Posted on Oct 7, 2026|Tanjung Wing Executive Seaview Suite
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Room: Very spacious, consisting of a dining area, living room, bedroom, two bathrooms, and a terrace. It was comfortable for three adults (though the extra bed in the living room was not very comfortable and not recommended for those with back problems).
Decor: As a historic hotel, it's generally well-maintained. Although half of the rooms are currently undergoing renovation, my room was not affected – I neither saw nor heard any construction (I had specified my room preferences when booking on Ctrip and also emailed the hotel in advance).
Room View: My room was on the 4th floor, which didn't have as good a view as the same room type on the 2nd or 3rd floors (the eaves above obstructed part of the view), and nearby pillars also blocked some of the scenery. It wasn't as good as the standard sea-view rooms at Tanjung Wing, but overall it was still very open with both sea and tree views. For watching the sunset, we'd go to Coco, so it didn't really matter.
Room Location: The Tanjung Wing is quite a distance from the jetty/front desk/Shang Palace (Chinese restaurant). Although buggy bus service is available (by calling room service), during peak hours (12 PM / 3-4 PM), there are fewer buggies, leading to long waits, which is quite inconvenient. Once, I waited half an hour for a buggy from the jetty back to my room.
Restaurants: The breakfast restaurant offered a good variety, but it didn't change much. After eating there four times, there were basically no variations, so it could get repetitive if staying for a long time. It was also very crowded during peak hours. We tried Shang Palace once; the food was delicious, but the air conditioning was very cold, so an extra layer of clothing is recommended. Coco offered afternoon tea as part of the executive lounge benefits; the food was decent, and the location was excellent for watching the sunset.
Service: Overall, the service was quite good, with a few highlights. Firstly, executive rooms included a complimentary airport drop-off. Secondly, the hotel's jetty was very convenient for trips to nearby and distant islands, and they provided comprehensive gear (life jackets/snorkeling equipment/towels, etc.), which was a great experience. Thirdly, the lounge was excellent, available for use both before check-in and after check-out, which is very convenient for red-eye flights.
Overall, I'd give the hotel an 85-90 out of 100. There's room for improvement, but in Kota Kinabalu, I don't think there are any better options.
Chinese Service: When booking, I assumed many hotel staff would speak Chinese, but in reality, very few could communicate fluently in Chinese. So, if you don't speak any English, your stay experience will definitely be affected (e.g., when participating in water sports).
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Price per night fromTRY 9,008
Posted on Feb 25, 2026
Guest User
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!
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Price per night fromTRY 10,263
Posted on Jul 24, 2026|Standard Twin Room
Guest UserThe location is super close to the ferry terminal. Downstairs, right across the street, there's a KFC, Starbucks, and 7-Eleven, which is really convenient. The front desk staff were very patient. The only drawback is that the room is a bit old-fashioned. However, the hotel's exterior looks upscale and grand.
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Price per night fromTRY 2,532
Posted on Feb 10, 2026|Kinabalu Villa
TravelwithBamThe 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.
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Price per night fromTRY 10,864
Posted on Aug 3, 2026|Deluxe Twin Room With Boat Transfer
Guest User
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.
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Price per night fromTRY 6,844
Posted on Oct 10, 2026|Ocean Wing Junior Suite Garden View King Room
Anonymous UserPros:
- Friendly and helpful staff.
- Compatible with shower filter use.
- Facilities are a bit dated, but luxurious and clean.
- Great value-for-money services (golf, tours, breakfast, laundry).
- Thoughtful touches placed around the resort: bug spray, Tiger Balm, aloe vera, and drinking water.
- Beautiful natural environment within the resort.
- A wide variety of activities and programs (buggy tours, surfing, snorkeling, traditional dance shows, bird watching, horseback riding, etc.).
Cons:
- Far from the city center; it takes at least 30 to 50 minutes to get there.
- Non-buffet restaurants are mediocre in terms of taste, service, and portion size relative to the price.
- Ocean Wing >>> Garden Wing. Well worth the extra investment for better water quality and fewer issues with bugs and pest control.
- There is a private beach, but it's not ideal for swimming or sunbathing. There is plastic litter in places and the seawater is murky.
However, you can still have a wonderful vacation experience with a friendly crew at a reasonable price, so I would definitely visit again. I strongly recommend bringing a shower filter—I've included a photo of what the filter looked like after just one use.
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Price per night fromTRY 6,461
Posted on Aug 17, 2026|Seaview Pool Water Villa
Guest UserIt took a 30-minute speedboat ride from Haifeng Pier to reach the overwater bungalows. The surroundings are beautiful, with clear blue waters, and sitting in the lobby feels incredibly serene and comfortable. The room was also nice, facing the ocean, which was a real treat. Although the facilities were a bit old, it's understandable – being out at sea, exposed to wind and sun, things are bound to age faster than usual! The service was excellent, and the owner was very helpful. My child left their phone in the pick-up car, and it was quickly found and returned to us, which we really appreciated! The overwater bungalows were a memorable and wonderful part of our family's trip!
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Price per night fromTRY 15,319
Posted on Sep 27, 2026|Ocean Premier
Anonymous UserA nice, quiet hotel in a secluded location. Excellent beach with fine sand and a gentle, even entry into the water. Huge green grounds and several restaurants on-site. It's a great spot to chill and swim for a few days, but you shouldn't consider it for a two-week stay—it would get boring. Keep in mind that there is nothing around the area. The hotel wasn't fully booked, and the staff were helpful, accommodating us with a free early check-in and late check-out without any issues. Recommended.
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Price per night fromTRY 3,877
Posted on Oct 6, 2026|Deluxe Sea View King
Yuhannn🌴 Huge thanks to Darren at the front desk for giving us the best ocean-view room! Although we didn't get to see a spectacular sunset this time, enjoying a couple of drinks at the sunset bar was pure bliss. As we were leaving, the sushi chef even gave us a complimentary sushi platter, calling us his ”good friends.” That moment was truly touching, especially since I was feeling a bit disappointed about missing the perfect sunset.
The hotel was packed during this holiday, and breakfast was a bit crowded, but every staff member was working incredibly hard. I even saw the sushi chef busy in the restaurant during breakfast.
I'm so sorry I can't recall the chef's name (he's the one in photo 2!) 🥲 but I was incredibly happy 🥳 and super satisfied with The Magellan Sutera Resort!
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Price per night fromTRY 6,837
Posted on Nov 19, 2025|Superior Villa
Guest UserEverything 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.
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Price per night fromTRY 12,690