One such hotel is located along the beautiful seaside of Kuala Penyu in Sabah.
Called “Kontena Coastal View”, this unique beachfront hotel is quite literally made out of old shipping containers – well, mostly! There is a brick-and-mortar structure inside that the shipping containers are attached to.
At first glance, you might mistake this hotel for a kindergarten, given the bright and cheerful red, yellow and blue facade that beckons visitors to come inside.
It is certainly a novel way to give old shipping containers a new purpose, but there is more to a hotel than just aesthetics.
For a non-premium establishment which opened just last year, Kontena and its staff go above and beyond to ensure that guests have a pleasant stay. While no five-star hotel, you will certainly be treated to top-tier service.
And given that room rates here are reasonable, ranging from the affordable RM130 for the Standard Twin to the pricier RM280 for the Master Suite, there’s no question you’ll be getting a bang for your buck when you spend the night here.
Guests arriving at the hotel however, might not be too thrilled to learn that the reception counter is on the first floor. Just thank your lucky stars if you’re travelling light. If you are saddled with heavy luggage, fret not. The staff here will rush to your aid almost immediately, carting away your bags to your room without you having to lift a finger.
After a long day spent in the sun, entering an air-conditioned room is a welcomed change. While furnished in a simple fashion, the Standard Twin room still offers some comforts.
The complimentary box of local sweets on the bed with a personalised “thank you” message for staying the night at Kontena, is a charming gesture.
As the name suggests, the Standard Twin room comes with two single beds. FMT Lifestyle also checked out the King Seaview room, which offers a lovely vista of the South China Sea. More suited for a couple on a romantic getaway, waking up to the sounds and sight of the gentle waves washing over the beach are quite an experience.
The facilities provided in both rooms were also adequate, with both Wi-Fi and air-conditioners well-maintained.
It is also a boon to the hotel that the bathrooms have handheld shower heads and good water pressure for an invigorating bath.
When hunger takes over, grab a meal downstairs. The food here is homely and satisfying enough to satiate even the pickiest eater.
Then, take a stroll outside. There are several dogs that live on the property, and the friendlier ones look forward to being patted and played with.
And if dogs aren’t entertaining enough for you, head to the beach out front. There is a small playground here for the young and the young at heart.
You can also see Pulau Tiga in the distance, an island you can actually visit by boat from the nearby jetty if you so wish.
Thus, if you’re ever in the Kuala Penyu area and need a place to rest your head, Kontena Coastal View would make for a truly comfortable, affordable and memorable stay.
Kontena Coastal View
Jalan Pantai Sawangan
89747 Kuala Penyu
Sabah
Contact: 019-7706633
E-mail: [email protected]