Hilton Kuching
Monica Tindall
A landmark in the city, Hilton Kuching is located in the heart of Sarawak’s capital overlooking the river and steps away from the waterfront promenade. While it’s an older property, it has maintained its reputation as Kuching’s premier five-star hotel. Just over ten kilometres from the airport and walking distance to Kuching’s major attractions, it makes a convenient stay for business or leisure.
Rooms
Entry-level guest rooms to suites offer between 33sqm and 62sqm of space. All rooms are fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows maximising either city or river views. Book a “plus” room and those windows can be opened up allowing the fresh air to come in and also furnishing a clearer shot for your camera of the panorama. Guests can upgrade to an Executive Room and enjoy club benefits of breakfast, all-day light refreshments and cocktails early evening.
Hilton’s signature mattresses provide a supportive base with a soft topper, and this combined with black-out curtains make for a great night’s sleep. Awaking in the mornings with fabulous views and coffee from the machine provided in-room is a wonderful day’s beginning.
Marble bathrooms are a nod to the age of the hotel and a time when everything was made to last. Bath products are quality but provided in mini, single-use packaging, as is complimentary bottled water. Those attempting a zero-waste lifestyle would be well-advised to bring their own water bottle and refill it in the fitness centre along with your own shampoo, conditioner and bamboo toothbrush.
Hilton Kuching Restaurants
Six food and beverage outlets provide guests with plentiful options to fill their tummies or quench their thirst.
The Waterfront Café offers all-day-dining with speciality buffets and is the place for breakfast. The mornings see an extensive smorgasbord of local and international dishes supported by live cooking stations for eggs and noodles. Our starts are usually quite simple. As long as there are coffee, fruit and eggs made to order, we’re quite content. We’ve heard though that the Sarawak laksa is done particularly well here – if your tummy is accustomed to the spice, it could be a great kick start to the day.
Other dining outlets include Toh Yuen, which specializes in cuisine from Guandong and Szechuan furnishing an elegant dining experience and a popular location for banquets and group dinners. Light meals, pastries, speciality coffee and tea are found at Caffé Cino, and Matang Terrace is the spot for a bite and refreshment poolside. Those craving a bit of nightlife might like to unwind in Senso, lounge and bar with a beer or cocktail. Our choice, though, is The Steakhouse. Here, a good wine list and an enthusiastic chef caught our attention. Read more about the menu options and suggested wine pairings at The Steakhouse here.
Facilities
In terms of facilities, early morning dips or late afternoon lounging are favoured activities in Hilton Kuching’s 25-metre pool. Surrounded by landscaped gardens with the option of food and drinks delivered to your sun chair, it proves a popular spot late afternoon.
The fitness centre also gets good usage with business travellers fitting a workout into their schedule and holidaymakers such as ourselves attempting to counter-balance those extra vacation calories. Access to it is 24 hours with the room key, which is much appreciated by this early riser.
Activities
Lastly, the concierge is a wealth of knowledge offering ideas for what to do within Kuching and booking organized excursions for those wanting to go further afield. They helped us arrange a sunset tour on the first evening of our stay, which gave us a good overview of the city in the comfort of a boat gliding over the Sarawak River. Kuching is also a fantastic base to explore Bako National Park and Semenngoh Wildlife Park where you can see the orangutans.
Hilton Kuching Review
Although an older property, the grand old dame of Kuching offers an excellent city-centre location with superb river views. Rooms are comfortable and the facilities are convenient. Floor-to-ceiling windows are a highlight along with the affable, helpful staff. For those looking for a fine-dining experience, don’t miss a meal at The Steakhouse.
Reasons to stay at Hilton Kuching: excellent river-side location; great views; helpful staff; the great menu at The Steakhouse.
Hilton Kuching
Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman
93100 Kuching, Sarawak
+6 082223 888
www.facebook.com/hiltonkch
Find more suggestions for travel around Kuching and Sarawak here.
Beautiful place! Lobby, restaurant… all amazing.
It’s been around for many years there, stayed and dined there a number of times over the years. For one thing, they have maintained it really very well, like sparkling new.
Beautiful accommodations with a very light and airy lobby! Splendid views out the window of your room.
One of good and well maintained hotels in the city. I used to go to its lobby to sit at night, enjoying the live band. Not during the day, so hot because of the glass ceiling!!!
I like the sound of the good night’s sleep and the view. Blackout is important to me as well as a good mattress, Thank goodness we have shutters on our windows. Cheers Diane
You always get the best room.