Explore genuine reviews and ratings from real travellers to find the perfect accommodation for your needs.
Posted on May 14, 2026
Guest UserPros: Very clean, excellent hygiene, and quiet at night. We originally booked a triple room, but the owner upgraded us to a quad, which was a good size and suitable for families. The owner also recommended an island hopping tour, and the snorkeling instructor assigned to us was very good.
Cons: It's a bit far from the seafood market and somewhat secluded, but we used Grab for all our travel, costing between 6-10 Malaysian Ringgit. The soundproofing of the door could be better. It seems like the area has insufficient voltage, as we experienced a power outage for several hours one evening.
On a side note, there were a few friendly cats in the yard, so we bought some cat food from a local store in town to feed them. 😁
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Price per night from:MXN$389
Posted on Jun 18, 2026
Hotel Reviewer/Influencerfirst 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.
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Price per night from:MXN$4,965
Posted on May 27, 2026
GZxiaokengThe Kapalai Dive Resort in Semporna is an absolutely worthwhile island getaway experience, exceeding all expectations for my stay. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a slow-paced island vacation with water activities and relaxation.
Getting there is easy: you take a dedicated speedboat from the Semporna town jetty, which takes about an hour. Along the way, you can enjoy the vast blue sea and sky, watching the water change from a murky near-shore to a clear, Tiffany blue. The scenery is delightful, making the journey anything but boring. The entire check-in process upon arrival at the island was smooth, with staff helping to transfer luggage so I didn't have to worry about carrying it myself. Both getting on and off the boat were hassle-free.
The resort is built within a marine ecological conservation area, and the marine ecosystem is very well protected, without excessive development. The water is crystal clear, and the underwater environment is perfectly preserved. The entire sea area boasts excellent visibility, allowing you to encounter large schools of fish, starfish, and various tropical fish just by stepping out into the sea – no need to venture far! A casual snorkel yields endless surprises, and the pristine marine atmosphere is simply incredible.
The resort operates on an all-inclusive basis, covering all accommodation and meals, so there's no need for extra spending once you're on the island, which made planning the trip incredibly convenient. Three meals a day are consistently provided, with a rich variety of dishes that balance Southeast Asian flavors with home-style cooking. The ingredients are fresh, ensuring you can eat well and replenish energy spent on water activities. Beverages and light meals are also available, so you can grab a snack whenever you're hungry, significantly enhancing the vacation experience.
Life here is simple yet restorative, a joyful cycle every day. After waking up in the morning, I'd leisurely head to the restaurant for breakfast. After eating my fill, I'd change into swimwear and take the shuttle to the designated jetty at the dive center for snorkeling or diving, getting up close with schools of fish and embracing the ocean. After playing to my heart's content, I'd return to the overwater bungalow to rinse off and rest. After a short break, it was time for lunch and afternoon tea. Refreshed, I'd head back into the water for more fun, followed by a delicious dinner in the evening. This infinite loop of eating, going into the sea, and resting allowed me to escape the city's hustle and bustle, with no pressure to stick to a schedule, completely relaxing my mind and body.
The overwater bungalows are fully equipped, with breathtaking sea views right outside the door. You can also see a sky full of stars and colorful rainbows 🌈. The entire island is quiet and peaceful, with only the sounds of the sea breeze and waves. The pace is slow, making it perfect for both diving enthusiasts and those simply looking to completely unwind. The whole trip was easy and comfortable, a truly restorative and unforgettable island experience.
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Price per night from:MXN$6,063
Posted on May 26, 2026
Anonymous UserVery nice staff. Good location. Clean, Qiet. Peacfull. Ment to stay 2 day, but keep extending my stay. After all I stayed there week. Hostel offering transwers to the Tawau airport for 30 myr.
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Price per night from:MXN$125
Posted on Oct 12, 2025
M532750****
My stay at 'Fairy Tale Wonderland Resort' in Semporna completely exceeded my expectations. Let's start with transportation: the hotel offers a shuttle service that picks you up directly from the airport, which was a huge convenience. The driver was incredibly friendly and even gave us tips on where to exchange money and reliable dive shops.
