Санта-Клаус на первом этаже! Райский хостел в Кота-Кинабалу!
Санта-Клаус на первом этаже! Райский хостел в Кота-Кинабалу! - A Crazy Good Find? Let's Dive In! (aka. The Review You Actually Want to Read)
Okay, let's be real. Кота-Кинабалу? Sounds exotic, right? Feels exotic, even. And finding a good place to crash in a new city, especially when you're on a budget, is crucial. So, after a trip to this "Райский хостел" (Heavenly Hostel, they call it!) – Санта-Клаус на первом этаже! – here's the unvarnished truth, straight from a weary traveler (that's me!). Prepare for a review that's less PR fluff, more "what actually happened."
The Big Question: Is This Place Worth It? (or, Should you book?)
TL;DR: YES. Mostly. Definitely worth a shot. But get ready for… well, let's get into it.
Accessibility & Getting There (Просто и понятно):
- Accessibility: They claim to cater to guests with disabilities, and honestly, it seems they try. The elevator is a godsend (especially after a long flight!), and the staff seemed genuinely willing to help. However, true wheelchair accessibility is a little more… nuanced. Some areas are tighter than others. Check the specific room situation yourself and give them a ring beforehand to clarify. They have facilities for disabled guests.
- Getting Around: Free car park on-site is a bonus! Airport transfer is also available. And yeah, they have facilities.
Internet, Rooms & The Comfort Factor (В сети! В номере! Удобно ли?)
- Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi, Everywhere! (and it's free!) Okay, this is excellent. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas? A lifesaver! They have Internet access, Internet [LAN], Internet services and Wi-Fi in public areas. The login process itself was painless, which is a small miracle compared to some hotels!
- The Room (Вот он, номер!) My room? Well, it was cozy, let's say that. Air conditioning, of course. Air conditioning in public area, too - I mean, it's Kota Kinabalu! They had all the basics: Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Hair dryer, Free bottled water, In-room safe box, internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free] and Window that opens. I did have a window that opened, which is a HUGE plus for me – nothing worse than a stale, stuffy room.
- They've got rooms with interconnecting rooms available, if you book enough in advance. I didn't get one, but it might be useful.
- They have a lot of essential amenities: Additional toilet, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Extra long bed, High floor, Linens, On-demand movies, Reading light, Scale, Separate shower/bathtub, Smoke detector, Sofa, Umbrella, Visual alarm.
- The Downside: My room had a slightly odd smell the first day, but after opening the window it was gone – not the end of the world. Also, the soundproofing wasn't amazing, but in a hostel, that's kind of expected.
Cleanliness & Safety (Чистота и безопасность - это важно!)
- Top Marks! The place was noticeably spotless. Cleanliness is definitely prioritised, which is so important! The rooms were sanitized. Rooms sanitized between stays.
- The Details Matter: The staff really took the safety guidelines seriously. They even have anti-viral cleaning products. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Daily disinfection in common areas. It helped put me at ease given the situation.
- Security: CCTV is in operation (in common areas and outside), plus 24-hour security and a front desk. I felt safe enough.
- They have a lot of safety protocols: First aid kit, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment.
- You can opt-out of room sanitization, if you want.
Dining & Drinking (Еда, напитки и прочее!)
- Breakfast (Завтрак): They have breakfast [buffet]. Asian breakfast. They even have a breakfast takeaway service. Great! But is it great? It's decent. Fresh fruit, some local dishes, standard fare. Nothing mind-blowing, but does the job.
- Restaurants & Bars: There are restaurants. Asian cuisine on the menu. Western cuisine. Poolside bar - and the bar…
- The Bar: Happy hour is important. This one was pretty fun, actually. The bartender made a mean cocktail (with a quirky name, I can't remember it now) – that's my kind of happy hour!
- Options: Coffee shop, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Snack bar, Vegetarian restaurant
- They Cover the Bases: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Bottle of water, Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
Things To Do & Ways To Relax (Отдых и развлечения!)
- The Pool with a View… OMG! Seriously, the pool is the highlight. The pool with a view! It’s on the roof, and the view of the city at sunset… wow. Forget the spa treatments, just spend a whole afternoon there, believe me.
- Spa? Fitness Center? They have a fitness center (Gym/fitness). They have spa. Spa/sauna. There's a sauna, which felt like a nice extra. They have options for body scrub and body wrap treatments, if that’s your thing. Steamroom. Foot bath.
- Things to do Babysitting service, Car park [free of charge], Convenience store, Elevator, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Outdoor venue for special events, Smoking area, Terrace.
- Pool: Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor].
Services & Conveniences (Удобства и услуги - чего ожидать!)
