Semporna
This 24-room, fully air-conditioned hotel has spotless accommodation featuring a bright colour scheme, fresh bathrooms, TVs and some rooms with balcony…
Must-see hotels in Sabah
Kota Kinabalu
Lucy's welcomes with brightly muralled walls, a book exchange, laundry and a plant-filled balcony to flop on. There are a few rules to follow (including a…
Sabah
With its welcoming cafe, this is a good place to stay right near the actual Tip of Borneo. The older cabins are fan cooled, and there's a row of appealing…
Shervinton Executive Boutique Hotel
Tawau
The name's a bit of a misnomer, but the Shervington does have the kind of lobby that would get Liberace excited, with its kitsch mirrored front desk…
Sandakan
Peaceful and cool, just 8km from the centre, Mark's has some boutique elements and art-deco-style desks, as well as flat-screens and a few movie channels,…
Kota Kinabalu
This friendly hostel pipes air-con through its entirety – phew! With a cosy communal lounge, the place is quiet and clean and largely featureless. Note…
Kota Kinabalu
Located in the swinging centre of the Beach St complex, D'Beach Street Lodge is all of a stairward stumble from some of KK's best nightlife. Rooms are…
Lahad Datu
While not the five-star experience touted on its website, Lahud Datu's plushest option has a chic, baroque-accented lobby and restaurant, and air…
Sabah
Less-than-exciting hotel with large rooms overlooking the river and train line. Wi-fi is patchy, as is service. Sadly you can't get breakfast here either…
Semporna
A slice of air-conditioned comfort, the Sipadan Inn has simple but tidy rooms with wood-lined walls, fresh linen, coffee-making facilities, spotless…
Poring Hot Springs
At the base of Mt Kinabalu, this hotel boasts a range of accommodation, from clean dorms to fine rooms with lacquered wood floors, separate living room,…
Kota Kinabalu
This central hostel is clean, icy-cool and, despite lacking atmosphere, is quite OK to kip for the night. Note that dorm beds don't come with a blanket …
Kudat
Opposite a little marina, this faded dame has a huge banana-hued lobby complete with massage chairs and helpful staff, and large bedrooms with decent…
Sabah
Hotel Juta has business-like, international-style rooms with clean bathrooms, fresh linen and mismatched furniture. There's a decent breakfast, but you'll…
Kudat
Ria is central, has pleasant rooms with desk, comfy beds, fresh linen, TV and bathroom. The real boon though is the funky cafe downstairs, which…
Tawau
Once upon a time this was Tawau's superior option, but now this towering monolith of a hotel is crying out for refurbishment and the wi-fi doesn't quite…
Sabah
While considerably less grand than its name suggests it might be, Expo is clean, central, good value for money and will do in a pinch as an overnighter…
Lahad Datu
Fresh rooms with flat-screen TV, swish decor, bathroom and air-con, plus a pleasant cafe downstairs serving Western food, make this a good waterfront…
Kota Belud
Centrally located, with largely forgettable but clean beige rooms. A decent cafe downstairs serving Malay dishes. Port in a storm if you happen to get…
Mr Janggai, Bilit Homestay Coordinator
Sabah
Mr Janggai is the go-to guy for organising your homestay in Bilit village. Three-day, two-night rates, which include river cruises and trekking, run at…
Sabah
Mariner's rooms are recently renovated and spacious, with laminate floors, psychedelic art on the walls, fridges and clean bathrooms. Decent breakfast.
Sabah
Friendly homestay offers a big menu of cultural activities in a semi-traditional Malay home near Ranau. Call or Facebook message to arrange transport.
Mt Kinabalu & Kinabalu National Park
Clean, comfortable, 20-bed hostel (choose between four- and six-bed dorms) with fireplace and drink-making area.
Mt Kinabalu & Kinabalu National Park
Small, well-scrubbed twin rooms that share common bathrooms. There is an inviting common lounge.
Sabah
A heck of a misnomer, this place has a few simple rooms varying in comfort, with fan only or air-con, some Banggi-style wooden huts and a semi-dilapidated…
