Escape to Paradise: Strawberry Garden Hotel, Kinabalu's Hidden Gem
Escape to Paradise: Strawberry Garden Hotel, Kinabalu – My Honest, Slightly Chaotic Review (and a Plea for Your Booking!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans on the Escape to Paradise: Strawberry Garden Hotel, Kinabalu's so-called "hidden gem." And believe me, after a week there, I've got some opinions. This isn't your perfectly polished travel brochure – think more like a rambling, slightly caffeinated conversation with your best friend.
First things first: Accessibility. Getting to the hotel? Relatively easy. The airport transfer was smooth, the car park [free of charge] was a blessed relief (parking in Kinabalu is a nightmare!), and they even had car power charging stations for the Tesla-ites amongst us. Now, wheelchair accessibility within the hotel… that's a little trickier. The website claims facilities for disabled guests, but I’d definitely contact them directly to confirm specific details. Some areas seemed okay, others… not so much. Don't assume, folks, always double-check.
Cleanliness and Safety – Let’s be real, this is HUGE in the post-pandemic world. And Strawberry Garden? They were trying. Kudos to the anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff trained in safety protocol. They even had rooms sanitized between stays and offered a room sanitization opt-out (which, let's be honest, I like the option of). Physical distancing of at least 1 meter was attempted, but, you know, humans and their tendency to crowd. The doctor/nurse on call and first aid kit were welcome additions, though, thank goodness I didn't need them! The CCTV cameras (both in common areas and outside the property) gave me a sense of security, even if they did make me feel like I was living in a Bond film.
Now, the heart of any stay: the stuff. The Things to do, ways to relax section is where things get interesting. Oh, the Spa! The spa/sauna! The Pool with view! The… well, let's just say it was a mixed bag. The swimming pool [outdoor] was glorious, a proper escape from the Kinabalu humidity. The Sauna, though… well, let’s just say I walked in, took one look at the temperature gauge, and walked right back out. I'm not about to spontaneously combust, thanks. The poolside bar was a lifesaver, serving up ice-cold beers and questionable cocktails. The massage was… okay. Definitely not the best I’ve ever had, but it did the trick, and the masseuse, bless her heart, was clearly doing her best. The Body scrub and Body wrap were tempting, but I chickened out. Maybe next time.
Dining, drinking, and snacking – Ah, the fuel of life! The restaurants are where the Strawberry Garden kind of shines. The Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, and Vegetarian restaurant were a welcome change from the usual bland hotel fare. Loved the breakfast [buffet] – although, confession: I may have accidentally eaten three croissants one morning. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was decent, the desserts in restaurant… less so. Let's just say I stuck to the fruit. The poolside bar served up some surprisingly good snacks, and the happy hour was a definite highlight. I may have overindulged… a little. The room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver (who doesn't love late-night fries?), and the bottle of water in the room was a much-appreciated touch. The A la carte in restaurant, while available, was a little pricey. The Snack bar was okay too.
The Rooms! Okay, let's dive deep. The Wi-Fi [free], available in all rooms, was a Godsend. And boy, did I need it! My Air conditioning worked like a champ (thank you, sweet lord). The Blackout curtains helped with the jetlag. The Complimentary tea was a nice touch. Now, for the nitty-gritty: the Bed. I’m a big person. And the Extra long bed they advertised, was, sadly, regular length. The Closet was okay, the safe box felt… safe. There was a refrigerator, and a coffee/tea maker that, let's be honest, I overused. My room, the Non-smoking type, also had a Window that opens, a bonus. And the air-conditioning was a lifesaver. Oh, and the Daily housekeeping were angels! So the room was good, just be sure to ask for an extra long bed if you need one.
Services and conveniences – Okay, this is where the hotel REALLY tries to be helpful. The concierge was genuinely helpful. The Daily housekeeping staff were friendly and efficient. The Laundry service/ Ironing service was available. The luggage storage was convenient. The cash withdrawal option made my life much easier. The Convenience store was a lifesaver for late-night cravings. The facilities for disabled guests made me happy. They also had the usual stuff like dry cleaning, and the useful elevator and front desk [24-hour].
Internet Access: The Internet access – wireless functioned quite well. I also enjoyed using the Internet access – LAN for certain tasks. I also enjoyed the Wi-Fi for special events and the Internet services
For the kids – I didn't have any kids with me, but the Family/child friendly vibe was strong. They offered Babysitting service, which is a great option.
