Luxury 3-BR Kota Kinabalu Condo in Imago Mall! Breathtaking Views!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're wading into the wild world of the Luxury 3-BR Kota Kinabalu Condo in Imago Mall! Breathtaking Views! and I'm gonna give you the lowdown, the dirty laundry (figuratively, of course, because they do laundry!), and the whole darn truth, warts and all. It’s not going to be all sunshine and rainbows, because, let's be real, life's a messy, glorious tapestry.
First Impressions & Accessibility (or, Finding My Way…Mostly)
Okay, getting in, the first thing you need to know is navigating Imago Mall itself. It's HUGE. Like, "I think I saw a new species of shopper" huge. Finding the condo wasn't impossible, but let's just say my internal compass momentarily went on strike. Google Maps (or Waze, you choose your loyalty) is your friend. Look for helpful signage, as some elevators seem to have a mind of their own – seriously, one time I swear it took us to a food court we didn't even know existed.
Accessibility: Honestly? It's decent. The elevators are generally spacious, which is HUGE for luggage or if you have mobility concerns. The condo itself seems accessible, but I didn't specifically test for wheelchair access in every nook and cranny. (If that's a must for you, double-check with the provider beforehand – always a good idea.)
(More on that later, because… well, elevators.)
The Condo Itself: Views That Stop You In Your Tracks (Literally)
Alright, let's get to the good stuff: THE VIEWS. Oh. My. Goodness. Breathtaking isn’t just a marketing ploy. When you walk in, and you see that sweep of the South China Sea, framed by the city, it’s…well, it's stupid good. I literally walked in (after a stressful elevator experience!) and just stood there, mouth agape, for a solid five minutes. I forgot all about my "to-do" list and the screaming toddler I’d seen in the lobby.
Rooms and Amenities (aka, Where the Magic Happens, and Sometimes the Laundry)
Available in All Rooms: Here's where we get into the nitty-gritty of what makes this condo tick.
- Air Conditioning: Essential in Kota Kinabalu. Trust me.
- Alarm Clock: Good for getting your butt moving at sunrise to see the water.
- Bathrobes & Slippers: A touch of luxury you didn't know you needed until you have it. Slippers? YES.
- Bathroom Phone: Honestly? Weird, but hey, in-room call to room service?
- Bathtub (with separate shower): Ahhhh, a long soak after a day of exploring…yes please.
- Blackout Curtains: Crucial for escaping the intense sun and sleeping in… if you can resist the view.
- Carpeting: Plush enough.
- Closet: Plenty of space for your holiday wardrobe (or your messy travel piles, like mine).
- Coffee/Tea Maker & Complimentary Tea: Morning coffee with that view? Yes, please.
- Daily Housekeeping: They actually make up the beds? Amazing.
- Desk & Ironing Facilities: For the workaholics, or those of us who like to look vaguely presentable.
- Extra Long Bed: Important for taller people.
- Free Bottled Water: Hydrate, people, hydrate!
- Hair Dryer: Good quality one that actually dries your hair, not just blows air at it.
- High Floor: Duh! That view!
- In-Room Safe Box: For valuables.
- Interconnecting Room(s) Available: Useful for families.
- Internet Access – LAN & Wireless (Free Wi-Fi!): Decent speed, for the most part. A lifesaver.
- Laptop Workspace: Desk is good.
- Linens & Mini Bar: Standard stuff.
- Mirror & Non-Smoking: Thank goodness for the non-smoking.
- On-Demand Movies: Good for chilling out in the evening.
- Private Bathroom: Your own space.
- Reading Light: Nice touch for night-time reading.
- Refrigerator: Important for keeping drinks cold.
- Safety/Security Feature: Smoke detectors, etc. all good
- Satellite/Cable Channels & Scale: For keeping track of holiday weight gain.
- Seating Area & Separate Shower/Bathtub: Separate of the shower important
- Shower, Slippers, Smoke Detector & Socket near the bed: Again, useful things.
