Sabah Oriental Hotel

The hotel presents a distinctive, albeit aged, character with its classic, tropical wooden furniture and spacious rooms, making it a memorable stay for many. Its swimming pool is a notable feature, particularly appealing to families seeking leisure. While guests frequently observe the hotel's older infrastructure, they often commend its consistent cleanliness and overall comfort. However, a recurring concern revolves around the air conditioning, which many report as insufficient or malfunctioning, impacting sleep quality. Despite these facility challenges, the staff's friendliness and helpfulness consistently receive high praise, contributing significantly to a positive guest experience. The hotel's strategic location is generally appreciated, offering convenient access to various points of interest. This makes it a suitable choice for budget-conscious travelers and those on short stays primarily for functions or quick visits. To ensure a more comfortable stay, guests are advised to proactively inquire about the air conditioning functionality upon check-in and confirm the availability of essential in-room amenities, as these are frequently noted as missing.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of facilities, though their condition varies. The swimming pool is a popular amenity, particularly enjoyed by families and often noted for its cleanliness, providing a refreshing escape. Guests also benefit from free Wi-Fi, although its reliability and speed within individual rooms are frequently reported as poor, making internet access challenging. While parking is available and often described as easy to use, some guests note it may incur a daily fee. A significant and widespread issue concerns the air conditioning, which many reviews describe as ineffective, not cooling rooms sufficiently, or being entirely broken, leading to uncomfortable stays. In-room amenities are often lacking, with guests frequently needing to request items such as irons, kettles, and hairdryers. Furthermore, the TVs are often cited as old, having limited channels, or lacking functional remotes, while some electrical sockets are also reported as non-functional. The gym and sauna facilities are mentioned as needing significant improvement, with equipment often out of order.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms to be clean and spacious, providing a comfortable base for their stay, with many appreciating the comfortable beds and the overall quietness of the rooms. However, the age of the hotel is evident in the room's condition, with many describing them as outdated and in need of renovation. Recurring issues include broken bathtubs lacking stoppers, moldy shower curtains, and moldy bathtubs, which detract from the bathroom's appeal. Some guests have reported dusty cupboards, spider webs, and stained or holed bed sheets, indicating a need for more thorough cleaning in certain areas. Essential toiletries like toothbrushes and toothpaste are often not provided, and a common complaint is the absence of bath towels and floor mats upon arrival, requiring guests to request them. When provided, towels are sometimes described as old, torn, or musky. Other reported inconveniences include poor water pressure, non-functional safety door locks, and occasional ceiling leaks, contributing to a less than ideal room experience for some.

Dining & Food Quality
Feedback on the hotel's dining options is notably mixed. Many guests praise the breakfast for its variety and delicious offerings, with some highlighting the extensive choices available, particularly during special events like the Ramadhan buffet. The overall quality of the food served in the restaurant is often commended. However, a significant number of reviews express dissatisfaction with the breakfast service, noting that food items are often not refilled promptly, leading to empty serving dishes, especially if dining later in the morning. Some guests found the breakfast menu to be repetitive, lacking daily changes, and observed a limited selection of Western options. Specific complaints include the use of poor quality ingredients, such as stale bread, and the provision of weak cordial instead of fresh juice, alongside 3-in-1 coffee. Instances of staff reluctance to refill food and a perceived lack of attentiveness from kitchen staff during breakfast hours have also been reported, impacting the overall dining experience for some.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is a significant advantage, placing guests within easy reach of various city attractions and amenities. Many reviews highlight its strategic position, making it convenient for exploring the city, with popular areas like the Waterfront and CenterPoint Mall within walking distance. Its proximity to a bus station and the ease of securing ride-sharing services like Grab further enhance accessibility to other parts of the city. While some guests find the immediate surrounding area to be less vibrant, the hotel is generally considered a good base for those attending functions or needing a quiet place to rest after exploring. Parking is available on-site and is often described as easy to use, with some guests noting it is free, though others mention a small daily fee. Despite its central setting, a few guests felt it was a bit far from the city's more "happening" areas, suggesting that a short ride might be necessary to reach certain popular spots like a major shopping center.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and politeness, significantly contributing to a positive guest experience. Many reviews commend the staff for being attentive and efficient, particularly during the check-in process, which is often described as quick and smooth. Guests appreciate the staff's willingness to accommodate requests and provide clear information, making them feel welcomed and comfortable. Housekeeping staff are also noted for being responsive when called upon, ensuring rooms are cleaned and maintained. However, some guests have reported instances of slow check-in times, with waits extending up to 40 minutes, and occasional delays in room service or housekeeping response. While the majority of interactions are positive, a few isolated comments mention perceived poor service or a lack of attentiveness from specific staff members, such as a chef or a receptionist. Overall, the dedication of the staff to providing good service is a recurring theme, often compensating for other hotel shortcomings.

Additional Information
This hotel offers several specific features and policies that guests should be aware of. For families, the availability of connecting rooms upon request is a convenient option. Guests have noted a strict early check-in policy, which may not always be accommodated. While luggage storage is available, some guests initially faced difficulties, though issues were resolved. The hotel is designed with wheelchair accessibility in mind, particularly with easy ramp access to the lobby. Some guests have reported corridor music being audible from their rooms, but staff are responsive to requests to turn it off after certain hours. There have been instances where the hotel did not have guest bookings on file, leading to prolonged check-in procedures. During specific festive periods, such as Chinese New Year, the hotel has hosted unique events like a Lion dance. Despite the hotel's self-proclaimed star rating, some guests feel it struggles to meet the standards typically associated with that classification, often perceiving it as an older property in need of significant updates.