City: Sabah
Top Things to do in Sabah
Top Hotels in Sabah
- 1. Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu
- 2. Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu
- 3. Hotel Grandis
- 4. The Pacific Sutera Hotel - Sutera Harbor Resort
- 5. Hilton Kota Kinabalu
- 6. Cititel Express Kota Kinabalu
- 7. Hyatt Regency Kinabalu
- 8. Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu
- 9. The Magellan Sutera Resort
- 10. Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabulu
Top 10 Things to do Good for Couples in Sabah, Malaysia
Sabah (Malay pronunciation: [saˈbah]) is a state of Malaysia located on the northern portion of Borneo Island. Sabah has land borders with the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the southwest, and Indonesia's Kalimantan region to the south. The Federal Territory of Labuan is an island just off the Sabah coast. Sabah shares maritime borders with Vietnam in the west and the Philippines to the north and east. Kota Kinabalu is the capital city, the economic centre of the state and the seat of the Sabah state government. Other major towns in Sabah include Sandakan and Tawau. As of the 2015 census in Malaysia, the state's population is 3,543,500. Sabah has an equatorial climate with tropical rainforests and abundant animal and plant species. The state has long mountain ranges on the west side which form part of the Crocker Range National Park. Kinabatangan River, second longest river in Malaysia runs through Sabah and Mount Kinabalu is the highest point of Sabah as well as of Malaysia.
Restaurants in Sabah
1. Danum Valley Conservation Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 136 reviews
Reviewed By lazybrilliance
This place is the real deal - virgin rainforest and an amazing lodge. It is expensive but completely worth it. You will not be disappointed.
2. The Golf Academy Borneo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 38 reviews
The Golf Academy Borneo located at Sutera Harbour Resort, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia was established in 2009 by Neil Douglas, British PGA Professional. Since then Neil has been joined by two other British PGA Professionals, The Golf Academy Borneo offers a friendly and enjoyable learning centre for all levels and ages of golfers, Beginner to Professional, Junior to Senior.All our staff are fully qualified British PGA Professionals and offer professional expertise and advice in swing theory, video analysis.We have the ability to improve your game in a short timeframe. The Golf Academy Borneo at Sutera Harbour offers first class teaching facilities with a 42 bay floodlit driving range, 10,000 sq ft putting green, practice bunker and grass tee. The grass tee is a key feature as it gives a more realistic teaching experience making it easier to transfer your game from the driving range to the golf course.Our second location in Sabah is now open at Shangri-la Rasa Ria Resort.
Reviewed By 345arthurt - London, United Kingdom
Booked a 3-hour lesson at the shangri-la Dalit Bay course for my wife’s birthday, and she loved it so much we booked an additional couples session a few days later. Greg was absolutely brilliant with us as complete novices, and really tailored his teaching and advice to each individual. He was very encouraging, introducing us to more aspects of the game and even getting us onto the course for a few successful holes. The course itself is beautiful and very well maintained. A lovely way to enjoy Kota Kinabalu!
3. Sipadan National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 380 reviews
Reviewed By viviensly
60mins speedboat ride from Semporna jetty with Celebes Explorer dive center, departure at 07:30. Upon arrival, the boat pack on the shore, jump off the vessel then we had to sign in at the Island Registration, individually. 1st dive: Barracuda Point Wall/ drift dive Dive time: 60mins Marine life: white tips shark (resting) 2nd dive: South Point Slope/ drift dive Marine life: Cyclone School of Big Eye Trevally, Giant Green Turtles, White tip sharks (resting and circling) and Napoleon Wrasse. 3rd dive: Turtle Tomb/ Cave Wall/ drift dive Marine life: GREEN HUMPHEAD PARROTFISHS (40mins), Giant Green Turtle & Barracuda Fishes Highlight: 1) REMEMBER: you are there for scuba diving and nothing else. 2) divers must be experienced with drift and buoyancy control to avoid damaging sensitive to marine life. 3) no fresh water, basic toilet (many soiled & dirty cubicles, no washing material or drying material available on the island. 4) limited jetty access, you are lucky if your operator can dock on the very poor constructed wood bridge. 5) check with your operator best/ highest chance to see Green Humphead Parrot Fishes.
