Nexus Resort & Spa Karambunai

“Amazing stay - but a few comments”

So to start off - everything was fantastic and I really enjoyed our stay - but if I had to nit pick a few things - In depth room cleaning - Standard is good , but a Quick Look under sofa cushions or the bed reveals discarded wrappers from previous occupants Food - food was fantastic ! Service in … more

So to start off - everything was fantastic and I really enjoyed our stay - but if I had to nit pick a few things - In depth room cleaning - Standard is good , but a Quick Look under sofa cushions or the bed reveals discarded wrappers from previous occupants Food - food was fantastic ! Service in the sunset bar is good, but they’re not always the biggest smiles Pool - perhaps the pool needs updating , we saw that renovations are underway so maybe this is one of the things they are looking at. Also, when we used to come here you could order food and drinks by the pool , it is a shame that this can’t be done anymore as it was really brilliant to do. Perhaps this will be brought back when renovations are finished ? Satay - they don’t serve regular beef or chicken satay ANYWHERE !!! Which is so unfortunate as the satays here were top notch and truly unbeatable … Breakfast - I understand that westerners are not nexus’ main demographic , but having something as simple as bacon would’ve been appreciated Floors - the floors and tiles outside the Borneo garden rooms are a bit stained , perhaps a jet wash would help Some good things were how friendly and helpful reception was ( James in particular ) , how nice the woman in the sports office was, the shop was great , and best of all the safari kayak with Roy was a true highlight of our entire Malaysia trip, he’s very informative, friendly and funny To summarise, nexus is perhaps a shining staple of how fantastic SE Asia resorts are , with stunning gardens, lovely staff and food and wonderful activities. I look forward to returning this September to see how things have changed to enhance the experience even more

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“Did not live up to first impressions”

We re-visited Nexus Resort & Spa at Karambunai for 5 nights, after our first visit there 14 years ago. We booked direct independently. First impressions very good - we were collected from KK, the welcome was great and we had a fabulous sea view room. Also even though we arrived before check in t… more

We re-visited Nexus Resort & Spa at Karambunai for 5 nights, after our first visit there 14 years ago. We booked direct independently. First impressions very good - we were collected from KK, the welcome was great and we had a fabulous sea view room. Also even though we arrived before check in time our room was ready. Sadly we were overall very disappointed thereafter. All the information about the resort ie maps and restaurants are by QR codes, no brochure or information in the room; on holiday I like to NOT have to check my fone. Our favourite restaurant, the Kingfisher, was closed for the duration of our stay. We only had a choice of the dining room where the breakfasts were served - and never really found out how much that cost or what it entailed or the Sunset bar. Suffice to say we ate at the Sunset Bar which had a limited menu and, even then, some dishes often unavailable. On the whole the food we had was OK but the service there was variable and we experienced mix-ups. We liked to go the Darling, Darling bar for a pre-dinner drink but a couple of times it was closed and even when we did go, there were no other guests there so it was lacking in atmosphere. The setting and grounds are wonderful, as is the sea and beach but rubbish is not cleared and bottles, plastic and wrappers were left for days. The sunsets were fabulous. The pool was ok but there were areas blocked off, peeling paint and repairs taking place. The swim up bar was dilapidated and not in use. Most days a metal construction was being built adjacent to the pool, with the noise of drilling, banging and arc welding taking place. Breakfast was included in our deal and was OK but sometimes very busy and the staff could not cope with clearing tables. On the first couple of days, we used the loungers on the beach but they did not have cushions so were not very comfortable. On the the second evening we had a pre-dinner drink, sitting on white openwork chairs on the grassy area in front of the sunset bar. I am very careful to use anti mozzi and insect bite spray but the next day I had numerous bites on my arms, legs etc. I feel sure they were sandfly bites so for the remainder of the holiday I did not go anywhere on sand or on the grassy area by bar. this meant I did not go in the sea again which I was VERY sad about as I MUCH prefer the sea to the pool. Finally, I was disappointed with the newer (larger, I think) shop which is now more like a supermarket. I recall the last visit, it had lovely handcrafted items and whilst I can see the need for some of the items now sold, I do not think that rows and rows of snacks, and drinks are necessary. Another plus was a free transfer to our next destination. I don't think I was remembering our previous visit throughout rose tinted glasses - sadly I don't think the resort now has the lovely atmosphere or the level of service it once had. If I am lucky enough to visit KK again, I don't think I will return to Nexus Resort and Spa at Karambunai.

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