The Marian Boutique Lodging House

The Marian is a simple, comfortable, and affordable place to stay right in the heart of Kuching. The location is great, and having a pool is a big bonus for the price. However, the walls are very thin — you can definitely hear your neighbours — which makes sense given the building’s age. It used to be a backpackers hostel, and honestly, I think it might’ve been better left that way, with lower prices to match the old-school charm and sound travel. Still, a brilliant option if you’re after something central and budget-friendly.

The hostel is wonderful, strategic location, simple but comfortable room, with swimming pool. Breakfast is simple but it’s included in the price. Read that the receptionist was bad but I find the receptionist is friendly and helpful. Daily housekeeping available. Nothing much to say, 5 star and I highly recommend to other guest visiting Kuching. Drawback - it could be a bit noisy but the earplug is provided, so the noise doesn’t affect me much.

If you’re looking for something truly different and authentic in Kuching, The Marian is a must-visit. Staying here feels like stepping back into the pre-colonial era — the building itself is full of history, once a missionary school (and if I’m not mistaken, later a church), now beautifully restored. It’s not just a hotel, it’s an experience.||The rooms come in various options. I stayed in one of the more affordable ones on Level 2 — simple but comfortable, with excellent air-conditioning, good Wi-Fi, and a spacious bathroom. For the price point, it was really worth it.||A note of caution: because the property retains its original structure, there is no lift. The stairs are fairly steep, so I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone with knee or mobility issues. That said, if you’re fine with stairs, the charm of the place makes it worthwhile.||The layout of the property is also quite unique, as it sits on top of a small hill with two entrances. Parking space is plenty, but the carpark is across the opposite entrance. At night I noticed the gate was locked, so if you’re driving, it’s best to let the hotel know — they can guide you to use the front gate instead.||One of the most beautiful surprises here is the view at night. From the property, you can see part of Kuching town lit up, and the State Assembly Building stands out majestically against the night sky — truly stunning to take in.||During my stay, the nearby Chinese temple hosted a pasar malam-style event, and it was so lively and happening. It really added to the atmosphere of staying right in the cultural heart of Kuching.||The location is another big plus — right in the heart of Kuching. The famous Kuching Waterfront is just a short walk away, and there are plenty of shops, cafés, and spots to explore nearby.||Facilities-wise, there’s a beautiful pool that looked very inviting (I didn’t get to try it, but it definitely added to the appeal). At the ground floor, near the check-in area, there’s also a nice restaurant and bar (alcohol is served; I’m not sure about pork). For Muslim travelers, that’s something to note.||Another highlight: plenty of cozy corners around the property to relax and lepak, perfect for soaking in the historic atmosphere.||Overall, The Marian is not just a place to sleep — it’s a heritage experience. For anyone wanting to feel the history of Kuching while enjoying modern comfort, a central location, a majestic night view, and even lively local events nearby, this is a once-in-a-lifetime stay. Highly recommended!

A fabulous place to stay in a great location, close to the waterfront, craft shops and Carpenter Street and shopping facilities. The staff were extremely kind and helpful. We stayed in a King room with a private balcony overlooking the lovely pool area. We stayed for 3 nights and wish it could have been longer.

Absolutely loved our 3 nights at The Marion. Older generation & slightly infirm, had ground floor room (if you dont count stairs up to the house!) but all were very manageable & help always offered. Brilliant location just 2 minutes to river walk & lots of activity. Amazing friendly & helpful staff. Thoroughly recommended if you prefer quirky, character & local to an "anywhere in the world" sanitized hotel.

I would like to bring to your attention that the air conditioner in my room (Room 209) is not working properly. I also noticed that the staff on duty were not very friendly or helpful when I asked for assistance. I believe proper customer service and prompt attention to such matters are important for guest comfort. Kindly help to look into and resolve this issue as soon as possible.

Nice hotel at an excellent location. In the heart of Kuching, next to carpenter street. Great staff and service. Rooms in the old building are noisy with very thin walls, so get a room at the pool if you want more privacy. However, the hotel is kid-friendly nowadays so the pool can get very noisy too.

For a boutique hotel, this is the most bang for buck. Literally few walks away to waterfront. Sure it’s not as fancy as Pullman but the beds are comfortable, the pool is clean, air conditioning blows cool, breakfast is simple, amazing views, it’s cozy and homey. Couldn’t ask for more. Fun fact, this hotel used to be a mansion from a wealthy family in Kuching, very rich history as you could tell from the architecture design of the building.