Kota Kinabalu's BEST 2BR Condo! Imago View, Pool Access, Sleeps 6!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into the glorious, sometimes messy, always-telling experience that is Kota Kinabalu's BEST 2BR Condo! Imago View, Pool Access, Sleeps 6! Forget the polished brochure, this is the REAL DEAL. And I’m going to tell you every single thing that popped into my head during my stay.
First off, the SEO juice! Keywords, keywords, keywords!
- Kota Kinabalu Condos: (obvious, but necessary)
- 2BR Condo Kota Kinabalu: (Specificity is key)
- Imago View Condo: (The Name!)
- Pool Access Condo Kota Kinabalu: (Gotta have that pool!)
- Kota Kinabalu Family Accommodation: (Sleeps 6! Hello families!)
- Kota Kinabalu Luxury Condo: (We'll see if 'luxury' fits, haha)
- Kota Kinabalu Vacation Rental: (Another search term)
- Best Kota Kinabalu Condo: (Hoping Google agrees!)
- (and sprinkling in accessibility, WiFi, restaurants, family-friendly keywords throughout!)
Right, NOW we can lose the clinical and start having some fun.
Okay, so getting there. Accessibility: Here's the thing – the Imago Shopping Mall where the condo is located is super accessible. Elevators galore, wide walkways. Getting to the condo itself? Mostly good. I didn't have a wheelchair, so I can't give a definitive report, but I didn’t see anything that would scream "impossible" to a user. But, best check the specifics with the host!
Accessibility – On-site restaurants/lounges: Imago Mall has a food court, fancy restaurants, the works. You’re pretty much set. Now, were they ALL perfectly accessible? Well, let's be honest, I was too busy stuffing my face to notice every ramp (again - check with the host if that is a huge thing for you!).
Wheelchair Accessible: As I mentioned, it looked promising, but confirm with the host for SURE. I'm not going to pretend to know.
Internet, Internet, INTERNET! Right! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! Honestly, it was pretty reliable. Not lightning fast, but I could stream my Netflix without too much buffering (critical!). Then there's Internet access – LAN. I didn't bother with a LAN cable, I’m a wireless girl. If you are needing serious bandwidth, bring your own cable.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax… and the Pool! Right. Okay, the Swimming pool [outdoor] access is a MAJOR selling point. And, it lives up to the hype! The Pool with a view is seriously gorgeous, especially at sunset. I'm a sucker for a good sunset, so the Poolside bar was practically my second home for happy hour! (More on Happy Hour later!) There’s a Fitness center too (I saw it, I swear!). And a Spa! I didn't try the Body scrub, the Body wrap, the Foot bath, the Sauna, the Spa/Sauna, the Steamroom, or the Massage. I'm more of a "pool-and-cocktail" kind of relaxer, BUT it's very comforting to KNOW they are available on-site.
Cleanliness and Safety: Okay, this is IMPORTANT, especially now. The condo seemed very clean. I didn’t get a magnifying glass out or anything, but the surfaces looked spotless and things really looked after. The Anti-viral cleaning products and Daily disinfection in common areas gives some peace of mind. They had Hand sanitizer everywhere. Rooms sanitized between stays is a great sign. They take these precautions seriously. They even had Sterilizing equipment. Seriously, top marks. Also there are several Safety/security feature like Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher, CCTV in common areas, Front desk [24-hour], and Security [24-hour] etc. which just adds to your sense of well-being.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Okay, let's get real. A trip to KL is not complete without eating! The condo kitchen is well, a kitchen. You could totally cook. But, uh… I didn't. I ate OUT. The Restaurants in the mall are plentiful. There's a Coffee shop. There’s a Snack bar by the pool. I didn't see a Vegetarian restaurant, but, again – the massive food court has something for everyone. There's Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant and Western cuisine in restaurant! (So, many choices!) The Poolside bar is where I developed a serious relationship with the sunset. The Bottle of water they supplied when you checked in was a nice touch. Oh, I just remembered, there was Room service [24-hour]! I did NOT use it, but it's there! (Important note: I’m pretty sure there was a Coffee/tea in restaurant and Coffee shop!
Services and Conveniences: The Air conditioning in public area is a lifesaver. The Concierge was super helpful with recommendations. The Daily housekeeping was efficient and discreet. The Elevator is a necessity. You get to use the Cash withdrawal, and Currency exchange, too. The convenience store in the mall is your best friend for snacks (duh) And the shops - they have a Gift/souvenir shop.
