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Padi Box Sekinchan

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Padi Box, Sekinchan - A Unique Container Hotel in Malaysia

For people who grew up near farms or rural areas, it might be ridiculous to think that anyone would drive for hours and actually pay to sleep in a rice field.

But considering that I had previously traveled across the world to sleep in a barn in Switzerland, perhaps it’s not so surprising that I would spend a night in a rice field in my own country.

Besides, it was one of the only options I had when we were not allowed to cross state borders. The rice field is located in a small town called Sekinchan, which is one of the best destinations for day trips from Kuala Lumpur.

But my friends and I spent a night there — in a freight container in the middle of a rice field.

Read about our previous staycation: Tadom Hill Resorts – A Bamboo-Themed Glamping Spot Near Kuala Lumpur

There are several accommodation options in Sekinchan that caught our eyes, (so we’ll probably need to come back a few more times to try each one out), but for now, we chose Padi Box.

Located approximately 2 hours’ drive from Kuala Lumpur, Padi Box is a cosy homestay that has been creatively converted from freight containers. Probably the most eye-catching thing about Padi Box is just how colorful those containers are and how they contrasted with the green of the surrounding rice fields.

Padi Box, Sekinchan
Padi Box, Sekinchan

Whether you’re honeymooning with your significant other or having a group vacation with your best buddies, Padi Box can accommodate your needs, with rooms for up to 6 persons. Choose the ones with windows, and you’ll get to enjoy the spectacular views of lush greenery from the comfort of your bed(s).

In the lounge area on the top floor, there is a pool table, playing cards, sofas, and an old-school Mario console game, as well as power points for your charging needs.

Bicycle rental is available at RM10 for two hours or RM30 per day for a single bike, and RM15 for two hours or RM50 per day for a tandem. For non-guests, the rate is RM10/hour for a single bike and RM15/hour for a tandem.

On top of that, they also have a cafe inside a bus that sits atop a container!

Bus Cafe Padi Box, Sekinchan
Bus Cafe Padi Box, Sekinchan. Credit: Fadilah Ahmed Supian

Room Rates at Padi Box, Sekinchan

  • Standard 2-Pax Room (Ground Floor) – from RM118/night

Padi Box Sekinchan room for 2 pax

  • 2-Pax Room with Private Balcony (Ground Floor) – from RM138/night
Padi Box Sekinchan 2 pax with balcony
  • Family Room for 6 Pax (Ground Floor) – from RM240/night
Padi Box Sekinchan for 6 pax
  • Standard 2-Pax Room (Upper Floor) – from RM128/night
Padi Box Sekinchan for 2 pax
  • Standard 4-Pax Room (Upper / Ground Floor) – from RM158/night
Padi Box Sekinchan for 4 pax
  • Family Room for 6 Pax with Window (Ground Floor) – from RM240/night
Padi Box Sekinchan for 6 pax-min
All rooms are non-smoking and air-conditioned with private bathrooms. Most have a TV (except the family room without window) and free WiFi. All guests are entitled to free parking and access to the cafe / lounge area.

Booking can be made on their website or on Airbnb

Check-in time is at 3 p.m., while check-out is at 12 p.m. Late check out fees are RM30 per hour and/or an extra night’s charge being applied to your bill.

How to Get to Padi Box, Sekinchan

By Car

Going by car is the easiest way to get to Padi Box, Sekinchan. Take the LATAR Expressway and exit at Ijok – Kuala Selangor – Sekinchan.

Five minutes before reaching Sekinchan town, you will notice a Petron station on your left. On the opposite side of the road, there is a road sign for Jalan Tali Air 4. Turn right, and Padi Box is located just 500 metres away from the main road.

By Public Transport

Take the Sabak Bernam Express bus from Pudu Sentral, Kuala Lumpur (formerly known as Puduraya Bus Terminal) to Sekinchan Sentral Bus Terminal. The bus fare is RM10. Please check with bus company or booking apps for the latest fare and schedule.

