The Atelier

The room was basic, but clean and neat, and the staff were super helpful. They went out of their way to sort out a booking mistake I'd made. You can walk to the eateries in the two blocks downstairs, but there isn't much else within walking distance. It's close to the airport, which suited what I needed.

The room was clean, had useful amenities, and there were no bugs, broken furniture or bad smells. The location is handy for restaurants and shops, and some staff were very friendly in person. Staff send text and video directions to the hotel and kiosk once they reply, and their phone response was good. But getting those directions was a hassle: you have to contact them by WhatsApp or email, and it took over six hours for them to answer both. Not everyone can make international calls just after arriving at the airport. The hotel starts on Level 5, reached by a private elevator, and there's no street-visible sign at the entrance. This is a kiosk hotel, with a code for each level's door as well as your room. Most, if not all, rooms have shared bathrooms, with only a sink in the room. The bathroom ceilings leaked, and the walls were so thin I could almost hear other guests' thoughts. It's overpriced for the time of year and all the puzzle solving needed to reach the room.

The themed rooms are a nice touch, and the wifi is strong. It's great value for the money, with impeccable staff service. The airport is only five minutes away by car, and getting a Grab to catch a flight was easy, even after 4am. A car arrived within seconds.

I arrived in Kota Kinabalu late at night and booked this budget room at the last minute. Even with my booking made at midnight, the customer service team responded quickly on WhatsApp and helped me finish self check-in straight away. The room was spotlessly clean and thoughtfully laid out. I'd definitely recommend it.