5-Star Hotels in Sabah, Malaysia

The room interiors are nice, and the sea views and sunsets are absolutely stunning. However, there's barely any beach; it's mostly grassy areas with sea views and sunsets. The breakfast is quite perfunctory – only five or six types of meat, all chicken, with no beef or seafood. This definitely doesn't justify the 3,000-per-night room rate. The seascape is very beautiful. The Horizon lounge room is small and just average. Breakfast is not very good, only chicken, no seafood, it doesn't match the room charge.

Don't book during the rainy season, don't book during the rainy season, don't book during the rainy season. It's from Sep to Feb. I said 3 times it's important if you don't wanna ruin your holiday. We booked 3D2N in mid Sep. Our holiday turned out to be a staycation nightmare in the resort. We can't do all the water activities neither the jungle trekking. The water heater in our room is not working, we have to shower with shivering cold water in this kind of weather. Lots of big size anta inside the room crawling from the bathroom to the bedroom. Make sure you cleaned up for your snacks and drinks, tie up the garbage bag if you don't want these insects to come to your bed, There is also a landslide happening on our first night, luckily we are not affected as we stayed in the ocean villa. There is only one restaurant in this resort, food prices are the same as SG restaurant pricing, no cheap option here. In room dining needs to pay RM25 extra. Staff service is good but this cannot cover the several run down part of the resort.

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Service: Five stars! I sent the hotel an email the day before my arrival, explaining the purpose of my trip, and they kindly replied. At check-in, they gave us a cake and decorated the room. The service at this established hotel is truly top-notch. Facilities: It's an older hotel, so no smart home features, but it's well-maintained. The room had no strange odors, and the hot water was fast and plentiful. Location: Unbeatable! The sea view is genuine, not just a sliver of the sky. The island-hopping pier is a 10-minute walk, and the Gaya Street night market is only a 5-minute walk. Drawbacks: Breakfast is too expensive, and there are many alternative options nearby.

Everything was perfect. Every staff member at the resort was incredibly welcoming and helpful, even the maintenance workers I passed on the paths greeted me warmly. The food in the restaurant was delicious, and breakfast was absolutely perfect – I couldn't find a single fault. The resort doesn't cut back on service or close facilities just because there are fewer guests, which is great. It was a perfect getaway, and I will definitely be returning.

Booking was smooth and convenient, and upon arrival, the Marriott's service was as expected – efficient and helpful. However, despite emailing beforehand to request two adjoining rooms, we were placed on different floors, which was very inconvenient. The hotel's room service was good, but the room decor felt dated, not like it had been recently renovated, which was a bit disappointing. Also, if you're a light sleeper, definitely avoid this hotel. It's located directly under a flight path, so planes fly overhead frequently, which is terrible for sleep and rest; I was woken up multiple times!

I researched three hotels before coming here and ultimately chose this one. The sunset on our last day proved my choice was absolutely right! Although the beach here is small, you can still see the stunning sunsets often pictured online, and with far fewer people, it's perfect for photos. The hotel room was well-equipped, and I especially loved the individually packaged toiletries. There's also a simple shower by the pool downstairs. The view from the sea-view room was absolutely fantastic, and the sunrise is equally worth seeing. The absolute highlight, however, was the Horizon Bar on the top floor. A huge thanks to the front desk staff for enthusiastically recommending this great spot for sunsets – it truly made for a memorable experience. We're also incredibly grateful to the lovely ladies who helped us find our lost headphones!

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.

My kids had a school break, so we planned a trip to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. A friend recommended this hotel, so I booked three sea-view rooms for our group of six (four seniors and two children). When we arrived, the staff member who greeted me spoke English. My English isn't great, so I asked for a Chinese-speaking staff member, and that's when Daniel came over. I explained our room types and requirements to him. He then communicated with his colleagues, and we were able to seamlessly get rooms on the same floor, with two of them connected, which perfectly met our needs. From our sea-view rooms, we had an endless view of the ocean, and the infinity pool on the 23rd floor seamlessly blended the sea and sky. The hotel's location is excellent, with a large shopping mall directly opposite, making dining very convenient. The breakfast was incredibly rich and varied. Enjoying breakfast in the restaurant while gazing at the sea was an absolute delight. The housekeeping staff was also wonderful; we stayed for four nights, and they changed our bedding on the third day. I'd especially like to thank Daniel from customer service. From the moment we checked in, he was able to communicate in Chinese. We contacted him with any requests (like helping us call a taxi, booking a table at the Shangri-La sunset bar, etc.), and he patiently helped us resolve everything, ensuring we had no language barrier during our stay. Thank you, Daniel! Our 5-day, 4-night holiday has ended, but the beauty of Sabah and the warmth of many of its Chinese residents will forever remain in our memories. Goodbye, Kota Kinabalu!