Dreamtel Kota Kinabalu

For berbuka puasa in KK, Dreamtel is a good affordable buffet option. It costs under RM90, and I was impressed by the spread, especially the traditional Malay dishes and range of 'kuih-muih.' It's less expensive than the 5-star resorts, but the food quality and friendly service made it feel like a 5-star experience to me.

The location is handy for nearby attractions, including the Gaya Street Night Market & Sunday market, though the hotel has no dedicated parking. Parking is at your own risk, and weekday fees are paid through the DBKK apps. I booked through the Agoda app and got a rate significantly lower than booking directly. There are no connecting rooms, only adjacent rooms on request and subject to availability if you're with family. My room was spacious and comfortable, with a lovely view. It's worth asking for a room facing Padang Bandaran if you're there for events. The windows could use a proper clean, though, and the mini refrigerator wasn't working well. The pillows and mattress had a slight unpleasant smell, and the bathroom had a faint urine odor. TV channels were limited, and some entries on the channel list were incorrect and needed updating. Breakfast was enjoyable, with a decent selection of food and desserts. There was no table assistance, and everyone chose their own seats. At busy times, it was hard for families to find a table together because smaller groups took larger tables. The outdoor seating wasn't set up in advance and needed staff help before we could use it. When I arrived, used linens were lying in front of the corner rooms. Housekeeping should have a proper station or trolley for used linen to keep the area clean and presentable. Front office service could also improve. The staff didn't seem particularly welcoming, and some continued their admin work instead of helping promptly while guests waited to check in or out. Even with these issues, I'd still recommend the hotel for its strategic location and easy access to nearby sights.

The location suited our stopover: the night market is close, and the seafront is an easy walk. Check-in was straightforward, with a fifty ringgit deposit that we presumed was for breakages and got back at checkout. But first impressions matter to us, and the lift area was dusty and looked as if it hadn't been cleaned in months. The mirrors were scratched too. We had a spacious room on floor five with a big window overlooking the park, and the bed was comfortable. The duvet and pillow covers were well used, though not dirty. The safe didn't work at first, but staff fixed it quickly. The bathroom needed a thorough clean. Its floor looked like it hadn't been properly cleaned in a long time, and shower water drained so slowly that we stood in about an inch of it. Breakfast had food for everyone except, really, the Western visitor, though we know we're in the minority. Fruit was limited to two choices, and the cereals I tried were okay. The egg station was outside. When we asked for a fresh egg, we were told no and offered only ones already cooked in a warming tray that wasn't warm. The chef stood there the whole time we ate and didn't cook a single egg. It's listed as three star, but we'd give it two stars at most. It isn't the cheapest option, nor the most expensive. Maybe we wouldn't stay again. This is only my opinion.

I walked into the lobby without much fuss, looking for the best hotel in kota Kinabalu, and this was it. After 67 hours here, the breakfast was legit goated. Best of the best, it outplayed all the 5 stars hotels out there. Goon corner or absolute corner? We even role played like an alpha playing monopolyy.