Hin Loi Guesthouse

The room was easy to check into, and the bed was clean and comfortable. It’s an older building, but it’s managed well enough. The location is handy, with a kopitiam, laundry, and other food options downstairs, plus the airport nearby. The price is reasonable and the basics are provided. The shared bathroom was clean, though the water pressure was a little slow. I only spotted one mosquito, so that was okay. Sound carries a bit, but earplugs helped and it wasn’t a problem for me. I did wake early because of cooking smells in the morning.

Alex was a helpful, accommodating host, and we’d happily stay here again. Our late check-in went smoothly, and a Grab from the airport cost 9 MYR (£1.50). The room was roomy and spotless, with a large, very comfortable bed, a desk, clothes hanging space, good air conditioning and a fan. The bathroom had a nice hot shower. The kitchen was clean and had everything needed for cooking. On our first morning, breakfast was served downstairs at the café, with tea or coffee and a tasty selection of pastries. We really enjoyed our stay.

Right above a popular local coffee shop in the middle of Tanjung Aru Town, this is a friendly guest house with comfortable rooms. The rates are very affordable, so if you’re travelling on a budget, this could be a good fit. Alex, the owner, is your man.

Getting food nearby is easy, with KFC, local restaurants, and Chinese coffee shops around. It’s about a 10-minute drive from the airport, and parking is on DBKK parking. For a backpacker staying 2-3 nights, it could work well. The room was clean and had a street-facing window, but it could get noisy, so I kept it shut and used the air conditioning. The bathroom is shared and shower gel is provided. Finding the place was tricky. It’s on the first floor, reached only by flights of stairs, so think twice if you have heavy luggage. The main entrance has a digital lock, and I had to message the hotel a few times to figure it out. The room door has a standard round knob.