MAS: J Residence

Jalan Ranau - Tamparuli, Ranau, Malaysia

As my BFF and I would be catching the earliest minivan back to Kota Kinabalu the next morning, we decided not to spend the second night at Sutera Sanctuary Lodges. Instead, we booked a room at J Residence (2*), a humble property surrounded with greenery that's approximately 300 m away from the entrance of Kinabalu Park.

Note that the ramp leading to the accommodation is pretty steep, so it can be quite a pain to drive in and out. The same goes with ascending the steps on foot.

You can only check-in after 2.00pm, and you need to check-out before 11.00am.

That cat kept following us that day. :P

Being way much cheaper than the room that we paid for at Liwagu Sanctuary Lodges, the room is pretty basic without TV channels available. Having said that, Wi-Fi connection is available, which isn't the case for the former. There's also a DVD player, but we didn't use it at all.

There are two movie CDs available in the room, but I can't remember what are they.

The water pressure of the shower was weak, but the hot water was working fine during our stay.

I have to say that you'll be one with nature while using the bathroom as there are quite a number of 'little friends' accompanying you, such as spiders, moths and ants. I managed to take a picture of a pretty moth after brushing my teeth.

There are a few seating places outside the room we were assigned to, as well as an open kitchen. You can also do BBQ with friends and families.

I'm not too sure if the accommodation provides pans, pots and the likes.

As we were going to sleep earlier that day, we had an early dinner at Restoran Panataran that's across the entrance of Kinabalu Park.

Can you see the faint rainbow in the sky?

Read here to find out what Pikachu and Melon ate for dinner. :)

As there isn't much information online regarding catching a minivan from Kinabalu Park back to Kota Kinabalu at the point of writing, let me assure you that it's not difficult. All you have to do is to wait outside Restoran Panataran as the minivan makes a brief stop there. The earliest one is at 8.00am everyday. My BFF and I paid MYR 20.00 (~S$6.35) each for the ride. Again, I assume that's probably because we spoke Malay and thus the driver thought we were locals.