For my birthday, it was my travel partner’s turn to plan our trip. This time, she chose Kuching and surprised me with a stay at The Culvert, a resort I hadn’t even heard of before. I’d been to Kuching and even Santubong in the past, but had no idea a place like this existed.
I’ve always had a soft spot for unique accommodation — anything that stands out from the usual hotels — and The Culvert definitely fits that bill. Located close to Mount Santubong, it gave me that wonderful sense of being surrounded by nature without having to give up modern conveniences and comfort.
It was the best of both worlds: the quiet retreat I didn’t know I needed, and yet with enough comfort to make it feel like a birthday treat.
Location & how to get there
The Culvert sits along a quiet stretch of Damai Beach, with Mount Santubong rising in the background. So, it works for both beach lovers and nature seekers (I’m a little bit of both, not a hardcore in either direction).
The Sarawak Cultural Village and a handful of jungle trails, including Mount Santubong itself, are just a short drive away, so you can easily balance downtime with a bit of light adventure.
We joined a wildlife cruise from a nearby pier, where we spotted plenty of proboscis monkeys and even caught a glimpse of a few dolphins despite the rain. It was definitely a highlight of the trip.
Getting here from Kuching is pretty straightforward: it’s under an hour’s drive from the city or the airport. Most people rent a car or arrange for a Grab car or private transfer.
Ambience
The Culvert is unlike any resort I’ve stayed in before. The rooms are literally built from repurposed concrete culverts (yup, those huge cylindrical pipes you usually see in construction sites). They’ve been cleverly transformed into cozy capsule-style rooms with beds, air-conditioning, and enough space for your essentials.
Scattered across a hillside facing the South China Sea, the culverts are surrounded by greenery, with boardwalks connecting everything. At night, the warm lighting against the natural backdrop makes the whole place feel magical.
I also loved the way the common areas were styled. The furniture was fashioned from rattan and other natural materials, which gave the lounge and dining spaces a warm, earthy atmosphere.
Combined with the open-air layout, the sea breeze, and tropical greenery all around, it almost felt like I’d been whisked away to a little hideout in Bali.
The rooms
The culvert rooms themselves were a pleasant surprise. I had stayed somewhere with a similar concept before, which was very basic and compact with barely enough space for anything other than a mattress, so naturally I was expecting something along those lines.
But while the size of the standard room here was modest, it was much more comfortable than I thought it would be.
What surprised me the most was that each room actually came with its own ensuite bathroom, complete with a toilet, washbasin, and shower room. I’d never have thought a culvert could fit in all that!
On top of that, there was even a TV, which added a nice touch for when we wanted to wind down indoors. The glass door allowed us to enjoy sea views without even having to get out of bed.
Practical touches also made a difference: each room comes with beach/pool towels, beach slippers so you don’t have to dirty your own, an umbrella, and even a woven beach bag — all thoughtful extras that made trips to the pool and beach more convenient.
For those who prefer more space, there’s the option to upgrade to the larger suites. These come with more generous layouts, extra amenities, and even a bathtub.
Facilities
For such a niche resort built around eco-inspired design, it actually offered a lot. There’s a prayer room, two swimming pools (both with gorgeous views of the sea), a mini gym, and a mini library if you’re in the mood for something quieter.
I also stumbled upon a small event room during my stay. At the time, it had just a table for two in the middle, with balloons and a backdrop that said “Marry Me”, clearly leftovers from a recent proposal or engagement celebration.
One detail I really liked was that many of these rooms have glass walls, which means you can enjoy the scenery from inside. Whether you’re at the library, the gym, or simply lounging by the pool, you’re never disconnected from the greenery and the sea.
From the property, you can also walk down to a private beach, which felt like such a luxury. It isn’t the prettiest beach you’ll ever see, but I really appreciated the exclusivity of having that little stretch of sand all to ourselves. It was quiet, peaceful, and perfect for a simple picnic or even just a quick dip in the sea.
Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t great during my visit, so I missed out on their movie night under the stars, but it’s something they organize when conditions are right.
