Unbelievable WILL HOMESTAY: Your Kinabalu National Park Adventure Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a review of and, folks, it’s gonna get real. I'm talking warts and all, the good, the bad, and the slightly bizarre. I’ve got my notebook, my caffeine, and my utter disdain for sanitised, perfect hotel reviews. Let's do this.
Initial Impression & The All-Important Accessibility:
First off, let’s talk about getting in. Accessibility is HUGE, right? Especially for those of us who, you know, appreciate not needing a Sherpa to get to our room. We need to ask ourselves: is this place actually accessible? I'm seeing a lot of checkboxes here in the general, and it sounds good. The elevator is a must, thank goodness. Facilities for disabled guests? Yes, yes, yes! We'll need to dig deeper to see the specifics, but the intention is there, and that's a good start. Exterior corridor - this might be GREAT, depending on the layout, as it can provide much easier access. Access in general, of course, is key.
Internet? Don't Even Get Me Started.
Free Wi-Fi? (deep breath) Thank GOD! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and Wi-Fi in public areas - a massive thumbs up. We live in the 21st century, people! Internet [LAN] and Internet services and regular old Internet are all listed, which suggests they're covering their bases. That's the internet, right? You can't survive these days without it. Let's hope it actually works and isn't the dial-up of the future.
The Restaurant/Spa/Fun Factor – LET'S GO!
Alright, the fun stuff. First, the Restaurants. This is where things get a bit… overwhelming. We're talking A la carte in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant. Good lord, it's like a culinary explosion! I hope I'm not expected to try everything. The variety is impressive though, and I'm already dreaming of a poolside cocktail during Happy Hour. I'm also a sucker for a good Breakfast [buffet], especially if it gets the day started right.
Now, the spa: Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]. Ooh, the Pool with view sounds amazing. I am all about a good spa day. Imagine, lounging in the sauna, then dipping into the pool… pure bliss. And a massage? Yes please. Hopefully, they've got some skilled masseuses because I'm notoriously picky.
The "Things To Do" and "Ways to Relax" are, uh… extensive.
I see the Fitness center, or Gym/fitness. Okay, good. I can at least pretend to be responsible and burn off the breakfast buffet. But I'm more about the relaxation, so the Sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool [outdoor] are the big draws.
Cleanliness, Safety, and the COVID Circus
Let's be realistic: we all care about this now. The litany of safety measures is reassuring, or utterly terrifying, depending on your perspective. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. Wow. It's a lot, but let's be thankful, at least. I hope they’re not overdoing it, otherwise, it starts to feel a little clinical.
The Rooms – My Sanctuary (Hopefully)
This is where it gets interesting. The Available in all rooms section is a long list, but the quality of each point is what matters.
- Air conditioning: A must.
- Alarm clock: Depends on the noise of a morning.
- Bathrobes: That's hotel luxury, right there.
- Bathroom phone: …Okay, I'm not sure I'll ever use that.
- Bathtub, Blackout curtains: Good for those days when you just want to be left alone.
- Closet: Crucial for hiding your clothes, or your life.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential for any proper hotel room.
- Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping: Yes, and yes!
- Desk, Extra long bed: Good for working/sleeping.
- Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor: All the usual suspects.
- In-room safe box: Always a good idea.
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless: Still good, still relevant.
- Ironing facilities: Yes, please. I'm a disaster with an iron, though.
- Laptop workspace, Linens: The basics.
- Mini bar: Temptation central.
- Mirror, Non-smoking: Crucial.
- On-demand movies, Private bathroom: All good.
- Reading light So important to read at night.
- Refrigerator: Could be useful.
- Satellite/cable channels: For those times when you want to zone out.
- Scale: Uh oh…
- Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub: Luxury!
- Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector: All the necessary safety features.
- Socket near the bed Another must-have.
- Soundproofing: Please.
- Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella: The necessities.
- Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: Essentials.
