Our trip to Borneo earlier this year was a bit of test for Emmie and me. In preparation for our year in Asia, I wanted to see if we could manage a different style of accommodation to what we’ve become used to over the past five years, so we ventured out from resortland and dipped our toes into the world of budget accommodation.
I was pretty sure we could do it, I think backpacking is in my DNA after many years of adventures before settling down, but I had become very accustomed to the other end of the scale with our recent trips and my girls weekends at fancy hotels. So the test was on.
In the interests of full disclosure I will admit that we lasted for almost half of the trip before we ditched our budget bookings and ended up at the amazing Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa followed by the kids’ paradise Shangri-La Tanjung Aru in Kota Kinabalu. The Shangri-La had been pre-booked as a reward for our budget efforts and although we didn’t last all the way I figured we still deserved it. We managed a week and I think that in certain cases (such as being in the middle of the Bornean jungle in 35 degree heat) upgrading accommodation is justified.
However, our budget accommodation in Kuching was totally fabulous and I really want to share this with you cause it goes to show that you can absolutely travel to a new country and be off the beaten track with kids in budget accommodation and have a great time (as many of you already know of course).
We stayed six nights in the Tune Hotel in Kuching, paying $30 per night for a small room with double bed, air-conditioning, attached en-suite, towels and toiletries, wifi, and a breakfast of chicken sambal and tea each morning.
The hotel was a fabulous budget option – the lobby was small but tasteful and comfortable, with lounges and plants and an outdoor balcony breakfast area overlooking local eateries (selling $2.00 beers I later discovered) and the back of buildings.
The clientele was not budget by any means - families, local business people and other travellers so it was a good environment to begin without having to spend much money at all.
The staff on the front desk were incredibly welcoming, polite and helpful, providing excellent information on transport and activities and organising our laundry for only $3 per bag. The desk is manned all through the night and there is onsite security.
Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Hotel review: Tune Hotel - Kuching, Borneo (Budget)
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