Borneo Beach Villa, an alternative for less crowd vacation.

 

As Sabah allows tourism activities to resume following months of closure, it is definitely inevitable to see tourist destinations to be thronged with a lot of people. We think that now until Oct 31 will be the best time  to travel while operators have yet to further increase their rates. 

We chose to go Borneo Beach Villa in Karambunai with a rate of RM350 for one bedroom with breakfast.  Hoping that the place will not be crowded especially the pool. Based on Sabah daily Covid-19 updates, more than half of those cases are among vaccinated people. 

After the checking in at 3pm, we went straight to the pool next to our appointment. There are two pools  and private villa pools at the premises.  

We were right about the crowd, not many people and the in-house regulation allows visitors to use for 20 minutes only for safety reason (though I find it frustrating that we paid at the full rate but could not use the facility). However, out of the 9am-5pm pool time where the life guard is on duty, visitors still can get into the pool.

We went to the beach adjacent to the pool after out time was up. Luckily it was low tide and plus point for its clean water along the 7km beach, unlike those in Kota Kinabalu that the chance to see plastic/rubbish is at 100 percent. 

 

Since she was born, we have been bringing this kid around for travel. The relaxation to be outside surely brings so much joy to her that she can spend almost an hour playing with the sand while we were waiting for the sunset.  

The water activities continued when we went back to the room- there is a jacuzzi bath tub and steam bath to be enjoyed. 

We played safe for dinner as well. Instead of going out for dine-in, we opted for room service from the BBV cafe. Though it was slightly expensive at RM25 for each dish, but the quality and taste were good. They even brought the machine for credit card payment. 

We ordered Spaghetti Bolognese, chicken curry and lamb stew with Jazz music from the Hitz FM. 

We didn't know that cooking is allowed here, otherwise would bring something to cook. 

Subpar breakfast buffet at BBV Cafe

With its delicious ala-carte dishes, we had expectation that the morning buffet would be as good. But it was a major letdown that not only they served limited choices of breakfast- nasi lemak, fried rice and noodle, curry chicken, sausages and spread for toasts, but they were poor quality. For instance they served not fresh chicken, margerine instead of butter, diluted syrup etc. 

Overall, the stay at Borneo Beach Villa is still okay. I super in love with its seaview from our bedroom and balcony, it was soothing.