Sabak Bernam Express
Sabak Bernam Express

The Sekinchan Bus Terminal is located approximately 5 minutes’ drive from Padi Box. You can either take a taxi or book a pickup service with Padi Box in advance.

Alternatively, you can also tell the Sabak Bernam bus driver to drop you off at the junction to Jalan Tali Air 4. From there, it’s only a short walk (about 500 metres) to the homestay.

Our Review of Padi Box, Sekinchan

Despite our late booking, we managed to secure the family room with a window. The check-in time was at 3 p.m., but we arrived an hour earlier hoping to get an early check-in. Unfortunately, the room wasn’t ready yet, so we had to wait till 2.30 p.m.

While waiting, we took a few pictures. There didn’t seem to be any other guests but us.

Padi Box Sekinchan
Credit: Fadilah Ahmed Supian
Padi Box Sekinchan
Credit: Fadilah Ahmed Supian

We thought that a room on the upper floor would offer a better vantage point for the best views of the rice fields, but all the family rooms were on the ground floor.

This turned out not to be a bad thing though, as we got pretty decent views from our window. And if we sat on the super king bed (which was on the upper deck above the sitting area), we could still see the rice fields from above.

Padi Box Family Room
View from the king bed.

Aside from the super king bed, the room also came with:

  • 2 double-decker beds (super single size)
  • a private shower room and toilet room
  • a wall wash basin
  • a 42″ LED TV in the sitting area
  • shoe racks at the door steps
  • towels and toiletries (shampoo & shower foam)
  • a few rolls of toilet paper
  • free bottles of water
  • a hair dryer
  • an iron
  • an electric kettle, and
  • mugs (but no spoons / stirrers).

There was also no free coffee or tea sachets. Although WiFi was available, the signal wasn’t strong, and I was unable to connect.

As the room is inside a freight container, do not expect to have ample space to run around in. The gap between the beds and the wall is just wide enough for one person to walk through.

Padi Box Family Room
Padi Box Family Room. Credit: Airbnb

But it’s quite amazing to see how they utilize the space. It had everything we needed (except tea/coffee sachets and stirrers) and was very tastefully decorated. You don’t have to wait till you’re out on the fields for your OOTD shots — there are a few instagrammable spots inside the room itself!

The beds were very cozy, with comfy pillows and thick comforters. The super king bed (two super-single beds combined) was large enough to fit 3 persons comfortably.

Below, at the TV area, there were throw pillows and a giant teddy bear on a green grass carpet to match the paddy fields outside. Remember to bring your own movies — the TV in our room didn’t have any channels.

The next morning, we each rented a bike to explore the area. There were about 10 single bikes available and one tandem bike. One of the staff members would check that the bike was in good working order before handing it over to you.

Dining Options at Padi Box, Sekinchan

The room rate does not include breakfast, but you could request for one at RM5 per set. This has to be booked the day before, latest by 9 p.m.

Padi Box also offers a BBQ package (to be booked in advance), which includes a barbecue pit, grill surface netting, fire starters, 3 kilograms of charcoal, free drinks and dipping sauce, and raw ingredients such as chicken wings, fillets, sausages, meatballs, seafood, corn on the cob, and other vegetables. Please refer to their website for more details.

As previously mentioned, they have a bus cafe (N16 Cafe) right outside the main gate, but it was unfortunately not open during our visit — we’re not sure if this was because it was a weekday or because of the pandemic.

If you have your own transport, you could go to the nearby Sekinchan town for more food options. Otherwise, you can rent a bike to check out local restaurants and the other hotels’ cafes.

If you’re a seafood lover, you’re in luck because Sekinchan is famous for that. Be sure to try the mentarang (duck-mouth clams), a local specialty.

