A distant cousin of Air Asia with their most striking resemblance being the loud red and white colours, Tune Hotels is also low cost (budget or no-frills, as they prefer in marketing circles), where the bare minimum is included and the extras are, well, extra.

The nett effect of this business model is that you get what you need for seriously low prices, while you pay a little more for creature comforts.

1Borneo’s Tune Hotel is the first in East Malaysia and Sabah and brings 165 budget rooms to 1Borneo’s impressive inventory of hotel rooms.  Tune Hotels was one of the first tenants in 1Borneo to reach completion and during our visit it was already humming with people both checking-in and hanging out.

The lobby, as is the rest of Tune Hotels at 1Borneo, is clean and modern.  A 7-11 convience store shares the lobby space and provides vital necessities, whilst in the other corner a Gloria Jeans Coffee Cafe has a ready supply of caffeine on tap.

The lobby area also boasts free wi-fi Internet access, although limited seating might become an issue when Tune Hotels at 1Borneo starts achieving high occupancy.  Visible security in the lobby, and electronic security throughout the rest of the hotel, ensures a safe environment.

Spread over 4 floors are 1Borneo’s Tune Hotel rooms, where a “5-star sleeping experience at a 1-star price” can be achieved, claims Tune Hotels, and judging by the sturdy King Koil beds that each room is equipped with and the quality duvets and pillows, it’s well believable.  The rooms at Tune Hotels are on the smallish side, but for the budget traveler or explorer who will be out-and-about most of the day, it won’t be an issue.

The bathroom is well beyond expectations with a standard that many star rated hotels will struggle to achieve.  Hot water is on tap (at no extra charge) from power showers, which is a standard fitting.  Minimalist, clean lines give the bathroom is very contemporary look.

Over the bed, a solid fan provides complimentary temperature control, with an air-con unit featured as a pay-for, optional extra at RM4.99 for 5 hours, or RM9.99 for 12 hours.  At the foot of the bed, the flat-panel, wall-mounted LCD screen with satellite channels is another pay-for optional extra at RM6.25 per 24 hours.

Other optional extras include in-room Internet access at RM9.99 for 24 hours.  Towels can be rented from the check-in desk in the lobby at RM5, plus a refundable RM10 deposit.  Currently Tune Hotels at 1Borneo includes a free Senses toiletry pack with towel rental, consisting of shampoo, bath gel, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, shower cap, sanitary bag and ear buds.  Usually they sell for RM5.

With 1Borneo’s soft launch now only days away, more and more stores are opening in Sabah’s largest life-style hypermall.  For those who visit for business or pleasure, if you want to be where the action is at an affordable price, then your only choice is Tune Hotels at 1Borneo.