Sabah
Located on the bank of an oxbow lake, far from any village, this wonderful place is great for wildlife spotting. Digs are simple: six twin rooms with bug…
Must-see hotels in Sabah
Scuba Junkie Mabul Beach Resort
Sabah
The most eco-conscious of all Pulau Mabul's lodges, this place attracts a younger international crowd. Super-fresh chalets come with porches and bathrooms…
Poring Hot Springs
A 45-minute jungle walk from Poring (meet at Nongling Restaurant at 3pm daily), this eco-camp is surrounded by forest and has two gin-clear rivers to…
Lahad Datu
Winning applause for its cycling excursions in the area, and the quality of its accommodation, B&T is run by friendly Swiss/Malay couple Itisha and Simon…
Sabah
Named one of the Unique Lodges of the World by National Geographic, this is the most upscale place on the river. It has beautifully appointed split-level…
Sabah
Set beside the Danum River, Borneo Rainforest Lodge is for Indiana Jones types with healthy wallets – adventure combined with luxury, if you will. If you…
Sepilok
Beside an ornamental pond, this beautiful wood-accented hotel is a study in comfort, with mature trees shading its two-tiered central lodge, and carriage…
Sabah
With flower-filled lawns, this charming accommodation has lovely chalets with wood floors and boutique accents, clustered around the pool. The restaurant…
Sabah
Perched on a hill overlooking a beautiful 1.5km swath of sand lapped by teal-green sea, these two bijou one-bedroom cabanas, Treetops and Clifftop, have…
Sabah
As the only resort on leaf-shaped Pulau Mataking, this hotel is something special. With its deluxe villas, some with private balcony, and attractive…
Sabah
This sumptuous stilted water village sits on its own private sandbar on the Ligitan reefs and has beautiful, wood-accented rooms with finely chosen decor…
Sabah
With its infinity pool, dark-wood floors, moody subdued lighting and exquisitely chosen furniture, this fine three-bedroom villa on a private beach leaps…
Sabah
The only accommodation on the island and it’s all about diving. The five daily meals – that’s right, five – are scheduled around the dive times. The…
Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
Around 100 beautifully finished villas set in either lush jungle foliage, atmospheric mangroves, or looking out on the greens and blues of the sea. This…
Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan
Sandakan
The infinity pool on the 13th floor looks out over the waterfront, while the spacious rooms are blessed with wonderful views and feature big comfy beds,…
Kota Kinabalu
This award-winning hotel has an international feel in its 100 rooms, with glossy floors, evocative B&W photos of Kota Kinabalu and Sabah on the walls,…
Kota Kinabalu
This brightly painted flashpackers raises the bar for hostel digs in KK. Rooms are clean and practical, but the cheapest lack windows. From the cool 'opis…
Sandakan
Decorated with murals by the former owner and former guests, this friendly and clean hostel has rooms with sea views and a rooftop area with even more…
Kota Kinabalu
KK's first post-WWII hotel is plush and charming with its pink marble lobby, Persian carpets and baby grand piano. A colonial theme runs through to the…
Sabah
Owner Max makes his guests feel extremely welcome at this rustic spot right by the sea. Rooms are simple and come with mosquito nets (with the exception…
Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
Fifty-two stunning villas stuffed with modern amenities and island-chic touches make up posh Gayana. The Bakau (mangrove) Villa overlooks a tangled,…
Sabah
Winking with fairy lights and drowning in greenery, this resort has a welcoming restaurant, glossed wood floors and a well-stocked shop. Bungalows are…
Sabah
Situated on a sweeping river bend, Myne has an open, breezy reception, games room and restaurant festooned with lifeguard rings, vaguely reminiscent of a…
Sabah
Tabin Wildlife Resort, run by Tabin Wildlife Holidays, is an attractive retreat with a clutch of upscale, pricey chalets with polished wooden floors and…
Sabah
Lankayan Island Resort is a popular spot for diving romantics that's also heavily involved in turtle conservation. There are a couple of dozen cabins…
Sabah
Run by Narsalis Larvatus tours, this secluded spot on Pulau Libaran consists of a handful of fan-cooled safari tents with twin beds inside, and outdoorsy…
Sabah
Idyllically lapped by turquoise water, these Balinese-style stilted bungalows with their peaked roofs, fine interiors and palm-fronted porches are…
Sabah
Dedicated to sustainable living and bursting forth from a riot of greenery, a minute's walk from Pulau Mantanani's loveliest beach, this is the kind of…
Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
Well-spaced villas with mod cons from satellite TVs to safe-deposit boxes, iPod docks and Bose sound systems are spread around this tasty resort. The deep…
Sabah
Moored beside Pulau Mabul, this orange and polar-blue former oil rig accommodation platform is for serious divers. The dive centre is terrific, as are the…
Borneo Natural Sakau Bilit Resort
Sabah
On the western edge of Bilit, this newish jungle lodge is all soaring ceilings in the airy dining area, while the cosy air-con chalets come with four…
Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa
Kota Kinabalu
Located in the Tanjung Aru area, about 3km south of the city centre, this is one of the finest hotels in Sabah. There are beautifully stylish rooms with…
Sabah
The Danum Valley Field Centre is an outpost for scientists and researchers that also welcomes wildlife enthusiasts. Accommodation is organised into four…
Sabah
Based in Sukau, Bali Kito Homestay can connect you with several hospitable local families and, for additional fees, hook you up with cultural programs,…
Sabah
Simple but welcoming raised stilt chalets (sulaps) around a white-sand beach. The huts are a modern take on the thatch-longhouse theme. There are also…
Sabah
Maybe they should rename this place the Last Breath Resort after the torturously steep hill you have to ascend to reach the place. Your reward, however,…
Sabah
With its maze of jungle walkways, atmospheric Rungus longhouse rooms, fan-cooled chalets and bamboo huts overlooking hibiscus-rich gardens, this is a fine…
Sabah
This eco camp faces a pretty oxbow lake by the Kinabatangan River. Luxurious it isn't – expect wooden shelters with mattress, fragrant sheets and pillows,…
Sabah
Built to house the production crew for the first series of Survivor, the lodge has accommodation in two types of chalets with double beds and air-con. The…
Sepilok
This accommodation is at Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, on the edge of the palm-oil plantations that surround the sanctuary. The resort comprises a…
