Kimkim Trip Reviews for Malaysia

I was not apart of the planning process. so I really can’t speak to that. Our schedule and guides were absolutely wonderful! Out Kim Kim contact, was very quick to answer any questions I had. There were a few days that the heat indices was so high that we had to cut activities short. This was all handled with ease. Fantastic company to work with!

Our Aur Island stay was not in the nice rooms but in a very basic old, shower in front of the toilet, run down room. Others of our group had very nice rooms and nice bathrooms. We paid the same as they did. That's not fair and we had no choice. We also spent two days of travel for one day of snorkeling there. Not sure i would do that again. The staff was very accommodating and fun.

One of our busses had no shocks and made for a very uncomfortable ride if you rode in the back. Otherwise, the transportation was good.

Most of our hotels were nice. We were unprepared for the heat and humidity. Our local guides were very good but they needed headphones so we could all hear.

Aur Island was a very unique accommodation and experience. They were so warm and welcoming and the snorkeling was fantastic.
We loved Kuching. What a charming city and Amen was a fabulous guide

Op Our rotary group has used Kim Kim for many trips. As a group we get frustrated with the preplanning communications of individual travelers with Kim Kim. Any communications get dinged to all other travelers. Paying deposits and balances individually and not as a group is cumbersome.

I was not the trip lead for this trip so was not the person doing all the communications with Nick but I feel he did a great job from what I know.

Hotel Reviews

Verdant Hill Hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Rock Resort

Aur Island

Many in our group had spectacular rooms with extra bathrooms. We were 4 senior women who were put into a bunk room for 8 without a bathroom and told we needed to use the bathroom down the path. Really???? We were then moved to another room that smelled of waste and were told we were going to be charged more. After discussion we’re not charged more but would rate that experience as poor.

Authenticity & Character

Location

It is great as a dive resort. We were not divers

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Already discussed

Waterfront Hotel

Kuching

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Grandis Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu

Authenticity & Character

Location

K

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Del Rio Hotel Melaka

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Kuala Lumpur Walking City Tour

Kuala Lumpur

Would have liked more tasting as part of the tour

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kuching City Tour

Kuching

The Kuching City Tour was excellent, especially with our guide Jason who was fabulous and really made the experience enjoyable. The tour was well organized and informative, and having a knowledgeable guide made a big difference.

Kuala Selangor Fireflies Cruise & Dinner

Kuala Lumpur

The Kuala Selangor Fireflies Cruise & Dinner was a unique experience, but it was a long way to go for it. The dinner at the seafood restaurant before the cruise was just okay, not very thrilling. The firefly viewing itself was interesting, but overall, it felt like a bit of a stretch for the time and effort involved.

Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Springs

Malaysia

The Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Springs activity was great. We enjoyed the hot springs, and some of us paid extra for a separate walk into the rainforest to see waterfalls, which was a wonderful addition. This was a highlight of the trip and something I would definitely recommend.

Coral Island & Snorkeling Excursion

Kota Kinabalu

The Coral Island & Snorkeling Excursion was disappointing. The snorkeling was not good, with one island being nice but the second island very touristy and trashy. It was nice to be out in the water, but the activity felt a bit like a tourist trap, and I would have skipped it if I had known.

Jason, Joe and Vincent were great!

Hotel Reviews

Verdant Hill Hotel

Great location, close to restaurants. Beds very comfortable and staff were all great. Pool was very nice too.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Rock Resort

Aur Island

Beds were unique…3 levels, but the most comfortable of all the hotels we visited. Meals were just ok at best but final outdoor barbecue was excellent. Snorkeling trip was great. I guess the best way to describe the facility would be primitive or rustic.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Waterfront Hotel

Kuching

The view was fabulous. Also the location was great. Close to many restaurants and the shopping was the best of all the locations. The breakfasts were also great. All in all this was a truly 5 star hotel. Loved it!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Grandis Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu

This was basically a very fine hotel in a very busy city. There were very nice restaurants nearby and shopping but the traffic was unbelievable. The breakfasts were very good. The hotel was great but the city was huge.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Del Rio Hotel Melaka

Absolutely a beautiful luxurious hotel. Everything about it was beauty with all the amenities. The breakfasts were fabulous and everything was within walking distance! It was definitely a 5 star hotel. Oh, the infinity pool was great too.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Kuala Lumpur Walking City Tour

Kuala Lumpur

Tour was very informative . My only complaint was that we were promised a bit of shopping time in Chinatown and there was none. The bit of food tasting was blah and could have been eliminated in my opinion. But the tour itself was really good.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Comfortable modern van and great drivers in challenging traffic!

