains that are near this location. Someone within ACR is destroying the Citadines name, as they reduce suite sizes to allow for more rooms.

I will NEVER ever recommend this hotel / apartment to anyone. Totally disgusted in what I have veen charged for such a small suite. Fortunately i am a solo traveller, because if there had been 2 people in this alleged suite, we would have been sitting on top of each other.

In the comments below, it requested I describe the hotel, however, it does not allow you to answer truthfully. It gives you words, such as, Luxury, Great view, great value, high tech. It does NOT give you words, like disgraceful, awful, disgusting. I suppose ACR attempt to stop you from giving an honest true opinion of such an awful hotel. It should use words, such as, disgraceful, a complete waste of money, lacking style, shocking Internet, bleak and dull.

I ticked Child friendly and noteworthy details, because otherwise I could not...

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu, and my experience exceeded all expectations. The serviced residence is strategically located in the heart of the city, providing easy access to key locations such as the wet market, ATMs, supermarkets, and malls. This made it incredibly convenient for me to explore the vibrant surroundings and immerse myself in the local culture.

The property itself is brand new, and it was evident that considerable thought had gone into its design and functionality. The modern amenities, including a well-equipped gym, a refreshing swimming pool, and a convenient launderette, added a touch of luxury to my stay. The inclusion of a yoga area allowed me to maintain my wellness routine, contributing to the overall positive experience.

One of the standout features was the daily breakfast provided, offering a variety of options to suit different tastes. The complimentary coffee served in the lobby each day was a thoughtful touch, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

What truly set Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu apart was the exceptional level of service provided by the staff. The cleaning service was thorough and efficient, ensuring a comfortable and hygienic environment throughout my stay. The staff members were obliging, and their knowledge about nearby attractions was invaluable in helping me plan my daily excursions.

A special mention goes to one of the security personnel, Shazree, who went above and beyond by recommending several off-the-beaten-track haunts. These hidden gems turned out to be the highlight of my trip, providing a unique and authentic experience that I wouldn't have discovered on my own.

In terms of safety and security, I felt well-protected throughout my stay, adding an extra layer of comfort to my overall experience. The availability of airport transfer services further streamlined my journey.

My time at Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu was nothing short of exceptional. The combination of a prime location, top-notch amenities, attentive staff, and the personal touch provided by individuals like Shazree made my stay truly memorable. I would highly recommend this serviced residence to fellow travelers seeking a blend of comfort, convenience, and...

Beautiful location … sunrise & sunset at best… close to all you need and airport too. Check in experience and suite provided was superb. I will not spoil the surprise by posting the photos of room here 😉. However, Why do all good things have to come to an end…so unfortunate. Breakfast was very simple, in fact too simple for this type of hotel…Poor or should I say not many choices at all…all dishes were easy to prepare stuff which we can do right at home… nothing special or mouth watering. Only meat provided was beef 😳… Ascott hotel meant for all or beef eaters only? Coffee machine was functioning at start but eventually ran out on coffee and staff not around to replenish. Fruit choices were near finish ie honey Dew and water melon… Its the mango season and maybe you could have added it in too… not sure of the difficulty for Ascott group of hotels…

When asked for wash room directions breakfast lounge staff directed me to the most appalling PUBLIC TOILET (which I didnt think twice as in most hotels it is at the hotel lobby!!)… Broken bidet & flush knob, door that had loose lock stuffed with tissue which could be easily opened from outside… no tissue no soap provided in and out sink area …an overall really really disgusting experience. This Public toilet should be cordoned off from Ascott hotel area as it paints a very very Poor image of an Ascott hotel. Also hotel staff should have been educated to direct hotel Residents to their rooms or Level 6 maybe …

Level 6 meant for hotel Residents?? to rest and relax and maybe sip some drinks but no staff available to attend to our needs… deserted.

Hotel manager on duty took note of my complaints and apologized.

More importantly, please do make a change as otherwise your hotel residents will be deprieved of wholesome pleasant memories and currently to me it is lacking in value…. 🙁. Ascott group of hotels, Citadines Waterfront KK can and should do...