5-Star Hotels in Sabah, Malaysia

The hotel itself is fine, with excellent facilities and services. However, some parts of the hotel are currently under renovation, and it seems they intentionally place guests who book lower-tier rooms in these renovated areas. Knowing in advance that some of the hotel's beachfront areas were under renovation, I specifically booked a garden-view room a month ago. Upon arrival, the hotel informed us that all garden-view rooms were full. They then 'upgraded' us to a sea-view room (which was in the renovated section). Although they offered a discount as compensation, we repeatedly stated that we didn't want to stay there. The staff (somewhat threateningly) said that all other rooms in the hotel were full, and these were the only ones left, implying we'd have no room if we didn't take it (their attitude was quite arrogant). They also insisted that we could only switch to this specific (renovated) room type and no other. Since we'd never encountered such a situation before and didn't know how to handle it, we reluctantly accepted. Later, I checked online and found that our situation of being switched rooms was not an isolated incident; many Chinese tourists were 'forced' into 'upgrading' to sea-view rooms. (Some even suggested they only do this to Chinese tourists). The hotel did not proactively offer compensation after we checked out. We only received it after complaining to Ctrip's customer service. I'm very grateful to Ctrip's customer service for their help; they advised us that in similar future situations, we should not deal with the front desk privately but instead let Ctrip customer service handle it. I rarely post reviews, but I'm sharing this to prevent fellow Chinese travelers from being scammed. If you encounter such issues, contact Ctrip directly.

The water in the hotel's area is heavily polluted; it's so dirty that snorkeling is completely out of the question! The front desk staff were very perfunctory with guest requests and didn't follow through on promises. In the morning, we requested a private boat tour for island hopping and snorkeling. We discussed the time and itinerary with the dive center staff and finalized the price with the front desk. We even altered our subsequent travel plans for this. However, by 4 PM, we still hadn't received confirmation. When we called the front desk, they told us they couldn't arrange it. We asked several people, and got different explanations: first they said there were no boats, then that other guests had already been arranged for island hopping, and then that there would be a storm the next day (which turned out to be perfectly calm). I suggest the hotel improve its island hopping service. For those looking to dive, definitely don't consider this hotel! Also, the beach is incredibly tiny, barely palm-sized!

Due to a last-minute change in plans, I ended up in Kota Kinabalu. Many popular hotels were fully booked, so I had no choice but to stay at Shangri-La Rasa Ria, which is quite far from the city center. However, it turned out to be a really worthwhile stay. First off, the hotel provides a shuttle service. The bus stop is right next to Ba Wang Cha Ji at Suria Sabah Shopping Mall, and the shuttle was always on time. The hotel itself is expansive, featuring a large golf course. Upon arrival at the reception, the staff were very welcoming and even rang a gong, which I assume was a welcome gesture. After checking in, a buggy was waiting to take us around. There are two pools: one at the Garden Wing and one at the Ocean Wing. The Garden Wing pool has a waterslide, which the kids loved. The room was quite spacious, and the balcony even had a large plunge pool with stunning views, especially at sunset when the 'burning clouds' created a spectacular scene. The staff primarily spoke English, so communication was in English. Breakfast was excellent, especially the rice vermicelli, and you could also request custom-made fried eggs. One day, my little one wasn't in the mood to go down for breakfast, and the staff kindly packed a portion for us to take away. Nearby restaurants are about a kilometer away, so we relied on Grab every day to get around, setting our location to the Ocean Wing. The hotel offers many activities, but we didn't participate in any of them. In summary: The location is a bit secluded, but the price is reasonable. The hotel has its own beach, and the service is warm and attentive. They also have a mini-program for communicating with staff. There are seafood restaurants nearby, and a shuttle service to the airport and city center, running three times a day, so be sure to note the schedule. With plenty of activities, it's an excellent choice for a family leisure trip with children.

The room offers a great sea view, and breakfast is decent, with all the standard amenities like a gym and swimming pool. The location is super convenient, surrounded by popular foodie spots, and the pier is right across the street – plus, there's plenty of durian available! My only slight complaint is that we were given a connecting room, and it seemed like Chinese guests were generally assigned to lower floors, which I don't quite understand… Other than that, everything else was good.

The best sunset view in Kota Kinabalu is hidden at The Magellan Sutera! No crowds, just a whole 'orange sea' sunset waiting for you from a beach lounger – the perfect relaxed holiday vibe ✨. With a pool and private beach all in one, it's great for both families and couples. The only minor downside is that the facilities are a bit dated, but the stunning sea view more than makes up for it.

A fantastic stay and a perfect resort and team. Only issues are 1) plastic from sea, nothing they can do about it but it affects enjoyment, 2) we had a minor issue with housekeeping not coming and then coming when it was dark and letting a lots of bugs in the room (we had been careful to avoid that). Honestly amazing value and a great time though!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I had a truly fantastic stay this time! Due to a typhoon, my flight schedule changed unexpectedly, but the hotel staff were all incredibly friendly and professional during my stay. They were also very willing to help us with all sorts of requests, which made us feel very at ease. The room was clean and comfortable, and the bed was excellent for sleeping. Housekeeping was impeccable every day. The infinity pool offered stunning views, especially the sunset, which was unforgettable. The gym was well-equipped, and the breakfast selection was extensive, with both local delicacies and Western dishes tasting delicious. The hotel's location is also very convenient. It's a short Grab ride to shopping malls, Gaya Street, and the waterfront, making it perfect for a trip to Kota Kinabalu. Although this trip ended up being extended by a few days due to the weather, it allowed us to enjoy the hotel's facilities and relaxed atmosphere even more. It actually became one of the most wonderful memories of the trip. I highly recommend staying here. I will definitely choose this place again on my next visit to Kota Kinabalu!