Oh, and the quirks… One morning, the breakfast buffet ran out of bacon. The horror! I may have stared at the serving dish in disbelief for a solid five minutes. Another time, I got locked out of the room. The staff, bless them, dealt with it quickly. I did appreciate the door and the Smoke detector, though.
Accessibility concerns: While the website does state that the hotel has Facilities for disabled guests, I would advise you to contact them to ensure the hotel meets your specific needs.
The Verdict (and a Plea to Book)
Look, the Escape to Paradise: Strawberry Garden Hotel is not perfect. It's got its quirks, its imperfections, its moments of near-disaster (mostly involving me and bacon). But it's also got a lot of heart. The staff are genuinely friendly and helpful. The location is beautiful. The pool is divine. And overall? It's a pretty darn good place to escape, especially if you want a location in Kinabalu.
The Couple's room is perfectly made for a romantic getaway. Proposal spot? Absolutely. They even have a Room decorations service that you can request.
If you're the kind of traveler who demands flawless perfection, maybe look elsewhere. But if you’re up for a genuine experience, a little bit of adventure, and a chance to relax in a beautiful setting, then book it. Seriously. Book it now.
Here's the deal:
Book your stay at the Escape to Paradise: Strawberry Garden Hotel today and use promo code "STRAWBERRYESCAPE" for a free upgrade to a room with a balcony! (while supplies last).
Don't miss out on this Kinabalu hidden gem – book now and prepare to escape!
Unbelievable Bintang Flores Cilacap: 91376 Hotel Secret Revealed!
Okay, buckle up Buttercups! This isn't your sterile, perfect itinerary. This is a chaotic love letter to the Strawberry Garden Hotel, Kinabalu National Park, Malaysia, written by someone who probably spilled coffee on the map (and maybe on herself). Prepare for rambles, revelations, and REAL feelings.
Strawberry Garden Chaos: A Kinabalu Pilgrimage (With a Side of Panic)
Day 1: Arrival and Altitude Adjustment (aka, the Day I Realized I'm Not a Mountain Goat)
- Morning (ish): Flight into Kota Kinabalu. Smooth? HA! As smooth as a week-old mango. My bag (which I affectionately call "The Beast") decided to go on an unscheduled solo adventure in Kuala Lumpur. Panicked calls ensued. Insurance cards frantically consulted. Breathing exercises attempted. Success: "The Beast" is located. Relief? Temporary.
- Afternoon: Taxi ride to Kinabalu Park. The scenery? Dazzling. Lush, emerald rice paddies morphing into misty, looming mountains. Instagram-worthy, for sure. But, honestly? I was mostly focused on not hurling in the car. That altitude…it’s a sneaky beast.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Check-in at the Strawberry Garden Hotel. Sigh of pure, unadulterated relief. The air is crisp, the view from the balcony is breathtaking (once I stopped gasping for breath), and the room is… functional! Okay, maybe a little basic, but hey, I’m not here for luxury. I'm here to conquer Kinabalu…or at least attempt to.
- Dinner: The hotel restaurant. My first taste of local cuisine. Ordered some sort of noodle soup. It was…interesting. Spicy and delicious (after the initial shock of chili). A group of hikers at the next table looked ridiculously energetic, planning their summit climb. Me? I had the energy of a slightly wilted lettuce. Seriously, that altitude. It's trying to kill me.
Day 2: The Park and the Pains (Physical and Existential)
- Morning: Attempted a gentle hike around the park. "Gentle" being the operative word. I quickly realized that "gentle" to a seasoned hiker is "slightly challenging" to me. Everything was uphill. EVERYTHING. I had to stop every five minutes to catch my breath. I'm pretty sure a sloth could have overtaken me.
- Mid-Morning/Afternoon: The hot springs. Oh. My. God. Pure bliss. After the torture I put my body through, it's truly heaven. Soaking in the warm water, surrounded by the jungle, listening to the birds chirp… Almost forgot I'd nearly passed out earlier.
- Late Afternoon: Wandered around the park. The floral garden was spectacular. Orchids the size of my head! But I also saw a sign warning about "leeches." The image is now permanently seared into my brain.
- Evening: Dinner and an early night. My legs felt like lead. My lungs were protesting. My soul? It was contemplating selling itself to the mountain for a guarantee of safe passage. Seriously, who thought climbing a mountain was a good idea?
