Hilton Kuching — Hotel in Borneo

It is unquestionably the worst Hotel by value I have ever stayed in.

Despite the lovely staff, I resent having paid so much to stay here. I feel almost cheated, and thus, I cannot rate it better than I have. It is an unforgivable mindset to run a hotel in this way. You don’t deserve the lovely staff you have and certainly none of your guests.

The area outside the lobby was so congested with queues of cars that I had to walk amongst vehicles and vans with my luggage. The reason: The hotel has cordoned off multiple empty car parking spaces outside at 20 RM so no room to drop off.

My room had a bath, but no bath foam, soap, shampoo, or toiletries within reach of the tub. No water gun is by the toilet, but a cheap seat with installed micro water spray that is so low-grade it’s excruciating. No weighing scales, hand soap, or body cream. Large plastic dispensers are locked to the wall in the shower. The wardrobe has no light, so you can’t see how to use the safe, no umbrella in the closet or room. No coffee machine, just a kettle, two small water bottles, empty fridge, instant coffee, tea, and white sugar. The staff did provide more when asked, but you shouldn’t need to ask.

Terrible cheap furniture, sofas and chairs. It was the most uncomfortable I have ever encountered. Ikea wouldn’t peddle it, let alone a decent furniture maker. It may look okay, but the quality is exceptionally low. The bed is uncomfortable, has poor quality sheets and bedding, terrible lighting with no central controls, no night lights, curtains that don’t close properly, and plastic vinyl artwork that’s not even straight in some rooms. It’s not art; it’s plastic printed sheets on a wooden frame. To connect to the internet, I was asked for a range of personal details and to accept T&Cs. I must provide my home address, e-mail, and other information to connect to the Internet in the Hilton?! It's more like an airport in Russia to get free wifi. I had to get help multiple times to get through it. I don’t want my data harvested and sold or be at risk of it.

External landscaping front and back with virtually no trees or native-planted gardens. Mostly grass and concrete and occasional sad, non-native trees. We are in Borneo, a tropical climate once home to a delicate rainforest. Don’t put signs up in your rooms about conserving the environment if you can’t even afford a few native trees and landscaping or manage a garden in an allegedly 5-star hotel. It looks like you don’t care, but expect everyone else to where it saves you money. The swimming pool surroundings make me think of a hotel in Beirut. Virtually no soft landscaping other than grass and a few dying plants in a planter. Cheap pool tiles with unfinished drain points that may cut your feet if you’re not careful. The pool is cheaply finished with sparse trees and little landscaping. Smiley staff, but don’t bring you a towel. You have to look after yourself.

Breakfast is a little disappointing. Paper napkins, un-charming restaurant. No plain yoghurt, porridge, rolled oats or muesli, dates, nuts, prunes, etc. By all means, showcase local curries, but some of us want healthy options for breakfast beyond fruit.

The staff I encountered were charming, accommodating, and keen to resolve issues. The assistant manager, Petros Sabam, went far beyond what one might expect to improve the situation. He bent over backwards to accommodate my needs on the executive floor, but I cannot overcome my resentment of how this hotel is terrible value for money. He would be at the top of my list of onsite management staff to recruit if I ran a hotel. They are fortunate to have him and others.

Don’t put up signs about the environment when you have the most depressing lack of landscaping but have enough land to create beautiful gardens and even showcase multiple rainforest trees and plants, but you don’t.

It looks like...

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Hilton Hotel Kuching, and I'd like to share my thoughts on the experience.

First and foremost, the hotel boasts a fantastic and strategic location. It's nestled near the waterfront, making it an ideal choice for travelers looking to explore the city on foot. I can easily walk to numerous eateries, enjoy scenic strolls along the riverfront, and peruse the nearby shoplots where I can find Sarawak's famous "kek lapis Sarawak" (layered cakes). This proximity to key attractions and conveniences was a definite highlight of my stay.

Upon my arrival, I encountered a slight hiccup as the hotel was at full occupancy when I reached around 4:00 pm. However, the hotel staff handled the situation professionally. I was asked to wait briefly for a room to be prepared and was even treated to welcoming drinks at the lobby bar while I waited. The lobby itself was impressive, with a pleasant atmosphere and excellent lighting.

The room I eventually received was clean, neat, and generally comfortable. It seemed to have been recently renovated, as there was a faint scent of paint. While the room faced the Sarawak River and offered a lovely view, I did notice the smell. Perhaps the hotel could consider adding some pleasant room fragrances to mitigate this.

The hotel's breakfast offerings were extensive, although I found the menu to be quite repetitive over the course of my 4-day stay. By the last day, I ventured outside for breakfast at a nearby kopitiam due to the monotony. It might be beneficial for the hotel to introduce some variety into their breakfast selections.

However, there were a few downsides to my stay. The hotel was undergoing renovations, resulting in limited room availability. Additionally, the gym was on the smaller side, and there was no sauna available during my stay. Furthermore, only two elevators were in service for guests, which occasionally caused delays.

Despite these minor setbacks, the standout feature of the Hilton Hotel Kuching was its exceptional staff. Reception staff members, Petros and Ivan, were friendly and accommodating, ensuring a smooth check-in experience. During breakfast, Liz stood out with her helpful and warm demeanor.

In conclusion, the Hilton Hotel Kuching offers an excellent location for travelers, and its newly renovated rooms are comfortable and clean. While there were some challenges during my stay, such as limited room availability and a monotonous breakfast menu, the attentive and friendly staff made a positive impact on the...

My recent stay at the Hilton Hotel Kuching was marked by its exceptional location and some notable features.Firstly, the hotel's strategic location near the waterfront and within walking distance of various attractions, including eateries, souvenir shops, and the famous "kek lapis Sarawak" outlets, greatly enhanced my stay. This convenience was a definite plus.Upon my arrival at 4:00 pm, I encountered a small setback as the hotel was fully booked, and no rooms were available for check-in. However, the courteous staff at the reception counter promptly addressed the issue. They kindly requested a short wait while a room was prepared for me, and I was offered a welcoming drink at the lobby bar during this time. The lobby itself exuded a pleasant ambiance with ample lighting. I finally checked in at around 5.30 pm. The room I eventually occupied was delightful, offering cleanliness and orderliness. It appeared to have been recently renovated, as there was a faint smell of paint. A suggestion for the hotel could be to introduce pleasant room fragrances to alleviate this issue. The room featured a picturesque view of the Sarawak River, enhancing my experience. The bathroom was also clean and satisfactory.The breakfast options at the hotel were extensive, though I noticed a repetition in the menu during my 4-day stay. On the final day of my stay, I opted to have breakfast at a nearby kopitiam due to this repetition. I hope the hotel can introduce more variety into their breakfast selections.However, there were a few downsides to my stay. The hotel was undergoing renovations, resulting in limited room availability. Additionally, the gym was on the smaller side, and there was no sauna during my stay due to the renovations. Furthermore, only two elevators were operational for guests, which occasionally caused delays.Despite these minor inconveniences, the Hilton Hotel Kuching offers a fantastic location, comfortable rooms, and a courteous staff. Special mentions go to reception staff members Petros and Ivan, who were friendly, and Liz, who was particularly helpful and warm during...