- Sofa: Good for chilling out.
- Soundproofing: Important for a good night's sleep.
- Telephone: For room service and whatnot
- Toiletries & Towels: Basic but good.
- Umbrella, Visual Alarm & Wake-up Service: Practical.
- Window that opens: A nice touch for letting in fresh air (and for the view, of course).
Additional Toilet: Always a bonus in a 3-bedroom!
Room decorations & Room sanitization opt-out available: Rooms were well decorated, with the option to opt-out of cleaning.
Cleanliness and safety: This condo seems to take hygiene seriously. I felt safe and secure. Rooms sanitized between stays. Professional-grade sanitizing services. Anti-viral cleaning products.
Dining, Drinking, Snacking (aka, Where Your Wallet Might Cry)
- Restaurants, Coffee Shops & Bars: Okay, Imago Mall has everything. A vast array of options. You're spoilt for choice.
- Room service [24-hour]: A HUGE plus. When you're tired, or just want to enjoy the view in your PJs, this is gold.
- Snack bar, poolside bar & Coffee/tea in restaurant: Grab and go, or a quick drink.
- Breakfast - Buffet & Asian/Western Cuisine: Breakfasts were pretty good.
- Breakfast in room & Breakfast takeaway service: Convenient.
- Bottle of water: Always appreciated.
- Happy hour: Good value and fun.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: A nice touch, particularly if you want to self-cater.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (or, My Personal Spa Experience That Did NOT Go to Plan…sort of)
- Swimming pool & Pool with view: The pool is lovely, it has a fantastic view, and it's a great place to cool off.
- Gym/fitness: It's there, I didn't use it. I had too many delicious meals to eat.
- Spa, Spa/sauna & Steamroom: Hmmm, I tried the spa… let's just say it was a unique experience. I ended up lost in the sauna for a bit (my fault, not theirs!) and then got a massage. It was… relaxing, eventually. Let's just say, it’s a learning experience!
- Foot bath: Ah, a nice touch.
Services and Conveniences (aka, Making Your Life Easier)
- Airport transfer: Essential, take it.
- 24-hour front desk & concierge: Always welcome.
- Cash withdrawal & Dry cleaning: Handy.
- Convenience store & Gift/souvenir shop: For the essentials, or last-minute gifts.
- Currency exchange & Daily housekeeping: Good.
- Elevator & Facilities for disabled guests: See earlier accessibility comments.
- Food delivery & Ironing service: Convenient.
- Laundry service & Luggage storage: Useful.
- Safety deposit boxes: Always smart.
- Taxi service & Valet parking: Easy options.
For the Kids (aka, Keeping the Little People Happy)
- Babysitting service & Family/child friendly: Good.
- Kids facilities & Kids meal: Good.
Getting Around (aka, The Elevator Chronicles…Again!)
- Car park [free of charge] & Car park [on-site]: This is a huge bonus, especially in a busy city. Parking is easy and convenient.
- Taxi service: Readily available outside the mall.
Cleanliness and Safety (aka, Do I Feel Like I’ll Get a Deadly Bug?)
- Cashless payment service & Daily disinfection in common areas: Great for hygiene.
- First aid kit & Hand sanitizer: Peace of mind.
- Safe dining setup & Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Good.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Good.
- **CCTV in common areas & CCTV outside property & Fire extinguisher & Front desk [24-hour] & Non-smoking rooms & Smoke alarms & Soundproof rooms & Security
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a Kota Kinabalu adventure from a 3-bedroom unit in Imago Mall. Forget perfect itineraries, this is gonna be a chaotic, beautiful mess, just like me. Prepare for opinions, tangents, and probably some existential dread about public toilets. Let's go!
Trip: Kota Kinabalu - Imago Mall Unit Chaos
Ages of Travelers: Me (the mastermind, obviously), My Best Friend Sarah (the perpetually late optimist), and Sarah's Husband John (bless his patient soul).
