We hunted high and low for accommodation in KK and this was the best of a bad bunch. Apart from the places that are quite far out (like Masadas and the Beach places) the standard in KK really isn't very high at these prices. We got frustrated with other people on tripadvisor saying you could get better elsewhere, as they never say where you can get these elusive places....and as plenty of worse places were full, which probably indicates that the accommodation owners in KK do not really need to make much effort.

BGL was not your typical backpackers, like a hotel/office/student house combination. It was clean, and we had the family room which was huge. The staff were friendly and keen to help, although not always very knowledgeable or able to help!

The common area is OK, and the internet access is cheap. Location is fabulous, the Gaya street market starts on your doorstep, and the chinese restaurants are great - try the steamed buns if you get bored of the BGL breakfast which is the same as the western breakfasts you always get in hostels in Malaysia.

My advice? If you want to find a great place to stay in KK, then arrive early and shop around and try to find it. But if you can't find somewhere really special, then BGL is a reliable option.

I stayed here after a trip to Sepilok as the NBC next door was full.
the room was OK but there was no-where really to put my things. I had a private shower leaked on the floor but it worked OK and there was liquid soap in a dispenser. The shared shoewers are next to the kitchen and if you want to use a mirror, it's over the kitchen sink! The living room area is pretty small and when I was there it was taken over by 2 girls watching a DVD on their laptop (they just turned off the TV). there is no separate dining table so it feels pretty squashed in.
My room had a window to the carpark area behind Jalan Gaya and it was definitely noisier than the room I had at NBC which overlooked Jalan Gaya.
I stayed here for the 2 nights I had booked but will not come back.

We stayed here for two nights, and I quite liked it. We stayed in the dorm which had 5 bunk beds (10 beds) in a room. It was a bit cramped but there was a/c and everyone was very helpful and accomodating. There is a small but functional hot water shower, and there is a basic breakfast of toast, jams, egg every day, as well as wifi, tv and a few pcs, as well as a lot of reading material of things to do in Kinabalu. The 'front desk' were friendly and helpful as well. All in all a good stay for a backpacker or the budget traveller.

Stayed for 3 days in KK, the hotel was clean, rooms big enough for relatively low price. The location is very good with local restaurants just at the doors, with 5 minutes walk to the seafood market on the sea boulevard.
The reception was keen to book without any costs bus tickets.
Quite resonable choice for backpackers and economy tourist, good value for money.
Chris, Poland