Tommy's Place: Borneo's BEST-KEPT Secret? (Kudat MUST-SEE!)
Tommy's Place: Borneo's Best Kept Secret? (Kudat MUST-SEE!) - A Messy, Honest Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans (and maybe a little bit of my coffee) on Tommy's Place in Kudat, Borneo. They call it a secret, and, honestly, I can see why. It's definitely… unique. And by unique, I mean a glorious, slightly chaotic, heart-on-its-sleeve kind of unique. Let’s dive in, shall we?
First Impressions: Arriving - Is this Heaven? (Maybe… eventually.)
Accessibility? Okay, here's the thing. Kudat is… remote. Think of it as the end of a long, winding road. I wouldn't say it’s easily accessible. Driving there? A bit of an adventure, especially if you're like me and get car sick easily. Airport transfer is offered, thankfully – absolutely essential after the drive. Car park is free, which is a massive plus. Valet parking? Don't count on it. (But hey, it's Borneo!)
Accessibility (The Real Deal):
- Physical Accessibility: They mention "facilities for disabled guests". Now, I didn't personally need any, but from what I saw, navigating the property with a wheelchair might be… tricky. Elevators are present, which is good. But overall, the terrain seems a bit uneven. I'd recommend contacting Tommy's Place directly to confirm specific accessibility needs.
On-Site Restaurants / Lounges & Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious Food (and some slightly questionable choices)
Okay, let’s talk grub. This is where Tommy's Place starts to shine, and also, where things get a little… unpredictable!
Restaurants & Cuisine: They have restaurants. Plural! Asian, International, Vegetarian options are listed. The reality? Well… it depends on your luck, and the chef's mood that day. I swear, one day the pad thai was the best I’ve ever tasted, and the next, it was… an interpretation. (Thankfully, I have a tolerant stomach.)
- A la carte Restaurant: Yes, a restaurant available with food to order, it is a great choice.
- Buffet in restaurant: This is a great option, where you can choose from many dishes!
- Asian & Western Cuisine: You never lack a good breakfast.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant/Coffee shop: Both of these are options and great.
- Desserts in restaurant: They often have the sweetest and delicious food.
- Soup in restaurant: Soup is nice after a long day.
- Poolside Bar: The saving grace! Sipping cocktails while overlooking the ocean? Heaven. Though, the happy hour times seemed to vary. More on that later…
- Bar: Having a bar is great.
- Snack Bar: You can eat something fast here.
- Breakfest/Breakfast [buffet]/ service: It is an AMAZING choice to enjoy your meal here.
Snacking & Beverage: Bottle of water? Check. Essential condiments? (Hopefully) Check. Room service? 24-hour? Technically, yes. Realistically, the menu felt a bit limited at 3 AM. But hey, it’s Borneo!
Sanitizing and Safety: Sanitized kitchen and tableware items? Yes, they claim to do so, but like all things at Tommy's Place, take it with a grain of salt. I didn't see anything concerning, but I wasn't exactly scrutinizing the silverware.
Cleanliness & Safety: A Mixed Bag, But Trying Hard
Safety Protocols: The staff tries. They are trained in safety protocol, and there's daily disinfection in common areas. Hand sanitizer is readily available. They make an effort.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Used for cleaning the spaces.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: They do the best to stay safe.
- Hand sanitizer: Available in all places.
Room Sanitization: Rooms sanitized between stays? They claim so. Room sanitization opt-out available? I didn’t even ask about that.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Is an important option.
CCTV: In common areas and outside property: You are safe.
Safety feature: The features are available: fire extinguisher, front desk [24-hour], smoke alarms, safety deposit boxes, security [24-hour].
First aid kit: They have one.
Wellness & Relaxation: Spa Days & Pool Views (Or Not?)
Pool: The outdoor pool with a view? Yes! Absolutely stunning. The view from the pool overlooking the ocean - breathtaking.
Spa/Sauna: They have a spa. I did actually manage to snag a massage (more on that in a minute). It was decent. Not the best massage of my life, but… relaxing.
- Massage: You can have a great time.
- Sauna: Great place to relax.
Fitness Center: Don’t get your hopes up. “Fitness center” might be stretching it a little. I’m pretty sure I spotted a single, ancient treadmill.
Body Scrubs and Wraps: I didn’t partake. Maybe next time!
