Hotels With spa in Sabah, Malaysia

Families, promise me you'll book this terrace room, okay?!!! Walking into the room and pulling back the curtains to reveal the sea view made every long flight worth it. All the hotel staff were incredibly warm and attentive, always smiling. The room was clean and tidy, and entering it felt cool and smelled lovely. Opening the windows in the evening to watch the sunset was truly relaxing and delightful; it really set the vacation mood! The welcome fruit, especially the apple, was so delicious – sweet, tangy, and crisp (I honestly never liked apples back home). The breakfast selection was also very rich, and the taste was quite good. Remember to try the iced freshly squeezed orange juice outside the door! 💕

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!

The 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.

Back again after a year and honestly, it felt like coming home to a little slice of paradise. I didn’t realize I missed this much. From the moment we arrived, everything just clicked. Huge shoutout to Hurin, Ying, Alam, and Jenny for remembering me (still impressed!) and for the kind of welcome that makes you feel like more than just a guest. Every greeting came with warm smiles and genuine conversations, it’s those little moments that stay with you. Rachel also deserves a special mention for her attentiveness and thoughtful assistance throughout our stay. And that photo frame? Such a heartfelt touch, we’re definitely keeping that forever. What I love most about this place is the peacefulness. It’s the kind of quiet that lets you actually breathe, slow down, and just be. And the farewell at the dock still touches my heart, somehow making goodbye the hardest part every single time. If there’s one small note for management, it would be to consider upgrading the shower amenities and toiletries to something more premium to better match the overall experience and pricing. That said, it doesn’t take away from how special this place is to me. Already looking forward to my next visit. See you again soon.

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.

Pros: - 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.

It 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!

We booked a room that was renovated in 2025, so it was very new. It was on the first floor and had a garden. The hotel breakfast wasn't great, but the hotel itself was massive and very quiet, like a hidden paradise. It was incredibly relaxing, and we even saw some small animals and kittens occasionally. The hotel also has a spa, which I highly recommend. The ambiance and music were super therapeutic, and the masseuses had excellent techniques. I'd definitely consider this hotel again for my next trip to Kota Kinabalu. It's about a 40-minute drive from the city center, and a taxi costs around 35-50 Malaysian Ringgit.

I booked a Club Floor King room, and Darren at the front desk was very welcoming with excellent Chinese skills. He upgraded us to an Executive Suite, which was fantastic. Waking up to a sea view every day was incredibly pleasant! Overall, we had a very enjoyable stay. By the way, the herbal soup noodles for breakfast at the restaurant were delicious.

A fantastic stay and a perfect resort and team. Only issues are 1) plastic from sea, nothing they can do about it but it affects enjoyment, 2) we had a minor issue with housekeeping not coming and then coming when it was dark and letting a lots of bugs in the room (we had been careful to avoid that). Honestly amazing value and a great time though!