For the Kids (and the Kid in You): Okay, Family/child friendly is a HUGE yes. The pool is PERFECT for kids. I saw a bunch of families there, and everyone seemed happy. From what I could see, there were Kids facilities, and the Babysitting service sounds like a nice offering if you're desperate for a date night. I just saw kids having fun, so this seems great.
The Condo Itself! (And the Bed!): Okay, the details! The Available in all rooms are awesome! You have Air conditioning (thank GOD!), Alarm clock, I had a Balcony, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub (oh the luxury!), Blackout curtains (sleep in!), Closet (big enough for my clothes!), Coffee/tea maker (vital!), Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Hair dryer, the In-room safe box is another bonus, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens (clean!), Mini bar (tempting!), Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries (decent!), Towels, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], and, of course, Window that opens! I think you know you're in a hotel when everything is a-okay!
Extra observations and honest bits
- The only downside? The traffic. Kota Kinabalu is a lovely city, but GETTING around, particularly in a car, can be slow going. Factor that into your plans when you look at transport options like Airport transfer and Taxi service.
- Anecdote: One evening, I was sprawled out on the balcony, watching the sunset (again, obsessed), and I could hear kids laughing in the pool below. Pure bliss. Then I spilled my very drink… which I then dropped off the balcony (I think you can now guess the drink and venue!). The point is – there are imperfections, people are human, but the good memories, and the view, outweigh everything!
- Quirky Observation: I became oddly attached to the shower gel. It smelled DIVINE and every time I used it, I felt cleansed on a spiritual level.
- My Opinion: Would I stay again? Absolutely, in a heartbeat. Especially if someone else is paying!
Now, the irresistible offer!
Headline: Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Kota Kinabalu Getaway Awaits! Imago View Condo – Pool Access, Sleeps 6!
Body:
Hey there, travel enthusiasts! Dreaming of turquoise waters, stunning sunsets, and a vacation the whole family will actually enjoy? Look no further than our Kota Kinabalu condo at Imago View! This isn’t just a place to sleep; it’s a gateway to unforgettable memories.
Imagine this: You wake up in your spacious, air-conditioned 2-bedroom condo, fully equipped with everything you need, from a fully stocked kitchen to comfy beds. Step outside onto your balcony and take in the breathtaking views! Then, it's a short stroll to the sparkling pool, perfect for a refreshing dip. Kids splashing, adults lounging – pure relaxation.
Located right in the heart of Imago Shopping Mall, you'll have a dizzying array of dining choices, shopping right at your doorstep, and all the convenience you could ask for. Plus,
Escape to Harare: Sisa's Cozy Self-Catering Home Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because you're about to get a REAL travel itinerary for KK SUTERA AVENUE, 19B, Kota Kinabalu – the 2-bedroom, 6-person, WT POOL OPP IMAGO stay. Forget the perfect brochures, this is the messy, glorious truth.
Day 1: Arrival and Mild Chaos
- 15:00 - Arrival and Apartment Fiasco… Kinda. The flight was fine, mostly. My seatmate, bless her heart, kept trying to feed me those weird little airplane cookies. I'm more of a savoury gal, myself. Finding the apartment was… an adventure. Okay, maybe "adventure" is a strong word. More like a low-level navigational challenge. The Grab driver – bless his heart – got gloriously lost. Eventually, we tumbled out of the car, sweating and slightly disoriented, in front of what looked like the right building. Then, the key handover was a little… awkward. The host's instructions were, let's be honest, slightly vague, and the door code felt like a riddle. But we made it. We're IN. Sutera Avenue, here we come!
- 16:00 - Apartment Recon and Initial Panic. Okay, initial impressions of 19B: It’s… decent. The pool view is undeniably appealing. It's definitely a little less "Instagram-ready" than the photos suggested. The promised "fully equipped kitchen" seems to be missing a can opener. And where's the bloody corkscrew?! Never mind, we'll improvise. The air con is blasting like a blizzard, which is a godsend after the heat outside. Someone, I think it was me, briefly freaked out about the lack of proper coffee-making facilities. We'd survive, probably.