Internet & Technology: Wi-Fi "In All Rooms!" (Said with a Wink)
Wi-Fi: Okay, let's be honest. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms is the official line. The reality is… spotty. Sometimes it works like a dream, other times, you're channeling your inner nomad, searching for a signal. Wi-Fi in public areas is present, but also subject to Borneo-time.
- Internet: You have one
- Internet access – wireless: Is a great option.
- Internet access – LAN: Here is a way to have internet.
Other Tech: I saw some audio-visual equipment for special events, so I guess they cater to the… occasional… seminar?
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Beyond the Beach (If You Can Find the Beach!)
- Things to do: Well, the beach is a short walk away (if you can handle the heat). The things to do were mostly centered around relaxing, which is the correct choice!
Services & Conveniences: The Good, The Bad, and the "Oh, Borneo"
Services that are great:
- Air conditioning in public area: Good for the heat of Borneo.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: They host some events.
- Cash withdrawal: Is an option.
- Concierge: You can ask what you want.
- Contactless check-in/out: Is a great option!
- Currency exchange: Available.
- Daily housekeeping: They do the best.
- Doorman: They greet you.
- Dry cleaning: To make you look better.
- Elevator: For easy access.
- Facilities for disabled guests: They are prepared.
- Invoice provided: You will get your money.
- Ironing service: Perfect for your clothes.
- Laundry service: For keeping your clothes clean.
- Luggage storage: Good for leaving your luggage.
- On-site event hosting: They host events.
- Projector/LED display: You can use it for special events.
- Safety deposit boxes: You will be safe.
- Smoking area: If you like to smoke, here is your place.
- Xerox/fax in business center: For work.
Services that are a little bit slower:
- Food delivery: It takes more time.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Can take time to host.
- Seminars/Meetings: Can be done with a little bit of help.
Services that are rare:
- Convenience store: Is not nearby.
- Baby sitting: Is not available.
- Gift/souvenir shop: You can have some souvenirs.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Rare.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly? Maybe…
- Family/child friendly: They are, and the kids meal is available.
The Rooms: Basic, But Functional (and with AC!)
- Rooms are equipped with:
- Air conditioning: Thank god.
- Air conditioning in public area: Good to be safe.
- Alarm clock: You won't be late.
- Bathrobes: For your comfort.
- Bathroom phone: For emergency.
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is… well, this is my attempt at surviving Tommy's Place @ Tip of Borneo, Kudat, Malaysia. Prepare for a bumpy ride, because frankly, I'm still not entirely sure what I'm doing, let alone how to write a travel log!
Day 1: Arrival and "Holy Mother of Mosquitoes" (Or, How I Nearly Became a Mosquito Buffet)
- 12:00 PM: Arrived at Kudat Airport (after far too many hours in a cramped plane - I swear, my knees are now behind my ears), and was met by… well, nothing. No sign, no smiling face, just the glorious, humid, mosquito-infested air of Borneo. Luckily, a friendly local spotted me looking utterly lost, pointed me towards the “Taxi! Taxi! You need?” guy, and after a bit of haggling (I’m pretty sure I got ripped off, but hey, I survived!) I was on my way.
- 1:30 PM: Finally, finally arrived at Tommy's Place. The pictures online made it look like some sort of tropical paradise. Reality? Let’s just say it had a certain… rustic charm. My "bungalow" apparently came with a complimentary welcoming committee of, like, a million mosquitoes. I think I killed about fifty before I even unpacked. My emotional reaction? Mild panic coupled with a desperate craving for mosquito repellent and a strong drink.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Settling in. Mostly spent this time frantically spraying myself with enough DEET to kill a small elephant. Also, marveling at the view. Even through the mosquito-induced haze, the ocean was stunning. This place is undeniably beautiful. This is it, I'm here, I'm loving the isolation and I can't wait to be more comfortable.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Attempted beach exploration. Failed miserably. The sand, the sea, the sun… all overshadowed by the constant buzzing of those damnable insects. I think I spent more time swatting than actually enjoying the beach. I decided to retreat indoors to attempt to make myself a little more comfortable; I needed a beer desperately
- 6:00 PM: Sunset! Holy moly, the sunset. Okay, I'll admit it, it was absolutely breathtaking. The sky exploded with colors; I think I’ve taken close to a thousand photos of the sunsets
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the Tommy's Place restaurant. Seafood. Delicious, but again, the mosquitoes. Are they part of the service? My mood is a mix of ecstatic and annoyed.
