Accommodation in Sabah is affordable, although it may be more expensive compared to mainland Malaysia or other locations in Southeast Asia.
Also specific to Sabah is that in many places it is common to have accommodation included in packages. This is particularly the rainforest areas such as the Kinabatangan River or the Danum Valley.
These packages are often a bargain and will work out cheaper than if you booked your own accommodation and then arranged activities.
Hotel prices in Sabah
Prices for accommodation can vary greatly depending on location. The cheaper accommodation is in the larger cities, while the more expensive are the resorts in the jungle or on small islands.
You can get simple hostel or guesthouse accommodation from 60 myr for two per night.
The price for regular comfortable hotels with breakfast ranges between 100 and 170 myr per night.
Luxury resorts on islands or in the countryside can be very expensive, expect prices around 600 myr per room.
Where to stay and tips on hotels
Below are some of the main areas and our tips for hotels to use in them.
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu is the gateway to Sabah, so all tourists will spend at least one night there. There is a wide range of accommodation on offer, so there is something for everyone.
The cheapest accommodation in hotels and guesthouses costs around 70 myr:
You can get comfortable 3-4* hotels in the city centre with breakfast for as little as 130 myr:
Sandakan
Sandakan is the largest town on the west coast and the starting point for trips to Sepilok, the Kinabatangan River and also to the surrounding islands.
From budget accommodation to 100 myr we recommend:
There are quite a few better hotels in Sandakan:
Sepilok
Leave dirty Sandakan behind and stay in the countryside at one of the luxury jungle resorts. These resorts are mostly concentrated around the settlement of Sepilok.
Of the resorts in Sepilok, we recommend the following:
Semporna
The port town of Semporna is definitely not a location where you want to stay for an extended period of time. On the other hand, it is the starting point for trips to the world-famous archipelago around and for diving.
If you need to stay overnight in Semporna, we recommend the following accommodation:
On the Islands
Accommodation on the islands around Sabah is a great option if you want somewhere to relax, stay on the beach, swim and snorkel. There are a number of islands you can stay on.
The closest to the city of Kota Kinabalu is the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park archipelago:
Deserted beaches and beautiful azure water can be found on Pulau Mantanani:
The best diving and snorkelling awaits you around Semporna:
