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-   -   Hyatt Regency Kota Kinabalu - REVIEW - MASTER THREAD (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt-world-hyatt/341728-hyatt-regency-kota-kinabalu-review-master-thread.html)

snorkmaster Jul 30, 2004 9:53 am

Hyatt Regency Kota Kinabalu - REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
 
Last comment was from about three years ago...any recent experiences?

Also -- I should be back on the Diamond bandwagon by then...have people had decent luck with recognition at the Malaysian Hyatts or should I just fork out the $10 more for Regency Club?

Thanks. :)

opushomes Mar 2, 2006 5:26 pm

update
 
Booked an ocean front conceirge floor room (non-smoking, king) since it was only slightly more than a normal room. Spent 2/23 and 2/24/06. Upon arrival at around 1500, room was not ready. Conceirge told me that it would not be ready until 1700. She tapped around on the computer and made a quick phone call and handed me the key card for room 540, certainly not on the conceirge floors since they are 12, 13 and 14. Clubroom is on 13.

Anyway, bellman and I make our way to 540. Hotel is U-shaped around an atrium. Elevators on one end of the "U" and 540 on the other end. We trudge all the way to the end of the third corridor. Certainly cannot get further from the elevator and finally reach a door with a sign next to it. Open the door and enter a living room with 1/2 bath off the entry. Bellman schleps the bags thru the living room, through the bedroom, makes a right hand turn and another to the walk-in closet and sets my 2 bags on the platform provided. Then shows me the bath, all marble, including tub and shower. Two sinks. Separate toilet room in marble with bidet and toilet. Now this is a "tanda". Fact is that this is larger than our master bedroom and bath and family room, and they are not small.

This certainly was a great upgrade for someone with no status at Hyatt. There was a glitch on my second night. I get back from rafting and take a shower. Ready for a nap and the phone rings, "we need your room now and will move you to one on the conceirge floor, now." This is pretty unusual that you get dumped from your room in the middle of the stay even if it is a hugely upgraded room. My experience is that once in a room, you stay there for the duration. It is also unusual to be told to move "Now!". So I explained that I was not dressed, was looking forward to a nap, and it would take a while to comply with the order. Person on phone said that they would call me to make key card arrangements. So, I start packing it all up including wet clothes and athletic shoes and get another call from reservations stating that I can come down to the front desk to get my new key. I suggest that that they send a bellman to help out and bring the key-I'll call them when I am ready. I call them a few minutes later and tell them I am ready. There is some confusion as to why I am calling so I have to explain that I am complying with their order.

The bellman arrives and loads up the luggage, dripping wet stuff and all. He even comments that water is dripping out of the laundry bags. As we are walking the long walk to the elevator, he tells me my new room is _ _12. Now I have walked the three corridors enough to realize that anything ending in 12 is a so-called city view, not the seaview reserved. So rather than going to the new room, bellman in tow we go to the club room. The same person who checked me in is working. I explain, calmly, quietly, that I reserved a seaview and certainly expect that. She states that all seaview rooms are now occupied on all three floors. A quick phone call is made and I am handed a new key card-for, of course room (suite 540).

Later, I go to the lobby to try to book an activity for my final day. The person who works at the desk in the lobby (it is a concession-not part of the Hyatt) is on their break. Actually they spend most of their time on break. As I am sitting in front of the desk waiting, a desk clerk had offered to find the offending concessionaire and had returned to tell me that they were on break, a very personable, competent member of the hotel staff approaches and starts a conversation. She essentially tells me that I can easily do what I want to do on my own for considerably less ringat. We move to another desk to discuss my plans and she hands me her card, "Sonja Peter, Front End Manager". I tell her the story of suite 540, which she does not find amusing. She is quite apologetic and without my suggestion thinks some serious staff retraining is in order.

Bottom line about this hotel is that it is excellent. It does compete with 2 Shangra La's. Staff are quick and handle problems with grace. Throw out all the extra space, does one person really need two tv's, 2 dvd's and 2 CD players plus all that marble, the bed was as good as any in a major chain. Duvet was a big plus. Good amenities, good maid service. Water bottles exchanged as they were used. Bellman did a good job and was apologetic about the screw up. Poor guy got to make the trudge twice with the dripping bags. Sonja is as good as any employee of any hotel that I have met in dealing with a problem. She even followed up the next day both on the move and on my excursion. Club room staff are good. Some of them are somewhat tentative in terms of service during the happy hour from 5-7 pm. Some quirks exist in terms of service but they are minor and are more amusing than irritating. Example, I drink diet coke (coke light in Malaysia) with ice. Each time I had one a dish with cubes was provided along with the can and a glass. After all this is a pretty small city in Borneo so I did not expect great service.

One negative laundry is outrageous, over $4 for a shirt and $5 for a pair of jeans.

