4-Starhotels 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?

An incredible place that makes you want to return again and again! Waking up every morning to such a view is a true dream. The sunsets here are simply magical, and the sea is clean, warm, and inviting. Our villa wasn't new, but it had absolutely everything needed for a comfortable stay. Special thanks to the administrator, who was always reachable and promptly helped resolve any household issues. This place gave us wonderful memories and a feeling of complete relaxation. If we get the chance, we will definitely come back here again!

If you are in the area to visit the KKIP industrial zone, the Klagen Regency is perfectly positioned. It is located quite a distance from the main town center, which may seem remote at first, but it is a strategic advantage if you want to avoid a long daily commute to your work sites. The hotel itself is impressively well-kept. It’s clear that management prioritizes maintenance, as the rooms and common areas feel fresh and clean. The service is equally commendable; the staff are helpful and ensure a smooth, professional experience from check-in to check-out. Sorry I does not have the photo of the room because I am there for a business meeting but the room is okay to stay. Buffet Breakfast is good, also you can find very nice local food with walking distance .

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.

The place is beautiful. The ocean and the beach are amazing. The hotel is seafront, a few steps and you’re swimming in the ocean. The rooms needs a lot of maintenance and deep cleaning, our room had many things need to be repair so, they gave us upgrade to a huge wood villa with 2 floors. The restaurant is ok… but no delicious. Breakfast is not so good but they prepare eggs as you like. The hotel needs dee cleaning and a lot of maintenance. They have places looks like abandoned.

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!

Room filtered water has an unpleasant odor. Sutera Avenue lack of management maintenance, parking basement is dirty and dark, corridor amd lift also dirty.

This was my third time staying at the Kaseh Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, and I brought my mother along for a trip. As always, the stay was incredibly satisfying! Service: The front desk staff were warm and helpful, offering check-in services in both Chinese and English. The breakfast was absolutely delicious and plentiful, with a wide variety of dishes that my mother particularly enjoyed. When cleaning the room, they always replenished necessary disposable items and even helped tidy up clothes on the bed and toiletries in the bathroom, which was very thoughtful. Cleanliness: The hotel was clean and tidy, with daily room cleaning service. Environment: The location is extremely convenient. Taking a Grab to city attractions is always within a ten-minute drive, making it easy to get to Sutera Harbour for island hopping and Gaya Street. There are also many restaurants and convenience stores nearby. It's only about a ten-minute Grab ride from the airport, so there's no need to wake up extra early to catch a flight. Getting around to and from the hotel is very convenient. Facilities: As always, the facilities are complete. You can take hotel towels with you for island hopping and snorkeling, just remember to return them. There are plenty of drying racks, perfect for hanging clothes. There's also an outdoor swimming pool. Hope to see Kota Kinabalu again next time!

Our stay at the Sagittarius Water Bungalow was absolutely fantastic! From our butler Xiao Gu to all the staff on the water bungalows and even the owners, everyone was incredibly nice. The rooms are equipped with smart Xiaomi home devices, clean and tidy. Opening the curtains reveals the beautiful 'jellyfish sea,' and the scenery is simply captivating. The food at the water bungalows is also delicious; breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner are all included in the price. Airport transfers and boat rides to the island are also covered, making it excellent value for money! We stayed for five days and four nights and didn't want to leave. The atmosphere on the island is also great, with KTV and song requests every night – the owner and his wife sing really well, by the way! The water bungalows offer a lot of entertainment, including sea fishing, snorkeling, glass-bottom boat tours, and drone photography. The local staff (Xiao Hei) are also happy to help with photos 📸. You can even get your diving certification and go on island-hopping day trips, keeping you thoroughly entertained. We came to Semporna specifically to get our diving certification, and the water bungalow's own dive shop is highly recommended. The instructors are very responsible and dedicated. I'd like to thank Xiao Li and Instructor Mohd Rizal Baba Selleh. The prices are fair, and the teaching focuses on the safety and skills of the students, which is very reassuring. The dive shop owner's wife is also super nice. All in all, this trip was incredibly worthwhile, and we'll definitely be back! I'll also be recommending it to my friends and family 😊