"It was located well next to the Orangutan sanctuary. Had a nice pool, with a scenic walk to get there.
The breakfast was really nice, and changed slightly each day. Rooms were cleaned daily. Our room didn't have AC, and the WiFi didn't. No free water is provided, and it's overpriced to buy. There is a very small shop that sells it cheaper close to the resort."
"We stayed at this resort for 3 nights in December 24. We had a fantastic stay! The staff were brilliant and go out of their way for you. Restaurant food and drinks menu was fantastic and the whole resort was well cared for. As it was my birthday during our stay they decorated our room as a surprise which was a lovely touch! We would definitely come back!"
"Stayed in a shared dorm. Walking distance to RDC a little further than other options but perfectly manageable. Dorm and bathrooms were clean and as advertised. Not much space to put stuff but you get what you pay for with a shared dorm. Food and drinks options at the restaurant are expensive and for several meals I opted to eat at nearby resorts which were cheaper. Nevertheless, the atmosphere at the reception/restaurant was fantastic and I really enjoyed it. Staff were extremely hospitable and helpful. No shelter between reception and rooms was a bit of a bummer but no big deal. Wifi only available at the reception. Overall, great value for the price."
"The environment is very good, in the middle of nature so there are more insects and birds. The bathroom shower is integrated and relatively clean. The hotel's dogs and cats are very cute and friendly. The restaurant does not have many dishes and has limited serving time. It is very close to RDC, only a 10-minute walk away. The hotel front desk staff is also very friendly. The wifi signal at the front desk is the best, and it is very weak and almost non-existent in the room. Overall, I will book again."
"What I liked a lot: Well situated to visit main attractions in Sepilok: Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre/Sunbear centre/Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), free shuttle bus to the main attractions (09h-14h-16) which was really great. Also offer tours at reasonable prices e.g. Mangroves & Firefly Cruise (recommended). Free water dispenser.
To note: rooms are very basic (there is airco), we had some ants in the room, bathroom is outside. Breakfast was limited and minimal.
When we were there internet was not functional, luckily we had taken local simcard before with unlimited data so for us, this was not a big issue. Before coming to the hotel, I had sent a mail to have info about tours they offered, but never received a reply therefore I had booked tours with an agency which in the end was more expensive then when I would have it booked with Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat. Possible to book tours on the spot (no need to reserve before coming) but I did not know this in advance."
"There was no slipper the carpet was quite dirty.
So better you should bring your own slippers.
Hot water was not really hot.
I request a High floor when I registered they said 3, 4 were available. But when I got a key it was 1st floor.
But AC was good. Deposit need to be paid by cash only. 150myr."
"**ROOM 102 (01–02 JUNE 2025)**
This was my first time staying at this hotel. Based on recommendations from social media friends, this hotel was said to be the best in the area.
However, after staying here, I found the room to be quite ordinary. It is recommended that the hotel management consider renovating the room design to align with current interior design trends.
To maintain guest comfort, there are several important aspects that the hotel management should improve:
1. CLEANLINESS
* Bathroom tiles are moldy and have an unpleasant odor.
* Exhaust fan is dusty.
* Toilet window frame is dusty.
* Window glass has smudge marks.
2. FACILITIES
* The air conditioner is very noisy and not sufficiently cold, even when set to a very low temperature.
* Curtain railing is not well-maintained; the room remains bright even when the curtains are closed.
* No bidet hose provided.
* The restaurant during breakfast is quite cramped despite a large number of guests.
* No iron and ironing board provided in the guest room.
* Peephole does not have a cover.
HIGHLIGHTS
1. A safety box is provided.
2. Coffee amenities are available.
3. Fast WiFi connection."
"I stayed at the Livingston Hotel Sandakan for two nights during a public holiday and overall, I was quite satisfied with the experience. The hotel offers a good balance of comfort and affordability."
"The location is excellent, surrounded by restaurants with great food and just a few hundred meters from the supermarket. There are also many pharmacies nearby, making it very convenient. As a woman, I feel very safe staying here, which is important when traveling. I also appreciate the hotel’s eco-friendly choice of providing water dispensers instead of plastic bottles. This is my second time staying here, and I’ll definitely return again. Highly recommended!"