The accommodation was fantastic. The room had wooden floors and a high ceiling, and it felt clean and dry. The bed was super soft, and the pillows weren't flat at all. The big sea turtle plushie on the bed was absolutely adorable. Both the fan and air conditioning were quiet at night, ensuring a very restful sleep. The courtyard felt like a small garden with coconut trees, flower walls, and colorful signs. It was incredibly relaxing to just sit on the woven hanging chair and zone out; every photo I took turned out beautifully.
The food deserves a special mention. For dinner, we ordered steamed crab, mantis shrimp, soy-sauce steamed fish, and a plate of water spinach. The freshness was undeniable, and the cooking was perfectly executed, bringing out the natural flavors of the seafood without being overly salty or greasy.
Overall, the hotel's attention to detail in service was excellent: convenient transfers, clean and comfortable rooms, and high-quality food. If you're looking for a relaxing holiday in Semporna, I highly recommend staying here.
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Price per night from:MXN$1,776
Posted on Jun 4, 2026
Anonymous UserThe scenery is beautiful, surrounded by the 'jellyfish' sea. The in-room facilities are complete and kept very clean. The Xiaomi smart home system in the room is a nice touch, but it's a bit unstable. They provide life jackets and snorkel masks, so you can enjoy free snorkeling. We pre-booked the 45-minute complimentary essential oil spa, and they came to our room, which was very relaxing. My only minor complaint is that the food was the same every day and got a bit boring. If you bring your own snacks, I'd recommend not eating them in the room as it can attract bugs.
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Price per night from:MXN$6,939
Posted on Feb 22, 2026|Standard Twin
Guest User
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?
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Price per night from:MXN$7,163
Posted on Jun 13, 2026
Guest User
For my trip to Semporna, I spent a long time searching online before finally choosing this place, and I'm so glad I did! Even though it's a guesthouse-style hotel in town, the experience exceeded my expectations.
Location: It's right in the center of Semporna town, by the sea. Downstairs is the famous seafood market, making it super convenient to buy fresh seafood and bargain for prices. There are also many seafood restaurants nearby that can cook it for you, offering great value for money and a truly satisfying meal. It's only a 5-10 minute walk to the jetty, with two jetties nearby, making island hopping tours very convenient. Next to the hotel, there's also a Sayang specialty store where you can buy souvenirs, and it's also a pharmacy with daily disposable contact lenses. Watson's and convenience stores are also nearby.
Room Facilities: I booked a sea-view king room. The room was large and spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering an amazing sea view right from the bed! The bedding was very comfortable, and the linens were clean. From what I saw online, it's a hotel that opened in the last two years, so the facilities are still quite new. My relatives booked a family room, which was also excellent, with two beds more than enough for a family of three.
Service: The owner is Chinese, and there's a 24-hour Chinese-speaking butler, so communication is seamless. The front desk staff were incredibly enthusiastic and even recommended great places to eat in town. The front desk attendant was also very friendly, helping us carry our luggage upstairs (even though there's no elevator, their service made up for it). There's also a vending machine in the lobby where you can buy frozen aloe vera gel, highly recommended for sunburn!
Breakfast: Although simple, it includes coffee, fried noodles, eggs, and bread – perfectly adequate to fill you up before heading out for island activities.
Summary: If you manage your expectations for a hotel in Semporna town (after all, you can't compare it to a 4 or 5-star hotel in a city center), this is definitely a hidden gem in town. It's clean, convenient, the owner is reliable, and it offers great value for money. I've already recommended it to my friends and family!
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Price per night from:MXN$935
Posted on Feb 5, 2025
Anonymous User
I think I might be the first Korean visitor :) I am from Malaysia but it was a beautiful experience in East Malaysia, which was my first visit. For safety, I recommend that you understand the territorial disputes and historical background of East Malaysia. You will need to communicate with the local resort through email and WhatsApp, so if you have difficulty speaking English, you can get information about boats and resorts with plenty of time.
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Price per night from:MXN$3,822
Posted on Jun 25, 2026
GeshenenxiongtingbiThis is a pretty good hotel with an excellent location. The facilities are a bit old, but that's understandable for a hotel in this town. If you have the budget, you might consider booking the new Haifeng hotel across the street instead.
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Price per night from:MXN$1,199