Find highly-rated hotels with real reviews and ratings to find the perfect stay!
Posted on May 14, 2026
Guest UserChoosing Beanstalk Homestay for my Semporna trip was absolutely the right decision! The owner and staff are incredibly warm and welcoming, treating you like friends. Before I even arrived, they patiently answered all my questions and gave me tons of practical tips for island hopping and dining. While the room isn't luxurious, it's spotlessly clean, the AC works great, there's plenty of hot water, and the bedding is really comfortable. Getting a good night's sleep after a day of activities is so important.
The service was the biggest plus! The seafood preparation prices were excellent, and the breakfast, though simple, was thoughtfully prepared – coffee, toast, and eggs, perfect for fueling up before heading out to sea. Next time I'm in Semporna, I'll definitely stay at Beanstalk Homestay again.
Show more
Price per night fromAED 396
Posted on Apr 6, 2025
Guest User
Facilities: Sufficient water supply for bathing. Went there at 3🈷️. The weather was changeable. There was a fan in the room. It was windy at night and it was still a bit cold when it was turned on at level 5.
Hygiene: Very clean. There was a timed mist sprayer in the room, and the whole room was fragrant. The bed was very soft and elastic, and it was very comfortable to sleep on👍🏻
Experience: I met the Bajau people who sold seafood. I couldn't understand the language. The hotel's housekeeper translated and helped to communicate. It didn't matter if I didn't buy. It was a very sincere and wonderful experience. Diving🤿 is available at any time from morning to evening on the same day. Equipment needs to be rented for more than 30 RM a day. The mouthpiece is very clean and newly replaced. The one I bought myself was not used. You can also fish on the rooftop. There are many swordfish at night because the light is concentrated around, there are a lot of fish, and the water quality is very clean
Show more
Price per night fromAED 1,132
Posted on Aug 3, 2026|Deluxe Twin Room
ElisaThis resort is considered quite good in Semporna in terms of environment.
You can order dinner at the resort, and the food is delicious!
After dinner, the owner, haha, sings karaoke. He's really good, like Semporna's Eason Chan 👍🏻
Whenever you need to go to the jetty or town, you can just message the resort on WeChat to arrange a car. They basically have one departing every half hour, which is super convenient. We hardly needed to take taxis; the resort handled all our transfers.
For the airport, we took a taxi, which was also quite convenient.
The resort has a pet mynah bird, haha, best employee! It says hi every time you pass by.
All the resort staff are lovely and enthusiastic. Thanks for the hospitality!
The overall greenery of the property is very comfortable.
The only downside is the weak Wi-Fi signal. Hope they can improve that, and it would be even better.
Show more
Price per night fromAED 269
Posted on Aug 11, 2026|Seaview Pool Water Villa
Guest User
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.
Show more
Price per night fromAED 1,297
Posted on Jun 18, 2026
Hotel Reviewer/Influencerfirst is the floor, it is sticky, it is sticky in the room and also at the gathering or public area where we take our meals. Next is the issue with the toilet, the shower head is broken, it's leaking and the water is too strong and thin, it is hurting me when i try to bathe. Thirdly, the floor mat is dirty and too thin, it is not absorbing water as it should. Fourth, the floor also has a lot of dust and sand. Fifth, the hotel does not have enough electrical plug, we only have two plugs and it is on the most left of the bed, it is better if it is in the middle of both beds. Sixth, the air conditioner is too weak for a room with 3 people, it is hot even at night. Seventh, the music is too loud, i cannot even rest properly at night, you can prepare earplugs at least. Eighth, the gathering or public area is too hot because there is no fan, please prepare some ceiling fans so guests can dine properly. Ninth, should have a table for a big room at least. the floor is wide enough, but it is so dirty that we do not dare to sit on the floor to play games or cards, we also do not want to play games or cards at the gathering or public area because it is too hot and loud. Tenth, rubbish in the sea or hotel area, i saw a huge pile of rubbish such as bottled water, food container, plastic bag just floating in the sea in the resort.
Here are some good things about the hotel, first, very nice scenery, the water is nice and clean in the morning. Secondly, the balcony area for each room is nice because we can look at the scenery while sitting on the chair and resting. Thirdly, the staff is very friendly and very responsible, they do their work fast, they carry our luggage, refill food fast, and are very nice. Fourthly, the overall atmosphere of the hotel is very comfortable. Fifth, the food is ok, breakfast is ok, it is not the best but it is edible, the dinner is the best, and the seafood is a very nice touch. Sixth, we can dry our wet cloth on the balcony too.
Overall i give it a 2 out of 5 stars. The price of your hotel does not match the pros and cons of your hotel. I would not want to stay in the hotel another day if the problems still stay the same. Please do your best to improve better.
This is my honest review as a Malaysian.
Show more
Price per night fromAED 1,027
Posted on Feb 22, 2026|Standard Twin
Guest User
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?
Show more
Price per night fromAED 1,159
Posted on May 4, 2026|Premier Villa With Private Balcony And Staircase
XiangbaobaodechengbaobaoThis 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.
Show more
Price per night fromAED 816
Posted on Aug 6, 2026|Deluxe Family Room (Tatami) (Sea View)
Guest UserThe service was great, and we even got a discount on day tours booked through them, so overall it was good value for money. Just keep your expectations for cleanliness and hygiene in Semporna town itself in check.
Show more
Price per night fromAED 138
Posted on Feb 5, 2025
Anonymous User
I think I might be the first Korean visitor :) I am from Malaysia but it was a beautiful experience in East Malaysia, which was my first visit. For safety, I recommend that you understand the territorial disputes and historical background of East Malaysia. You will need to communicate with the local resort through email and WhatsApp, so if you have difficulty speaking English, you can get information about boats and resorts with plenty of time.
Show more
Price per night fromAED 850
Posted on May 2, 2026|Superior Twin Room
Guest UserThe Lighthouse Hotel Semporna boasts an excellent location, directly facing the jetty for boat excursions. It's within walking distance of island hopping meeting points and seafood restaurants, making it incredibly convenient for getting around and finding food. Opened in 2023, the rooms are spacious and clean, with separate wet and dry areas in the bathroom. The rooftop pool offers sea views, and the overall environment is quiet and peaceful. The front desk service is thoughtful, and they support WeChat communication, offering great value for money. The only downsides are that the breakfast selection is simple and the facilities are quite basic. If you're looking for a luxurious experience, you might want to consider other options. However, it's perfect for travelers primarily focused on island hopping who prioritize convenient accommodation.
Show more
Price per night fromAED 191