Final Thoughts on Padi Box, Sekinchan

The Padi Box Homes & Cafe, Sekinchan is definitely one of the most unique places to stay in Malaysia. Quirky and stylish, it’s a sure hit with those who like boutique hotels and hipster places that provide beautiful backdrops for their Instagram shots.

Despite its charming exterior, it’s not a case of “all show and no substance” with Padi Box. We were quite impressed to note how clean and well-maintained all the facilities were, and that we had (almost) everything we needed.

Only about an hour and a half from Kuala Lumpur, you get to escape from the frenetic city pace and be greeted by the serenity of the picturesque paddy fields. At Padi Box, you will enjoy the charms of rural life but without sacrificing modern comforts.

Padi Box, Sekinchan
Credit: Fadilah Ahmed Supian
To get more info on Sekinchan, such as the harvesting schedule (when the fields are the prettiest), things to do, places to eat, and other accommodation options,
 

Padi Box Homes & Cafe

Address: Lot 11126, Jalan Tali Air 4, 45400 Sekinchan, Selangor, Malaysia.

Website: Padi Box

Phone / WhatsApp: 019-320 5688

Posted in Malaysia

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56 Comments

  1. Ezna

    Dulu sis pernah menginap dalam Kontena kat Kuala Kubu Baharu. Rasa macam tak selesa sebab sempit tapi bila tengok Padi Box ni ada bilik besar, selesa nampaknya dengan pemandangan sawah padi luas terbentang.

    • ummi

      Betul tu sis Ezna. Padi Box ni memang besar dan selesa, macam tak sangka yang kami berada dalam kontena sebenarnya. Walaupun kami berenam, langsung tak terasa sempit. Siap ada bilik mandi, sinki dan tandas sekali. Dan tak lupa juga, ruangan menonton TV.

    • ummi

      So true, Nik. I think it was such a shame that I never had a chance to see a paddy field up close until I was in my late 20s (in Indonesia), considering how important rice is in our daily lives. The view and ambience are also a welcome change from the city hecticness.

  2. Saidila Abdul Rahman

    Dari sehari ke sehari nak staycation ke sini tapi asik tak jadi jer, memang Padi Box dalam senarai sebab nak merasa jugak tidur ditengah sawah padi. Pemandangan dia pun lawa sangat. Jauh dari bising2 kenderaan. Harap lepas raya nanti boleh pergi sini.

    • ummi

      Ya, Saidila. Memang best pengalaman tidur di tengah sawah padi ni. Bagi yang mementingkan keselesaan, tak payah risau sebab Padi Box ni memang bersih dan selesa. Nanti lepas raya, boleh la cuba bercuti di sini, ya. 🙂

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  4. Ruby

    Ehhhh tak pernah tau ada tempat macam ni. Nice sungguh! Teringin pula ke sana. View bangun pagi nampak sawah padi tu precious. Tq share! Lepas Raya nak ke sana. Hahaha.

    • ummi

      Hahaha, you’re welcome, Kak Ruby. Ya, view sawah padi tu yang mahal tu. Kalau stay kat Padi Box ni memang mostly boleh nampak view sawah dari tingkap bilik. 🙂

    • ummi

      Betul tu, Ayu. Suasana di tengah-tengah sawah padi ni memang sangat menenangkan. Nanti kalau ada kesempatan, singgah la sini. 🙂

    • ummi

      Wah sis orang Sabak Bernam ke? Nanti balik kampung boleh la cuba stay kat Padi Box ni. Saya aritu bangun lambat. Bangun-bangun je, hari pun dah panas. Haha.

  5. Dik bee

    Cantiknya tempat ni. Bangun pagi, buka tingkap dah nampak pemandangan indah nan menghijau. Mesti best kan. Tapi kena tengok timing gak la kan kalau nak pi sini sebab kalau musim menuai mesti dah lain viewnya.