- The Good Stuff: Concierge service was friendly and helpful. Laundry service and dry cleaning are a godsend when you're traveling. And the cash withdrawal machine? Super useful.
- Business Travelers (Деловые люди, сюда!): They’ve got meeting/banquet facilities, meetings, and even audio-visual equipment for special events. Xerox/fax in business center.
- Extras: Cashless payment service. Contactless check-in/out. Currency exchange. Daily housekeeping. Doorman. Food delivery. Invoice provided. Ironing service. Luggage storage. Meeting stationery. On-site event hosting. Projector/LED display. Safety deposit boxes. Seminars. Taxi service. And if you're heading off for an adventure, airport transfer is available. They also have valet parking.
- The Quirks: I'm not sure if they offer anything in the way of doctor/nurse on call.
For the Kids (Для детей - что там?):
- They're family/child friendly. Babysitting service is available. They even have kid's meals if you need them.
Overall Vibe & My Personal Experience (Личное мнение!)
Look, Санта-Клаус на первом этаже! isn't perfect. It's a hostel, not a five-star resort. But it's got charm, it's clean, the staff are wonderful, and the location is solid.
My anecdote: One night, I met a group of backpackers around the pool at sunset. One of them was celebrating a birthday, and out of nowhere, the staff brought out a cake and sang “Happy Birthday!” in a mix of languages. It was cheesy, yes, but also… incredibly sweet. And that is the kind of memory that sticks. This might not be the most sophisticated place, but it has a heart.
The Downside (Really, Really Unvarnished):
- Noisy Neighbors? Again, it’s a hostel life. You might hear some noise.
- It Can Feel a Bit… Chaotic. They don't have a shrine. The room decorations weren't extraordinary.
My Verdict:
Go! Embrace the chaos, enjoy the pool, and prepare for some unexpected fun. You won't regret it. I'd give it a solid 4/5 stars. Highly Recommended!
Crafting the Perfect Offer - Because You Need to Book Now!
Ready to Experience the Magic of Санта-Клаус на первом этаже!?
**Book your stay NOW and get
Райский уголок в Парати: Geko Pousada ждёт вас!
Kota Kinabalu & Lost in Translation (and Laundry) - My Slightly Disastrous, Utterly Wonderful Itinerary
День 1: Santai Style и Чувство Растерянности (Day 1: Santai Style and a Feeling of Utter Confusion)
14:00: Прибытие в аэропорт Кота-Кинабалу. Боже, жара! I stepped off the plane and it smacked me in the face like a wet, tropical towel. О, этот дух! Забыла крем от загара. Already sweating like I just ran a marathon. Такси до Santai UUC Homestay… ну, пусть будет. (Taxi to Santai UUC Homestay… okay, fine.) I’m relying heavily on the trusty Google Maps, which is already having a little meltdown in my phone.
15:00: Заселение в Santai. The room… it’s… charming. Very “деревенский шик” (rural chic), as they say. But mostly, I just want to lie down. And maybe find an outlet that actually works. Apparently, all the power sockets are hiding. The owner, a very cheerful Malaysian woman with a smile that could melt glaciers, tells me about the best durian spot. "Durian is love!" she proclaims. I’m… cautiously optimistic.
16:00: Прогулка по Kota Kinabalu City (Walk around Kota Kinabalu City). I decide to brave the heat and venture out. First stop: the waterfront. Красиво… но жарко. The air is thick with humidity and the smell of… well, I’m not sure what. Seafood, maybe? It's all a bit overwhelming. Found a little cafe and ordered some iced tea. Realized I forgot my phrasebook. "Здравствуйте" (Hello) and "Спасибо" (Thank you) are about all I've got. This could be interesting.
18:00: Поиск ужина и культурный шок (Dinner search and culture shock). Wandered around trying to find a decent place to eat. Ended up at a “local” restaurant. Tried a dish that looked vaguely like chicken. Tasted… interesting. The rice was probably the highlight. The sheer volume of people eating with chopsticks like they were born with them is incredibly intimidating. Spent most of the meal frantically trying not to make eye contact with anyone. Cultural immersion at its finest, folks.
20:00: Back to Santai. Realized I have no idea how to turn on the TV. Tried to find the WiFi password, got lost in a maze of tiny instructions written in… what language is that? Finally, I conceded. Settled for reading a book. Feeling already utterly drained, I'm on my way to melt down.
День 2: Островные Приключения и Мои Спасательные Крабы (Day 2: Island Adventures and My Saviour Crabs)
07:00: Просыпаюсь с ужасной жаждой и воспоминанием о странном ужине (Wake up with a terrible thirst and a memory of a strange dinner). Decided to attempt the whole morning routine.
