Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Perkasa Hotel Tenom's Hidden Paradise
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits? Perkasa Hotel Tenom: My Brain Dump After a Borneo Blowout
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from the Perkasa Hotel in Tenom, Borneo, and my brain is still trying to wring out the jungle humidity. They advertised "Unbelievable Luxury," and honestly? Well… let's unravel this tangled ball of yarn, shall we? This isn't your sanitized travel brochure, folks. This is the raw, unedited truth, warts and all.
SEO & Metadata (Because apparently, that's a thing):
- Keywords: Perkasa Hotel Tenom, Borneo, Luxury Hotel, Accessible Hotel, Spa, Swimming Pool, Restaurant, Tenom, Malaysia, Reviews, Travel, Vacation, Borneo Hotels, Accessible Travel, Family-Friendly Hotel, Wi-Fi, Fitness Center.
- Meta Description: Unbiased review of Perkasa Hotel Tenom, Borneo. Discover the good, the bad, and the surprisingly delicious. Accessibility, amenities, dining, and overall experience dissected with humor and honesty. Is it really "unbelievable"? Dive in!
(Deep breath… and let's go.)
Accessibility (and my near-death experience with a ramp):
Okay, so “accessible.” They say accessible. And there are ramps. Emphasis on ramps. Look, I’m not in a wheelchair, but I did try to navigate one with a suitcase that felt like it weighed a small car. It wasn't pretty. Let's just say I learned a new level of appreciation for the engineering of a properly graded incline. Inside, the situation was better; elevators were present, and the common areas generally seemed designed with accessibility in mind. But seriously, Perkasa, check the gradients on those outdoor ramps. My ankles are still screaming.
On-site Restaurants/Lounges: Food Coma, Incoming!
Alright, lemme tell ya, the food situation was a rollercoaster. Let’s start with the good: the buffet breakfast. (More on that later – it’s a saga.) There’s an a la carte menu and a general "Asian cuisine" vibe running through the restaurants, I'm sure. If you're into asian food, that's great! I, on the other hand… well, I like my food safe and recognizably edible. They had a Western breakfast thrown in there, which was an actual godsend.
The Buffet Battleground: First things first, the breakfast buffet was an absolute beast. Everything from fresh fruits (that were actually fresh – a miracle!) to… well, things I think were meat. I’m not entirely sure. The coffee? Weak. Like, "whispering into the void" weak. You could get it in the coffee shop though, so don't let that scare you. The sheer quantity was impressive though. You could easily spend your entire morning in a food coma. And I may have done that… several times.
The Poolside Bar: My Oasis (and the mystery of Happy Hour): The poolside bar? That was my sanctuary. Imagine this: clear skies, a gorgeous infinity pool (more on that later), and a cocktail in hand. Pure bliss. The drinks were mostly well-made. The "Happy Hour" felt a bit… loose. The times varied. The discounts were… variable. But hey, who cares when you're basking in the sun? This is where the real "luxury" thing happened.
Wheelchair Accessible? (See above - the ramps are an adventure!)
Internet Access: Bless those Wi-Fi Gods!
"Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" they proclaimed! And, hallelujah, they delivered. Okay, it wasn't blazing fast, but it was reliable. And hey, when you're hiding from the equatorial sun with your laptop, you're not expecting rocket speed. The LAN option? I didn't even look. Seriously, who carries an Ethernet cable anymore?
Things to Do/Ways to Relax: Spa Day, or Bust!
Okay, now we’re talking. This is where Perkasa mostly redeemed itself in my eyes.
The Pool with a View (And the Squirrel Invasion): The outdoor pool. Oh. My. God. Perched on the edge of a hill, gazing out at the jungle. Stunning. Absolutely stunning. I spent HOURS there. Just floating, staring at the clouds. There are some issues with the water running out during peak hour, but if you managed to get there early enough, it's the life. Minor anecdote: one afternoon I was sunbathing, and a squirrel came down and stole a piece of my fruit! I was not amused.
SPA-tacular!: Body scrub, body wrap, and the heavenly Massage: The spa! I booked myself solid: body scrub, body wrap, massage. Honestly, it was a dream. The masseuse had hands of magic. I walked in a tense, grumpy travel-weary husk, and walked out… well, slightly less grumpy. And with skin that felt like a baby's bottom. Worth the price of admission alone.
Gym/Fitness: They have one - I avoided it. I saw the fitness center. It looked… functional. I'm pretty sure it's there, and maybe you should go. I didn't. Too much amazing food to eat!
Cleanliness and Safety: Gotta give them credit.