Kuala Selangor Fireflies Cruise & Dinner

Kuala Lumpur

Both were good and interesting. Loved the brief stop at the lighthouse and all the monkeys.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kuching City Tour

Kuching

Great overview of city. I learned quite about the ethnic groups of Malaysia and its geography.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wet Market & Anah Rais Longhouse with Cooking Class

Kuching

This was a very interesting tour. The wet market we saw the local fruits and vegetables. I saw foods I have never seen before. The longhouse was very interesting communal living arrangement. The cooking class was fun and the food was very good. Aman, our tour guide was fabulous.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Aman explained so much

Transport

Semenggoh Orangutan, Lunch & Sarawak Cultural Village

Kuching

Again, a great tour. Our tour guide explained many of the sights on the ride to the exhibits.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Aman was the best of our guides!

Transport

Coral Island & Snorkeling Excursion

Kota Kinabalu

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Springs

Malaysia

This was interesting and we saw new and different parts of the countryside. But the transport was terrible! The shocks on the van were gone and the ride was very uncomfortable. All our backs were truly bounced around and shaken.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My impression of the kimkim website and the way they handle private information such as passport numbers, and other identifying pieces of information is poor. Secondly, I did not find Nick to be reachable through much of the planning process, and he did not follow through with promised links for payment, corrections to information for reservations etc. in the timeframe he indicated he would do so, leaving us wondering if he were going to take care of it at all. This lack of communication led us to hold off on making flight reservations until we could be certain we were actually properly registered for the trip. At one point, we heard nothing from Nick for nearly three weeks. So the initial impression of kimkim 's and Nick's services were not highly favorable. However, the trip itself, the guides and drivers we encountered along the way, and the planned experiences were amazing. We agreed it was one of the best travel experiences we've had. The Malaysian people, the varied locations and planned experiences through islands, mountains, rainforests and cities had a lot to do with it! We are grateful for our travel pal, Aur, who visited Malaysia twice before to scope out the areas in order to plan a perfect experience for us. We will definitely be back, but we would not use kimkim's services again due to poor communication and inadequate measures for ensuring the privacy of personal identifying information.

Hotel Reviews

The Rock Resort

Aur Island

Offered all the best of island living. A wonderful retreat!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Waterfront Hotel

Kuching

AMAZING! Good location, beautiful accommodations, helpful staff and a robust breakfast bar that is beyond description!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Del Rio Hotel Melaka

Lovely location and accommodations.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Verdant Hill Hotel

Clean, comfortable, good location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Grandis Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Kuala Lumpur Walking City Tour

Kuala Lumpur

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Vincent was knowledgeable, interesting, and fun!

Transport

Van's are older, in disrepair. Air conditioning not great.

Kuala Selangor Fireflies Cruise & Dinner

Kuala Lumpur

Food was not very good. Cruise itself was not spectacular, the water was very dirty, and the area was very sketchy.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kuching City Tour

Kuching

Amen was a terrific guide, very knowledgable and humorous. We enjoyed spending the day with him.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Semenggoh Orangutan, Lunch & Sarawak Cultural Village

Kuching

It was a very short experiences, and felt more like a visit to the zoo.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coral Island & Snorkeling Excursion

Kota Kinabalu

Very dirty water. Couldn't snorkel in coral areas due to this being planned at low tide.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Springs

Malaysia

A climbing event had been planned for the same day, so we diverted to the hot springs first. The botanical gardens were nice, but the hot springs were more like sitting in a hot tub at a cheap hotel. By the time we were able to go back to the mountain, we could barely see it, as significant fog settled in, and we had very little time to enjoy the experience. This was one of the primary activities I had really been looking forward to, so it was a bit of a let down. Zee, our guide, was fabulous however.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Logistics worked very well. The vans were a bit small for the number of people so that could have been improved. The tour people in Kuala Lumpur and Kuching were superior

Nick did a fabulous job to curating the perfect itinerary for my teen son and me. I shared our likes and dislikes and he built a plan that met our ideas and our budget. He and his team were attentive and communicative throughout our holiday. I highly recommend them and seeing Borneo!

Nick was very responsive and did a great job providing us with an itinerary and multiple options as we changed our dates. He landed us in solid places and we had a wonderful trip! The only bit of feedback is that it took a few days after we paid/confirmed for the final bookings to get made which made me a little nervous.

