The Ranee Boutique Suites

The location is handy for Carpenter Street, and the hotel was clean. The staff were friendly and accommodated my requests. Still, the price we paid didn’t feel justified. Our Elizabeth Suite cost 550RM per night, but was underwhelming. We were told we’d have a “private staircase,” which meant hauling our own luggage up two flights because the elevator can’t be reached from the ground floor or the suite level. Staff didn’t help with bags, something I’d expect at a luxury hotel. Half the balcony view was blocked by a wall, and getting out there meant ducking under it while stepping down 30cm, which felt like a genuine hazard. I understand an older building has layout limits, but some of the hotel’s selling points felt misleading. My husband got sick when we arrived, so we spent a lot of time in the room. A concert took place at the riverfront on three of our five days. That isn’t the hotel’s fault, but the area can be noisy and the suite walls aren’t insulated. We heard sound equipment testing from as early as 8am, with music going on for hours in the evenings, even on weekdays. Breakfast amounted to a few pieces of fruit and bread. With so many good local shops around the corner, I’d skip eating here. We really liked the juice bar, and the restaurant food was fine in a pinch. A few times, room service took an hour when the restaurant was backed up. When we called to ask about the delay, we were told the chef was on break. This happened once at 5:30pm, normal dinner time. The restaurant seemed short-staffed during busy periods.

A small, distinctive hotel right by the waterfront, within walking distance of the main bridge, tourist spots, shops and local food. The decor is thoughtful and interesting, the rooms are spacious and clean, and the staff were lovely. It’s a quiet restaurant and bar, not a party place. Room 104 faces the river. Just be aware you need to climb one flight of stairs to reach the elevator.

The interior has a lively old-town style, and this stylish boutique hotel has a vintage look that’s very photo-friendly. It’s right in the heart of Kuching waterfront, with the view just across the street; you can walk back and forth over Darul Hana Bridge for a bit of exercise. Breakfast was good, and there’s a vegan-friendly cafe next door. Big thanks to Olyvia for the warm welcome and efficient check-in, and to all the Ranee Boutiques Suites staff for their great service and hospitality.

The room and location were both great, and the water pressure was excellent. Only issue was the aircond timer wouldn’t turn off, so we woke up freezing.