New Hotels in Semporna

"This guesthouse is located right in a market, which is great for its convenient location directly opposite Haifeng Wharf. It's run by Chinese owners and the service is pretty good. However, I felt the price didn't quite match the facilities. The family room was almost 1,000 RMB for two beds, and it wasn't very big. Also, the breakfast was quite meager. To top it off, the island hopping tours sold at their front desk were significantly more expensive than those on Ctrip."

"This hotel can't locate it. It is recommended that if you want to come, friends will take a taxi according to the address of my first picture. This place is about 50 meters away. The location of the hotel is the location of the hotel. The living room of the hotel is well furnished. The refrigerator cabinet of the hotel has a lot of noodles. Drinks, you can pay for it, But it rained in the morning these two days. This place has no sound insulation. The glass windows are the kind of blinds. The wind will blow in. The air conditioner is not very useful. If you are afraid of hot mosquitoes, it is recommended not to choose. The only thing I felt was worth the fare was to see the Sabah Museum, one of the famous houses that was visited."

"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!"

"I booked three nights, in different room types. The twin room and the standard king room were the same size, so the twin room felt a bit small, but it was still perfectly adequate. To switch rooms, I had to check out by 12 PM, but I didn't necessarily have to wait until 3 PM to check into the next room. One day I could check in at 1 PM, and another day I was able to check in at 12:30 PM. Just enough time to grab a bite to eat. I found it all quite convenient."

"Although this hotel isn't located directly in town, they thoughtfully provide a shuttle service, so transportation is absolutely no concern. The customer service response time is incredibly fast overall, and any questions are answered promptly. As a new hotel, all the facilities are brand new and well-equipped, including smart toilets and smart curtains. The rooms are spotless and tidy, making for an excellent stay. The only minor issue is that the pool water was a bit cloudy. After booking, a butler proactively adds you on WeChat and provides detailed check-in instructions in advance, which is a very thoughtful service. Considering our early flight arrival, the butler even requested an early check-in from the owner for us. The front desk staff are gentle and friendly, and there's a Chinese-speaking butler available. Any requests made in the group chat are quickly addressed, ensuring seamless communication. We didn't try the hotel's dining this time, but browsing the menu, it's clear there's a wide variety of food options. The only slight drawback is that the prices are a bit high. Overall, it was a very comfortable and pleasant stay, highly recommended!"

"My stay here was absolutely fantastic, definitely a five-star review! The hotel's location is excellent, making it super convenient for dining out and shopping. The front desk staff were warm, polite, and handled check-in very efficiently. There's a balcony for drying clothes, and the room was spotlessly clean with no strange odors. The bedding was soft and comfortable, and the soundproofing was great, ensuring a really peaceful night's sleep. The bathroom had a separate wet and dry area, plenty of hot water, and a full set of toiletries. The public areas were clean and tidy, and all the facilities were well-maintained. The price was very reasonable, offering incredible value for money. It's perfect for both leisure and business trips. The service, cleanliness, and environment were all top-notch. I'll definitely choose this hotel again on my next visit."

"I was really disappointed with this hotel experience. (The staff were very friendly, but the hotel facilities and soundproofing were poor.) The bathroom facilities were extremely basic, and the overall room amenities felt cheap and ordinary. Perhaps due to the materials used in the renovations, you could hear everything going on upstairs. This definitely needs improvement, especially considering it costs 700 RMB per night. 🫪"

