The beauty of Kundasang’s weather is the cold temperature that promises an escape for those overheated by the hot, humid weather of Sabah’s dry-season.
It was no accident that this sweltering weekend past SabahBah took advantage of an invitation by Ayana Holiday Resort to spend a cooling night on the misty mountain ridges of Bundu Tuhan, not far from Kinabalu Park.
A compact development by the owners of the nearby J Residence, Ayana Holiday Resort continues J Residence’s tradition of simple-but-comfortable accommodations with sweeping views of the valley below and easy access to Kinabalu Park.
Perched on a ridge that separates the Kiau Valley from the Bundu Tuhan Valley, Ayana Holiday Resort lies right in the path of clouds billowing between the two valleys.
The hauntingly beautiful, cold and misty atmosphere that results, provides the perfect opportunity to wear your winter jumper and wooly hat.
Accommodation at Ayana Holiday Resort
Ayana Holiday Resort has 4 types of accommodation; Standard, Deluxe and Superior Rooms, plus The Holiday House.
All the rooms are similarly spacious and neat, with exposed-brick, feature walls and an airy design that allows for cool air to enter the room and provide natural air-conditioning.
A fluffy duvet on a comfortable queen-sized bed keeps you warm during the night, although on a cold night at Ayana Holiday Resort in Kundasang, cuddling up might be required in the coldest of the morning hours.
All accommodations have en suite bathrooms, hot-water showers, LCD TVs (with only 2 satellite channels at this time) and a kettle for coffee or tea.
The Standard Rooms extend from the Ayana Holiday Resort’s reception, making them better suited to early risers, as the lobby traffic of other guests checking in and out is quite apparent.
The Deluxe and Superior Rooms are perched lower down, on the property’s edge, arranged in 2 clusters of 4 rooms each. Their balconies offer a vantage point from where to enjoy tranquil surroundings and the cold climate.
The Superior Rooms have both a queen and a single bed offering accommodation for up to 3 people.
The Holiday House is a mammoth 3-bedroom villa in the middle of the property. Each of the villa’s 3 rooms have an en suite bathroom and can sleep 3 people on a queen and a single bed. A living room provides an indoor area for socialising and the balcony has a BBQ pit and sink for catering and entertainment.
Facilities & Nearby Attractions
Throughout the property Ayana Holiday Resort offers complimentary WiFi access. Bottled water also awaits you upon your arrival.
As with J Residence, Ayana Holiday Resort does not have an on site restaurant, but is either a 10 minute walk or a short drive from a nearby restaurant. That restaurant closes quite early though, so prepare something ready-to-eat to quell hunger pangs later on.
Less than 700m down the road you’ll find the Kinabalu Park headquarters, making the resort a great option for pre or post Mt. Kinabalu Climb accommodation. About 300m in the other direction is a stretch of stabilised road with a wide shoulder; a popular spot from where to stop and take unobstructed pictures of the peaks of Mt. Kinabalu or breathtaking starry night skies.
Ayana Holiday Resort delivers on its honest promise: Not 5 stars, but reasonably priced, clean & comfortable.