"The employees were great. They did all they could to keep the hotel running, keep the hotel clean etc.
The hotel building is not new. It has seen better days. If you are lucky you would get a room with a quiet AC (6th floor and upwards). The room was clean enough.
5-10 minutes away from shops, market etc."
Explore genuine reviews and ratings from real travellers to find the perfect accommodation for your needs.
9.0/10
Great
RRoshidahAmazing hotel in every way. Rooms are superb, food is delicious and the pool area is very clean and tidy.
Bed is amazing. Probably one of the best we’ve stayed in in Borneo.
Aircon is very good with plenty of power and offers a quiet mode.
Bathroom and shower are top of the range. It offered a bath too which was a nice touch. Very good here.
No noise disturbances at night. The WiFi is very good too.
Amazing service.
Probably on the higher end of hotel prices but what you get is extremely worth the extra money. It’s beautiful all over and just walking through the lobby is lovely.
LLionelSimSmall issues on getting in to the room as the hotel uses qr code to unlock the door, and the boiler seem to take a while to heat up before it's water is warm enough for a shower. Other than these, everything is good.
AAnonymous UserThe hotel is clean, quiet and located just right in front of Harbour Mall and within walking distance to San Da Gen Kopitiam which is viral for its UFO Tart.
BblobbtThe hotel was incredible welcoming and the receptionist was lovely.
The room was consistent with other hotels in this price range. It's a local area with many small restaurants located nearby.
The room was clean and spacious and the water was hot. Shower was nice. They left us 2 bottles of water as well.
Overall very nice.
GGuest UserThe room was clean, comfortable, and well-equipped. The staff were friendly and always ready to help. The location was perfect, with easy access to nearby attractions and restaurants. Breakfast was delicious with a good variety of options. Highly recommend this hotel for a pleasant stay!
MMuhammad FuazThe hotel ask for RM100 deposit; in case there’s damages done by the guest.
However, the room itself was already in ‘sorry’ conditions. The towels were old and stained. The wall was mouldy. The washroom’s knob was malfunction. There’s no hot water available in room 403.
Since we’ve arrived late and we’ve checked out early - we won’t bother to change room.
Hopefully the owner take this message positively and improve the facilities. No point taking deposit, but the room was in a sad condition.
MMuhammad Aliff Abdul RazakOne of the cheapest budget hotel in sandakan but with affordable price for backpackers.
This was my family trip with parents. So my parents got the reception floor room while i got the second floor with stairs only. No lift.
GGuest UserNice appartment on the ninth floor of a flatbuilding in a condominium. The appartment is nicely decorated and offers room for many guests.. we couldn't find the pool, so we didn't use that.
When we got to the appartement there was nobody there, we sent a message and somebody came. after a very long waiting time. Then they could open the door so after an hour and a half we were able to get in. The next morning before waking up they already send a message about the check out. This stressed us. Had a nice stay but the management and chasing us out before eleven o 'clock was very bad service.
RRomina BardalesThe hotel room is enough for spending the night and unwinding after a long day exploring the national parks.
You gotta turn on the water heater in order to get good water pressure and hot water, something I didn’t know at first.
The staff are friendly and the hotel is well located. It’s closed to the sea and located in the center of Sandakan. There are many restaurants around and lovely quirky streets. A restaurant I would recommend is Balin. It’s a fusion restaurant that serves delicious cocktails and offers ocean views, making it a perfect spot to catch the sunset over a delicious meal.
To get the best hotel deals, try these Trip.com tips:
1. Log In Trip.com first and unlock member-only rates and Trip Coins (loyalty points).
2. Book Midweek: Sun–Thurs stays are much cheaper than weekends.
3. Set Price Alerts: Monitor price drops and rebook if needed.
4. Use “We Price Match” Policy: If you find a lower price elsewhere, Trip.com will refund the difference.
5. Avoid major holidays, conventions, and big events.
6. Check the Deals Page to see what promotions are available now on Trip.com.