Day 1: The Arrival and the (Almost) Disaster
10:00 AM (ish) - Landing and the Sweet, Sweet Smell of Freedom (and Jet Fuel): Touchdown at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)! Wow, it's hot and humid. Instantly regretting my "stylish" long-sleeved shirt. John, bless him, is already battling the luggage trolley. Sarah, of course, is taking insta-worthy photos of the clouds. Standard.
10:45 AM (ish) - Taxi Tango: Getting a taxi? More like a gladiator match. Haggling is a performance art, I swear. Managed to snag a ride to Imago Mall. Victory! Note to self: Learn basic Malay phrases before next trip.
11:30 AM - Imago Mall Unit – Bedroom Exploration and Panic: The apartment is… well, it's an apartment. Not quite the Instagram-worthy paradise I'd envisioned. But, hey, three bedrooms. Thank GOODNESS. Remember the last trip? One bedroom and three people? Never again. Now, to pick a bedroom. I choose the one that looks least like it’s been invaded by a tropical insect convention. Sarah & John are already arguing over the master bedroom. Classic. Internal thought: Hope the aircon works. I need to survive this humidity.
12:30 PM - Food Quest: First Meal Fiascos - Time to brave the mall food court. Oh boy. So many choices! Overwhelmed, immediately. Satay? Laksa? Chicken rice? My brain short circuits. I pick something, Sarah picks something else entirely. Turns out, hers is the tastier option. John just nods and eats whatever is put in front of him. He's the real MVP. Anecdote: I accidentally ordered a spicy noodle soup that almost blew the top of my head off. Tears. But I’ll never forget that burn.
2:00 PM - Grocery Run of Doom: We need supplies. Water, snacks, maybe some emergency chocolate. The grocery store in Imago? Huge. Confusing aisles. Lost. Found some weird dried fish snacks. Curiosity got the better of me. Taste like salty… disappointment. Sarah is obsessed with the local fruit. She bought a durian. The smell is… intense. John is holding it at arm's length.
4:00 PM - Poolside Panic (or Serenity, Maybe?): The building has a pool. Score! Sunscreen application is a serious task. I think I put too much on. It’s running into my eyes. Sarah is already floating, looking serene. John attempts to read a book but keeps getting interrupted by the sun. Later, I discovered the pool was a LOT deeper than I’m used to. So, I swam for less than a minute and went to the bar.
7:00 PM - Dinner Mishaps in the Mall: Deciding where to eat tonight. Too many options, again! Settled on some "fusion" food… which was terrible. I actually sent my meal back. I HATE doing that. The waitress looked completely unbothered. I'll give it to her, that was a reaction. It was a very ‘meh’ experience.
9:00 PM - Sunset and Slumber: Headed to the balcony for a quick sunset view. The view is okay. Exhaustion. Sleeping.
Day 2: Culture Shock and Culinary Crimes
8:00 AM - Wake Up, Whine, and Wander: Breakfast at this place near the mall? Nope. Found a little local coffee shop. Coffee? Surprisingly good. The locals are staring. I’m probably looking like a drowned rat.
9:30 AM - Atkinson Clock Tower Adventure: Found this tiny clock tower. Cute. But I can't believe the lack of stairs. I could die (I’m dramatic). The climb was good for the quad muscles. The view was… fine. I took a photo. It’s now on my Instagram.
11:00 AM - Sunday Market Stumbles: Sunday Market! Hype! This is where things get interesting. Smells. Sights. Sounds. Absolute chaos in the best way. Sarah's buying local crafts. John is bartering for a ridiculous hat. I’m trying to haggle for a batik sarong and failing miserably, but having a blast. *Quirk Observation: The sheer volume of people trying to sell you stuff is intense. They’re like honey badgers, but with more trinkets. I respect the hustle. *
1:00 PM - Lunchtime in the Street: The market smells so good, but also really intense. Sarah insists on trying the street food. Deep fried things? Spicy things? I’m down! I ended up eating something that was potentially sentient. It was… interesting. John remains cautiously optimistic.