- 17:00 - Groceries and the Great Supermarket Sprint. Imago Mall is blessedly close. We hit the supermarket with a mission: conquer the local culinary scene. This involved a lot of staring at labels, muttering about "what is that?", and accidentally buying a mountain of instant noodles (which, let's be honest, might be dinner). The checkout line was a warzone. The woman in front of me was clearly buying for a small army. My sanity – and budget – felt threatened.
- 18:30 - Poolside Chillax (and the Mosquito Massacre). This is why we came, right? The pool is lovely. The kids are shrieking with joy. Us adults are… trying to avoid the sun. The mosquitoes, however, are ruthless predators. I swear, I’ve already donated an alarming amount of blood. Sunscreen is essential. Bug spray is a goddamn lifesaver. Still, the sunset is gorgeous, and the water is cool. All is (mostly) forgiven.
- 19:30 - Dinner Disaster (and Redemption). Okay, the instant noodles were… fine. But we also attempted to cook some chicken we bought at the supermarket. It turned out… less than perfect. Let’s just say the smoke alarm made more than one guest very nervous. Thankfully, we have the Imago Mall nearby. Some quick-and-dirty Thai food rescued us from starvation and saved the day. Feeling accomplished.
Day 2: Island Hopping (and Emotional Rollercoasters)
- 07:00 - Wake up, sunshine! (And breakfast – if we can find any). We were supposed to have a continental breakfast, but the toaster is MIA. We had to walk to the mall to get coffee and pastry… after searching for the perfect coffee
- 08:00 - Jesselton Point and the Ferry Frenzy. Jesselton Point is where the island-hopping dreams begin. The sheer number of boats and people is overwhelming. We're battling for attention, trying to understand the ferry schedules, and feeling like clueless tourists (because, well, we are). The vendors are relentless, but the water is a beautiful turquoise.
- 09:00 - Island One: Manukan. Sand, sun, and the Great Sea Turtle Hunt. Okay, Manukan Island is the postcard-perfect paradise. The sand is blindingly white, the water is clear. We spent hours snorkeling, gawking at the colorful fish. One small child insisted we were hunting sea turtles. No luck. The sun is brutal. Apply sunscreen. Reapply sunscreen. I did not. I am now a lobster. But it was pure, unadulterated joy (and a little sunburn).
- 13:00 - Island Two: Sapi Island. BBQ's & the Perfect Picture. Sapi Island: More snorkelling, which I am absolutely loving. Beach BBQ! I tried the grilled seafood and it was simply amazing. The picture-perfect location with white sand and clear water provided a stunning scene for photos.
- 16:00 - Back to Sutera Avenue. Sunburnt, Sand-Laden, and Exhausted. Ferry ride back was a blur of dozing and reflecting on the amazing day. Kids are chattering about fish. Me? I'm already planning my next tropical getaway. I'm also feeling incredibly grateful, and very, very tired.
- 17:00 - Shower & Nap. The holy trinity.
- 19:00 - Dinner at Welcome Seafood Restaurant. After a quick shower, we are off to Welcome Seafood Restaurant. This is what's going to make this trip memorable.
Day 3: Culture, Cooking, and Contemplation
- 09:00 - Exploring Kota Kinabalu City.
- 12:00 - Cookery Class.
- 15:00 - Chill Time at the Pool
- 19:00 - Night Market Adventure.
Day 4: Departure – With a Grateful Heart (and a Slightly Overstuffed Suitcase)
- 09:00 - Last Swim & Pack Up.
- 12:00 - Farewell Lunch.
- 14:00 - Heading to the Airport.
- 15:00 - Check in flight, and ready to go home.
Messy Notes & Reflections:
- The bathroom in 19B sometimes smells… interesting. Air freshener is essential.
- I miss decent coffee so much.
- The local people are incredibly friendly.
- I’m pretty sure one of the kids lost a shoe. I haven’t had the time to look for it.
- This trip wasn’t perfect, but it was real. Would totally do it again, key fiascos and all.
- Kota Kinabalu, you have my heart. You really do.
So, like, is this place *actually* the BEST 2BR condo in KK? Because I've read some seriously questionable reviews.
Pool Access? Seriously? How does that even work? Sounds too good to be true.
Sleeps 6? Is that actually *comfortable* for 6? Or sardines in a can comfortable?
How's the location? Is it walkable to anything interesting? Like, say, food?
Alright, dish on the kitchen. Is it functional, or just for show? Because I need coffee. Desperately.
Any hidden 'gotchas' or things I should know *before* I book? Spill the tea!