Hotel Review

MY Nature Resort

Sandakan

Wonderful place, the flying squirrel demo and tours were fantastic!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Kinabalu Park Hiking

Kundasang

Our guide was wonderful and flexible - she adjusted the plans based on our preferences. She was knowledgable and warm. We had a great time!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We have now used KimKim for multiple trips and Malaysia was no different — absolutely seamless from start to finish. Every detail was taken care of before we even had to think about it. Accommodation, transfers, tours — all perfectly arranged, all exactly as promised.
What KimKim does better than anyone is remove the stress from travel entirely. There is no scrambling, no uncertainty, no moment where you wonder if something will go wrong. Everything just works. You arrive, you enjoy, you trust the process — because they have never once given us a reason not to.
Our Malaysia trip was everything we hoped for, and a big part of that is because the foundation was so well laid. When your logistics are this reliable, you are free to be fully present and actually experience the place you are in.
We will not use anyone else. KimKim has our complete loyalty — and our highest recommendation to anyone looking for a travel partner they can truly count on.

Shona did a great job setting us up with some fantastic private guides through all of our stops in Malaysia. We believe excellent private guides are the single most important factor in having a memorable trip.. Shona also
made sure that our hotel bookings were set up in time, that our tours covered the places that we most wanted to see, and that the trip went off almost completely seamlessly. Even when there was one small pick hiccup, she made sure that the issue was addressed and the local tour guide was notified of the issue. So, this is our second trip planned with Shona, and we would highly recommend her to anyone else who is planning a trip to Japan or any of the surrounding Asian countries, like Malaysia. Thank you, Shona!

Trying to capture the trip Nick so thoughtfully stitched together for us is no easy task—I’ve honestly been putting this off because I wasn’t sure I could do it justice.

My aunt and I began our journey with a challenging jungle trek that pushed us far beyond our comfort zones. We navigated slippery boulders, heavy rain, deep mud, and dense greenery where the trail often seemed to disappear entirely. It tested us physically, but also left us with a deep sense of accomplishment and confidence. We climbed over landslides by swinging from trees, crossed broken bridges, endured relentless leech encounters, and—however slowly—proved to ourselves that we could do it. Along the way, we formed meaningful connections with our guides and hosts, who cooked for us, shared stories, and made the experience so so special.

To everyone’s surprise (especially our own), we completed the through-hike and continued on to stay with a local family in Sabah. Easter and her family welcomed us with extraordinary warmth, as did every host we met throughout the trip. We were invited into their lives in such a genuine way—through shared meals, conversations, music, and traditions. They taught us local dances and songs played on gongs passed down through generations, and showed us what true community looks like. We learned to bake rolls, fry fish, experiment with new ingredients, and even how to properly enjoy eggs—with white pepper and soy sauce. These moments of cultural exchange are something we’ll carry with us forever.

From there, we explored local markets before heading to the Kinabatangan River. The lodge Nick chose for us was perfect—well-organized, welcoming, and run by an incredibly knowledgeable team. Every river cruise ran seamlessly, and we only wished we had stayed longer. Seeing wildlife in that setting felt almost surreal—the night walks, day treks, and boat rides were so magical. I've never seen stars so clearly. And watching wild elephants and orangutans moving freely in their natural habitat was one of those rare moments that hardly feels real, even as it’s happening.
(I took over 7,000 photos with my Nikon Z8 - which you can see @j_denmark)

Throughout the trip, every driver Nick arranged was punctual, kind, and went above and beyond to help us. Whether it was tracking down dry rice on the side of the road to help protect my damp camera or finding a local market where we could try tuak, their thoughtfulness never went unnoticed.

From a planning perspective, Nick was exceptional. He answered every question with patience, welcomed every idea, and helped refine our plans again and again—we must have reworked the itinerary half a dozen times or more. His insight and enthusiasm made the entire process feel collaborative and exciting, and in the end, he brought my vision to life in a way that exceeded every expectation. I look forward to using KimKim again one day, especially when trying to accomplish a lot into a brief trip.

I am incredibly grateful to Nick for creating such a meaningful, adventurous, and unforgettable experience for my aunt and I.

