Pan Borneo Hotel Kota Kinabalu

This hotel offers a comfortable and convenient stay, with its direct connection to a shopping mall standing out as a signature feature, providing guests with easy access to various shops and eateries. It is a popular choice, particularly for families who appreciate the spacious rooms and enjoyable swimming pool, and for business travelers due to its strategic proximity to the airport. Guests consistently highlight the friendly staff and the overall cleanliness of the premises as key positives, contributing to a pleasant experience. While the hotel offers a comfortable stay, some aspects reflect its age, which is noted by several visitors. To enhance your visit, consider utilizing ride-sharing services like Grab for convenient access to the city center, as the hotel is located a bit further out. Additionally, guests should be aware of the parking fee if driving, as this is a recurring point of feedback.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of facilities, with the swimming pool being a major highlight, especially popular with families and children. Guests generally find the pool clean and enjoyable, though some note it can be cold or occasionally crowded. The gym is available for guests, but reviews indicate the equipment is basic, aged, and the area can be uncomfortably hot. Wi-Fi connectivity is a recurring topic, with many guests reporting poor or constantly disrupted service in their rooms, despite being excellent in the lobby. The hotel's direct connection to a shopping mall is a significant convenience, providing access to various retail outlets, a 7-Eleven, and other basic necessities. Additionally, guests can find a massage service or spa within the hotel, and karaoke facilities are also mentioned as available.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on room comfort and cleanliness is varied but generally positive. Rooms are frequently described as spacious and comfortable, with many appreciating the large beds and quality pillows that ensure a restful sleep. However, opinions on cleanliness are mixed; while some find rooms very clean, others report issues such as hair in corners, stains on carpets, or a musty smell. The air conditioning system receives mixed reviews, with some guests finding it insufficient or not cold enough, particularly at night. The television functionality is inconsistent, with reports of blurry channels or non-working remotes. Similarly, the mini-fridges are often noted as not functioning or not being cold. Noise levels from the street or hallways can sometimes be an issue, though some rooms are described as quiet. Bathrooms are generally clean, but some guests experienced low water pressure or broken showers.

Dining & Food Quality
Feedback on the hotel's dining options, particularly breakfast, is quite mixed. Many guests find the breakfast to be good, offering a decent variety of choices, and some describe it as delicious and satisfying. However, a significant number of reviews express disappointment, characterizing the food quality as bland, underwhelming, or limited, especially for a hotel of its supposed star rating. Specific criticisms include the presence of instant coffee, stale bread, and incomplete food sets, with some guests noting the absence of an omelet station or sufficient egg variety. While the dining area often provides a pleasant view of the swimming pool, the overall consensus suggests that for a more authentic or diverse culinary experience, tourists might prefer to explore nearby local eateries.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is a significant advantage for many travelers, particularly due to its proximity to the airport, making it an excellent choice for those with early flights or layovers. While it is conveniently situated on a main road, providing easy access, it is noted to be a bit far from the city center, typically requiring a ride-sharing service like Grab or a taxi to reach downtown attractions. However, guests appreciate the immediate surroundings, which offer great convenience with numerous eateries, a hypermarket, and a 7-Eleven all within walking distance. The hotel also provides a pre-booked shuttle service to the city center for a fee, adding to accessibility. Parking is available in the adjacent mall, though it incurs a fee per entry.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high praise, being a standout positive aspect of many guest experiences. Reviewers frequently commend the team for their friendliness, helpfulness, and politeness, noting their attentive and accommodating nature. The check-in and check-out processes are generally described as smooth, quick, and easy, contributing to a positive first and last impression. Guests appreciate the staff's willingness to assist with requests, from providing extra towels to addressing room issues, though some minor maintenance problems are occasionally reported as not being fixed promptly. The overall attentive service provided by various departments, including housekeeping and reception, is a recurring theme, highlighting a strong commitment to guest satisfaction.

Additional Information
A recurring observation among guests is that while the hotel offers good value, it appears to be an older property, with some areas showing signs of age and wear, such as dingy carpets in hallways or rooms. Despite this, many reviews emphasize that the hotel is generally clean and well-maintained. A significant point of feedback concerns the parking policy: while ample parking is available in the adjacent mall, guests are required to pay a fee per entry, which some find inconvenient and believe should be complimentary for hotel residents. This detail is important for guests planning to drive. Overall, the hotel provides a functional and comfortable stay, with its age being a noticeable characteristic that does not always detract from the positive aspects of service and convenience.