The Hyatt KK is a pleasant find for about $65/night ++, Unfortunately, I never got to see a normal room to compare.

gregorygrady Mar 2, 2006 6:50 pm


Originally Posted by opushomes
Example, I drink diet coke (coke light in Malaysia) with ice. Each time I had one a dish with cubes was provided along with the can and a glass. After all this is a pretty small city in Borneo so I did not expect great service.

Many (if not most) people in Asia drink the soft drinks (and beers FWIW) warm. I know, it's gross and I hate it too, but that's probably the reason they gave you a dish of ice cubes along with your drink. Consider yourself lucky, they could have just given you a warm diet Coke.



Originally Posted by opushomes
Unfortunately, I never got to see a normal room to compare.

Come on, that's not THAT unfortunate now is it? ;)

GibSpmuh Mar 2, 2006 8:39 pm

Wow, that's quite an adventure you had at the Hyatt KK (I'll have to be sure to remember to request room 540 next time I stay :D ). I've stayed there a few times, and would definitely recommend paying the extra for a seaview room over a city view room (and the Regency Club is worth the extra US$10 as well in my view). The regular rooms are a decent size, generally well maintained too. Generally found the staff quite friendly and helpful too, not always the most polished, but usually quite genuine to assist. ^

Karen2 Mar 2, 2006 9:40 pm

Stay at Shangri-La instead. Much much nicer. No matter what Hyatt might do, it still has the pool just over a wall from the beach road. Town is nothing to write home. No ambiance at all. The Shangri-La near town is great - we upgraded to a concierge room for little money and had fabulous treatment.

MrAOK Mar 3, 2006 8:09 pm

I'm debating between the Hyatt, the jesselton and the brand new Meridian for my stay next week.

asiarooms and some other sites are discounting the hyatt, offering room with breakfast for less that hyatt offers for room alone. And the new Meridian is offering rooms for about the same price as the hyatt

opushomes Mar 4, 2006 2:07 am

just a short follow-up
 
I had some trepidation about booking the KK Hyatt, because I am aware that the JB Hyatt is pretty much of a pit. I considered to the two Shangra-La's but rejected them because they were significantly more expensive and the Rasa Ria is more than 30 minutes from town. The little that I saw of the Rasa Ria-lobby, grounds and pool, said that if I were with my wife, I would stay there. Reminded me, somewhat, of the J.W. Marriott-Phuket, our favorite hotel in the world.

I also wanted to be in town because of choice of restaurants and quick access to necessities if I ran low. Also thought I'd find laundry less expensive at the Hyatt since this was a planned laundry location after having one night consecutive stays at Hilton Batang Ai, Miri Marriott, Labuan Sheraton, and the awful Jubilee Hotel in Brunei.

The Club floor has light snacks from 6-8 p.m. and breakfast (certainly lacking compared to most South East Asian hotels in the same category). Alcohol and beer are available complimentary during the evening happy hour.

The conceirge recommended a seafood restaurant-Portview (the one in walking distance) which is Chinese. Excellent recommendation, choose your own live seafood and they prepare it how you want. 3 of us had' as memory serves, 1 kilo of steamed clams with garlic, two black crabs in sweet and sour sauce, 4 soft shell crabs (one kilo) deep fried with garlic, one 600 gram sea bass, rice and one order of bak choy with garlic-sense some sort of theme here. Never did see a werewolf in KK. The bill came to 180 ringat. The service was great and the place was packed at 8:30 p.m. (It has two large dinning rooms). The girls changed plates when they were full of discards and service for a casual place was close to impeccable (and prompt). We asked if service was included (I believe 5% was the number) so we decided to leave some extra for the 2 servers. What followed was a whispered conversation that we should hide the tip rather than leave it on the table because the proprieter did not like tips (or maybe grabbed them for himself). So while the girls observed, we lifted the napkin container and left the bills under it. They seemed delighted that we would think of them.

Edited to add: the coke light was served cold. They would normally ask if I would like ice.

meremale Jun 15, 2007 12:32 am


Originally Posted by MrAOK (Post 5410476)
I'm debating between the Hyatt, the jesselton and the brand new Meridian for my stay next week.

asiarooms and some other sites are discounting the hyatt, offering room with breakfast for less that hyatt offers for room alone. And the new Meridian is offering rooms for about the same price as the hyatt

In my bias opinion, I would highly recommend the Le Meridien KK. (I've not stayed in the Hyatt KK though). Especially if you are SPG Plat., I was upgraded to a deluxe suite :D The view from the Club lounge is fantastic. The sunset seaview is breathtaking. It's also located closer to the Broadwalk restaurants, shopping centres and Philippino markets.

opushomes Jun 15, 2007 1:02 am

Having stayed at both the Hyatt and Le Meridien, I recommend the Le Meridien since it is almost new, modern, good staff. I was happy with the Hyatt, but LM has it beat.

crystak Feb 3, 2010 5:11 am

I'm planning a trip to Malaysia and I will probably stay at one of the two Hyatts. Any recent experiences here?

The rates seem really low for August and rooms kind of basic. What room do diamonds get upgraded to? What about if I were to use the suite upgrade?