Long time but now is my review. Since I work also in tourism , for the trip I knew what I wanted to see and expérience for the time I had.
Loved the expérience. NICK was really fast responding while preparing the trip. Even if we are living on another continent. It was not as easy while I was on place. But the compagnies you work with are 👌.
NICK listened to my wish and needs and everything seemed possible!
Explinations of how the procedures of communication would be during the trip, would have help at first. But after Singapore, communication with Jason was easy!!
Driver/guides were pro!! We loved Joseph!!! And Vincent! Expérience shows 😊
Our drive from Singapore to Malaisia was long...the driver didnt realy speak english.
Very good driver but since the trip is 4h if we could have a conversation with him would have made it perfect.
A few things promise were not done. Exemple: meal at our last tour in Langkawe..
For us it's ok. But usuly not for the clients. That woul'int pass. Promise less and give more is a winner.
Thank you for everything and we will highly recommand your business!

Overall the trip was good in that it combined hiking and biking, as well as some beach time at the end. The Bike Borneo guys (Christian & Hakeem) were great and they had sorted out some nice bike routes and a nice homestay.
The 3 day hike with Rosli (and Andy and Jackie who were friendly but I'm not sure why they were there) was not what we expected. It would have been best characterized as a 3 day hike where we camp in villages on wood floors and have outdoor squat toilets rather than being described as homestays. The "homestays" were much more primitive than any of our other homestays in Borneo (which had mattresses and indoor flush toilets). If we knew we'd be sleeping on wood floors we would have brought or requested padded sleeping mats. The trails were narrow and slippery with many creek crossings and the leeches were incredibly numerous. We ended up walking out on a dirt road on the third day which made for better travelling but it cost us an extra 250 ringitt for the transport out.

I was very satisfied with my kimkim experience. It's the initial ease off set up through an application but then with the human touch of an old school travel agent. Nick was well and formed and I felt safe trusting his judgment. My time was allocated very sensibly and the two places I stayed at were very well chosen.

Green Sawak was incredibly professionally run - their systems were so efficient. The room I stayed in was great value, clean, cute, well air-conditioned and with a nice hot shower. Also such a comfortable arm chair that I feel asleep on the second afternoon and missed the cultural talk!

I will say that there is a certain amount of luck with the guides. I was fortunate to be in a group led by Ikki - high energy, very funny, very informed, good English. On my last morning I took an optional cruise (NOTE: make sure to book early, they will not try to upsell, you must speak to reception), and the guide was much less involved and informed.

We saw elephants, crocodiles, monkeys, eagles, hornbills.... It was very successful.

The second stay at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort, I chose to just do things by myself. The first day I saw the sun bears and orangutans (arrive at 2pm!). The second day I spent the entire day in the Rainforest Discovery Centre. The BSRR is just 2-3 minutes drive from all these attractions, and they had a little car they took me back and forth in - 1 EUR per journey. BSRR is beautiful with lovely flowers and good food.

I could have fine -tuned any of the parameters of this trip, but letting the experts do all the research worked really well. All I had to do was arrive at Sandakan airport with my cameras and the rest just happened.

Thanks kimkim and Nick for a brilliant trip.

My experience with Kim Kim and their representatives in Borneo was outstanding. I randomly chose this agency after reading a few reviews and feel very fortunate for this decision. Working with Nick was easy. He is based in Sarawak, although Kim Kim head office is in Colorado, USA. Nick was quick to respond and made changes based on our needs. We booked a private tour with Kim Kim and we got great service, accommodations, food etc. Our itinerary took us to Brunei and then Miri, Mulu and Kuching in Sarawak. Our guides, Willy, Brenda and especially Isa in Kuching, were engaging and informative. We did a lot of hikes in extremely hot and humid conditions in the national parks, so be prepared for this. My husband and I are in our mid 60s and not in top physical form but we managed most of it, but slowly. The caves in Miri and Mulu were exceptional and well worth this effort. We based in Kuching for three nights but in hindsight, I wish I had one more day there, as I didn’t see as much of the city as I would have liked. From Kuching, we drove to Bako National Park and Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, where we saw orangutans, proboscis monkeys, macaques, silver-leaf monkeys, bearded pigs, pit vipers and more. It was incredible. On a river cruise at sunset, we saw a massive saltwater crocodile, monkeys, many birds like the sea eagle and then fireflies. The latter was absolutely magical. For those deciding Sarawak over Sabah, we chose Sarawak due to warnings issued by the Canadian government for Sabah. We met other travellers who had been to Sabah and said it was fine but I was concerned and therefore extra cautious. We missed out on the sun bears but otherwise felt that we got the better experience. It wasn’t crowded in September and for the most part, we didn’t get much rain. Overall, we had an incredible visit in Borneo and would highly recommend taking a tour with Kim Kim and seeing this stunning region.

