4-Star Hotels in Sabah, Malaysia

Three days, two nights, and every day brought a new kind of 'excitement.' Day one, the air conditioning didn't work, there were tons of mosquitoes, and the shower only had cold water. The only decent thing for dinner was the fried shrimp, which disappeared in seconds, and the few other dishes available were practically snatched away. It felt like a refugee experience. Day two, we got a different room. After swimming, I went back to shower, and there was no water, then cold water, then extremely hot water, constantly cycling. The water pressure was also incredibly low; I almost lost my mind trying to rinse the shampoo out of my hair. That night, it was very windy, and there was a lot of noise outside, as if something wasn't properly secured. On the third day, as we were checking out, our luggage was mistakenly taken by a staff member and given to other guests. It was only returned after the other guests realized the error. Our luggage was perfectly fine in the restaurant; how dare you just take it away? Do you have any basic management sense? Of course, the environment is nice, that's the only highlight. Given how expensive it was during Chinese New Year, you should provide a service level that matches the price. The buffet was cafeteria-standard, and we still had to fight for food. Are you not ashamed?

We had such a wonderful stay at Borneo Beach Villa & Suite! The suite was spacious, clean, and very comfortable. The room was well-maintained, and the breathtaking sea view from the balcony made our stay memorable.The facilities were great, and everything we needed was provided. The environment was peaceful, making it the perfect place to relax.Overall, we had an amazing experience and would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a relaxing beach getaway. We can’t wait to come back again!

Overall, the hotel is good, especially because of its convenient location near a shopping mall, making it easy to purchase daily necessities and other items. The breakfast café is spacious and offers a wide variety of food choices. However, there are a few areas that could be improved. While the breakfast selection is extensive, the taste of the food was somewhat disappointing and could be enhanced. In addition, the cleanliness of the room needs more attention. The floor felt dusty, as if it had not been properly swept or vacuumed. Guests who are not comfortable wearing the hotel slippers may notice the dust more easily. With improvements to room cleanliness and food quality, the overall guest experience would be much better.

I chose this hotel for a one-night stay before heading to the overwater bungalow the next day. Although the room facilities were a bit old, they were very clean. There's a convenience store right downstairs, and it's very close to the pier. The sea breeze was a bit loud at night, but the breakfast was excellent and plentiful.

This overwater bungalow requires a boat transfer from Myding Lodge, which takes about 20-25 minutes. It's crucial to contact the hotel in advance to register for fixed boat transfer slots. Before my trip, I saw quite a few negative reviews online, so my expectations weren't high. I even double-checked the exact pick-up point with the hotel multiple times. However, upon arriving at the hotel, the stunning shallow waters and coral reefs along the boardwalk immediately dispelled my initial worries. The natural scenery here is truly exceptional. After a smooth check-in at the lobby, the staff informed us of the specific dining times for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. We then proceeded to our room. Regarding the actual room experience: the interior tends to be stuffy, and the air conditioning unit is quite noisy. Earplugs are definitely needed for a peaceful night's sleep. The water pressure in the bathroom is low, though not as bad as some reviews claimed (like a mere trickle). However, the faucet couldn't be completely turned off at night, leading to a constant dripping sound that somewhat disturbed our rest. Of course, the room type also had its highlights. I booked the Deluxe room, which came with lounge chairs and a popular hammock net on the balcony, perfect for relaxing in the evening. However, the hammock net was surrounded by wooden boards and nails, making it feel a bit unsafe, so we didn't dare to use it for too long. The room also had a private ladder directly into the sea, which is fantastic for guests who love to swim. The hotel offers complimentary rental services. Snorkeling enthusiasts can borrow masks from the front desk, and kayaks are also available for free, making for an excellent water activity experience. The waters in front of the hotel lobby are rich in coral. The best time for snorkeling is between 3-4 PM daily during high tide, when you can see numerous fish and extensive coral formations, creating a breathtaking view. During our stay, we often encountered Bajau people in small boats selling seafood. I highly recommend bargaining boldly for the best price. After a successful negotiation, you can have the hotel kitchen prepare it. On our first night, the processing fee was 10 MYR per dish, but it increased to 15 MYR on the second night. The prepared dishes were decent and satisfactory for everyday meals. The hotel's own buffet quality was rather average, and dining options would be quite limited if you didn't purchase seafood elsewhere. Overall, the biggest advantage of this overwater bungalow is its excellent privacy. You can quietly await the sunrise in the morning and enjoy the beautiful sunset in the evening, completely undisturbed by others. It's perfectly suited for those seeking a peaceful getaway and a close connection with nature.

Many of the positive reviews for this place are likely influenced by the free coconut water offered for writing a review upon check-out. Without any incentives, I'll honestly share my experience. 1. **Pros:** The water quality around Mantanani Island is excellent, and the snorkeling and diving offer stunning views. The staff are friendly, and the island scenery is definitely worth experiencing. 2. **Cons:** The island is swarming with tour groups, and there's a constant stream of elderly people and children, so it's not ideal if you're looking for a peaceful atmosphere. We stayed for three nights, paying over 4,000, and were assigned room 27, which was right next to the staff dormitory. The facilities in the room were very old. Additionally, the adjacent room housed different tour guides every day, and we couldn't see the sea at all from our room. For independent travelers paying this price, getting a room like this is truly unsatisfactory.

Just like the pictures, it was fantastic! The customer service was excellent, and the check-in explanation was very detailed. We were also able to store our luggage for free. We arrived early, and although check-in is normally at 3 PM, we were lucky enough to be able to check in by 12 PM. This is absolutely not a fake review! The only downside is that because it's close to a wet market, if you open the balcony door, there's a strong smell of stale seafood. Check-out was convenient, and no deposit was required. For four of us, the value for money at this price was unbeatable. Plus, there's a washing machine and a pool!

Location is strategic , rooms are big enough.Aircon is good and cool enough. Overall ok just have some weaknesses for example the cleanliness. A lot of ants on table. Washing machine not functioning. Hair dryer got sparks when turn on Car park provided.

We stayed here for two nights on a family trip. The location was excellent; we could walk to shopping malls and restaurants, which was very convenient. The staff were friendly, and check-in and check-out were smooth. The room, pool, and gym were kept clean, making for a comfortable stay. While we felt the breakfast could have had a bit more variety, overall, we were very satisfied and consider this hotel to offer great value for money. We would definitely like to stay here again when we visit Kota Kinabalu.

The environment here is absolutely stunning. The marine ecosystem in this area is incredibly rich; from the deck of our room, we could see starfish scattered across the sand, schools of tiny silver fish occasionally leaping out of the water, and even sea turtles and many other creatures. There are beautiful coral reefs near the overwater bungalows too. Every evening at 5 PM, the staff would take guests snorkeling to see the corals and a variety of colorful fish. The overall service was excellent. This overwater bungalow is run by traditional Chinese owners, making it very welcoming and a great spot for photos.