EIGHTY3 Studio: Kota Kinabalu's Hottest New Aeropod Design Haven!
EIGHTY3 Studio: Kota Kinabalu's Hottest New Aeropod Design Haven!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! Because I'm about to spill the tea, the coffee, and maybe a little bit of overpriced cocktail from EIGHTY3 Studio: Kota Kinabalu's Hottest New Aeropod Design Haven! – and let me tell you, it’s a whirlwind. They claim to be the hottest, and well…let's just say I've got the receipts (and the slightly sticky souvenir from the pool - more on that later).
First Impressions & The Aeropod Vibe: Totally Instagrammable (Mostly!)
Okay, so the Aeropod. The name alone sounds futuristic, doesn't it? You know, like a spaceport for your Instagram feed. And, honestly, EIGHTY3 Studio delivers on the aesthetics. Think sleek lines, minimalist chic, and enough glass to make a hummingbird question reality. It's all designed to be Instagrammable. The lobby? Boom. Insta-worthy. The pool? Double boom. (More on that pool in a hot second.)
Accessibility: Smooth, But Not Seamless (Like My Attempts at Social Dancing)
Now, let's talk accessibility. I'm happy to report they've made a decent effort – a decent Kota Kinabalu effort, anyway, which is saying something. Wheelchair accessible areas are present, and the elevator means you can get around without feeling like you're training for the Tour de France. They've got some Facilities for disabled guests, which is always a bonus. Just keep in mind, it's not perfect. There's always room for improvement, you know? Like my dance moves. They're improving…slowly.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized, But Not Sterilized (Which is Probably a Good Thing)
Okay, this is a big one, especially in this post-pandemic world. EIGHTY3 seems to be taking things seriously. They’ve got all the buzzwords: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Professional-grade sanitizing services, and even that room sanitization opt-out available. (Me? I opted in. No regrets!). Plus, Hand sanitizer stations are everywhere, which is a huge relief. They even have Hygiene certification. So, you feel pretty darn safe. The staff is definitely Staff trained in safety protocol, so that's a plus.
Internet Access: Wi-Fi Warriors Rejoice! (And Maybe Bring a LAN Cable)
Alright, internet addicts, breathe a sigh of relief. Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms! Hallelujah! And the Internet access – wireless is generally pretty good. I'm talking streaming quality, which is a must.Internet access – LAN in the rooms, too, which is a nice touch, for those who are all about the hard-wired life.
Rooms: Stylish, but Not Without Their Quirks (Like Me!)
The rooms are…well, they're stylish. They really are. Everything's modern, the Air conditioning works like a champ (thank god – Kota Kinabalu is HOT!), and the Blackout curtains are a lifesaver for sleep-ins. I had a room non-smoking, with Air conditioning. Additional toilet Bathrobes Alarm clock Bathtub Bathroom phone Blackout curtains Carpeting Closet Coffee/tea maker Complimentary tea Daily housekeeping Desk Extra long bed Free bottled water Hair dryer High floor In-room safe box Internet access – LAN Internet access – wireless Ironing facilities Laptop workspace Linens Mini bar Mirror Non-smoking On-demand movies Private bathroom Reading light Refrigerator Safety/security feature Satellite/cable channels Scale Seating area Separate shower/bathtub Shower Slippers Smoke detector Socket near the bed Sofa Soundproofing Telephone Toiletries Towels Umbrella Visual alarm Wake-up service Wi-Fi [free] Window that opens. But here's the thing: I had one tiny issue. The placement of the light switches. Seriously, I spent the first five minutes of every evening groping around in the dark. Just saying. Plus, I'd love to see a Safe to store all my valuables, like my passport and credit cards..
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Mixed Bag, But Mostly Delicious (and Booze-y!)
Okay, let’s talk food and drinks. The Restaurants are plentiful and they have A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Restaurants, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant. You can grab a coffee at the Coffee shop or something a little stronger at the Bar. Plus, the Poolside bar. And… I'm not going to lie, the Happy hour was a highlight. And the Room service [24-hour] is a lifesaver when you're nursing a slight…ahem…headache.
Things to Do (Besides Instagramming): Relax, Sweat, and Get Massaged!
This is where EIGHTY3 truly shines. Let's break it down:
- Pool with a view? Oh, heck yes. The outdoor Swimming pool [outdoor] is gorgeous. The view is even worth staring at. (And yes, that was where I made my sticky souvenir, thanks to a rogue popsicle. No judgement.)
- **Spa/sauna: Sauna Spa. Perfect if you want to relax.
- Fitness center: Yup, they’ve got a Gym/fitness, for all you workout warriors. (Me? I walked to the ice cream shop. Calories don’t count on vacation, right?)
