Saturday 30 January 2016

Sea View Sandakan - Hostel Review

Great food, nice staff, but that's it. Rough but well meaning, this hostel is basic but does the job. For 20MR per night it makes for a good quick stop between activities - I stayed here for 1 night when I took the bus from KK to Sandakan. 

Location 4/5
Good, right on the seafront and between the local Central Market with food courts and the Harbour Mall with clothes, pharmacies, etc.

Dorm 2/5
I stayed in a 10 bed dorm which I had all to myself! Yay! It's only got 2 fans so got quite hot with even just me in there, so I was grateful for the single occupancy. Towel included but no blankets or sheets, so bring a sleeping bag liner or similar. Beds are short and rickety metal bunk beds - I'm not sure I'd like to be on the bottom bunk with someone above!

Management 3/5
Lovely! Free welcome drink of lemongrass tea and banana fritters and unlimited tea and coffee are the highlight of this hostel. Limited English with some staff, but all sweet and kind. Quite disorganised which can be frustrating - only the main owner knows what she's doing - but all gets sorted eventually. 

Socialising 2/5
Only social area is the reception, with 2x 2 seater sofas available. Limited opportunity for socialising but nice if you catch a few people in between Skype calls.

Facilities 2/5
Lockers enough for a small rucksack
Lots of tour packages available
Showers and toilets are small and shabby - remember your own toilet roll as often there is none provided here! 
Motorbike rental available 
Arrows pointing for prayers
Wifi internet is strong in the restaurant and reception, and good enough for regular usage in dorms  
Breakfast included = huge pancake, tea, coffee, syrup 
Kitchenette available for use 

Overall 13/25
Very basic but functional, and a good enough stop over for one night. The banana fritters alone are enough for me to swing by!

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