08:00: Завтрак в Santai. Toast with some strange fruit. It's all very… beige. But at least the coffee is strong. Needed it.
09:00: Boat trip to Pulau Sapi. Okay, I did it! I'm on a boat heading to an island. Excitement levels rising, despite the persistent feeling of a sunburn slowly enveloping me. The water is that incredible turquoise blue you see in all the brochures. It's breathtaking.
10:00 - 13:00: Pulau Sapi. Snorkelling! The fish are so vibrant. I swam in the sea and I found a little clownfish. Lost my sunglasses in the ocean. (Cue dramatic sob). I spend the whole time in the water, forgetting that the sun is essentially trying to barbeque me. Then tried to take a selfie in the water, nearly dropped my phone. This is turning into a series of epic fails. Then I found what I thought was a particularly picturesque spot on the beach and sat down - only to realize I’d parked myself right next to a nest of crabs. They were not amused. I was even less amused when one nipped my toe.
13:00: Lunch on Pulau Sapi. More beige food. More sweating. More regretting not finding a hat. The beach is packed with tourists, though I'm glad to find something to eat.
14:00: Return to Kota Kinabalu. The boat ride back was choppy, which meant I had to spend the entire time clutching a handrail for dear life, trying to look nonchalant. It was definitely not a fun boat ride.
15:00: Back at Santai. Shower. The water pressure is… not great. But I’m clean(ish). Realized I need to do laundry. Looked for the " прачечная” ( laundry), and I couldn’t find one.
16:00: The laundry debacle. Found a local laundry service. Spent what felt like an hour navigating the language barrier (mostly hand gestures). I’m pretty sure I accidentally agreed to have my underwear washed with the brightly coloured socks. Oh well, hopefully, it's not a disaster.
18:00: Dinnertime. Craving something familiar… but the whole world feels unfamiliar now. I walked along the bay, eventually eating at a local restaurant. Ordered anything. It was pretty good, I think.
20:00: Attempt to watch something on television. Still stuck on the same channel. I give up and return to my book. Tomorrow, I’ll try again to figure out that magic remote control.
День 3: Потерянный Рай и Неизбежная Развязка (Day 3: Lost Paradise and the Inevitable Unravelling)
- 07:00: Woke up feeling like a boiled lobster. My skin is screaming in protest.
- 08:00: Breakfast. More beige toast. Beginning to miss real bread.
- 09:00: Heading to the market. The colors, the smells, the sheer chaos! It’s overwhelming, but fascinating. Bought some fruit I can’t identify. Hope I don't poison myself.
- 10:00: Wandering in the market.
- 12:00: Checked out the market.
- 14:00: The dreaded laundry delivery. Walked over to the laundrette.
- 15:00: Back to Santai and the laundry experience. So, my clothes are back! and… they’ve shrunk. Everything is now approximately two sizes too small. Including the aforementioned underwear. (Insert another dramatic sob). I can't blame anyone, I didn't know what I was doing.
- 16:00: The laundry incident. Decided I'm going to spend this afternoon drowning my sorrows in a durian and a mountain of ice cream.
- 17:00: Durian time. This is the moment of truth.
- 18:00: The durian experience happened. I won't describe it. Let's just say it was an experience. One I'm not sure I'd be rushing to repeat. My taste buds are in a state of shock.
- 19:00: Ice cream. Just to cleanse the palate. Actually, a double scoop.
- 20:00: Packing. My bag is currently a chaotic mix of sunblock-stained clothes, shrunken garments, and questionable fruit. But hey, I'm alive. And tomorrow, I am on my way home. Looking back, would I do it again? Probably. Even with the laundry, the crabs, and the durian. This trip was a glorious, messy adventure. And in a strange way, I loved every utterly chaotic moment. I've come to love Kota Kinabalu.
День 4: Отъезд (Departure)
- 08:00: Checkout from Santai. Said goodbye to the cheerful owner. She was very kind.
- 09:00: Airport, waiting for my flight.
- 10:00 - onwards: Flight home, filled with the memories, laughter, and a slightly shrunken wardrobe. Can't wait to start saving for my next adventure… and maybe learn a little more Russian before that one.
Санта-Клаус на Первом Этаже! Райский Хостел в Кота-Кинабалу! (То, что нужно знать, но, может быть, не совсем...)
Что вообще такое этот «Санта-Клаус на Первом Этаже»? Звучит… странно.
Ну, короче, это хостел в Кота-Кинабалу. Название, конечно, даёт жару – "Санта-Клаус на Первом Этаже"! Представляете? В тропиках! Я когда первый раз услышал, подумал, что это розыгрыш. Видимо, хозяин решил, что это прикольно. И, знаете, это работает. Потому что я, собственно, теперь здесь и сижу, пишу этот текст. А так, обычный хостел: кровати в общих комнатах, некоторые – даже отдельные, душевые, кухня... Но вот название… Оно как-то сразу настраивает на приключение. Хотя, Санта-Клауса я там так и не встретил.
