Kim Haus — Restaurant in George Town

Kim Haus is not the ideal accommodation for everyone, I’m sure. But it’s one for me.

It comes down to several questions. Like why do you book hotels? To stay, to spend the night? For me, it’s not just that. For me, booking hotels is an opportunity to learn, to imagine a different lifestyle, to collect another experience. And Kim Haus provides all three of them.

It’s a goldsmith museum. Around Kim Haus are a few gold merchants. I can hear the hum-drum and beats of life in ancient gold businesses. The days that no longer exist but give rise to everything we have today. The equipment that was used in the past to measure golden powders but is now only kept in a museum. The accommodation is soaked in rich learning about what gave rise to part of who we are today.

Then there’s the communal feeling. I know we all live in circles of friends and families. But I sometimes find myself longing to know what others’ social circles sound like. I enjoy being able to hear when your neighbours wake up, imagine what they’re doing, what they’re up to. If you’re lucky, they might feel happy to catch a drink with you and you can chat to know more about what’s going on in another universe. The rooms are tiny compartments, for you to remain a sense of privacy. I like the idea of shared toilets, kitchen spaces, open air gym and cosy living areas too. It’s really where you get to meet people and see what’s happening in other people universes.

Then, it sparks your imagination. Maybe there should be places like this, built to serve less fortunate people. People who don’t really have close friends and families. People who are left out of mainstreams — the hobos, homeless, etc. If they live in places like this, then their identities might be re-packaged and branded. No longer will they be termed “less fortunate”. It might even look cool to be part of such community. These living concepts spark new ideas for social welfare, which is great.

Lastly, a bonus goes to the staff working there. They provide excellent and honest services. Some payment issues occurred during the stay, I was confused, but they showed their integrity not accepting double payments. You know, in this world, people could lie, double-charge you, and get away with it. Not every place has a breathing police officer. But I admire people and places who uphold their own integrity like having their own inner police intact.

Overall, it’s been a great stay. Thank you for running the business and being...

I made a booking with Kim Haus Loft through Booking.com for a working trip in Penang checking in 20 Sep to checking out 21 September 2021. Then I saw this offered price at RM 37 per room per night for a Twin Bedded Private Room, capacity is 2 adults + 1 kid, the only condition is shared bathroom. Since it is a low season, I thought it is a good deal to grab so I confirmed the booking with a payment of RM 40.74. Hence, it turned out to be a "too good to be true" disappointment.

(1) Lack integrity in information: I booked a twin-bedded room, but when I arrived, it is actually a bunk bed. I confronted the staff, he said this is their twin-bedded room. I was told the room comes with a shared bathroom, but I was not told that the room comes with ONE shared air-conditioner! When we arrived, we were shocked to see there is only one air conditioner, shared among 5 rooms??? Hence, please disclose this information to your customer in your booking description on Booking.com. if this was clearly stated, I wouldn't have paid for this room. This room is totally not sellable at all!!! As I can see their staff waking up and walking out from the room next to us, it seems like our room is one of the staff dormitories!

(2) Beautiful interior design everywhere (with beautiful lightings), but all these seem less practical to me, you should put a little more effort into your customer's room.

(3) Share air conditioner, cut cost? But TV, laptop with music and air-conditioner were on at the lobby for the whole night? Might as well I sleep in the lobby? Not to mention those electricity bills on the beautiful lightings for your interior designs throughout the night.

(4) The bathroom is even bigger than our room, that's ridiculous for me.

(5) No hand sanitiser or hand soap provided at shared bathroom area during this pandemic is so inconsiderate. I know time is hard and we really want to support the local business. And yet, this is the service we are getting? I am sorry to say, Kim Haus Loft is good on the outside, rotten on the inside...

I'm so torn about this property. I think it's location tricked me into thinking it was the perfect booking for a 7 night stay.

I'm not a young backpacker anymore and I like a certain level of quality and cleanliness that this property does not offer.

I see them trying hard, and maybe if they could have more than 1 cleaner for the whole 5 floors and more than one person working the front desk and the restaurant it would work a lot better.

First the positives: they offer free laundry and free water refills. The air-conditioning was nice and cool!The location is spectacular, you have the whole of George Town within walking distance.

Now the the negatives: the beds are absolutely awful. I slept on top of the duvet as an extra layer or cleanliness and comfort. The first room I was in the texture of the mattress could be felt through the sheets, there was no windows and it smelt damp.

I asked to be moved to a room with a better bed. Which they did after my 3rd night. New room had a slightly firmer mattress and a window. So it was better. But still a weird smell and the smell of stale sweat on the bedding. Which meant I once again slept on top of everything using my beach towel as a blanket/barrier.

I really think this hostel - for it should be called a hostel and not a hotel - could be absolutely amazing with a deep clean and some new beds/bedding and linen. I accidentally caught a glimpse of the pillow under the pillowcase shortly before I checked out and it made me feel a little ill.

Targeting backpackers and budget travellers is more their market.

I can't speak as to the restaurant part as I didn't eat or drink anything there. I was supposed to have a free breakfast every morning which they never spoke to me about and I couldn't face for the lack of cleanliness I felt for the entire place.

I really do hope they can get it together as I love the concept...