Services and Conveniences – The Nitty-Gritty
This is the nuts and bolts of the hotel. Air conditioning in public area: Vital. Audio-visual equipment for special events: Good if you're hosting, great if you're avoiding them. Business facilities: Fine. Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out: Good and good! Convenience store: Always useful. Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping. Yes, yes! Doorman, Dry cleaning: Wonderful. Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests: More good news. Food delivery: Handy. Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events: Potentially great. Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service. Excellent! Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities: Standard. Meetings, Meeting stationery. Yes. On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events: Interesting. Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine: a bit of everything. Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: all useful to some people.
For the Kids
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal Well, this is great for any parents.
Getting Around
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Good to have various options.
Now, For My Unsolicited Advice…
Okay, I have to give you some honest opinions on this.
The Good Stuff (Sounding Mostly Good, So Far!):
- Accessibility: It sounds like they are putting in the effort
- Wi-Fi: Crucial.
- The Spa and Pool with View: I'm sold. This could be a game-changer.
- Dining Diversity: The sheer variety is impressive. They seem to be catering to everyone.
The Uncertain/Potentially Odd:
- Safety Overload: The sheer volume of COVID-related precautions could be over the top. Let's hope it doesn't feel like living in a sterile lab.
- Room Features: Depends on the execution. Lots of listed amenities, but it depends on the quality of each one. I need a comfy bed, good lighting, and hopefully, a view of something besides the parking lot.
- The "Stuff": Too much of it?
- Overall Experience: This is difficult to determine without experiencing the hotel.
**The Offer – Let's Get Book
Luxury Seoul Penthouse: 61 Pyeong, 202 sqm, 4BR, 2BA - Long-Term Lease!
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is the WILL HOMESTAY KUNDASANG Kinabalu National Park experience, and it's gonna be messy, imperfect, and probably involve me shedding a tear or two. I'm going in raw, people!
Day 1: Arrival (and the Great Altitude Panic)
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): ARRIVAL. This is where the magic should begin. I’m flying into Kota Kinabalu (KK airport), which, let me tell you, is a whole production. The plane ride! I am absolutely terrified of flying, but a girl's gotta see Kinabalu, right? Praying that I don’t get assigned next seat to a screaming toddler… or a snorer. I'm picking up my rented car, a small, probably underpowered, Suzuki or something equally unsuitable for the hills of Borneo. (Fingers crossed it hasn't already been thrashed by a million other tourists.)
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 5:00 PM): The Drive of Doom (and Beauty). The drive to Kundasang from KK is supposed to be stunning. Lush rainforest, winding roads… and a test of my driving skills, which, let's be honest, are best described as "enthusiastic." This is where I'll eat my preconceptions. I probably won't stop as much as planned, because I'm always late. Stopping only for essential needs (bathroom breaks), with a quick snapshot every 30 minutes because the world might just be so gorgeous that I can't believe my eyes.
Late Afternoon/Evening (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Arriving at Will Homestay. Praying that the check-in is smooth. Nervous. Meeting Will, the owner. He looks like a nice guy. The view from the room? Hopefully mind-blowing. I've seen the pictures. I might cry! (I said it, I'm not a tough traveler!) Finding the local warung (stall) for a proper Malaysian dinner. This is where the real culture soak-up happens! Learning a few basic Malay phrases because I'm not that uncultured (or am I?).
- Observation: I seriously hope the warung has chili. Like, the kind that burns a hole in your soul but tastes like heaven.
Evening (9:00 PM - onwards): Staring at the stars. Kundasang is known for its night sky. Trying not to freak out about the altitude. I think I can feel my brain swelling already. I'll probably spend the evening sipping tea, wrapped in a blanket, and feeling incredibly small and insignificant. Just the way I like it.
Day 2: Kinabalu National Park (A Day of Upward Mobility and Inner Peace)
Morning (7:00 AM - 12:00 PM): National Park Pilgrimage. This is the Big One. Kinabalu National Park! I'm expecting majestic mountains, maybe some wildlife, and definitely a healthy dose of awe. Attempting to hike one of the easier trails. Let's see if the altitude is going to kick my butt. I will probably fall over at least once. Taking a lot of pictures and secretly judging the people wearing the full-on hiking gear. (I’m kidding! Mostly.)