2:30 PM - Tanjung Aru Beach: The Sand, the Sea, and the Sunburn: Okay, the beach is stunning, the water clear. But, let’s be honest, I got a wicked sunburn and I had to change my shirt twice. Sarah, with her impeccable tan game, is practically glowing. John, covered in sunscreen, finally puts down the book.
6:00 PM - Dinner Dilemma Round Two: Deciding where to eat is still a struggle. Went with a seafood restaurant recommended in some dodgy blog. The food was great, but the service was slow, and the restaurant seemed to be mainly frequented by cats. Emotional Reaction: The seafood was amazing, and I still dream of the grilled prawns. But I’m still traumatized by the amount of cats waiting outside the doors.
8:00 PM - Imago Mall Nightcap & Bedtime Routine: Back at the unit, we hit up the mall for a post-beach cold drink, and a slice of cake. The end of the day.
Day 3: Island Hopping and Existential Angst
7:00 AM - Ferry and Fear: Island hopping! We're going to the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Early start. Too early. The ferry is crowded. I might be seasick. I am a little seasick. Quirky Observation: the local kids are so excited. I’m trying to look like I’m not turning green. Sarah is taking pictures. John is just sighing.
8:30 AM - Island One: Sapi Island Snorkeling & Panic: Snorkeling! Beautiful water! So many fish! Almost drowned when the current got me because I’m not a strong swimmer. John saved me. Emotional reaction: Thank GOD for John. Also, must learn to swim better. Sarah is a fish.
10:00 AM - Island Two: Manukan Island: Relaxation or Annoyance: Manukan is less crowded. Okay, I like this. Found a shady spot. John decided to wander off. Sarah is still snorkeling. Internal thought: How do people just RELAX? My brain won’t stop. I’m going to lose it.
1:00 PM - Lunch and Regret: Lunch on the island. Food poisoning seems like a possibility. Trying not to think about it. John, unbothered, orders more food. Sarah seems blissfully unaware of the potential dangers.
3:00 PM - Ferry back to the main Land and Mild Meltdown.
4:00 PM - Imago Mall - Air Con and Snacks: We are desperate for air con and snacks. This is a necessity.
7:00 PM - Dinner: The Final Verdict: Back in the mall for dinner. Sushi. Safe.
Day 4: Shopping, Reflections, and Farewell (for now!)
9:00 AM - Breakfast and Souvenir Scramble: Last-minute souvenir shopping in the mall. Stress! Finding suitable presents is a HUGE task.
11:00 AM - Massage: Bliss? Okay. Best massage. I fall asleep. I wake up. I am a new person.
1:00 PM - Last Lunch: One last meal at that noodle place. The food is great, but I’m already sad to leave.
2:00 PM - Packing and Packing Paranoia.
4:00 PM - Goodbye Kota Kinabalu: The flight home. I'm exhausted, sunburnt, and already planning a return trip. It was messy, chaotic, and utterly perfect.
5:00 PM - See you in Kota Kinabalu!
Post-Trip Rambles:
Okay, looking back? Kota Kinabalu, you were a beautiful, sweaty
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So You're Thinking About That 3-BR Condo at Imago? (Let's Get Real)
Okay, let's cut the crap. Is the view *really* as breathtaking as they say?
Breathtaking? Ugh, okay, here's the deal. You know those overly-artsy, panoramic photos they slap on the brochures? They’re… well, they're *aspirational*. The actual view? It’s good. Really good. Like, "grab a coffee and stare out the window for a solid hour" good. Especially at sunset over the South China Sea. (Seriously, pack extra sunscreen. The pink hues are addictive.)
But, and this is a big BUT, the view also depends. Which floor are you on? We were on the 20th floor, and the sky was just perfect every day. If you'e low, you might be staring a lot into the building next door, which ain't too glamorous.