- Massage: Massage for days, and days. I got pampered. Very good.
Services and Conveniences: They Think of Everything (Almost)
The Front desk [24-hour] is a massive help. The Concierge is super helpful. Also, you can benefit from the Convenience store, Currency exchange and Cash withdrawal. Need Daily housekeeping? They've got you. Laundry service? Check! Dry cleaning? You betcha!. They even have a Luggage storage.
For the Kids: Babysitting, But Maybe Pack Your Patience
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal. But sometimes, patience wears thin.
Getting Around: Smooth Sailing (Except for the Traffic)
Airport transfer makes things easy. They also have Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service, and Valet parking.
My Hot Take (The Honest Truth): Should You Book?
Look, EIGHTY3 isn’t perfect. It feels a bit like a hotel that's still finding its footing. But the pros definitely outweigh the cons. The rooms are stylish, the pool is amazing, the location is convenient, and the staff are generally lovely. It's perfect for those seeking a modern, Insta-worthy stay in Kota Kinabalu. It’s a great base for exploring the city and I'd recommend it for a memorable vacation.
Here's My Offer (Because You Deserve a Deal):
Book your stay at EIGHTY3 Studio through THIS LINK (or just DM me for the code!) and get the following AMAZING perks:
- A free upgrade (subject to availability) – because you deserve it!
- Early check-in and late check-out (again, subject to availability) – more time for fun and exploration!
- A complimentary welcome drink at the pool bar – because you earned it!
- A discount voucher for the spa – because everyone needs a massage!
- And, if you mention this review, I'll personally make sure your room doesn't have light switch placement issues. Okay, maybe not, but try it! I've also written a guide to the city!
Don’t miss out! Book NOW and experience the Aeropod design haven for yourself!
(Disclaimer: I may or may not have received free popsicles for writing this. Okay, I didn't. But I wish I had!)
Cartagena DREAM HOME: 7BR Luxury Villa w/ Pool - Old City Oasis!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's trip planner. We're venturing into the glorious, gloriously flawed adventure that is… EIGHTY3 STUDIO @AEROPOD in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. Prepare for a schedule so loose, it'll probably sprout legs and run away, just like my plans usually do.
Day 1: Arrival & Aeropod…Maybe I Should Have Packed Bug Spray?
1:00 PM (ish) - Arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI): Okay, first off, the heat. Dear God, the heat. Stepping out of the aircon felt like walking directly into a pizza oven. And the humidity? Forget about it. My hair instantly frizzled into a sentient cloud of defiance. Finding transportation – a grab car (thank heavens for Grab, seriously!) – was a minor victory.
1:30 PM (ish) - Aeropod Check-in & Apartment Scramble: Finding EIGHTY3 STUDIO wasn't too bad… until the apartment. No elevator (sigh). The luggage felt like it weighed more than my entire existence. Finally made it up, key card fumbling, and… well, it was lovely. Modern, clean, with a tiny balcony that promised amazing views. Except it was swarming with… mosquitoes. Dammit. First impression: Gorgeous apartment, potential for a blood buffet.
2:30 PM (ish) - The Great Internet Hunt & Snack Attack: Alright, internet set up and, oh, good, the wifi is slow as hell. A minor panic, then I had to find some snacks. First stop – figuring out where a convenience store is. Walked for a solid 15 min and found a tiny mini mart. Picked up some local tidbits and snacks for the room.
4:00 PM (ish) - Reconnaissance Mission… and the Realization of My Awkwardness: Decided to scope out the Aeropod area. Walked around, and by the time I got back, I was soaked in sweat. I think I might be the most out-of-shape person in Malaysia. And the worst part? Tripped over my own feet and nearly face-planted in front of a group of impeccably dressed locals. Mortifying.
6:00 PM (ish) - Dinner Dilemma & the Fear of Eating Alone: Okay, dinner time. The eternal solo traveler's dilemma. Should I tough it out at a restaurant, or order in? The idea of attempting to order food in Bahasa Melayu made me sweat. So, I just stayed in, cooked some instant noodles, and watched Netflix. Lonely, but safe.
8:00 PM (ish) - Balcony Stargazing & Existential Dread: The mosquito situation was slightly under control, now I’m sitting on my balcony, watching the stars and listening to traffic. And the existential dread came. The travel itself is exciting but also a real test of the soul. Maybe this all was a mistake. Maybe I should just be a librarian and call it a day.
Day 2: Island Dreams, Seasickness, and Seafood Regrets
8:00 AM (ish) - Wake Up, Groan, and Regret Every Life Choice: The sun is up, and so are the mosquitoes. I’m so sure I got bit in the middle of the night as I am itching like hell.