Our 13-day Peninsular Malaysia Explorer trip exceeded all expectations! From the moment we landed in Kuala Lumpur to our final departure from Langkawi, every detail was perfectly orchestrated.
Exceptional Service from Nick
Our local specialist Nick deserves special recognition. His expertise and attention to detail made this trip absolutely seamless. Having studied tourism in The Netherlands before moving to Malaysia, Nick brings a unique perspective that perfectly bridges Western expectations with authentic Malaysian experiences. His passion for sharing the beauty of his adopted country was evident in every aspect of our journey.
Incredible Itinerary Highlights
Taman Negara - The ancient rainforest experience was magical! The night walk revealed nocturnal wildlife we never would have seen otherwise, and the canopy walk offered breathtaking views. The Teresek Hill hike and Lata Berkoh boat trip were perfectly balanced between adventure and relaxation.
Cameron Highlands - The cool mountain air was a refreshing change. The Mossy Forest felt like stepping into another world, and the BOH Tea Plantation visit was both educational and delicious. Nick’s selection of activities here was spot-on.
Penang - Georgetown’s cycling tour was a brilliant way to explore the UNESCO heritage sites! Seeing the famous street art, experiencing traditional trades, and tasting authentic hawker food like Assam Laksa and Char Koay Teow made for an unforgettable cultural immersion.
Langkawi - The perfect finale to our trip! The mangrove kayak tour was serene and educational, and having a full free day allowed us to truly unwind on the beautiful beaches.
Flawless Logistics
Every transfer was punctual and comfortable. The local suppliers (Mr. Rizal, Mr. Jason, Mr. Ken, and Mr. Alex) were all professional and knowledgeable. The coordination between different regions was seamless - no stress, just pure enjoyment.
Why We Recommend KimKim & Nick
• Expertise: Nick’s deep knowledge of Malaysia shines through in every recommendation
• Organization: Every detail was handled professionally, from hotel transfers to activity timings
• Value: The perfect balance of must-see attractions and authentic local experiences
• Communication: Clear instructions and reliable local contacts throughout
• Flexibility: The itinerary offered both structured activities and free time to explore
This trip showcased Malaysia’s incredible diversity - from pristine rainforests to colonial heritage, from tea plantations to tropical islands. Nick and the KimKim team created memories that will last a lifetime.
Highly recommended for anyone wanting an authentic, well-organized Malaysian adventure!
Thank you, Nick and KimKim, for making our Malaysian dream trip a reality!

Activity Review

Night Walk at Taman Negara

Taman Negara

Taman Negara - The ancient rainforest experience was magical! The night walk revealed nocturnal wildlife we never would have seen otherwise, thanks to our guide Abi, how showed us spiders, snake, scorpion, fliurescerend mushrooms and lold us funny stories.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Abi as taking care of all the group, waited the other guide to finish and continued with us

Transport

by boat to the jungle

Our local specialist was Nick Jansen in Kuching, Sarawak. In a word, Nick is fantastic! He is with the tour operator, Borneo Transverse, and has extensive experience booking trips in all parts of Malaysia and was able to easily understand the trip we wanted to undertake, and provide a trip plan a couple days later. This was quite a challenge, because he had to accommodate the 14 people in our group into the rather small rainforest lodges we wanted to visit. His initial trip plan was very close to what we ended up with. After some conversations and adjustments, we finalized the trip plan less than a week later. Nick quickly set up a system for each couple to make their own payments. A couple of months before the trip we had to make some adjustments in our traveling group members. Nick was able to sort this out in a very satisfactory way.

The main thing that I want to say, is Nick and Borneo Transverse came through 100%. Everything that was specified in the trip plan was provided exactly as specified. We were a large group, and had plenty of luggage, so it was so nice to be confident that at each location we would be met with friendly personnel, who were able to get us to our destination easily. The hotels and the rainforest lodges all provided excellent accommodation. Our time on Lankayan Island was amazing.

Unfortunately, one of our team members suffered a serious medical emergency during the trip. This was rather frightening since we were at a remote location far from medical infrastructure. However, Nick and his staff and Sarawak staff were able to make appropriate arrangements, as well as to provide on-the-ground personal assistance.

Overall, I would have to say it was the trip of a lifetime. It was an expensive trip, but we felt we got full value for what we paid. If you ever go to Malaysia, especially, if you are traveling to Borneo, make sure Nick Jansen is making your trip arrangements. He is the best.