There’s also a self-service laundry room equipped with a washing machine and dryer, which is a lifesaver if you’re staying for more than a couple of days or if you’ve been traveling around Borneo.
My favorite facility was definitely the sauna. It’s a tiny barrel-shaped wooden room (keeping with the whole culvert theme) set in the middle of a clearing. At most, it could probably fit three small people if you squeezed in tight.
It’s self-service; you have to switch on the power yourself, and at first we weren’t even sure it was working. But surprise, surprise, it did heat up, and before long we had our very own private sauna in the woods with a seaview framed by a glass window. I imagined I was in Finland.
And for a bit of fun, guests are welcome to try out the flying dress photo experience — you know, the dramatic gowns you usually see in Bali or Santorini photoshoots. The resort provides the dresses, sets you up on their giant swings, and the staff are happy to assist so you get the perfect shot.
All of this is free of charge, which I thought was a really thoughtful touch to make the stay feel more memorable. Best of all, you don’t have to queue for hours like you would in those touristy places.
Dining
The Culvert has its own on-site restaurant and bar (Tanju’ Cafe & Tanju’ Beach Club) which was convenient since the resort is a little secluded. The menu isn’t huge, but it covers a decent mix of local and Western dishes, some bottled beers, and cocktails.
But to be honest, during my stay I was away most of the time doing activities, so I didn’t really get the chance to sample their lunch or dinner menu. The only thing I tried were some chicken wings in the afternoon when I was feeling snackish, and they were pretty good, if a little pricey.
For breakfast, they serve a simple buffet spread with staples like eggs, toast, noodles, rice, and fruit. Nothing overly fancy, but enough to start the day right before heading out to explore.
As for the bar, it was closed during my visit. I wasn’t sure if it had to do with the weather (since it was raining on and off) or because they were doing some renovation work around the pool area.
I wouldn’t say the food alone is a reason to book The Culvert, but it’s more than sufficient for a few nights’ stay, and the convenience of not having to leave the resort for every meal was definitely a plus.
What I liked
Unique design — Staying in a converted culvert was not a first for me, but I still loved the creativity behind it. The Culvert’s rooms may be compact, but they sure make full use of the space. It instantly sticks in your memory because it’s so different from a standard hotel room, and that alone made the experience worth it.
Nature all around — Throughout my stay, I felt surrounded by nature. Even just walking between the culverts on the pathways gave me a sense of calm. I loved that I didn’t even need to step out of my room to see both lush foliage and wide-open sea views — something you rarely get in one place.
Facilities — For an eco resort hidden in a forest, The Culvert surprised me with how many facilities it had. The infinity pools and sauna, especially, were a highlight. The restaurant and bar meant we didn’t have to leave the property when we didn’t feel like it, and of course, the flying dress photoshoot was a million-dollar bonus.
Things to keep in mind
Space constraints — The rooms are tight and can feel cramped if you’re claustrophobic or traveling with family. I’m 5’5″ and the height felt just right for me, but I imagine it can feel rather constricting for anyone bigger or taller, especially in the bathroom.
Practical quirks — You’ll have to climb over the bed to get to the bathroom, which can be a little impractical if you’ve just come back from the pool or the beach. You might end up getting the bed wet or sandy, unless you clean up in the shared outdoor bathroom first.
- Restaurant limitations — The breakfast buffet is simple but decent. Lunch and dinner menus can be limited and on the pricier side. Besides, the place is rather secluded, so there aren’t many other nearby options.
Final thoughts
The Culvert Kuching is such a lovely detour if you’re craving something offbeat, nature-infused, and far from the city buzz.
It may not be for everyone; families needing more space or travelers seeking resort luxury might want to look elsewhere, but for couples, solo travelers, or adventure buddies like us who love design, serenity, and just enough wilderness, this place is a gem.
👉 While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my Kuching Travel Guide for a full look at the city’s highlights, and browse the rest of my blog for more destination ideas, food recommendations, and travel tips for Malaysia.
