C'haya Hotel in Kota Kinabalu

Very good location near airport runway can see aircraft taking off and landings. Big room space but with old furnitures and fittings. Need refurbishment!

It was okay.

Rooms were fairly clean. Tea kettle was beautiful. No international sockets. There was a phone in the room. No iron nor ironing board (again). It does have a safe. The mini fridge was just deep enough to fit a row of sodas. The hotel itself had a modern aesthetic with an impeccably clean, natural light lobby. Spacious, clean elevator. The upper floors and my room, however, were pretty scuffed up. Carpeted corners have plenty of dust.

Staff were professional but, from reception to the café, it seems as if they're in mourning or their life was flashing before their eyes whenever I appeared. Conversations just stopped, they freeze in place, etc. I used as much Malay as I know to greet and share courtesy but I just get "okay" in return. It's the hospitality industry. You might have to talk with people who don't look like you. Sorry, if that's a surprise.

The thing about the tourist tax and deposit was annoying. They only accept cash for that but there's no ATM in the lobby. I already paid online but I have to make a cash deposit and such. Had to take a walk through a couple parking lots to get the cash for the tax and come back. Then they asked me for a deposit. What are we doing? Also, I asked for another towel because I had to use one for the floor and the other had fallen later on. They charged me 10 ringgit cash and did not return it upon check out. Why am I being charged for a towel that I am not going to keep? Why couldn't house keeping just bring me a clean set when they came around?

Pool was running and seemed clean. Rooftop lounge area was okay. Bean bags and other furniture, again, looked scuffed up and water-damaged. Plenty of pool locker space, bathrooms and showers. Large, fully stocked vending machines on the ground and 8th floor.

There's a convenience center not far away with a dining hall, several restaurants, dessert spots and 7-eleven. Just search for the 7-eleven and you'll find it. But there's a bar and a couple more eateries directly across the street from the hotel. Most convenient part about this hotel is all the available snacks and alternative places to eat.

This hotel is okay for a few nights but it's not very welcoming. Staff are scammy and aloof.

Nice swimming pool and cute hotel, worth of money