***NOTE***
This paragraph provides comments to the kimkim staff at kimkim headquarters. This was my fifth trip with kimkim and was surprised at how poorly our request was initially handled. Our trip request was misinterpreted to be a partial itinerary. My initial text/chat to clarify was ignored. After the five minute initial call with the kimkim team member, it took over a week to be assigned a local specialist. I got bounced around a with a couple of different people, and only got assigned to a local specialist after making a direct telephone call to kimkim headquarters.

Hotel Reviews

Casa Del Rio Hotel Melaka

Milaca is an interesting location, absolutely full of history. The Casa Del Rio Hotel has a perfect location to learn the history. The rooms are quite nice, but have some stairs leading into the bathrooms. Can be quite dangerous to navigate at night in the dark. Recommend some Night lights.

Authenticity & Character

An older property that fits in well with his location.

Location

Very central location to start from for historical walks.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Grandis Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu

Nice hotel of fairly standard quality. Amazingly located and connected to a shopping mall. Everything could be found at this mall. We had fun checking out Malaysian KFC.

Authenticity & Character

“OK, but of fairly standard character. No special features with regard to authenticity.

Location

Perfect location adjacent to the historical quarter, shopping mall, seafood restaurants and night markets.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Danum Valley Rainforest Resort

Lahad Datu

This is the real thing. Not easy to get to, but extremely worthwhile. A rare opportunity to see unspoiled nature. The rooms are comfortable when the food is good. He had extremely qualified nature guides, Helen and Alex. We saw nature up close and personal. Lots of monkeys.

Authenticity & Character

This is the real thing. Architecturally fits in well with the rainforest.

Location

In the heart of primary rainforest. Untouched by loggers and far from palm oil plantations.

Staff

Full board, and the food was really good.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Walking City Tour Melaka

Melaka

So interesting to learn about the complicated and varied history of Melaka.

Kuala Lumpur City Tour & Batu Caves

Kuala Lumpur

A lot packed into a short amount of time, and an excellent introduction to KL.

Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Springs

Malaysia

A long day, but really amazing. I have to say the Botanical Park, had the most amazing and varied selection of plants in a small area, absolutely authentic and we got to see Rafflesia. The canopy walkway was arduous, but interesting.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Zee was the best. She took so many pictures, and shared them with the group. Very knowledgeable!

The overall trip was wonderful, beautiful and amazing. The guides were good and connections and transfers went smoothly. Accommodations were great and food was super. Overall everything was well organized.
Here are a few thoughts, my personal opinion:
A better list of what to bring for the Rainforest Resort would have been helpful. We needed long socks, long sleeved shirts and long pants. It would be a good idea for the resort to provide boots. It was very muddy and slippery. Utan Rainforest Lodge did provide boots.
The snorkel gear was not included in our stay as the information provided said.
Melaka was very interesting and I enjoyed the historical background, but it took a lot of time in transit.
I would leave out the day of the Heritage Walk and Trainride Adventure in Kota Kinabalu and substitute a day to walk around the waterfront, shops and markets.
The cooking class was great and the Kinabalu Park was great.

Hotel Review

Danum Valley Rainforest Resort

Lahad Datu

The rooms at the Danum Valley Rainforest Resort were absolutely gorgeous, and the service was good. The guides were knowledgeable and patient, providing an excellent experience. However, I felt underprepared for the jungle treks, as there were no boots or gators available to tackle the slippery and muddy terrain. A better preparation list and provision of proper gear would have greatly enhanced the experience. The food and service overall were satisfactory, with stunning room accommodations.

Activity Review

Kota Kinabalu Cooking Class

Kota Kinabalu

The Kota Kinabalu Cooking Class was a wonderful experience. Going to the market and participating in the cooking was especially nice, and it provided an opportunity to get to know some locals better. The family that hosted the cooking demonstration was very friendly and gracious, making the experience quite special.

Great trip and I would highly recommend it to others.
The logistics seemed spot on, the guides were excellent, and the lodging was top notch.
As for activities, the day trip from KK to Papar was the least enjoyable activity. This felt like a missed opportunity to learn about the people/culture. Also, I wish I had known in advance that the Danum Valley Lodge did not provide boots and gators for hiking through the jungle. The cooking demonstration in KK and the excursions at the jungle lodges and Lankayan Island Resort were truly awesome.

Activity Review

Heritage Walk & Trainride Adventure

Kota Kinabalu

The train adventure involved getting on a regular train for a short trip to a town just outside of KK. The heritage walk amounted to walking to a church, mosque, and temple. The entire activity felt like a missed opportunity to learn about the culture and people. The time for this activity could be better used doing something else.