9:00 AM (ish) - Ferry Fiasco to Gaya Island: Off we go to the islands! I hopped on the ferry, heart full of wanderlust, stomach… well, we'll get to that later. The views of the islands as we approached were undeniably stunning. Picture-postcard perfect.
10:00 AM (ish) - Snorkelling… or, More Accurately, Seaweed-Gazing: The water was crystal clear, and the coral was… well, there. I saw a few fish, nothing too exciting, and spent most of my time bumping into other snorkellers. And, of course, swallowing the occasional mouthful of salty water.
11:00 AM (ish) - The Tide Turns… and So Does My Stomach: Seasickness strikes! It started with a gentle queasiness and escalated faster than a teenager's mood swings. The gentle rocking of the boat morphed into a stomach-churning torture device. I, a seasoned traveler, spent the next hour green around the gills, praying to the Porcelain God.
12:00 PM (ish) - Seafood Feast (or, the One That Got Away): We were supposed to have a glorious seafood feast at a local restaurant. I managed a few greasy calamari rings (that probably didn't help matters), and the rest was a blur of nausea. Seriously, I think I actually missed the taste of the seafood. How often does that happen?! I definitely missed out.
2:00 PM (ish) - The Long, Regrettable Journey Back: Back to the mainland. Every bump in the boat felt like a personal attack. I arrived at Aeropod pale, shaky, and vowing never to step foot on a boat again.
3:00 PM (ish) - Nap: The Cure for All Ills (and Seasickness): Slept like the dead. That’s all I cared about.
6:00 PM (ish) - Dinner (Attempt) & the Fried Rice of Redemption: Found a local eatery, a little less adventurous. Simple fried rice. This was the cure to my ill-being. Simple, boring, and perfect.
Day 3: City Adventures & Cultural Confusion
9:00 AM (ish) - Breakfast, Coffee, and a Very Aggressive Pigeon: Coffee time! And a determined pigeon, determined to share my breakfast.
10:00 AM (ish) - Exploring Kota Kinabalu: I did the tourist thing. Went to the central market. So many things in one place… I could not believe myself. The smell was powerful. The locals were friendly. I don’t think I got around to actually buying anything though.
12:00 PM (ish) - Lunch and Street Food Exploration: Lunch! Tried a stall that served local noodles. Delicious! I think I spent the rest of the time trying to mimic how locals ate.
2:00 PM (ish) - The City is hot!: Went back to the room for a break. I can't believe how hot the city is!
5:00 PM (ish) - Sunset at Tanjung Aru Beach: The sunset was… phenomenal. Worth all the sweat, the awkwardness, and the questionable food choices. Maybe this trip isn't totally disastrous after all.
7:00 PM (ish) - Dinner and the realization that the trip is coming to an end: Feeling melancholic. The trip is almost over. Maybe I was too harsh to myself.
Day 4: Departure & the Promise of… Therapy?
8:00 AM (ish) - Final Breakfast & Mosquito Battle: Another day, another mosquito!
9:00 AM (ish) - Packing & Reflecting (Mostly on How Much Laundry I'll Have to do Later): Packing. This is when the reality of the trip really hits… It was messy, imperfect, sometimes awful and sometimes amazing.
11:00 AM (ish) - Farewell to Aeropod & a Plea to the Universe for a Refund on Bug Spray: Getting to the airport.
1:00 PM (ish) - Departure from BKI: Goodbye, Kota Kinabalu. Thanks for the memories (and the epic sunburn).
Post-Trip: Therapy might be needed: But honestly? I wouldn't trade this messy, beautiful, occasionally disastrous adventure for anything.
So there you have it. A slightly unhinged itinerary, fit for a slightly unhinged traveler. Embrace the chaos, roll with the punches, and for the love of all that is holy, pack bug spray. You've been warned. Now go have an adventure!
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EIGHTY3 Studio, Aeropod: So, Is This Place REALLY Worth All the Hype?! (A Messy FAQ)
Okay, First Things First: WHERE is this "EIGHTY3 Studio" thing anyway? And, is it easy to find? Because I'm directionally challenged.
Listen, if you're like me and GPS is your best friend (or only friend, let's be honest), you'll be fine. EIGHTY3 Studio is in the Aeropod area in Kota Kinabalu. Now, Aeropod itself is... well, it's a bit of a rabbit warren at first. Think of it like a modern-day labyrinth, but instead of a Minotaur, you're battling… the confusion of parking. Seriously, Parking. Is. A. Nightmare. Okay rant over. But! Once you're actually *in* the Aeropod, the studio's pretty easy to spot. Just look for the building with the sleek, modern design. It's not exactly hidden. Except maybe the entrance… I spent a good five minutes wandering around looking for the door the first time. Totally my fault, probably. I blame the excitement. And coffee.
