Kuching's BEST 3-Bedroom Luxury Homestay: REX Apartment Awaits!
Kuching's BEST 3-Bedroom Luxury Homestay: REX Apartment Awaits!
REX Apartment Awaits! Kuching: Luxury Homestay Review - The Honest Truth (and a Few Rambles)
Okay, so I just got back from a stay at REX Apartment Awaits in Kuching, and let me tell you, my expectations were… high. Luxury homestay? Three bedrooms? Kuching? I was picturing breezy balconies, jungle views, and maybe a personal masseuse (a girl can dream!). Did it live up to the hype? Well, let's dive in, because this place has a lot to unpack, and I'm still trying to sort through my suitcase of feelings.
Accessibility & Safety: Feeling Safe, But No Easy Peasy for Everyone
First things first, let's talk about accessibility. This is a mixed bag. The elevator is a godsend, absolutely critical, especially for those lucky enough to be on a higher floor. Facilities for disabled guests are listed, but I didn't see anything specific in my unit or the building (more on that later). The car park [free of charge] is a plus – essential! And there's a car power charging station, which is awesome for the eco-conscious traveler.
Important Note for Accessibility: I really need to emphasize this. While the building has an elevator, and that’s a huge plus, I'm not sure what the amenities for guests with limited mobility are really like. If you need specific accommodations, PLEASE contact them in advance and confirm.
Regarding Cleanliness and safety: Hand sanitizer everywhere. I mean EVERYWHERE. Which, in the current climate, is a huge relief. The anti-viral cleaning products and daily disinfection in common areas are great. There’s even sterilizing equipment in the units themselves. I especially appreciated knowing that that there was staff trained in safety protocol and the rooms sanitized between stays. I felt safe. The CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property further reassured me. The smoke alarms and fire extinguisher in the unit were good, but I will say, I spotted what appeared to be a small bit of dust on a shelf in the master bedroom. It wasn't ideal, but I'm not going to lose sleep over one tiny dust bunny. My OCD friend would have had an absolute meltdown, though.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Hiccup)
Okay, let's talk food. This, for me, is crucial. I'm a foodie, and I travel to eat.
- Restaurants, Restaurants, Restaurants! There's a restaurant listed, so this promises some convenience. No on-site restaurant. This isn't a dealbreaker by any means, there are more than enough food vendors near by.
- Breakfast: The promise of an Asian breakfast is thrilling, but even better is the possibility of Breakfast in room. Ahh, the perfect start to the day!
- Dining: This is where things get a little wonky. They offer an alternative meal arrangement which is great, but A la carte in restaurant is listed but there is no on-site restaurant.
- Snacking: A Snack bar on-site would have really made a great impression.
- Drinks: A Bar and Poolside bar would have been amazing additions.
- Overall: The lack of on-site restaurant is a bit of a bummer for a "luxury" place, I admit. I didn’t see any room service menus, either, I just wasn't sure on this one.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: The Pool with… a Bit of a View
Let's be clear, the swimming pool is a major draw. And it's an outdoor pool, though I have to admit, the "pool with view" (as advertised) was more of a "pool with a view of the surrounding buildings." It's not the infinity pool of my dreams, but it's still refreshing on a hot Kuching day.
I was hoping for a full-blown spa experience, but that was not the case. No specific indications of Body scrub, Body wrap, Spa, Spa/sauna. I mean, I can scrub myself, but it would have been nice to pamper myself a bit.
As for fitness, there's a Fitness center, which is decent. I did a quick workout, and the equipment was functional. Still, it's not exactly a state-of-the-art gym.
My Personal (Slightly Chaotic) Room Experience
My unit? HUGE. Seriously, three bedrooms. That's more space that I have in my actual apartment. The Air conditioning was a godsend in the Kuching heat. The Balcony was a nice touch (although the view wasn't mind-blowing).
The kitchen and tableware items were sanitized and that made me feel good.
The beds… okay, the beds were comfortable enough. Extra long bed would have been nice for the 6'4" guest in my party…
The Bathtub in the master bathroom? Yes, please! Perfect for soaking after a long day. The bathrobes were plush.
The satellite/cable channels… well, I didn't really watch TV, but they were there. The Wi-Fi [free] worked perfectly fine, which is always a bonus. I'm sure the Internet access – LAN thing is for someone, but I'm not sure who.
Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag of Helpful and 'Meh'
The concierge service was great. The ladies at the front desk were friendly.
There's a convenience store nearby, which is handy. Laundry service is available.
I loved the daily housekeeping and the fact they provided complimentary tea.
The Luggage storage was useful, since I arrived way before check-in.
The Annoying Bits:
- Unclear on-site meal situation: A definite downside for a 'luxury' listing.
- View: The "view" wasn't as amazing as the photos led me to believe.
The Verdict: Worth It? (Maybe with a Few Caveats)
REX Apartment Awaits is a good option in Kuching, especially if you're traveling with a group or family. The space is fantastic, the amenities are decent, and the location is convenient. However, manage your expectations. It's not a flawless luxury experience. Do your research, ask questions, and be prepared for a few minor imperfections. Overall? I would stay here again, but I'd be more prepared next time, armed with my own snacks and a clearer understanding of what's actually on offer. And maybe some earplugs, just in case those soundproofed rooms aren't completely soundproof!
Escape to Paradise: Luxury Split Hotel Room Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to get the REAL Kuching experience, Rex Apartment Edition. This isn't your perfectly manicured travel blog; this is the messy, glorious, and sometimes downright frustrating truth. Prepare for a schedule that's less "precision Swiss watch" and more "slightly-hungover-and-just-winging-it."
REX APARTMENT 3 BEDROOM LUXURY HOMESTAY2, KUCHING - Operation: Eat, Explore, and Pray We Don't Get Eaten by a Crocodile (Just Kidding… Maybe.)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Noodle Hunt (Plus Jet Lag Shenanigans)
12:00 PM: Touchdown! Kuching International Airport. First impression? HOT. Humid. And suddenly, my carefully applied mascara is migrating south. Grab a Grab (the local ride-hailing app, bless its digital heart) to Rex Apartment. Pray we get a driver who speaks more than three words of English. (Pro-tip: download the Grab app before you arrive. Saves you a world of pain.)
12:45 PM: Arrive at Rex Apartment. OMG, it IS luxurious. Beautiful, spacious, the air conditioning is a godsend. Seriously, considering I'm melting, I could live in this A/C forever. However, the key situation is a bit… complicated. Turns out, we're missing a key. Cue the frantic phone calls to the host. (My first minor internal freak-out: “Is this a sign? Is this trip doomed?!”)
1:30 PM: Key Drama SOLVED! Finally inside. Unpack, marvel at the view. (It’s gorgeous, even if the balcony seems to be a prime spot for lizard sunbathing.)
2:30 PM: The Great Noodle Hunt Begins! Jet lag is kicking my butt, but the rumbling in my stomach is a more powerful motivator. We decide to brave the heat and hunt for authentic Kuching laksa. After a wrong turn, a brief existential crisis in a crowded market (so many unfamiliar smells!), and some questionable choices, we stumble upon Ching San Yan Cafe. I order the laksa. My first bite? Heaven. Seriously, this stuff is what dreams are made of. Spicy, creamy, rich, and utterly delicious. (I'm already plotting a second helping.)
4:00 PM: Naptime. The heat finally caught up to me. I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.
6:00 PM: Wake up to regret. Suddenly wide awake! I'm staring at the ceiling fan. I decide to go for a walk near the apartment.
7:00 PM: Dinner. A simple meal at the nearby hawker centre.
8:00 PM: Scrabble and chill. (Okay, more like Scrabble + slightly-tipsy-from-one-Tiger-beer + giggling-fit.)
9:00 PM: Bed! Ready for some sleep. Day 2: Orangutans, the Sarawak Museum, and a Sticky Situation
8:00 AM: Wake up feeling a little better.
9:00 AM: Breakfast at a local Kopitiam (coffee shop). Trying the Kolo Mee . The noodles are a little bit soggy but the taste is good.
10:00 AM: Semenggoh Wildlife Centre. The most amazing part of this trip! (So far…) Watching the orangutans swing through the trees? Absolutely breathtaking. Seriously, it’s like seeing a National Geographic documentary come to life, only with the added bonus of feeling a pang of guilt about our own species. Seeing these gentle giants up close is a truly humbling experience. I have never seen such grace in the world before! (The fact I couldn't stop grinning for two hours probably added to the experience.) Side note: The jungle humidity is intense. I feel like a wilted lettuce.
