The Marian Boutique Lodging House

This was my first time staying at Marian Boutique Lodging Hotel, and at first, I didn’t know what to expect. I was attracted by the price they offered, especially considering the hotel is located right next to the waterfront and other major tourist attractions. We were fortunate to be assisted by Helena during check-in. Her warm smile and cheerful personality made us feel very welcome. We were assigned Room 215, which I believe is the only room in the hotel with a balcony and a stunning view. I’m not sure whether the other rooms have windows or not. Please be reminded that they collect a refundable RM100 deposit upon check in. The daily housekeeping was excellent, and I was pleasantly surprised that the hotel provides a FREE light breakfast. Yes — FREE. The menu is simple: bread with jam and some cereals with milk. Honestly, that’s more than enough for me to kick-start the day, and I’m really grateful that the hotel offers this. The only downside of this hotel is the stairs — there are a lot of them. If your room is on Level 2 (rooms starting with the number 2, e.g., 215), you will likely feel breathless by the time you reach your room. People with mobility issues should, by all means, avoid staying at this hotel, as the stairs are very steep. I’ve seen comments mentioning disturbance from loud noise. For me, there was some traffic noise, but it was very minimal at night, and I had a very good sleep. Nevertheless, this is a great hotel that offers excellent value for money, as long as you don’t mind climbing the stairs.

The vibe is very pleasant, especially the antique displays used as decorations throughout the site. It feels very unique and curated. ​ Having a pool available was a great plus. We also received a complimentary breakfast, which was an appreciated gesture as it wasn't mentioned in our original booking. ​ The rooms have very poor soundproofing. You can clearly hear normal conversations from guests on different floors, which made the stay feel less private. ​ "No child policy" was mentioned during the booking process, yet we noticed several children around the premises. Clearer communication on the website would help set the right expectations for guests looking for a specific environment. ​ Best for a non-peak season stay when there are fewer guests, otherwise, the noise levels might be disruptive.

Truly a hidden gem in the heart of Kuching. An unexpectedly well-appointed boutique hotel filled with rustic charm and history. Within easy walking distance to the waterfront and many local eateries. I can’t think of a better place from which to explore the city of cats. Do bear in mind it is an old building without lifts, but if you don’t mind walking and love exploring nooks and crannies, the guesthouse itself is worth looking around, too.

A boarding school from the 1900s turned into a hotel. I appreciated the original features, the common areas and the swimming pool. Customer service was excellent: they accomodated to my date changes and stored my luggage when I went away for a night. The stairs can be challenging for those with heavy suitcases though there is a porter who can help. The rooms facing away from the road are quieter. Overall good value for money.

Spacious in common area. Room n toilet are clean. Bring ear plugs as room is not soundproof. I got awoken by squeaking bed from other room next door, from conversation outside, from walking steps n room door closing. Swimming pool is my favorite spot n sitting in the open space chilling. Oh no tissue box in the room do bring your own. Simple breakfast of toast n cereal. Coffee, tea, milk available. You need to walk flights of steps w no elevator so dont take too heavy luggage.

I recently stayed at this so-called boutique lodging house, and unfortunately, the experience was deeply disappointing. While the building is advertised as “vintage” and “charming,” the reality is that it is simply old and poorly maintained. There is a big difference between antique style and neglect, and this place clearly falls into the latter category. The furniture throughout the lodging house is extremely old and worn out. Chairs wobble, tables are scratched, and the overall condition makes the rooms feel uncomfortable rather than cozy. The doors are another major issue—many of them are rusty, difficult to open, and feel unsafe. This immediately raised concerns about security and basic upkeep. The bed was one of the most unpleasant parts of the stay. The mattress had visible stains, which is unacceptable for any accommodation, especially one claiming to be a boutique lodging house. Cleanliness should be a top priority, but it was clearly ignored. The walls in the room had holes and visible damage, making the space feel abandoned rather than welcoming. The bathroom situation was equally bad. The toilet door was broken and could barely close properly, offering little privacy. This made using the bathroom uncomfortable and frustrating. For a place that charges boutique-level prices, these conditions are completely unreasonable. What makes the experience even worse is the presence of what appear to be fake reviews online. Many reviews describe the lodging house as luxurious, clean, and well-maintained, which does not match the actual condition at all. This feels misleading and dishonest to potential guests. Overall, this lodging house fails to meet basic standards of comfort, cleanliness, and honesty. I would not recommend staying here and suggest future guests look elsewhere to avoid disappointment.

A beautifully redecorated boarding house that was in the perfect location. Rooms were clean and reasonably well appointed but the stand out was the sitting areas in the main hallways, comfortable and cool and the perfect spot to catch up at the end of the day. Breakfast was very simple.

No lift and unbelievable stairs just to get to the room ! If you have more than a light suitcase or backpack or anyone not fit ,with mobility issues you couldn't make it to your room. We are 65,64 ,47 and fit but traveling for a long time with heavy rolling suitcase. This is adsurd they would expect you to go up many flights of stairs and very narrow metal, thin stairs in the interior of the building .windows have no screens and beds are awful.