This was actually my second time in Kuching, but unlike my usual trips, I didn’t plan a single detail this time. My travel partner took the reins completely since it was my birthday trip, and I have to say it felt pretty great to just show up without knowing the itinerary.
Of course, she knows me well enough to know that I’m always on the lookout for unique, one-of-a-kind places to stay. So after spending one night at The Culvert, a quirky eco-resort with concrete-tube rooms overlooking the South China Sea, we continued our Kuching adventure at Hotel Theatre, a stay that turned out to be just as memorable.
History
Theatre Hotel Kuching is located where a cinema once stood. From about 1965 until 1977, the site was used as a movie theatre. After the cinema was closed, the building eventually became the Liwah Hotel, which was a well-known name in Kuching for a while.
Fast forward to more recent years: the owner saw an opportunity during the pandemic to try something a little different. He came up with the concept of a smart unmanned hotel to minimize physical contact by allowing bookings online, check-in / check-out via a mobile app or PIN, and using digital keys.
The hotel officially opened in early 2024. Here’s the before and after:
Location
Theatre Hotel is located at 187, Jalan Song Thian Cheok, right in the heart of Kuching. It’s super convenient. Many of Kuching’s attractions, including food spots, shops, and the Waterfront promenade are a short drive or walk away.
Despite being so centrally located, it doesn’t feel crowded or chaotic. There’s parking, which always helps, and access is easy.
Ambience & concept
Walking into Theatre Hotel, I immediately noticed its contemporary styling. It felt newly built or recently refurbished. The lobby and common areas carried that minimalist modern aesthetic with neutral tones, clean lines, subtle décor, and some theatre-inspired details in the design, but nothing that made it feel like a gimmicky themed hotel.
At the reception counter, there’s a small display of souvenirs you can pick up, like T-shirts and toiletries with the hotel’s branding. And just off to the other side, you’ll also find the spa, where guests can book massages and a range of other treatments, often at a discounted rate.
Hotel Theatre is supposedly Kuching’s first smart unmanned hotel. The idea is that everything can be handled digitally: booking, check-in, and even unlocking your room all through a mobile app. It’s a futuristic concept, and I was curious how it would feel compared to a traditional stay.
But in my experience, the hotel was fully manned. Although, we did have a keyless room that could be unlocked using an app, there was staff at the reception, and the check-in and check-out processes went on as usual.
My guess is that they might still be running it with staff on-site, or perhaps keeping the option of face-to-face service for now. Either way, I didn’t mind. Everything was smooth and hassle-free.
Rooms
Our room at Hotel Theatre was compact but thoughtfully laid out. We had twin beds, a small work desk with a chair, a rack for hanging clothes, a TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, and a mini fridge, handy for storing cold drinks in Kuching’s heat.
One fun detail I liked was the wall art. Our room had a poster of a young Jackie Chan, which instantly added personality and a bit of nostalgic charm. It tied in nicely with the hotel’s cinematic theme and made the room feel less like a cookie-cutter hotel.
Since we booked the cheaper twin room, ours didn’t have a window. It made the space feel a little closed in, but for a short stay, it wasn’t a big issue. If natural light matters to you, I’d recommend opting for one of the higher-category rooms.
The bathroom was of a decent size — comfortable enough to move around in — and most importantly, clean. It came with both a rainshower and a handheld shower. Free toiletries and amenity kits were provided, which was a nice touch for a hotel in this price range. Some of the bigger suites even come with a bathtub, which adds a touch of indulgence if you want more than just the basics.
I also noticed on their booking site that the hotel offers a single room designed for one person. I really like this option because it’s rare to find in Kuching. It would be perfect for solo travelers who don’t want to pay for a big room when they only need space for one. If I were traveling alone, that’s exactly the room I would book.
Facilities
On the second floor, there’s a small pool. However, it’s more of a dipping or wading pool than a proper swimming pool — big enough for one person to swim laps at a time, or a family to cool off together. Beyond that, it would probably start feeling too crowded.
There are only two pool chairs provided, which reinforces the idea that it’s designed for light use rather than lounging around all afternoon. Still, I appreciated the effort they made to include a pool at all, given the limited space they’re working with in the middle of the city.
The hotel also has a spa, offering massages and spa treatments with special discounts for guests. We didn’t try it ourselves since neither of us was really in the mood for a treatment during this trip, but it’s a nice option to have if you’re looking to unwind after a day of sightseeing.
Another interesting feature is the mini theatre, which ties back nicely to the property’s past life as a cinema. On certain evenings of the week, they host free screenings for guests. You just need to book your spot at reception beforehand. Unfortunately, we missed out on this since we were usually out exploring Kuching in the evenings, but I love that they kept this little nod to the building’s history.
Beyond that, the hotel provides practical conveniences like 24-hour reception and laundry services.
Dining
Hotel Theatre Kuching offers a couple of on-site dining options, each with different styles, which adds to the convenience if you don’t feel like wandering far.
On the ground floor there’s a café offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For breakfast, there are both Western and local options, which rotate daily. When we stayed, the breakfast was decent and solid enough to get the day going, although we felt that the Western options were rather lacking.
Given how many food options are nearby in Kuching, we skipped lunch and dinner at the café except for breakfast.
Upstairs, the hotel has the New City Restaurant and Ballroom, which serves halal Chinese cuisine. It’s also used for events and functions. During our stay (which spanned a weekend), there were events on both days.
The hotel was proactive enough to notify us ahead of time that there might be noise, and the staff apologized for any disturbance. Still, you could hear some of the music and commotion from the lobby and common areas. It wasn’t unbearable, but if you’re sensitive to noise or want a quieter stay, that’s something to be aware of.
Pros
- Central location, walking distance to Kuching highlights.
- Interesting history as a former cinema and hotel.
- Comfortable, modern rooms.
- Good breakfast.
- Friendly and accommodating staff.
- There’s a spa and mini theatre.
- Strong Wi-Fi.
Cons
- The pool is tiny.
- No gym.
- The cheaper rooms don’t have windows.
- The “unmanned hotel” concept wasn’t active during my stay (might be a pro or con depending on your preference).
- It can be noisy on weekends when there are events in the banquet hall.
Final thoughts
Maybe the hotel was going for something more tasteful rather than kitschy (or maybe I just have poor taste in interior design), but I kind of wish there had been more emphasis on its past as a cinema. A bit more theatre-inspired art, some old memorabilia, or even a dedicated room showcasing the building’s history would’ve been amazing.
The history is what makes Hotel Theatre stand out, but I felt like it was downplayed too much. Aside from a few movie posters here and there, you wouldn’t really know about its cinematic past unless you’d read the website or brochure (which, let’s be honest, not many people actually do).
Nonetheless, it’s still a solid choice if you’re looking for a centrally located, comfortable stay in Kuching with a unique backstory. It might not be a luxury property, but its charm lies in its history, modern simplicity, and fuss-free experience.
If you’re planning a trip here, don’t forget to check out my Kuching Travel Guide for things to do around the city, Sarawak Food Guide for things to eat, and the rest of my blog for more destination ideas, food recommendations, and practical travel tips around Malaysia.