Sutera Harbour is truly a holiday paradise! It boasts a golf course, tennis courts, and even the trendy pickleball courts. It's a shame I don't play golf or tennis, and didn't even have time to play pickleball with my wife. The Pacific Sutera Hotel has its own small private beach where you can book sunset paddleboarding or go snorkeling (though the water isn't super clear). You can also walk (or take the mini-train) over to The Magellan Sutera Resort's smaller beach and pools. The hotel also has its own jetty, which is where all the tours to nearby islands like Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park depart from. Hotel guests can book these excursions and water activities directly at the jetty. My room didn't include breakfast, but I heard there's usually a queue. We ended up taking a taxi to the city center for dim sum, which was very convenient. I also heard the hotel has a sunset bar that's incredibly picturesque, but unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to experience it. Hopefully, I can come back again someday and just relax for a whole week!

The staff friendliness is just amzing 10/10. Excellent Service.Our room had amazing view of the sea and opposite resort called Gayana. Dinner: Only Buffet option is available and its about RM167/person +taxes. The spread are fairly good and it is delicious. Though they do have 2 more different Restaurant in the island,Japanese and fine dining. Breakfast: Included in the room price. Menu changes daily. I have nothing to complaint about the room,for us its comfortable.All rooms have exactly the dane Designs the only difference is where it is located. You are paying for the view. Activities: For me I think 3 days 2 nights are perfect to spend your time here, swimming by the pool,kayaking,snorkling,Jungle trekking, visiting the private beach. 1 hour complimentary use of snorklinh masks. I like the public guests showers and towel provided.Very convinient. One thing that I would like to comment is the boat fees are relatively very expansive.15 mins speedboat per person one way cost about Rm80+taxes..Just return trip cost RM170++ per person. This is not even including island conservation fees and tourist fees. All this added fees makes the Hotel cost more expansive. Because a boat trip to nearby or same Island cost only Rm40. GAYANA ECO RESORT provided inclusive/complimentary return boat fees. I hope the Management can improve this because we as Guests are going to spend more money on F&B and at the Bar. Last but not least I would like to compliment the service and staffs in thsi Resort I think they did such an amazing job. Overalö the Resort is beautiful andclose to the nature.

The Kapalai Dive Resort in Semporna is an absolutely worthwhile island getaway experience, exceeding all expectations for my stay. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a slow-paced island vacation with water activities and relaxation. Getting there is easy: you take a dedicated speedboat from the Semporna town jetty, which takes about an hour. Along the way, you can enjoy the vast blue sea and sky, watching the water change from a murky near-shore to a clear, Tiffany blue. The scenery is delightful, making the journey anything but boring. The entire check-in process upon arrival at the island was smooth, with staff helping to transfer luggage so I didn't have to worry about carrying it myself. Both getting on and off the boat were hassle-free. The resort is built within a marine ecological conservation area, and the marine ecosystem is very well protected, without excessive development. The water is crystal clear, and the underwater environment is perfectly preserved. The entire sea area boasts excellent visibility, allowing you to encounter large schools of fish, starfish, and various tropical fish just by stepping out into the sea – no need to venture far! A casual snorkel yields endless surprises, and the pristine marine atmosphere is simply incredible. The resort operates on an all-inclusive basis, covering all accommodation and meals, so there's no need for extra spending once you're on the island, which made planning the trip incredibly convenient. Three meals a day are consistently provided, with a rich variety of dishes that balance Southeast Asian flavors with home-style cooking. The ingredients are fresh, ensuring you can eat well and replenish energy spent on water activities. Beverages and light meals are also available, so you can grab a snack whenever you're hungry, significantly enhancing the vacation experience. Life here is simple yet restorative, a joyful cycle every day. After waking up in the morning, I'd leisurely head to the restaurant for breakfast. After eating my fill, I'd change into swimwear and take the shuttle to the designated jetty at the dive center for snorkeling or diving, getting up close with schools of fish and embracing the ocean. After playing to my heart's content, I'd return to the overwater bungalow to rinse off and rest. After a short break, it was time for lunch and afternoon tea. Refreshed, I'd head back into the water for more fun, followed by a delicious dinner in the evening. This infinite loop of eating, going into the sea, and resting allowed me to escape the city's hustle and bustle, with no pressure to stick to a schedule, completely relaxing my mind and body. The overwater bungalows are fully equipped, with breathtaking sea views right outside the door. You can also see a sky full of stars and colorful rainbows 🌈. The entire island is quiet and peaceful, with only the sounds of the sea breeze and waves. The pace is slow, making it perfect for both diving enthusiasts and those simply looking to completely unwind. The whole trip was easy and comfortable, a truly restorative and unforgettable island experience.