Three bedrooms… is it actually spacious enough for, like, a human family? Or is it just a fancy shoebox?
Spacious! Yes, finally! The biggest point that they sell the condo on is the space it provides. It's not cramped. Finally, a condo where you don't feel like you're playing Tetris with your luggage. We had three adults and a teenager, and we didn't kill each other. That's a win right there. The kids could retreat to their rooms and sulk in peace (teenagers, am I right?), and we could actually, you know, *breathe*. The living room is big enough for a dance party (don't judge!), and the kitchen allows more than one person to work at once. Bless the person who designed this one.
Now, I have to be honest... the storage space? It could be better. We had to get strategic about suitcases. We had to dump all the stuff in the living room to open the suitcases. But, hey, that's living the dream, right?
Imago Mall… right there? That’s convenient… or a recipe for a shopping-induced coma?
Oh, it’s both. Mostly the latter. Convenience is a double-edged sword. Imagine… your pyjamas are literally *in* Imago Mall. You can roll out of bed (or at least drag yourself out), stumble downstairs in search of coffee, and end up with three new pairs of shoes and a life-sized inflatable flamingo before lunchtime. It's very dangerous for your wallet.
The good: groceries, food, and convenience stores are always within reach. The bad: impulse buys, crowds, and the constant hum of the mall. (Earplugs. Seriously, pack them.) I spent way too much time in cosmetic shops and the kids enjoyed the movie theaters.
One thing I'm sure about is, that place would never be boring.
What's the deal with the amenities? Pool? Gym? Sauna that I probably won't use?
Okay, the amenities are actually decent. The pool? Yeah, it's really nice. We had a few issues with the kids constantly wanting to spend their time in the pool. It’s not Olympic-sized, but it’s big enough for a proper dip and some serious sunbathing with a view. The view from the pool area is pretty good too, I think it was the best part of the stay.
The gym? I’m not a gym person, but even I visited the gym for a quick workout, but it's got the basics. Plenty of machines, and it wasn't *too* crowded. The sauna... I think maybe two people used it the entire week we were there (including one of us). The air-conditioning in the gym always felt like it was set to "Arctic Blast" though. So, make sure to bring extra cloths.
So, yes, the amenities are good as long as you are okay with a bit of a walk from your room to the facilities. It's not like you can just roll out of bed and jump straight into the pool. (Though trust me, I *tried*.)
Is it actually… *luxurious*? Or just a fancy-ish apartment with a slightly better view?
Luxury is a subjective thing. Is it the Maldives? No. Is it a step up from a budget hotel? Absolutely. The finishes are nice, the furniture is solid, and they have these automatic blinds. That's the real upgrade.
The bathrooms are well-appointed, the kitchen has all the necessary appliances. The wifi was terrible sometimes. I'm still dreaming about the views though. So, yeah, it feels luxurious, it's worth the money, that's for sure. But don't expect a butler. You have to make your own coffee, people. It's a condo, not a palace. A really nice condo though.
Any major downsides I should be aware of? Like, the elevator breaking down at 3 AM?
Elevator breaking down at 3 AM? Nope, thankfully! (Though I *did* have a minor heart palpitation waiting for the elevator a couple of times.)
The biggest thing... traffic getting in and out of the complex. It can take a while, especially during peak shopping hours. So, plan your departures accordingly. And that one time the water heater malfunctioned? Yeah, cold showers are not my idea of luxury. Thankfully, it was fixed pretty fast.
Also, the noise from the mall can be an issue. It's not constant, but you do hear it. So if you're a *really* light sleeper, bring earplugs.
Would you recommend it? Be honest.
Yes. Unequivocally, with a few caveats (read: bring earplugs, be prepared for traffic). The location is amazing. Imago mall provides convenience, the views are spectacular. It ticks the boxes for space, comfort, and a touch of "ooooh, fancy".
Would I visit again? YES! I've already started checking for dates. Just prepare yourself to be tempted by all the shoes and questionable pastries!
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