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.
1Borneo will have a soft soft opening on 31 May when the mall opens to the public and a limited number of stores will start operating. The actual soft opening will be one week later, on Saturday, 7 June, when more of 1Borneo will be ready for action.
The mall is already humming with anticipation as the main construction of the insides is nearly complete. Shop owners and renovators are scurrying about, rushing to complete the renovation of their shops as soon as possible to capitalise on inevitable rush of curious shoppers that will flock to 1Borneo once the mall opens to the public.
Ready to start trading now
A handful of shops are fully completed and ready to start trading immediately. Most notably is Golden Screen Cinemas where the only thing lacking in the smell of fresh popcorn.
Starting business with a bang next week, a special pre-opening screening will take place to whet the appetite of KK movie goers who for too long have craved the facilities that GSC at 1Borno has finally brought to Kota Kinabalu.
8 Cinemas are at the ready to bring the latest block busters to the KK cinema circuit and posters for upcoming new releases adorn the walls. Staff training is being conducted in all earnest to serve the KK public.
Kenny Rogers, who were ready to open several weeks ago already, is also ready for action. Nearby, Sushi King’s shop is brand spanking new and ready to serve.
Several other shops are either completed and just needs a dusting, or are mere days away from being completed and stocked. Come the end of May 1Borneo will have plenty of shops to showcase, but by 7 June the hyper mall will be able to satisfy the crowds even better.
Last Minute Changes
Much has been said about 1Borneo’s boulevard running along the the one side on the outside of the mall, where eateries, restaurants and coffee shops where going to line the road with al fresco seating.
Somewhere in the last 2 months plans have been changed and the boulevard has, in part, been enclosed.
Citing the outdoors as not being too practical in Sabah’s hot weather, the enclosed area allows the outside in with large glass panels, whilst controlling the heat with air condition and panels to control the sun and heat.
Incomplete
Obviously missing from the soft launch hype of 1Borneo are several prominent attractions.
The aquarium for one is still in the initial stages of preparation and the tanks are still being built. This means that no sea life will be on display for some time to come and that some interesting times are ahead once the larger animals are transfered.
Another obviously vacant lot is the fitness and spa centre. As of yet, no tenants have been confirmed and thus the life style hyper mall is currently without a health and wellbeing component.
Exiting the GSC cinemas after a movie will lead you straight to the bowling centre, which will likely not be ready for the soft launch. It is, however, a sprawling facility that stretches off into the distance and promises state of the art equipment once is does launch.
Hotels
Tune Hotels are fully operational across the first two floors. Awaiting some last security upgrades in order to utilise the lift located in the mall outside, Tune Hotels 1Borneo will be 100% functional come 7 June.
The lobby is already crowded with hotel guests taking advantage of the low rates offered by Tune Hotels in Kota Kinabalu’s 1Borneo.
Judging by the nearly completed lobby of the nearby Novotel Hotel 1Borneo, it’s also days away from trading. The fact sheet looks impressive, boasting in-room wi-fi, fitness centres and an outdoor swimming pool.
On the other hand, the other Accor property, Mercure Kota Kinabalu, is set for a July 2008 launch. With the official fact sheet offering little more than computer generated artists impressions of the rooms and facilities, it is said to offer 338 rooms with various amenities and an outdoor swimming pool.
The combined conference and meeting facilities for 1Borneo is also not quite ready yet, although it is also nearing completion and is anticipated to be ready by the time the hotels are fully operational.
Synopsis
All in all, a lot of work is still to be done on Sabah’s largest lifestyle hyper mall, 1Borneo.
That said, plenty will be unveiled by the soft launching date of 7 June and it’s sure to grab the attention of everyone in Kota Kinabalu.
In what must surely be a record of some sort, Blue Note at Shangri La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa closed down for just four days and underwent a complete transformation.
The result – a sleak, modern looking upmarket bar, ready with groovy tunes for the hip and beautiful.
With a look that will undoubtedly impress first-time visitors and regulars alike, the blue of Blue Note has been covered by a predominantly white theme. A red wall along the back of Blue Note contrasted by blue lighting behind the main bar, lends to the new Blue Note a vibey atmosphere.
A feature that keen observers will recognise, hang from the ceiling to adorn the centre of the dance floor. Blue Note’s much talked about titillating lamps have combined to create a unique, organic light source and an equally unique conversation piece.
And for conversation Blue Note provided in their new look. With thumping club rhythms the talk of the town and the envy of many, it’s nice to notice that the back portion of Blue Note is enclosed with floor-to-ceiling glass panels, allowing a quieter environment without being segregated from the club atmosphere.
The revamp has enabled Blue Note to now accommodation 175 seated party goers, good news for those attending club nights on Fridays or Saturdays or Cover Girl Night on Thursdays.
Beauty comes at a price though as Blue Note now charges a RM 30 cover charge at the door. On the upside, it includes a house-pouring drink.
For the uninitiated, Blue Note Bar provides premier nightlife and is located at Shangri La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa in Kota Kinabalu (KK) and operates from 6pm to 1am, Sundays to Thursdays, and until 2am on Fridays and Saturday.
The only modern boutique hotel on Sandakan Harbour Square’s waterfront in Sabah.
Consisting of 138 elegant rooms and suites, At Ease Hotel offers modern day conveniences in comfortable accommodations in a location central to both business and leisure travellers.
The resort, previously known as Sabandar Bay Resort, features all the facilities and services required for full comfort and enjoyment.
Tuaran Beach Resort
Off Jalan Pantai Dalit
Jalan Sabandar
Tuaran
Ph: +60 88 246 911
