Island Backpackers

Island Backpackers Reviews

Island Backpackers

2nd floor, TL127500289, Pekan Semporna, Semporna, Sabah 91308, MalaysiaView hotel details
Island Backpackers
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Guest Reviews of Island Backpackers

8.7/10
Very good
87 reviews
Verified reviews
Location9.1
Amenities8.3
Service9.0
Cleanliness8.5
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All reviews(87)
Positive reviews(83)
Reviews with photos/video(22)
Great service(15)
Awesome stay(12)
Great location(12)
Awesome rooms(9)
Great value for money(8)
Convenient location(6)
Negative reviews(4)
Guest User
Bed In Mixed Dormitory Room
Stayed in Jun 2026
Solo traveller
9 reviews
9.5/10
Amazing
Posted on Aug 12, 2026
There was a little dust on the bed, but everything else was great. It had all the essentials: a hairdryer, a shower, a washing machine, and laundry detergent. There was free bread with dipping sauces, hot and cold water available. The owner was very nice and spoke three languages. The location was excellent, very close to the bustling downtown area, only a three-minute walk, and a five-minute walk to the pier.
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Stephenjohn10
Bed In Mixed Dormitory Room
Stayed in May 2026
Solo traveller
25 reviews
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Jul 2, 2026
I like the location, super close to the port, and going around the center, the people working there super nice, and helped me a lot, it’s pretty cheap so i was not expecting much, they provide locker for your bags or valuable stuff this is the only photo i took lol
Guest User
Bed In Female Dormitory Room
Stayed in Apr 2026
Travelling with friends
39 reviews
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Jun 21, 2026
Excellent, very satisfied! The environment is great with spacious rooms, and the service attitude is exceptional. It's not far from dining spots in town, although the immediate surroundings aren't the best. The front desk staff were very helpful.
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Guest User
Queen Room
Stayed in Feb 2026
Solo traveller
1 reviews
4.5/10
Posted on Apr 1, 2026
After an exhausting island hopping tour, don't even think about a decent shower here. The water pressure is so incredibly low it's infuriating; you'll spend ages just waiting for it to rinse off, and it's like this in all the bathrooms. As for the rooms, the door lock was broken and just fell off, and the pillowcases and duvet covers were of questionable hygiene. They play word games with the room types; all other single rooms clearly state shared bathrooms, but the double room description cleverly omits this, burying it in the fine print, just waiting to stab you in the back. I could tolerate all the previous issues, but the service was the most infuriating. Before booking, I repeatedly confirmed they had lockers for backpacks. Yet, on the day of my excursion, I was told the lockers had no keys, leaving me completely stranded and frustrated.
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Guest User
Bed In Mixed Dormitory Room
Stayed in Jul 2026
Solo traveller
45 reviews
9.5/10
Amazing
Posted on Aug 16, 2026
Good hostel with helpful staff. The beds are good and clean. The bathroom could be cleaner. Overall, very good value for money. I did an organized trip to the island with the hostel and the price seemed good.
Guest User
Queen Room
Stayed in Jun 2026
Solo traveller
1 reviews
7.5/10
Posted on Jul 17, 2026
I wouldn't recommend this place for solo female travelers. I stayed in a double room with a window. I had to carry my luggage up to the third floor. The hallway was quite dirty, accessed through a small glass door. The sheets and duvet covers were very old, and there were tiny spiders on the door that would crawl out when opened or closed. The room had a strong smell of mothballs that gave me a headache, and I barely slept all night. Afterward, I developed a sore throat and a cough, which unfortunately ruined my subsequent island hopping trip.
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MollyLouise
Bed In Mixed Dormitory Room
Stayed in Jun 2026
Solo traveller
3 reviews
6.5/10
Posted on Jul 7, 2026
bins weren’t emptied in the rooms until 4 days of staying. watched staff put clean linen on a dirty bed for a few hours before changing for a new person. water wasn’t working at all on the first day, then only worked for one side the rest of the time. staff coming into the room at 11pm and turning the main light on was very disruptive.
Anonymous User
Twin Room with Shared Bathroom (No window)
Stayed in Jun 2026
Couple
7 reviews
8.5/10
Very good
Posted on Jul 6, 2026
Perfect location, right next to the night market and close to the jetty for excursions.
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Guest User
Bed In Female Dormitory Room
Stayed in Jun 2026
Solo traveller
5 reviews
8.5/10
Very good
Posted on Jul 29, 2026
The bathrooms could be cleaner. The rooms are great and the staff are lovely.
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Taimaoliuhaizhanshen
Twin Room with Shared Bathroom (No window)
Stayed in Apr 2026
Solo traveller
3 reviews
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on May 15, 2026
Excellent! Even after checking out, I was able to relax and even take a shower. I could also nap on the sofas in the lobby. The staff there were all very good.
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Guest User
King Room with Shared Bathroom
Stayed in Apr 2026
Solo traveller
2 reviews
7.0/10
Posted on May 12, 2026
Overall, quite satisfied. The room cleanliness could be a tiny bit better, but for this price, and with breakfast included, what more could you ask for?
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Guest User
Queen Room
Stayed in Apr 2026
Solo traveller
14 reviews
8.0/10
Very good
Posted on May 5, 2026
Location and room condition is good. Breakfast provided which is a plus. Basic amenities provided. Overall stay is satisfactory, functioning as a budget backpackers hostel. Though the cleanliness outside the hostel has rrom to improve, but other than that, this hostel is recommended.
Guest User
Queen Room
Stayed in Jun 2026
Couple
2 reviews
7.0/10
Posted on Jul 23, 2026
Well located. Breakfast was advertised but nothing was available on site.
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Guest User
Bed In Mixed Dormitory Room
Stayed in Mar 2026
Solo traveller
12 reviews
5.0/10
Posted on Apr 10, 2026
The environment here is just average, barely acceptable for a hostel. The breakfast was terrible; no coffee, no tea, only plain hot water.
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Yeni
Bed In Female Dormitory Room
Stayed in Mar 2026
Solo traveller
2 reviews
7.0/10
Posted on Apr 26, 2026
Checked out at 7 AM, but there was no one at the front desk and I didn't get my deposit back.
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