Escape Backpackers KK — Hotel in Borneo

Really nice staff BUT 3-4 times male and female staff went into the female dorm without even knocking. They also didn't even acknowledge that I was sitting on the bed and let a guest crawl onto someone's bed to get something left behind. My particular dorm room had a suffering AC unit that didn't cool well. It was okay in the middle of the night. Many people checked in but changed rooms.

I understand that staff must enter dorm rooms very often to clean, repair, check beds, etc. But they should knock, especially if they are male. Seems basic. People change clothes and may be in various states of undress.

Escape is well located and up three flights of stairs. The gate at the bottom does not lock, and staff seemed confused when I left the dorm room and started to lock it. Definitely didn't feel it was unsafe, but why provide keys is nothing is locked?

Breakfast was varied, and when I stayed included toast, sandwiches with mayo/egg/tomato, salad, and boiled eggs plus coffee. Some travelers were clearly trying to get their money's worth and eat 7-8 pieces of bread!! It was strange.

I may have been harder on this place than usual because the reviews are so...

I wish that I could give it more stars but they have bed bugs in room 1 and probably in other rooms as well. I got a lot of bites on stomach, back and leg. I was told that it was due to the blanket that I got, that it was the wrong one. But another guest also had bites and I can see previous reviews now as well complaining about the bed bugs.

The hostel needs to call a company that expertize in sanitation of bed bugs if they really want to get rid of them.

The staff is kind and helpful and the breakfast is nice. But I was disappointed that they didn't take the bed bug problematic seriously since it affects the customers.

I had to pay for washing my clothes several times and put a lot of effort in getting rid of them. I saw 2 bed bugs in my travel case a couple of days after I left the hostel and I hope I got them all now after all cleaning and washing. I'm upset and worried that I might bring them home.

Restrooms are unfresh. Needs to clean more often since a lot of...

My stay at Escape Backpackers was wonderful! It is a really cute and cozy hostel with incredibly kind and welcoming staff (because they were not full they allowed me to change the dates which I'd confused without any hassles or fees; the owner also let me stay past check-out time so I did not have to walk in the rain), delicious, homecooked breakfast (really, best hostel breakfast ever) which varies daily, and comfortable beds with curtains for privacy. Great location, too - right across from food and craft markets. I have heard bad stories of many people having an issue with accommodation in KK and having to fight the 10 ringgit room tax at hostels, but this place was the opposite of that - they divide the tax fairly amongst beds and overall there is a home-y, welcoming vibe. I really felt at east and taken care of here and would recommend this place to anyone...