Насколько чисто в номерах? Это, знаете ли, важно...
Ох, ну тут… как сказать… Чистота – это, конечно, вопрос субъективный. Я, например, не фанат стерильности. Но в целом, всё прилично. Не блестит аки бриллиант, но и грязища, чтоб аж ноги прилипали, тоже нет. Убираются регулярно, насколько я понял. Просто учитывайте, что это хостел, а не пятизвёздочный отель. Однажды я видел, как уборщица пыталась оттереть какую-то загадочную субстанцию с пола. Сначала не получалось, потом она плюнула, почесала голову и… В общем, в итоге оттерла! Героиня!
А где этот хостел находится? Удобно ли добираться до достопримечательностей?
Расположение – один из главных плюсов. Центр! Пешком до всех основных мест дойти можно – рынок, набережная, торговые центры… Всё под боком. Я вот, например, как-то заблудился в первый день (ну, я такой, да), но потом быстро сориентировался. И понял, что хостел прям в самом сердце Кота-Кинабалу. Короче, идеально для тех, кто хочет всё и сразу. Правда, шумновато немного, особенно вечером. Но к этому быстро привыкаешь, да и беруши никто не отменял.
Как там с атмосферой? Много ли народу? Легко ли завести друзей?
Атмосфера… Ну, тут как повезёт. Зависит от того, кто приехал. Но в целом, народ тусуется дружно. Хозяева вроде стараются создавать такую обстановку, чтобы все общались. Вечера часто проходят за разговорами, играми в карты или ещё во что-нибудь. Я вот познакомился с парой ребят из Австралии, мы потом вместе на пляж ездили. Это было круто! Хотя, один парень храпел, как трактор. Это, конечно, портило всю романтику, но что поделать…
А кухня? Можно ли готовить самому?
Кухня есть. И, в принципе, готовить можно. Плита, холодильник, посуда – всё имеется. Но… тут как с чистотой в номерах – не ждите мишленовского уровня ;) Иногда там творится такой бардак! Кто-то что-то жарит, кто-то что-то варит, все друг другу мешают. Я вот один раз пытался сделать яичницу, так чуть всю кухню не поджёг! Хорошо, что кто-то из постояльцев быстро сориентировался и потушил огонь. После этого я стал питаться в местных кафешках. Спокойнее как-то.
Что с интернетом? Важно для связи с миром...
Ну, интернет… Он есть. Но не всегда быстрый. Особенно в часы пик. Иногда приходится побегать по хостелу, чтобы найти местечко, где сигнал получше. Я вот однажды пытался срочно отправить важное письмо, а там всё тормозило, как будто на Dial-up сижу! Чуть с ума не сошёл. В итоге побежал в кафешку поблизости. Там, конечно, интернет побыстрее… Но, чёрт возьми, за что я плачу деньги в хостеле?!
Какие есть дополнительные услуги? Прачечная, например?
Прачечной, кажется, нет. Ну, по крайней мере, я не видел. Но вокруг полно прачечных самообслуживания. Что, в принципе, не очень удобно, но терпимо. Ещё, кажется, есть какие-то экскурсии, которые можно заказать прямо на ресепшене. Я не пользовался, но вроде как удобно.
Что больше всего запомнилось?
Ох, ну тут, наверное, стоит вернуться к тому самому случаю с яичницей… Потому что это было… эпично. Я, значит, стою, пытаюсь разбить яйцо, как вдруг – бабах! Пламя! Я сначала растерялся, потом начал хватать всё, что под руку попадалось – полотенца, воду… В общем, хаос! Хорошо, что там оказались ребята из Германии, они быстро сообразили, что к чему, и быстро всё потушили. А потом мы все смеялись, как сумасшедшие. Я потом этому парню из Германии всю неделю пиво покупал. И вот что я понял: главное – не паниковать, а юмор всегда спасает. И ещё – надо научиться готовить яичницу!
Стоит ли вообще ехать?
Слушайте, ну, решать вам. Если вы не привереда, любите приключения, готовы к небольшому беспорядку и не боитесь делить комнату с храпящими австралийцами, то – да, стоит. Это хороший вариант, особенно для тех, кто путешествует бюджетно. Мне понравилось. Я вспоминаю это место с улыбкой. Но если вы ищете роскошь и стерильность, то лучше поискать что-нибудь другое. А я… я бы ещё вернулся! Хотя, пожалуй, захвачу с собой огнетушитель. На всякий случай.