"We used the Grap app for taxis in Semporna because Q3 INN HOTEL wasn't listed on the Grap map yet since it only opened last October. So, you could choose Grace Hotel or BaWang ChaJi, as they're only about 20 meters away – very close. The hotel offers free instant noodles, snacks, and drinks. There's a coffee machine providing free coffee and hot water. We're health-conscious, so we brought our own water bottles to use the hot water provided. The hotel is very close to the Longmen Guesthouse pier, a 7-8 minute walk. You can see the pier from your room balcony. The hotel facilities are all new, but there's no renovation smell, which is great. The owner is very dedicated to running the business. Thumbs up! 👍 Staying here... There's a seafood restaurant downstairs. My friend and I ate there for several nights in a row. Yes, it's seafood! Next door is a place selling black thorn durian, which is also incredibly delicious and authentic. On the day we left, I left my water bottle at the hotel, and the owner happened to be flying back to Guangzhou that evening at 7:00 PM. They even delivered my water bottle to the airport! I was so touched. Even after I went through security and was at the check-in counter, the owner contacted security staff to open the glass door and hand me my little blue collapsible water bottle. Super NICE ❤️ My friend and I stayed for three nights. On our last night, we went to the bar downstairs at the hotel 🍷 and listened to locals sing Mandarin songs. It was quite nice. The only downsides might be that the toothbrushes were a bit soft, the air conditioner would be better with a wind shield, and the rooms near the road could have better soundproofing. Also, having more clothes hangers would be very convenient, as we went out to sea every day and needed to dry clothes. Laundry detergent was also a concern; I brought a small bottle, but it ran out, and they only had laundry powder. In short: My friend said this place is the best value for money. We originally planned to stay in a water villa on Mataking Island, but we ended up staying at this hotel by chance. It was great. Highly recommended 😎 👍👍"

"I found a hidden gem in Semporna, a standalone wooden cabin, and the Chinese food was divine – absolutely loved it! I honestly can't recommend The River Elf Hotel in Semporna enough; it was truly the fairytale retreat I unearthed during my Sabah trip! Upon landing, I booked a Grab from Tawau Airport, and it took about 1.5 hours to get directly to the hotel. It’s located just in front of the Firefly Hotel, built right into the forest. The entire hotel feels like a glamping site, made up of individual, detached wooden cabins, offering ultimate privacy. The moment you step into the hotel grounds, it's like entering a dwelling for elves in a tropical rainforest, far from the hustle and bustle of Semporna town. The wooden cabins are fully equipped with air conditioning and reliable hot water showers. Outside, there are leisure tables and chairs, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the breeze. The most thoughtful amenity for island travelers: a laundry area with a dryer! After snorkeling or diving, your clothes are soaked with saltwater. Being able to wash and dry them immediately means no more damp, fishy-smelling clothes. Anyone on a long trip will understand this essential need! The hotel's amenities and services far exceeded my expectations. The staff can help arrange transportation, and there's a complimentary shuttle service daily to and from Semporna town and the jetty, making it super convenient whether you're going out to buy supplies or heading to a dive shop. For breakfast, you can choose between two set menus (A or B). The biggest surprise was their extensive Chinese menu (pictures of the menu attached), with very reasonable prices. You absolutely MUST try their signature Coca-Cola Chicken Wings! My husband rarely eats chicken wings, but on the first day, I specifically saved two for him to try. To my surprise, they were still incredibly flavorful and had an amazing texture even after they cooled down. The next day, we each devoured an entire plate, leaving nothing but a pile of bones, so I couldn't even take a picture. To find authentic stir-fried garlic water spinach and spicy Coca-Cola chicken wings that melt off the bone on a foreign island was a delightful surprise. The shredded potatoes with white vinegar, although slightly thick, were exceptionally sweet. The egg fried rice wasn't as amazing for us Sichuan natives who prefer individual grains, but these Chinese dishes genuinely comforted my Chinese stomach, a truly unexpected pleasure. As night falls, the warm yellow lights of each wooden cabin slowly illuminate, creating an incredible atmosphere. At night, you can rest to the gentle calls of forest birds, and if you're lucky, you might even spot wild monkeys swinging through the trees during the day, offering an immersive embrace of raw nature. I must give a special shout-out to our butler, Ashley. She truly went above and beyond, fulfilling every request with unexpected attentiveness! My husband needed to get up early for his scuba diving course, and Ashley coordinated and arranged all his early morning needs. On our last day, my husband and I had separate itineraries, making it difficult to align our times. After discussing it, Ashley successfully arranged a paid late check-out, perfectly solving our transit dilemma. No matter the request, big or small, she listened patiently and did her best to coordinate, making our entire stay reassuring and comfortable. Instead of being crammed into the noisy and crowded town center, you stay in a quiet, independent wooden cabin by the river, surrounded by lush greenery, with the sounds of nature all around. It was truly a great stroke of luck to encounter The River Elf Hotel on this Semporna trip! If you're planning a visit to Semporna and want a peaceful, healing accommodation environment, especially if you're a diver, I genuinely recommend putting this at the top of your list!"