    • ummi

      Betul tu, Dik Bee. Nak datang sini kena tengok timing, sama ada nak tengok padi hijau atau kuning keemasan. Kalau baru dituai, memang takde apa la. Boleh refer pada post saya yang ni untuk tengok jadual penanaman padi di Sekinchan. 🙂

    • ummi

      Ya, Haulia. Kawasan sawah padi di Sekinchan ni memang banyak tempat menarik, terutamanya selepas ada beberapa drama bersiri yang difilemkan di sini.

  6. Kitkat Nelfei

    Interesting bah.. macam nak plan a short staycation kat Padi Box ni jer.. last time I went to the cafe in front of this Padi Box, the bus cafe ya.. good place ya especially for OOTD! nak naik basikal take reti bah…

    • ummi

      Haha, bila you nak belajar naik basikal, Kitkat? Best tau cycling tepi sawah ni, tak banyak kereta. View pun cantik. Nanti kalau free, plan la staycation kat Padi Box. I might go again sebab haritu tak dapat pergi bus cafe.

    • ummi

      Ya, Nadia, memang murah dan best. Kalau pergi ramai-ramai lagi boleh save budget. Hiasan dalaman Padi Box ni pun sangat cantik, macam tak sangka kita berada dalam kontena. 😀

  7. Rawlins GLAM

    My friends and I were in Sekinchan too but decided not to stay there, instead we stayed at an AirBnB just 5 minutes away from Padi Box. With MCO still intact, I think we might be visiting Sekinchan again soon.

    • ummi

      Yah, my friends and I are thinking the same thing, Rawlins. Our 2D1N staycation wasn’t enough to cover all the interesting places in Sekinchan, so we are planning to go again for a second visit. 😀

    • ummi

      Yes, Grace. Well, they say that Sekinchan has been getting more visitors than ever during the lockdown, since KL and Selangor people can’t leave the state. So, maybe not so quiet, but you can go on a weekday if you wish to avoid crowds. 🙂

    • ummi

      That’s true, Kayy — unless you go with a large group of friends. Then, it can be quite lively. But if you go on a weekday in the low season, it can be the perfect place to disconnect from people, like you said. 🙂

  8. Hannah

    What a fun place to stay! I love how creative this hotel is! It looks like such a unique experience and I especially like the cafe in the bus! It looks like such a cool place and the views look wonderful. Thanks for sharing this gem!

    • ummi

      You’re welcome, Hannah! Yes, the Padi Box is a really fun and quirky place to stay at. Both the hotel and its surroundings are so pleasing to the eye. I haven’t had a chance to dine at the Bus Cafe unfortunately, but I suppose that’s not an entirely bad thing, as it gives me an excuse to visit again! 😉

  9. Agnes

    You’ve had some VERY intriguing accommodation experiences! We’ve yet to get out to Malaysia, but this certainly looks like a bucket listy stay.

    • ummi

      Haha, thanks, Agnes! I really love trying out unique places to stay. I hope you’ll come to Malaysia someday and check out this place 🙂

  10. Jori

    Wow this looks so cool! The room itself is kinda like a hostel dorm room, but I can’t believe it is made out of containers! Would love to stay here at least once in my life!

    • ummi

      I hope you will, Jori! It’s a really cool place to stay at — both the hotel and its surroundings. Despite being inside freight containers, the rooms are actually quite spacious. 😀

    • ummi

      Thank you, Patrice! Glad that you enjoyed the post and photos. Padi Box is indeed a unique place to stay, and not too far away from the capital city Kuala Lumpur. 😀

  11. Sophia

    The Padi Box looks unique and interesting! I can see that the location is very peaceful. I would love to try staying at this place one day… Looks like a fun experience! 🙂

    • ummi

      Indeed, Sophia. It’s a peaceful place and relatively unknown to foreign tourists. I hope you’ll get to stay here if you visit Malaysia in the future. 🙂

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    • ummi

      Faham. Kalau dah memang rumah kita dekat situ, nak buat apa lagi stay kat hotel di area yang sama, kan? Unless pegi dengan member2 la kot. 😀

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