1:00 PM: More local food for lunch!
2:30 PM: Sarawak Museum.
3:30 PM: An unfortunate incident involving a rather aggressive (and sticky) dodol stall. (Dodol is a traditional, thick, sweet, and sticky dessert. Let's just say I now have a very personal relationship with it.) Managed to get it all over my hands, my t-shirt, and seemingly, my entire being. It was an all-out, multi-victim sticky disaster.
4:30 PM: Clean up the dodol.
6:00 PM: Dinner.
8:00 PM: River Cruise? It's a bit touristy, sure, but the Kuching River is beautiful at sunset. The river cruise was an amazing experience.
Day 3: The Cat Museum, Bako National Park (and Battling the Bugs!)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. I'm officially addicted to the local coffee. It's strong, rich, and seems to stave off the jet lag demons.
- 10:00 AM: The Cat Museum! This is a controversial one. (I'm a huge cat person, but my travel buddy? Not so much.) It is so unique and so many different types of cats and cat-themed objects and souvenirs. However, I had a blast! Even my friend admitted it was kind of cool, even if it was a little… weird.
- 11:00 AM: Prep for Bako. Bako National Park is famous for its unique rock formations, diverse wildlife.
- 12:00 PM: Boat ride to Bako.
- 12:30 PM: Hike at Bako. The heat and humidity are fierce. Sweat is pouring off us. The trails are challenging. The views, though, are spectacular. We see proboscis monkeys, wild boar, and some seriously impressive (and slightly intimidating) monitor lizards.
- 4:00 PM: Battling the Bugs… the mosquitoes are relentless. They are tiny vampires.
- 5:00 PM: Head back to Rex Apartment.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a fancy restaurant.
Day 4: Shopping, Relaxation, and Departure Prep
- 9:00 AM: Sleep in! (FINALLY!)
- 10:00 AM: Brunch at a cafe.
- 11:30 AM: Shopping.
- 1:00 PM: Last-minute souvenir shopping.
- 2:00 PM: Relaxation. Seriously needed. I'm treating myself to a massage. (The masseuse's hands were like magic.)
- 4:00 PM: Packing. It’s a logistical nightmare. How do you cram all your new treasures in a suitcase?
- 6:00 PM: Farewell Dinner!
Day 5: Departure
- 9:00 AM: Final Breakfast.
- 10:00 AM: Saying goodbye to Rex Apartment. I'm a little sad to leave.
- 11:00 AM: Grab to the airport.
- 12:00 PM: Departure.
Final Thoughts:
Kuching is a place that sneaks up on you. It's not about the perfect itinerary or the Instagram-worthy photos (though it has those too). It's about the unexpected encounters, the shared laughter over a bad plate of noodles, and the moments when you just stop and appreciate the utter beauty of being somewhere completely new. It's a messy, imperfect, and utterly unforgettable adventure. And yeah, I'll definitely be back. (After I detox from all that dodol.) Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need a long, cold shower. And maybe a new t-shirt.
Escape to Paradise: Saint Tropez Praia Hotel Awaits in Porto Seguro!
REX Apartment Awaits! – The Kuching Luxury Homestay FAQ (Because Let's Be Real, We All Have Questions!)
Okay, spill the tea. Is REX Apartment *really* as luxurious as the photos look? I've been burned by Instagram before...
Alright, alright, I'll be honest. Those photos? They're pretty darn accurate. I'm not gonna lie, I walked in and actually gasped. Like, a real, "WHOA" gasp. I'm talking marble countertops, big-ass TVs (okay, maybe I exaggerate, but they were *nice*), and a balcony that looked straight out of a travel magazine. The first thing I did was flop on the ridiculously comfortable couch – it actually swallowed me whole for a good ten minutes. It's not *flawless* – I did notice a tiny smudge on the mirror, but honestly, who's checking the mirrors that closely when you're living the high life?! Plus, the AC was blasting cold, which is a HUGE win in Kuching's heat. So yeah, it’s luxurious. But it feels…lived in. In a good way. Like a real, well-loved home, not some sterile showroom. That matters, trust me.
