Romantic Hotels in Semporna

"Unlike most guesthouses, which are typically large houses with several rooms, Pineapple Resort feels more like a hotel. It consists of a dozen small, standalone wooden cottages nestled among palm trees. The management is also quite hotel-like, and while breakfast isn't extensive, it offers a good variety. Although the resort is about five kilometers from Semporna town, considering the town's general disarray (especially near the jetty with seafood vendors and Bajau beggars), which can easily spoil a good mood, it's better to stay a bit further out in a quiet resort. Pineapple Resort offers free shuttle buses to and from Semporna jetty from morning to midday and in the evening, making transportation very convenient. What's more, it provides a warmer experience than a star-rated hotel, giving me a home-away-from-home feeling. For foodies, if you're a good cook (the resort doesn't yet have a professional chef), Pineapple Resort is happy to provide a cooking area for seafood bought from the town market, which is incredibly convenient for those of us who love beautiful views and good food."

"The cleanliness here was surprisingly good, exceeding my expectations for the town. The bedding was very neat, and even with my slight洁癖 (germophobia), I found it perfectly acceptable. The front desk service was excellent; basic Chinese communication was no problem. WeChat and Alipay QR code payments were very convenient. The staff were very enthusiastic and helped with my luggage. The room didn't have a balcony, but it felt very secure. The water pressure was moderate, not strong. Getting to the pier by taxi was easy. My phone couldn't use foreign ride-hailing apps, but the front desk helped me call a car. Beyond my imagination! I rarely write reviews, but this place deserves a good one. For island hopping, this accommodation offers great value for money. Before coming, I read some negative reviews but decided to trust my judgment, and it paid off! Those negative reviews were likely emotional ones from people whose expectations weren't met. I highly recommend this small hotel. The only minor drawback is the soundproofing, which is just average. However, since we were out at sea during the day and only slept there at night, it wasn't an issue. They even thoughtfully provided earplugs in the room."

"first 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."

"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?"

"This is a very understated overwater bungalow, only available for booking on Trip.com. It's about 10 kilometers from the port, and the owner is a Malaysian Chinese. If you're looking to take those 'influencer-style' photos, showing off luxury and extravagance to the world, then this might not be the place for you. However, if you want peace and quiet to enjoy your vacation, this is definitely a great choice. Downsides: - There's occasional trash in the surrounding area, which isn't the hotel's fault. - The decor and facilities aren't luxurious. Upsides: - They offer a unique Bajau historical and cultural knowledge tour and exploration (something other overwater bungalows don't have). - They take guests by boat to beautiful large coral reefs for snorkeling. - The bungalow has its own marine life enclosure, perfect for families with young children or those who can't snorkel, allowing them to enjoy marine life during low tide. Finally, there's a fantastic local staff member named Shafry, whose Chinese name is 'Wanshidao' (Mr. Know-It-All). When you go snorkeling, he'll dive to the seabed to catch sea cucumbers, giant clams, clownfish, and all sorts of marine creatures for you. He's also an excellent photographer, perfect for guys who are constantly scolded by their girlfriends for not taking good pictures (like me 😅). He can help you with anything, just remember to tip him! ~~"

"The room was quite clean, and all the toiletries were well-stocked, including mineral water, toothbrushes, and a hairdryer. Many other hotels or guesthouses here don't offer these amenities. What really stood out was the abundance of hangers in the room, about twenty of them. We never had to worry about running out of hangers, even for all the clothes we washed daily. The best part was the swimming pool; it was incredibly clean and rarely crowded. Perhaps people were too tired from playing in the sea to go to the pool. We practically had the pool to ourselves every evening, which was fantastic. Another plus was the breakfast. While it's not quite up to par with boutique hotels back home, it's a great convenience for guests who need to catch an early ferry. Having food readily available downstairs was a lifesaver. And that tea they served every day – I don't know what it was, but it was delicious!"