Beach Hotels in Sabah, Malaysia

"I initially thought a 300 RMB hotel might be old and run-down. When I entered the lobby late at night, it was pitch black, but upon entering the room, I saw it had been nicely renovated. You could tell the faucets and bathroom door were older, but the room was well-maintained and very clean, comparable to a Hanting (All Seasons) hotel. The breakfast restaurant also serves as a lunch buffet. It's quite spacious, has a noodle bar, and offers a good variety of dishes, though it was a bit short on salad vegetables. Remember to go early; by 9:30 AM, not much was left. Most countries outside of China advocate for saving food. Kota Kinabalu city center is very small. Turn left when you leave the hotel and you'll find Holiday Inn, with Hilton and Sheraton across the street. The Welcome Seafood Restaurant street is behind the Hilton, and it seems like the Hyatt Centric (KK) is below the Sheraton. Convenience stores and KFC are just a few steps away, making the location very convenient."

"It's a little out of town but I chose it for the close proximity to the beach and swimming ,which is about a 10min walk from the hotel. There are street food and drinks stalls available from about 3pm . Tanjung Aru beach is beautiful, uncrowded and the beach shelves away gently making it a safe swimming area. However, the beach had rubbish washed up and maintenance isn't a priority I guess. I swam everyday and didn't get sick ,that's a bonus. The room ( the whole place)was tired looking, it could do with a lick of paint and maintenance. Room was clean when I got there but I strongly doubt it was cleaned in the entire time I was there for five days. Often had to ask for toilet paper , shampoo and shower gel , and coffee sachets etc ,basics to be stocked whenever housekeeping does their cleaning. Air con worked for me although the settings couldn't be altered ! The bed springs creak and you feel the springs when you sit on the bed but I slept ok only because I was usually exhausted from the day's activities . The beds and mattresses definitely need renewing though. The fridge was mouldy and smelly , what a blooming shame : / The safe was broken - hallelujah! I kept my room door locked at all times only because Reception staff hardly looked up to see who comes and goes- they sit very low,almost out of view at their front desk. I wasn't convinced about their perception of safety especially as I'm a solo female traveller and I need to be alert and take great caution. Casuarina Hotel are you taking note? Reception is helpful but that depends who is present. Lifts work fine without too much of a wait. The cafe on ground level serves an American breakfast but I couldn't tell you whether that's worth your while. It looked like Mary Celeste everytime I peeped in there so wasn't convinced about getting fed or a service. Therefore, I had fruit and snacks as standby .. There's a lovely restaurant a few yards from the hotel called the Yolo Seafood Restaurant which tends to open from 11.30am- delicious and inexpensive with friendly staff. Grab taxi fare to city centre varies from MYR 7- 25 Ringgit ,the higher tariff if returning during commuter rush hours from city centre which is a 15- 25 min ride . Would I stay here again ? I would actually knowing all its idiosyncrasis compared to so many awful or simplly mediocre accommodation charging an arm and a leg , I think Casuarina is just ok . Value for money? I don't think so ."