What's the vibe? Is it all Instagram models and expensive coffee, or is it actually… cool?
Ooooh, good question. The vibe... well, it *is* definitely got that "modern, clean aesthetic" thing going on. Think exposed brick, minimalist furniture, and possibly a few people taking selfies. But honestly? It's not overwhelmingly pretentious, thankfully. It’s got a chill, creative atmosphere. Saw a guy sketching in a corner the other day. And then there's me, just awkwardly trying to look cool while failing miserably. I spilled coffee on my shirt. Anyway, you'll see a mix of people: locals, tourists, people working on laptops (probably pretending to work, like me…), and the occasional person who *actually* looks like they know what they're doing. And, crucially, the coffee isn’t ridiculously overpriced, which is a major win for me.
Okay, the coffee. Spill the beans (pun intended). Is it any good? What are the best things on the menu?
Alright, alright, the coffee. Deep breath. Okay, so it’s *good*. I'm no coffee snob, but I know a decent brew when I taste one. They’ve got your usual suspects: lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos, the whole shebang. I'm a sucker for their iced latte, especially on a hot day (which, let’s be real, is every day in KK). The pastries are decent too. The croissants are buttery, the cakes are... well, *cakey*. What else? I'm always hungry. Okay, the food might not be Michelin-star worthy, but it's solid. Perfect for a quick lunch or a snack while you pretend to work. And they sometimes have these amazing little cookies… Oh. My. God. I almost forgot about the cookies. Okay, I need a coffee break now. Seriously. Go for the cookies. Trust me.
What's the deal with the "studio" part? Is it just a coffee shop with a fancy name?
It’s not *just* a coffee shop, no. They've got a co-working space, which means desks and Wi-Fi. And it looks like they also have some kind of event space. Honestly, I haven't used the co-working space myself. I'm more of a "find a comfy corner, plug in, and stare vaguely at my laptop" kinda guy. I'd like to think I'm productive, But, I was distracted. I'm easily distracted. I think I saw a photographer there once with a photoshoot. The whole thing looked very… professional and glamorous which, let's be real, is the opposite of my life. But hey, good for them!
Are there any downsides? Because nothing's perfect, right?
Alright, here's the messy truth. Parking, as I mentioned before, is a genuine pain. Always. Especially on weekends. Sometimes, the space can get a little crowded. I swear, everyone in KK seems to have discovered this place. And the music… sometimes it’s a bit too loud for my liking. I’m old, okay? I still want to be able to hear myself think. And I can’t always. And the staff, bless them, are young and still learning the ropes. I waited for quite a while for my order one day, but hey, they were friendly, so I can't complain *too* much. It's like, I see a young person, and it makes even me remember the good times.
Would you recommend it? (Be honest!)
Look, despite my gripes, I'd say YES. Absolutely, yes. It’s a great spot to meet friends, escape the heat, or just get some work done. The coffee's good, the atmosphere is generally pleasant, and those cookies… oh, those cookies. Just brace yourself for the parking, bring your patience, and mentally prepare for some potential loud music. If you're looking for a chill place to hang out in Aeropod, EIGHTY3 Studio is definitely worth checking out. And, if you see me there, looking slightly frazzled and covered in coffee stains, come say hi. I might be hiding from my to-do list.
Okay, specific question because I'm an anxious person: Is it accessible? Are there ramps/restrooms?
Hmm, good question. Accessibility is important. I haven't paid *super* close attention to the details, but I'm pretty sure they have ramps and accessible restrooms. It's all very modern, so they've probably thought about those things. I can't say for certain, but... I'd be pretty surprised if they didn't. However, I'm not a certified accessibility expert, so I'd advise checking with their official website.
The single best moment you ever had in EIGHTY3 Studio? (Go on, be dramatic!)
Alright, here's my moment. The *best* moment? Okay… it was a Tuesday. Late, like, maybe 4:00 pm. The sun was streaming in through the big windows, it was painting the whole space in this gorgeous golden light. The music was actually pretty good that day (miraculous, I know). I was sitting there, nursing my iced latte, finally *finally* cracking the code on a particularly annoying work problem I'd been staring at for, like, three days. And then… they brought out a fresh batch of cookies. Warm, gooey, chocolatey perfection. I took a bite, looked up, and there was this random stranger. Who looked at me, smiled, and said "best cookies in town, right?" And in that moment? Everything felt… perfect. Just pure, simple, cookie-Find Your Perfect Stay
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