Three bedrooms, huh? Good for families, I guess... But what about a rowdy group of friends? Is it *that* kind of place?
Dude, REX is ABSOLUTELY the kind of place for a rowdy group! We're talking pre-drinks on the balcony, loud music (within reason, of course – don't be *those* neighbors), and late-night chats in the living room. The three bedrooms mean you can actually *escape* each other when the drama inevitably unfolds (because let's be real, it always does). I went there with my usual chaotic crew, and it was perfect. We had a poker night (and lost all our money, naturally), watched terrible movies, and generally made a mess. We even had a "who can find the most weird and wonderful Kuching street food" challenge, and the apartment became our central hub. It's spacious enough to accommodate that kind of, well, organised chaos. It's not a library; it's a PARTY. (Or, you know, a chill gathering if you're less insane than my friends and I.)
Location, location, location! Is REX Apartment actually *convenient*? Or am I gonna be Uber-ing everywhere?
Okay, this is where REX REALLY shines. It's seriously central. We walked to some amazing restaurants – the Laksa stall around the corner was *life-changing* (seriously, best Laksa I've ever had). Also, it's close to the waterfront and all the main attractions. I actually *forgot* to rent a car, which, for me, is a miracle. I usually get lost in my own kitchen, let alone a new city! I think we only took a Grab once or twice. Everything is walkable. It’s a lifesaver for your wallet and your sanity. You know how some places say "close to everything" and they're lying? REX isn't. It's the real deal. Trust me, after a long day exploring, you'll thank the travel gods for that convenience.
What about the kitchen? I like to cook sometimes (or at least pretend to). Is it well-equipped?
The kitchen is a solid B+. I attempted making breakfast once (pancakes, because, who am I kidding? ) and had all the necessary tools. There's a fridge, oven, microwave, all the usual stuff. It wasn't exactly a chef's dream kitchen (no fancy KitchenAid mixer, sadly), but it was functional. Enough to whip up a decent meal, or at least heat up some leftovers from the amazing local food stalls. And honestly? When you're in Kuching, you're probably going to eat street food 90% of the time anyway. Maybe 95%. The only thing I *really* missed was a proper coffee machine. I am a coffee addict, and those instant sachets just barely cut it!
Okay, the beds... Are they comfy? Because a bad bed can ruin a whole vacation.
The beds? Oh, the beds are the stuff of dreams. Seriously. I'm talking cloud-like pillows, crisp, clean sheets, and mattresses that practically hug you to sleep. I have a notoriously bad back, and I slept like a baby every single night. I actually *considered* sneaking the pillows home (don’t judge me!), but I thought better of it. Each bedroom had its own comfortable bed, and that’s a major win, because nobody gets the short straw when it comes to sleeping arrangements. Huge thumbs up on the bed situation. Seriously, book it just for the sleep. You won't regret it. Especially if you've been doing a lot of Sarawak hiking -- you're gonna need it.
Are there any hidden fees or annoyances I should know about?
Okay, I'm not gonna lie, there *was* a small issue with the Wi-Fi on the first day. It wasn't *horrible*, but it wasn't lightning fast. I actually had a complete meltdown because I felt like I couldn't post my Insta stories about my amazingly authentic Kuching experience. But then, the host, bless her heart, fixed it quickly. No serious hidden fees or nasty surprises that I remember. Just the price you see is the price you pay, which is refreshing! So just communicate if something isn't working and you probably don't have a problem.
What's the *best* thing about REX Apartment? Like, the one thing that makes it stand out?
Okay, this is tough. It's a combination of things. The location is superb, the apartment is gorgeous, the beds are ridiculously comfy... but if I had to pick ONE thing? It’s the feeling. It feels like a *home*. Not just a place to sleep. It's a place where you can relax, be yourselves, and make memories. We spent hours on that balcony, laughing, talking, and watching the sunset. I remember one specific evening, we were making a total mess in the kitchen. One of my friends accidentally set off the smoke alarm (oops!), and we all started laughing uncontrollably. It was a total disaster, but it was also…perfect. That's the kind of vibe REX creates. It's not just a luxury apartment; it's an experience. And that's what makes it truly special. And that, my friends, is why you should book it. Seriously. Just do it.
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