Let me tell you, COVID protocols were serious. They had anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection, hand sanitizer everywhere. They were obsessed with hygiene, and I respect that. I felt genuinely safe, which is a huge plus. Room sanitization opt-out? Yes, please!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: More Buffet, More Problems (and Delights)
- Breakfast Saga (Again): Okay, I’m going to circle back to breakfast. Because it was that important. The Asian breakfast options were… mysterious. There were curries, noodles, and things that resembled deep-fried… something. I played it very safe with the omelet station. The staff was friendly, but I swear, half of them looked as bewildered by the buffet choices as I was.
- Other Dining Options (and the search for the perfect Salad): They had a few restaurants, a snack bar, and room service. You could get a western breakfast, but I could never actually manage to get a Western lunch! I did try the salad at the restaurant. It was… adequate. I was in the mood for something delicious but it was just ok.
- The Bar Scene, Again: The bar, bless its heart, was the only place I got any real joy out of eating. They had some bar snacks, which was super important. And Happy Hour was a great time, as long as you didn't try and pin them down on opening times.
Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag, but Mostly Good
- The Elevator: A Lifesaver: The elevator worked. Thank you, Perkasa! It was a blessing, especially after those ramp adventures.
- Cash Withdrawal, Currency Exchange and the Helpful Staff: Currency exchange and ATM was available. The staff, mostly, were friendly and helpful.
- Daily Housekeeping (and the mystery of the Missing Soap): My room was cleaned daily, which was great. But the soap situation was… inconsistent. Sometimes there was soap. Sometimes there wasn't. Don't ask me why.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: I'm not fully disabled, but it looked like they have the basics.
- Meeting/Banquet Facilities, for Business or Pleasure: They had the space for meetings, but I wasn’t there for that.
For the Kids: I Can't Say, I Don't Have Any.
They mention "Kids facilities" and "Babysitting service". But I spent my time in the spa. I can't write about something I didn't experience.
Around the Room: What's in the Box (Mostly):
- The Bed: The Blackout Curtains and the Sleep: Everything was clean and functional and comfortable. The beds were comfortable, and they used blackout curtains, which was essential for those early-morning sunrise wakeups.
- Coffee/tea, complimentary tea!: There was a coffee maker and tea in the room, which was a great way to kill time when the internet didn't work.
- Free bottled water, thank god: Essential in the heat!
- And the Rest: Mini-bar, in-room safe, a desk… the usual suspects.
Getting Around: Free Car Parks - Score!
Free parking! Excellent. Valet? I didn’t use it. Car park on site.
The Verdict: Unbelievable, But Not Perfect.
So, is it "Unbelievable Luxury"? Nah. But it is a really decent hotel. The location is great, the pool is phenomenal, the spa is divine, and they take COVID safety seriously. Accessibility could be better. The food… well, it’s an adventure. On the whole? I'd go back. I'd just pack my own soap and a strong sense of adventure (and maybe a ramp-
Diaghilev Studio Moscow: Unveiling Russia's Hidden Artistic Gem
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my (probably slightly disastrous) adventure at Perkasa Hotel in Tenom, Malaysia. Prepare for a whirlwind of lush landscapes, questionable decisions, and enough instant noodles to fuel a small army. Here goes… let’s call this “Tenom Tingles & Tourist Trauma”:
Day 1: Arrival and the Case of the Overenthusiastic Mosquito
- Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Flight into Kota Kinabalu (KK) – The airport hustle is always the real introduction to a trip. You know, the "am I forgetting something?" panic attack, the baggage carousel ballet, and the sudden, overwhelming urge for a double espresso. Honestly, I had a mild meltdown trying to figure out the exchange rate. Dollars to Ringgit… my brain just short-circuited. Finally got a Grab to the KK bus station, then onwards, to Tenom. Smooth(ish) sailing.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Bus to Tenom. (Long enough to contemplate your life choices). The scenery! Oh. My. Gawd. Jungle-y goodness. Rolling hills. Rivers that looked like they could swallow you whole (but in a good way, I think?). I spent most of the ride trying to mentally prepare for the coming adventure and avoiding eye contact with the overly-friendly lady across the aisle.
- Late Afternoon/Evening (4:00 PM - onwards): Arrival in Tenom and checking into Perkasa Hotel. Let me tell you, the hotel itself is… well, it’s "charming" in the same way a slightly-worn teddy bear is "charming." It's got character. And by character, I mean a perpetually damp smell and questionable plumbing. But hey, it’s clean-ish, and the staff were genuinely lovely (they were probably used to the stream of bewildered tourists).