Day 3: Mount Kinabalu (or the Day I Almost Died, Then Didn't… Eventually)
Pre-Dawn (the Darkest Hour): The alarm. The END of my beauty sleep. I’m pretty sure it had been about 3 hours. I was already exhausted and the day hadn’t even begun. Dragged myself to the pre-climb briefing. Everyone looked so…prepared. I looked like I'd been dragged through a bush backwards.
The Ascent (The Slow Torture): OH. MY. GOD. This is not a hike. This is an endurance test designed to break the human spirit. Rocks, steps, more rocks, endless steps. The air thinned with every step. My heart felt like it wanted to leap out of my chest. I swear I saw a hallucination of a smiling cheeseburger.
The Altitude Blues: Somewhere around Laban Rata Resthouse, I just wanted to lie down and die. The headache hit me like a freight train. My stomach was churning. My head was throbbing. I seriously considered turning back, but the shame was far greater than the pain. Plus, I was determined to reach the top.
- (A Moment of Truth): Sometime during the ascent, I actually started to cry. Not because of pain, but because I was mad at myself for wanting to give up. That felt different, though. I felt that I could keep going. I knew whatever pain I felt would be worth it. Just kept on going.
The Summit (Where I Didn't Die… and It Was Worth It): And then… IT. HAPPENED. Reached the summit just as the sun was peeking over the horizon. The view? Unbelievable. The world stretched out before me in a panorama of breathtaking beauty. Absolutely stunning. My aching body was instantly forgotten. The feeling of accomplishment? Overwhelming. Best sunrise I ever saw.
The Descent (The Bone-Shaking Symphony): Coming down was almost worse than going up. My knees were screaming. My toes were jammed into my boots. My body, for whatever reason, was still moving. I have never been so happy to see a bed in my life.
Evening: Ate more food than I thought possible. The hotel restaurant food after a 13-hour hiking feels so much better. Slept like the dead. Woke up in the middle of the night, convinced I was still on the mountain.
Day 4: Recovery and Reflection (aka, the Day I Became One With My Bed)
- Morning: Woke up feeling like I'd been run over by a bus. Every muscle ached. Every bone protested. Basically, I was a walking, talking, moaning mass of misery.
- Daytime: Spent the day mostly horizontal. Watched the clouds drift over the mountain, remembering the climb, the pain, the triumph. Realized, probably the best vacation ever.
Day 5: Departure (and a Promise to Return, Maybe… Eventually)
- Morning (sort of): Breakfast. Packed "The Beast" (thankfully returned in one piece). Had one last longing look at the majestic Mount Kinabalu. A promise of returning to the site of my near-death experience.
- Departure: Taxi from the hotel. The journey's end. Goodbye to the strawberry garden, the altitude, and the amazing mountain.
- Reflection: The place? Brilliant. The hike? Brutal.
- Would I do it again? Probably. After I get over this, mostly.
Strawberry Garden Hotel Scorecard:
- Location: 10/10. Stunning views, perfect for mountain exploration.
- Accommodation: 7/10. Basic, but clean and functional. The balcony was a lifesaver.
- Food: 6/10. Edible. Filling. Sometimes spicy.
- Staff: 8/10. Friendly and helpful, even when I was a sweaty, oxygen-deprived mess.
- Overall Experience: 1000000000/10. Changed my entire life. Definitely a memorable experience.
So, there you have it. My utterly imperfect, yet profoundly magical, experience at the Strawberry Garden Hotel, Kinabalu National Park. Go. Climb. Suffer. Conquer. And maybe, just maybe, fall in love with a mountain. You won’t regret it. (But your legs might.)
Indonesian Paradise Found: Hotel Rajawali Surabaya's Unforgettable Luxury
So, is Escape to Paradise actually... paradise? Or is it more, like, "pretty good"?
Let’s talk location. Seriously, the “hidden gem” thing…is it *too* hidden? Am I going to get lost and eaten by a Borneo bear?
The rooms… are they, uh, comfortable? I'm not exactly a camping kind of person.
Strawberry Garden? Is this legit? Are we talking strawberry fields *forever*? And what the heck is the food like?
Okay, I'm sold (maybe). What is there *to do* besides eat strawberries and look at pretty views?
Anything I should really know *before* I go? Like, serious warnings?
I keep seeing photos of the view of Mount Kinabalu. Am I guaranteed that iconic view? What if it's cloudy? My Instagram is suffering!
