Tag Archives: accomodation

Malaysia, Travelinds

Tip of Borneo Accomodation

14 February 2014

After a week at the Tip of Borneo, the following accomodation in the area seemed worth a look. Since not all seemed to be available for online booking, Travelinds thought they’d mention a few options to those looking to spend a couple nights in this beautiful place:

1. Tommy’s Place (mid-range, email booking)
  • We stayed here for the 5 days and loved the vibe of this chilled out lodge.  The food was decent (breakfasts were delicious!), it’s right opposite the beach, ten minutes walk from the Tip of Borneo monument and lookout, managed efficiently and generally clean.

    Tommy's Place
    Tommy’s Place
2. BorneoTip Lodge (mid range, email booking)
  • Right next door to Tommy’s Place, wooden bungalows and a lovely pool seems to be in the making (a long way from finished though).  Popular with bikers going up to the Tip for the weekend. Also right across from the beach and ten minutes walk to the Tip of Borneo.
3. Merrimas Villas (mid to high price, online booking available)
  • Beautiful villas here and it is right on the tip. five minutes walk down to the beach. Great restaurant (see blog on Chef Jainnes Apin) and friendly staff.
4. TipofBorneo Villas/bungalows (mid to high price, phone/email booking)
  • The last lodge before the tip itself. Seemed like simple but comfortable bungalows (different sizes available) but mid to high prices. Cheapest beer at this restaurant. Five minutes walk from the beach.
5. Tampat Do Aman (Howard’s) (mid range, online)
  • This seems to be the most well-known (well marketed) lodge in the area with its rungus-style longhouse and rustic living experience. The information is available on their information website and you can read more in the menu of Tip Top restaurant (Howard’s) while you are there. http://tampatdoaman.com/

This area is largely untouched with hardly any urban development noticeable. It provides a great base to relax, enjoy the beach, swim, surf, explore beautiful local beaches (with absolutely no people to crowd out the long white stretches) and just enjoy a bit of an authentic Sabah experience.

It is so worth the trip!

Tip of Borneo beach
Tip of Borneo beach
Malaysia, Travelinds

Borneo Sandakan Backpackers

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01 February 2014

Borneo Sandakan Backpackers was a pleasant surprise. It’s a clean, friendly, comfortable backpackers in the heart of Sandakan, with an attached tour company that has some of the most efficient staff I have ever met.

A head’s up from a friend (read their blog of six months touring in South East Asia) told us to use this backpackers as our stop off point in Sandakan and also arrange our Kinabatangan river tour through them.  We followed their advice and were not disappointed, not even once.

Good points at the backpackers were the clean rooms and bathrooms, airconditioning in the private room, 24 hour desk service, delicious breakfasts (egg, toast, jam, coffee, oats) and friendly, efficient staff.  It is also in the Harbour Square location in Sandakan, which is close to the mall, the bus terminal, the minibus terminal, restaurants and the markets. The staff (especially Jonathan) are especially helpful and friendly when it comes to giving free advice on travelling in and around Sandakan.  There are maps, posters, bus schedules and tourism brochures available at the backpackers to help you plan the best trip for you.

A Bad point was the dripping shower overflow (kept us awake a little), but that was all.

TIP: Be careful about backpackers with similar names like Sandakan backpackers, Borneo backpackers etc – especially if you are booking online.  This is Borneo Sandakan Backpackers and Borneo Sandakan Tours.  It is a red and white logo as on the website.  Read TripAdvisor Reviews for more information.