Homestays in Sabah, Malaysia

The owner is incredibly kind and even though they don't speak Chinese, communication was never an issue. What truly stands out is the owner's practical approach and genuine care for guests, always striving to solve any problems that arise. The hotel is located by the sea, offering views of the ocean and a pool. Getting to the city center is also very convenient. The room was clean, tidy, and well-equipped with all the necessary facilities, making for a very comfortable stay. Highly recommended! The owner is truly exceptional!

1. Amazing Location – Located inside Kinabalu National Park (they're the only one inside) so you can imagine the fresh air and the amazing view. Wasnt sure if the mountain we saw early in the morning was the Kinabalu Mountain but it was majestic nevertheless.  2. Spacious Room – We booked the Hill Lodge with two single beds and included with the room are (i) two lounge chairs, (ii) one vanity table, (iii) one open closet, (iv) one balcony. Amazing space if you're looking for a quite and peaceful getaway. Sound proofing was definitely bad but since the location is in the park, you'll only hear birds most of the time. They're located away from the traffic. 3. Delicious Breakfast and Dinner – Breakfast is included but we ordered takeaway food for dinner from their restaurant. Both are amazing and exceeded our expectations. Plenty of options to choose from for breakfast and they also offer buffet for dinner but we opted for ala carte meals only. Nevertheless, both were amazing. Definitely recommended to atleast get their breakfast and/or dinner buffet. 4. Parking – Plenty of parking spaces provided right infront of the rooms. You dont have to carry your belongings too far. 5. Amenities – No fan/aircond provided but the room was never hot. Since they're located in Kundasang, their weather has always been cool. 10/10 definitely recommended. I would like to repeat this hotel if Im going to Kundasang again in the future. Perfect for couples and perfect for families too. Love the food, Im reminded of them again now ＜/3

The location is very strategic, but the road leading to it is quite challenging due to ongoing construction, making it bumpy and rough. Overall, it's decent for the price and comfortable.

Finally checked into the Jellyfish Water Bungalow, and the real-life views are even more stunning than the photos! The crystal-clear 'jellyfish' ocean is visible to the naked eye, and you can snorkel right off your balcony and encounter many small marine creatures. The room was clean and comfortable, and the net bed added a fantastic vibe. Our butler communicated smoothly in Chinese and provided excellent service. Falling asleep to the sound of the waves and watching the sunrise and sunset made for an unforgettable overwater experience in Semporna. Highly recommended!

We had a wonderful stay at The Shore Apartment (Charis Seaview Suites) Kota Kinabalu. The unit was spotless, modern, and well-equipped — with everything from a comfy bed to a beautiful sea view and sunset that made evening extra special. The location is perfect — close to the market, the Pasar Filipina, wet market, shopping areas, and plenty of good food nearby. Check-in was smooth, and the host/staff were friendly and responsive throughout our stay. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a comfortable, convenient, and relaxing stay in the heart of KK. Would definitely return!

This is already one of the better options in town, though the town itself is still quite dirty and chaotic. The owner is very nice and communication was no problem. They even helped us book diving and airport transfers in advance, which was great. It's close to the mosque 🕌, but it wasn't as noisy as others mentioned. I guess we were so tired from playing all day that we slept soundly and didn't hear anything. It's also very close to the seafood market, making dining and shopping very convenient.

A treehouse in the jungle, exactly what we were looking for! Mosquito nets in good condition, an open-air (private) bathroom, and the sound of crickets to fall asleep to. The common areas are pleasant, the welcome was cheerful, and the food was very healthy.

Choosing Beanstalk Homestay for my Semporna trip was absolutely the right decision! The owner and staff are incredibly warm and welcoming, treating you like friends. Before I even arrived, they patiently answered all my questions and gave me tons of practical tips for island hopping and dining. While the room isn't luxurious, it's spotlessly clean, the AC works great, there's plenty of hot water, and the bedding is really comfortable. Getting a good night's sleep after a day of activities is so important. The service was the biggest plus! The seafood preparation prices were excellent, and the breakfast, though simple, was thoughtfully prepared – coffee, toast, and eggs, perfect for fueling up before heading out to sea. Next time I'm in Semporna, I'll definitely stay at Beanstalk Homestay again.

Overall, a very pleasant and comfortable stay. Pros: Easy check-in, with a receptionist available. Great location, only about a 5-minute walk to Bataras Supermarket, with Uncle Bob and Aicha in the same row, making it very convenient for food and daily necessities. Although it is close to the supermarket and shops, the area was surprisingly quiet at night. No bad smells in the house or around the toilets. The view is pretty good and better than expected. I requested a ground-floor unit because we had an older guest with us, and they kindly arranged a ground-floor unit for us. Really appreciated this. The staff were very helpful and friendly. The floors and kitchen were clean. The kitchen utensils were also clean, which was a big plus. Many guesthouses have clean rooms but dirty kitchen utensils, so I really appreciated this. The place is spacious and suitable for a big group. Cons: The bidet spray/water pressure was a little too strong, and some of the pipes were leaking. One of the toilets became clogged on the second day. There is a small graveyard nearby, but personally, it was not an issue for us at all. Overall, we were very satisfied with our stay and felt comfortable throughout. The convenient location, cleanliness, helpful staff, and spacious layout made this a great choice, especially for a big group. We definitely would love to stay here again!

K Avenue is a great choice if you want a spacious and affordable family stay near the airport. To ensure the best experience, choose a unit with recent positive reviews and a rating of at least 9/10, as the quality can differ between hosts.