- 8:00 PM: Beer. Lots of beer. Trying to convince myself the bites aren't actually that itchy while staring at the stars. This could be bliss if it wasn't for those little vampires.
Day 2: The Tip of Borneo and "I'm Actually Doing It!"
- 8:00 AM: Woke up covered in mosquito bites. Great. Okay. Got ready for the highlight of the trip: The Tip of Borneo.
- 9:00 AM: The drive to the tip. It's about 40 minutes from Tommy’s place. The road? Let’s just say it's an adventure. I think my kidneys are still trying to realign themselves after the potholes. The view, however, was something else. Miles (and miles) of lush green.
- 9:45 AM: Arrival at the Tip! And… wow. Seriously wow. The point where the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea meet. The waves crash, the wind howls and it made it all worth it. There's a lighthouse (naturally), and a small crowd of tourists who were all having their photos taken. I think the entire trip was to get a photo of myself with the sign.
- 10:30 AM: Wandered around, soaked it all in. I kept repeating to myself: "I'm actually doing it." This part of the world is breathtaking. And again, the wind and waves are the only thing that makes it bearable.
- 11:30 AM: Decided to climb the lighthouse. The stairs were rickety, the air was salty, and the view from the top? Magnificent. For a few minutes, at least, the mosquito problem faded from my mind.
- 12:00 PM: Went back to Tommy's place. I took a nap, which was rudely interrupted by a mosquito. My emotional reaction? A primal scream.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. My mood is still up from the Tip of Borneo. Lunch was great - I got to chat with a few other travelers.
- 2:00 PM: Woke up. My mood is high, high, high!
- 3:00 - 6:00 PM: Lounging. Attempted to read on the beach. Failed. Too many bugs. I went straight back inside to drink beer and read.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner again. I've decided to embrace it.
Day 3: Day Trip Plans (and "Maybe I Should Have Stayed Home")
- 8:00 AM: Woke up with mosquito bites, again. This is just getting ridiculous.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast - nothing special, just a fried egg and some fruit. Wondering if I will get sick.
- 10:00 AM: Thinking about going to a waterfall, but I'm too lazy.
- 11:00 AM: Lounging. I'm officially not doing anything. I'm embracing the slow pace.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. I'm going to order more of the same.
- 1:00 PM: Nap. I've officially made it my new thing to nap.
- 2:00 PM: Woke up. I officially don't care, I am here to relax.
- 3:00 PM: Nothing! Absolutely nothing. Reading, drinking beer, reading some more, and watching the waves.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner.
Day 4: Departure and "I'll Be Back (Maybe)"
- 8:00 AM: Woke up. Guess what? More bites!
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast, packed my bag, and prepared to leave.
- 10:00 AM: The drive to the airport. Back to the real world!
- 11:00 AM: Said goodbye to the place, with the lingering impression of the mosquito problem.
- 12:00 PM: Departure.
Reflections (and a Few Final Thoughts):
Okay, let's be honest. This trip was… messy. There were bugs, the "rustic charm" was sometimes more "slightly crumbling", and I questioned my life choices more than once. But… There were moments of pure, unadulterated beauty. The sunset, the Tip of Borneo, the star-filled nights. It was… something. I wouldn't do a thing differently, but maybe I will remember that mosquito repellent next time.
Would I go back to Tommy's Place? Maybe. But next time, I'm bringing a hazmat suit, and I'm definitely requesting a bungalow without a direct mosquito access point.
Escape to NYC: Howard Johnson's North Bergen Getaway!
Tommy's Place: Borneo's BEST-KEPT Secret? (Kudat MUST-SEE!) - Let's Get Messy!
Okay, First Things First: Is Tommy's Place REALLY Worth All the Hype? (And What Hype?!?)
Ugh, the hype. It's a double-edged sword, isn't it? For years, people have whispered about this place. "Paradise," they'd murmur. "Untouched." And honestly? Yes. Mostly. It's... complicated. Listen, first of all let's be honest: getting to Kudat is a trek. My poor rental car, the poor thing, barely survived the journey. You're driving for what feels like forever, past endless palm oil plantations. Then… you see the ocean. And your jaw just. Drops. Is it worth the drive? Absolutely. But don't go expecting perfection. Think… raw beauty, a whole lot of charm, and a healthy dose of, shall we say, *rustic* accommodation.