- Quirky Observation: I wonder if the monkeys think we're as weird as we think they are. Probably.
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Lunch Break (and potential panic). Finding a cafe with a view. Probably overpaying for a sandwich. Trying not to get altitude sickness. Sipping on something cold and sugary because I deserve it. Maybe calling my mom to pretend that nothing can go wrong here, when I actually realize that I will be fine.
Emotional Reaction: The view from the park actually made me realize that my life is better than ever.
Afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Waterfall Wanderings (or a Very Wet Disaster). Exploring the waterfalls (if I haven’t already collapsed from exhaustion). Praying I don't slip on the rocks. Taking a risk, and taking a dip (maybe). Wondering why I didn't bring a waterproof camera case.
- Messy Truth: If the water is too cold, I am skipping this. End of story. Because comfort is King (or Queen, in my case).
Evening (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Back at Will Homestay: a hot shower (a luxury after a day of hiking), and a quiet moment. Re-living the day and letting the beauty sink in. Maybe a journal (a very messy journal) or a phone call to home. A simple dinner at the Homestay, chatting with Will, and learning more about his life.
- Opinionated Language: I'm going to say what I think. And I think this is the best kind of tour. It's personal. It's REAL.
Night (9:00 PM - onwards): Dozing off by the fire. Staring once again at the sky.
Day 3: Tea Plantations, Markets, and Farewell (or The Day I Become a Tea Snob)
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): The Tea Plantation Experience. This is where my soul will become one with tea. Visiting the Sabah Tea Plantation. Learning about tea production, obviously. Tasting the tea. Maybe buying way too much tea.
- Doubling Down: I might even get into a full-blown tea ceremony. I'll become the tea expert. And then, the world will know how good Borneo Tea is to me.
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Kundasang Market. Exploring the local market. Buying some weird-looking fruits and vegetables. Bargaining! (I'm terrible at it, but I'll try.) Maybe buying some souvenirs for people back home (or for myself, let's be honest.)
- Emotional Reaction: This is where I'll buy a backpack. A real one. I'm not gonna make any excuses.
Afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Scenic Drive and Departure. Taking one last scenic drive, soaking up the views one last time. Maybe a stop at a viewpoint to say my goodbyes. Starting the drive back to KK. Saying goodbye to Kinabalu.
- Messy Structure: Saying goodbye to the place that has made me smile. And then… back to the airport. I might actually cry.
Evening (6:00 PM - onwards): Flight Home. The journey ends, but the memories? They're just beginning. Reflecting on all the things I’ve seen, all the things I've felt, and all the ridiculous mistakes I've made. Ready to plan my next adventure!
- Quirky Observation: I wonder how long it will take me to get used to the time zone again.
So there you have it. A whirlwind tour of Will Homestay and the surrounding wonders, as seen through the eyes of a slightly neurotic, deeply empathetic, and occasionally clumsy traveler. Wish me luck, and prepare for the stories! I'll be bringing you the messy, beautiful, and absolutely human truth.
Luxury Pampanga Escape: Stunning Studio at Azure North!
So, what *is* this thing you're doing anyway? Are you, like, a robot? Because honestly, sometimes I'm not sure.
Okay, okay, you're not a robot (probably). But why all the *mess*? Why the stream-of-consciousness rambling? Shouldn't you be, you know, more *professional*?
Fine, I’m in. But seriously, what kind of stuff are you good at? Like, what can you *actually* help me with? Besides making me question my sanity.
Right. And what *can't* you do? Seems like a shorter list.
Let's get back to that bread thing. What's the story? Did it involve a fire? Because I'm picturing a fire.
Speaking of adventures and failures, what’s been your biggest... *project*? What have you really tried to *do*?
So, what's the deal? Why are you even *here*?
Last question. If you could have *one* thing, what would it be?