- The Mosquito Encounter: Here’s the thing. I am a mosquito magnet. Like, a walking, talking, deliciously fragrant buffet for those little buzz-bombs. The moment I stepped into my room, BAM! A squadron of the little vampires descended. Deet? Useless. My blood just… calls to them. I spent a solid hour battling the swarm, swatting, cursing, and finally resorting to a frantic, flailing dance that I’m pretty sure disturbed the peace of the entire floor. I think I got a few, but I also probably inhaled a fair amount of pesticide – maybe I’ll glow green by the end of this trip.
Day 2: Coffee, Cows, and a Near-Death Experience (Okay, Maybe Overdramatic)
- Morning (7:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Coffee Plantation Tour – Promised myself an early start to finally get over jet lag. The guide (a cheerful, slightly eccentric local) took us through the coffee plantation. The views were gorgeous, I learned way more about the coffee bean than I ever thought I would, and… the coffee itself was divine. Seriously, some of the best I've ever tasted.
- The Cows: There were these ridiculously cute (and seemingly fearless) cows wandering around. One of them, a particularly boisterous bovine, seemed to take a shine to me. It started following me, nudging me, and generally trying to lick my face. I have a slight fear of large mammals, so I may have overreacted. It was a genuine fright (a 5/10 for adventure). Picture me: terrified, surrounded by adorable cows, and desperately trying not to scream.
- Lunch (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Found a tiny, local eatery that looked more like someone's backyard. Ate some noodles that burned my tongue. I think. Maybe. It was so hot, I kind of blacked out for the first 10 minutes. The price, however, was great.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM): River Rafting! Okay, this was the thing that almost killed me (dramatic, I know). The river was fast-flowing, the rapids were…well, rapids. I somehow managed to fall out of the raft (twice!). I'm convinced I had some water in my lungs for a solid hour afterward. The guide was a total legend, pulling me back in each time with a grin.
- The Aftermath: Spent the rest of the afternoon shivering, slightly traumatized, and trying to dry off my phone (which, predictably, failed). But hey, I survived! And the adrenaline rush? Unforgettable. I could feel it pulsing in all my veins.
- Evening (4:00 PM - Onwards): Dinner and Recovery. Ate a mountain of rice and tried to convince myself I was capable of something other than sitting around doing nothing. The hotel restaurant had this incredibly potent, fiery chili sauce. I should have known better. It was a mistake I will never make again.
Day 3: Farewell and the lingering smell of damp
- Morning (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Strolled around Tenom. The town is pretty quiet. I spent a lot of time thinking about the experience, reflecting on the ups, downs, and adventures.
- Late Morning/Afternoon (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM): Goodbye, glorious jungle and hello, bus back to Kota Kinabalu.
- Evening (2:00PM - onward): Flight home. I'm typing this from the airport, my clothes are damp, my skin is itchy (thanks, mosquitoes), and I'm utterly exhausted. Did I enjoy this trip? Absolutely. Would I do it again? Probably. Give me a week, and let me forget the mosquito battles and the near-drowning, and I'll be planning my return.
A Few Random Thoughts:
- Never underestimate the power of a good cup of coffee. Or, you know, a good cup of coffee and a stiff drink to calm the nerves.
- Malaysian food is amazing, but the chili sauce is a force to be reckoned with. Approach with caution (and maybe a fire extinguisher).
- Pack extra bug spray. Seriously. Trust me on this one.
- Leave your expectations at the door. Embrace the chaos. You'll have a better time.
- Perkasa Hotel, you were… an experience. Farewell, dampness!
So there you have it, my Tenom tango. It wasn’t perfect, but that’s what made it memorable. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to find the strongest coffee in KK and try to scrub the pervasive scent of "slightly-damp hotel room" from my memory. Until next time, Malaysia!
Gainesville's BEST I-75 Hotel Near University: Quality Inn!
So, Perkasa Hotel Tenom – Is it REALLY "Unbelievable Luxury" like the brochure screams? I'm skeptical!
What kind of activities are offered? I'm picturing something beyond just sitting by a pool, even though a pool sounds AMAZING right now.
The food. Tell me about the food! Is it as good as all the glowing reviews claim? Because I'm a foodie. A very judgmental foodie.
I'm concerned about the location being "remote." Is it *too* remote? Will I be bored out of my skull?
What's the spa like? Specifically, are the massage therapists any good? Because a bad massage can ruin a whole vacation.
What kind of people were staying there? Is it a pretentious scene? Because I don't want to be surrounded by snobs.
Any hidden costs I should be aware of? Because hotels ALWAYS try to get you.