LRD Jan 2, 2011 12:42 am

I booked a point-redemption reservation for the post-Christmas week. As the date approached, I received an email:


With reference to your upcoming stay with us, we would like to provide you with an update on the hotel’s room renovations. Hyatt Regency Kinabalu has completed its multi-million-ringgit guestroom renovation and is now proud to accommodate valued guests in brand new rooms, fitted with modern conveniences and featuring a contemporary interior design that complements the tropics. The swimming pool upgrade is almost complete, with the new pool scheduled to reopen by the end of January 2011.
Well, I don't know what the rooms looked like prior to the renovation, but my city-view, Club-floor room was stylish, spacious, and very comfortable. Floors are bare, except for carpeting extending a couple of feet from the bed, and the wash basin is built onto an island separating the sleeping area from the shower/bath and toilet.

My king bed was perfect; just the right firmness and topped with quality linens. There's also a couchette near the large windows.

The large, flat-screen LG television was properly nestled into a wall-recess; about twenty channels on tap. A DVD player was also available. Nearby was a panel to accept connections from other electronic components, similar to the one found at most Hyatt Places.

When I presented my Diamond card at check-in, the Director of Rooms was summoned; he welcomed me and escorted me to the Club Lounge to complete my check-in.

The Lounge now serves cocktails from 1700-1900. There were always two hot food items, plus a tureen of soup/stew. Food selection/variety was good and promptly replenished when supplies ran low. Staff did an excellent job tending to guests and keeping the tables cleared.

There are two PCs available in the Lounge. When both were in use, I had no problem finding an open PC in the ground-floor business center.

In my estimation, this is one of the better Regency locations I have visited.

Taipei May 25, 2011 2:05 pm

Any updated info on car parking costs (if any) and any airport transport?


Originally Posted by LRD (Post 15564456)
I booked a point-redemption reservation for the post-Christmas week. As the date approached, I received an email:



Well, I don't know what the rooms looked like prior to the renovation, but my city-view, Club-floor room was stylish, spacious, and very comfortable. Floors are bare, except for carpeting extending a couple of feet from the bed, and the wash basin is built onto an island separating the sleeping area from the shower/bath and toilet.

My king bed was perfect; just the right firmness and topped with quality linens. There's also a couchette near the large windows.

The large, flat-screen LG television was properly nestled into a wall-recess; about twenty channels on tap. A DVD player was also available. Nearby was a panel to accept connections from other electronic components, similar to the one found at most Hyatt Places.

When I presented my Diamond card at check-in, the Director of Rooms was summoned; he welcomed me and escorted me to the Club Lounge to complete my check-in.

The Lounge now serves cocktails from 1700-1900. There were always two hot food items, plus a tureen of soup/stew. Food selection/variety was good and promptly replenished when supplies ran low. Staff did an excellent job tending to guests and keeping the tables cleared.

There are two PCs available in the Lounge. When both were in use, I had no problem finding an open PC in the ground-floor business center.

In my estimation, this is one of the better Regency locations I have visited.


rhu171 May 27, 2011 12:27 pm


Originally Posted by Taipei (Post 16449285)
Any updated info on airport transport?

The hotel has an airport transfer option for RM48 each way. The car advertised is a Proton sedan but in my experience, it was not the case. Not that it mattered though. This airport transfer service is outsourced to a local travel agency.

I had a bad stay early last month. The hotel looked rundown from outside, and felt dated and very tired inside. Even though it was recently renovated, it didn't feel fresh at all and the workmanship is quite shoddy.

Staff is polite, as in most Asian properties, some are friendly, and some are just borderline clueless and incompetent.

Not going back anytime soon for sure.

inlandrev Aug 11, 2011 12:41 pm


Originally Posted by rhu171 (Post 16460873)
The hotel has an airport transfer option for RM48 each way. The car advertised is a Proton sedan but in my experience, it was not the case. Not that it mattered though. This airport transfer service is outsourced to a local travel agency.

I had a bad stay early last month. The hotel looked rundown from outside, and felt dated and very tired inside. Even though it was recently renovated, it didn't feel fresh at all and the workmanship is quite shoddy.

Staff is polite, as in most Asian properties, some are friendly, and some are just borderline clueless and incompetent.

Not going back anytime soon for sure.

I was there this past weekend, and had a nice stay. The hotel building is old, and outside looks old, inside (rooms) are nice and modern. Its in the center of town (the older part of town), near some small cafes and restaurants good for local food, had one room facing the bars on one side ( 3 sides, city view/ocean view/ and partial ocean-city view (the ones facing the bars) are a little bit more noise. For us, it was nice to visit night marketing and other city items durning the day, and sightsee outside of the town durning the day.

54austin Jul 17, 2013 7:08 pm

Diamond and/or club-level amenities
 
I have a two-night stay there in a few months and am wondering what the Diamond and club-level amenities are. Particularly curious about the evening drinks/hors d'ouevres. Thanks.


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