Having read positive reviews we booked for 3 nights but only stayed for one. Small rooms with no space, limited bathroom facilities, no common area (just a table at top of stairs). That said Wifi worked and staff were happy to help where possible. Is strangely situated above an old restaurant. Would recommend Akinabalu Hostel instead.

We (myself & partner) have recently stayed at Tropicana Lodge for 12 days or so aside from when we went on a trip to the jungle for three days (arranged by the guest house) (where we saw a lot of wildlife including wild pygmy elephants, wild orangutans ect )

The owner (Vincent) has been a great host and full on useful information to us, especially as we are on a budget.The double room we shared was a great base and was clean and comfortable, we had shared bath rooms that were clean with hot showers.

We had a great experience at the lodge thanks to Vincent, Geoffrey and all the staff.

This has to be the worst place on the face of the earth. Wow, what a guy this Vincent is. Consuming alcoholic beverages and herbs from the mother earth (still illegit) constantly. I mean, he was doing that all the time. We were there for three long days and two long nights. Actually we tried to spent time here as little as possible.

The owner got mad at us SEVERAL TIMES in few days because we wouldn't go to trips organized by him. The showers was broken, computer was down...

There were a few good things though. For example, the location is quite nice. Quiet, peaceful, just a minute walk away from the centre. The beer was also cheap, that's a plus.

I have seen many many many places that are in worse conditions than this place. The place itself is a-okay, but what makes this a nightmare, is the owner.

AVOID! I would like to make a t-shirt with "I survived Tropicana Lodge, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia 2011". Because that's how i feel.

Let's start with the positives of this place:

1) Location. Right across the road from Gaya street and the sunday market, the shopping centers, lots of food fares and the CBD.

That's where the positives end.

Let's talk about the negatives:

1) The owner of the place (Vincent) needs to get some serious lessons in basic manners and basic PR. The guy drinks too much, and is generally quite rude if you disagree with him or think his tour packages are too expensive. His kids are all over the place and he treats the lodge as his home which isn't always a good thing.

2) Breakfast: The day we stayed here was quite an experince. It was quite shameful to watch him (the owner) shouting at a worker at the restaurant on the ground floor her and using expelsives

He obviously had been drinking and just went off on her.

The breakfast itself is nothing to shout about to be honest and there are far better places to stay for the same price in the area. If not, add on RM20-RM50 and get a decent motel with aircond and peace and quiet.

Avoid this place if possible unless you have no choice. Rooms/beds are nothing to shout about.