But seriously, the hype is real. It's not just the beauty though. Is it all that beautiful beach that looks like a postcard, I'm thinking? It's the feeling you get - I think. The way the staff makes you feel... like you are the only guests there. The fact that they have got some of the best food in the world and maybe their best kept secret is THE VIEW!
What *Exactly* Makes Tommy's Place So Special? Beyond the Obvious, You Know?
Okay, okay, besides THE most stunning beach I've ever witnessed? The sand is white, powdered sugar-level fine. The water is that unbelievable turquoise you only see in Photoshop (except it's REAL!). But what *else*? The vibe, definitely. It's... relaxed. No pretense. Everyone's just there to chill, soak up the sun, and, well, *be*. I saw a guy, I swear, reading a book in a hammock for three straight days! And he looked utterly content. I tried it, once, but then felt the urge to dance...
And then there's the food... Good LORD, the food! Fresh seafood, grilled to perfection. The curries... oh, the curries! I'm still having dreams about the coconut rice. And the staff? They are phenomenal! Actually, for me, this is the best part. They are the best. I am thinking, they treat you like family... even when you spill your red wine on the white table cloth... (oops!)
Accommodation: "Rustic"? Tell Me More (and Be Honest!).
Alright, let's talk about the cabins. They're not the Four Seasons, let's just say that. They're charming, absolutely. But charming in the sense of "well-loved and possibly a little leaky during a downpour" kind of way. Think wooden structures, mosquito nets (essential!), and basic amenities. The air conditioning? Meh. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Embrace the humidity, embrace the breeze.
The ones right on the beach are AMAZING - if you can get one! And the "rustic" feel? It adds to the charm, honestly. It forces you to disconnect, to relax, to… *unplug*. I got a bit of a shock at first, but then I just let it get the best of me. I guess. Embrace the slight imperfections. Embrace the fact you're in the middle of nowhere.
The WORST Thing About Tommy's Place? Spill the Tea!
Okay, this is where it gets real. The internet. Or rather, the *lack* of it. Prepare to disconnect from the world. Wi-Fi is spotty, if it exists at all. Forget about streaming anything. Embrace the silence. Embrace the fact that you'll miss your Instagram Stories. I actually thought I would lose my mind on the first day. I needed to be connected! However, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise. However, the lack of signal is... *devastating*. I wanted to post about the sunset! *The SUNSET!*
And the, the occasional beach vendors, can get a bit too much. One of those things, you know, like when you are in a supermarket and want to buy 1 thing and everyone wants you to buy something else.
Activities! Besides Lounging. What's There to DO?
Okay, besides the whole "being horizontal" situation? Snorkeling! The coral reefs are right there, a short swim from the shore. The water is so clear! You can rent kayaks, explore the coastline... Go for a hike. I didn't do this but I saw people walking... And in the evenings, you HAVE to watch the sunset. It's a religious experience, I swear. The sky explodes with color. The colours! Then, after the sunset, eat, drink and be merry! And dance. You must! Or, you know, you could always go and sleep!
Best Time to Visit... and Should I Book in Advance?
Dry season, baby! Typically, that's April to September, but honestly, Borneo weather is kinda unpredictable. Rain is always a possibility. Expect it. Embrace it. And YES, BOOK IN ADVANCE! Tommy's Place is popular. Seriously popular. Especially the beachfront cabins. I'd say, try to book at least 6 months prior if this is your dream! I did not, and there was a moment I thought I wouldn't get in... (shivers)
Food and Drinks... Give Me the Details!
Oh, food. I already gushed a bit, but let me reiterate: it's amazing. Fresh seafood, caught that day. Grilled fish, juicy prawns, and the local curries are out of this world! The breakfast spread is decent, but not grand. You can grab some fruit and toast - it's enough to keep you going. The drinks? Cold beers, fruity cocktails (try the passion fruit one!), and plenty of water to stay hydrated. The bar is stocked, but don't come expecting an extensive wine list. Keep your expectations grounded and you won't me disappointed!
They have a wonderful chef and he is very friendly! Every day he would surprise us with a new plate!
Tell Me About That One *Unforgettable* Moment... the One You'll Never Forget.
