Kuching Hotel Reviews
Sarawak a very interesting place to visit, but enjoyed Sabah much more. The resort is a little out the way but local tours are available. The trip was worth it just for the Orangutans and the long house. Be advised to stay away from here in the monsoon season it really is horrid, but im sure pleasant in the dry season.
Sarawak Cultural Village very close, climbed up Mt. Santubong (very tiring but rewarding once you get to the top!). The Dutong seafood restaurant near the hotel is very nice. Visited Bako National Park which was amazing and spent the whole day visiting Kuching, very laid back and peaceful city.
The travel agent located in the hotel building can arrange all sort of tours including visiting the Orang Utan, a day trip to the reserved forrest, offer to the nearby cultural villages, dolphin watch etc etc. The price is reasonable and the staff attitude is very friendly. Recommended seafood restaurant - SeaView Seafood Restaurant.
The quick walk to the nearby Sarawak Cultural Village was a real highlight, as were the clean beach and affordable leisure facilities for families. For those wanting a real jungle walk experience, there are both a 2 and 4-7 hour trail within 10 minutes of the hotel.
Getting to the airport from Damai Lagoon was expensive, 60 RM per trip. I went to Bako on 17/7/2004 on a tour by CPH travel. The jungle trail was fantastic and taxing, see many species of plants and animals, blue color crabs, orange color crabs, green color snakes, proboscis monkey, wild boar. Rehman was a good guide.<br> <br> Saw the Sea-Stack (Rock) by boat in the afternoon, sea was rough. Saw small fishes jumping out of the water. The mangrove-swamp trees were covered by the sea up to the tree-trunks, a great sight!!I will come back again.
I had only two days, so tried to get rest after two days spent in KL. I visited Semenggoh Wildlife Reserve (took a cab from the city, RM45 for 3 hours visit and drive) and saw an orangutan family coming from the jungle to the centre for feeding. Sarawak Cultural Village visit was also very good, organized, although maybe bit overpriced (RM45). Also made sunset cruise on the river (6.30pm-8.00pm) for only RM30, bookings directly at the waterfront.
Very close to the cultural village which is a must, the Rainforest Festival of Music held at the Cultural Village. A stone''s throw away from the Damai hotels made it a good choice.
Extended my stay in Kuching City in a different hotel. All in all, the city is an excellent holiday destination. Lots of places to visit within and away from the city area (parks, museums, short river cruise). Plenty of shops within the vicinity of hotels that sells souvenirs and local handicrafts. Excellent customer service and workmanship, good prices offered. Could still bargain for better deal. Also lots of eating places (esp. if you love seafoods). Easy to move around town or to the outskirts: worth taking the public transports (any kind!).
Very nice area. Good hiking trails nearby. Good restaurants in Buntal. Unfortunately no public transports available.
Really enjoyed Kuching and the national parks but go with a guide you will see more animals.
We did like the placement at the lagoon, near by to culutural village. The hotel''s jungle trekking were fine.
The resort area was very beautiful, if perhaps a little isolated. Our visit to the Sarawak Cultural Village was very enjoyable and we were very impressed with the cultural performance. We spent about half a day in Kuching, which was not really enough. The city was also impressive. We used hotel transport to get to and from the city, which was not expensive although the journey there and back used up a lot of the time.
We wanted a quiet break and that is exactly what we got. The resort is rather isolated, there are no outside restaurants or shops within walking distance. There is a shuttle service to Kuching. A very interesting and worthwhile visit.
The Cultural Village situated 5 min from the Damai Lagoon Resort was well worth the hefty entrance fee. Educational for first timers to Sarawak on the indigenious tribes. The superb 1 hour cultural show ended the tour nicely. <BR><BR> Kuching riverside was interesting for walks at night although the food there was comparative higher priced than other parts of Kuching. Handicraft shops there were a haven for souvenior hunters. Price ranges quite widely so it is wise to walk through all the shops before buying. Haggling is necessary. <BR><BR> Visits to bird nest processing and pottery factories (within the Kuching area) were educational, too.
I recomend visiting Sarawak Cultural Village (2 minuts walking from the Hotel).
The hotel has a free shuttle to the Sarawak Cultural Center, a theme park whiuch features the major cultures of Sarawak inclding structures, artifacts, performances, and craft demonstrations. There is also an inexpensive shuttle that goes from the Holiday Inn Kuching to the Damai Beach.
The hotel is only 10 minutes walk from the Sarawak Cultural Village, and there is a very good tour operator based in the hotel. We went on the daytrip to the Iban Longhouse and it was excellent.
The location is nice, but the beaches in the region have potential sanitation issues! Bako National Park, Semonggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Kuching are all worthy of visits and are nearby. The Sarawak Cultural Village is within walking distance, and is also worthy of a visit.
Easy 45-minute drive from Kuching. But immediate local area not fully utilised or tied in. Eg rainforest resort, Pasir Pandak, though Buntal for seafood was very good.