4. Sandakan Memorial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 775 reviews
Reviewed By OrderintheHouse
In September and October 2017 my wife and I visited delightful Malaysian Borneo visiting attractions in both Sarawak and Sabah. Included in the Sabah section was a visit to Sandakan Memorial Park. A visit to the Sandakan Memorial Park is a reflective and very solemn experience for any visitor to Sandakan. It dedicates the memory of 1793 Australian and 641 British members of the armed forces whilst prisoners of war (POWs) in Borneo during World War II. It highlights the terrible atrocities inflicted upon those POWs who lost their lives on the infamous Death Marches from Sandakan to Ranau, around 220 kilometres inland and close to Kinabalu Park. Only 6 prisoners, all Australians, survived. To my mind it is an essential visit for any Australian traveller to Malaysian Borneo to gain an insight into this important aspect of Australian war history. The Park is adjacent to the site of the original Sandakan POW camp. There are several memorial and interpretive stations around the park for visitors to explore at their own pace via an impressive walking track. The landscaping of the Park including the lake, gardens and trees is very beautifully maintained. The Commemorative Pavilion is also an important aspect of the Park displaying photographic exhibits that tell countless stories of the atrocities inflicted upon these brave POWs by their Japanese captors. A feature in this Pavilion is the decorative gates depicting flowers representing people of the three nations who suffered at Sandakan during the Second World War. Above all, the Park is a chilling reminder to all that in learning to forgive the wrongs of the past we must maintain Memorials such as Sandakan Memorial Park to make sure we never allow these wrongs to be repeated. It’s this reminder that makes this Park so essential to include in any Borneo visit. Equally impressive are the memorial stain glass windows installed since 2005 in St Michael’s Church, Sandakan in memory of the POWs imprisoned in Borneo. I would recommend a visit here also. You need to make arrangements with the Church Office to gain access inside the Church, for a small fee. Another must for travellers interested in this chapter of World War II history is the Sabah Tea Plantation at Ranau. The Plantation is on the very site where the Death Marches ended and viewing further impressive POW memorials is an added bonus to simply buying Sabah tea or enjoying lunch in the Plantation Restaurant. We were deeply moved by all three experiences. .
5. Mount Kinabalu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,442 reviews
Reviewed By ShukryAbdullah - Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Me and my team ( a group of 3 people, 1 man 2 women, all adults 40 years above) went for my Mount Kinabalu climbing trip from December 30 2020 then climbing down on January 1, 2021, after reaching Low's Peak successfully. This is my 11th climb. My other two team members are experienced climbers and have been climbed Mount Kinabalu for the 31th time. We all are local Malaysian living in Kota Kinabalu city center. We celebrated New Year Eve at the base camp of Mount Kinabalu in the Panalaban area where Laban Rata rest house is located at. That was my first time ever celebrating the new year in Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia and in South East Asia. We spent 2 nights in Panalaban. On December 29, 2020, we took a public cab in Kundasang station near Bandaran Berjaya Kota Kinabalu city center. It was a brand new Toyota Innova. Driver name is Wol. Each of us paid MYR 25 cash to the driver for our group to go to Tahubang Lodge, an accommodation right in front of Kinabalu Park. We spent 1 night staying at Tahubang Lodge. Kinabalu Park entrance is just a 1-minute walk from Tahubang Lodge. During our stay, we are the only guests in Tahubang Lodge on December 29, 2020. On the next day (December 30, 2020) it was a rainy day. I woke up at 4 AM and realized it was heavy rain. When we took our breakfast at 8:00 AM it was still raining. At 9:00 AM we went to the Kinabalu Park registration counter to register for our Mount Kinabalu climbing trip. After that, we received our climber badge card showing our first name and our climber ID number. For tracking and safety check. Our guide is Aaron Brian O'neil Roland or "Aaron" for short. He was a nice guy and very friendly. Rain pours heavily during the middle of our climb to Panabalan Base Camp. Nature trail became like a small river as rainwater flows continuously from top to bottom. It was heavy rain from 10:30 AM to 3 PM - about 2.5 hours straight. Imagine how cold it was. The trail to the base camp became too slippery. The climb became more challenging. Aaron helped us arranging our stuff in our backpack when we need to change from our normal climbing attire to wet attire so we can keep our climb pace without stopping even in heavy rain. We reached the Panalaban area (the basecamp) around 6 PM. We booked for 2 nights there so no need to rush like other climbers. Aaron is very kind. He did not complain much and only talk when asked and when needed. I saw that as a sign of maturity and years of experience since a young age. I've climbed with several other guides before. Aaron is different. Aaron keeps asking about us checking if we are ok or not. He shared his story about life as a full-time mountain guide. He shared many tips and advice about Mount Kinabalu climbing. Feels like we knew him for many years although we just met him because he was so friendly. If you are looking for the best mountain guide for your next Mount Kinabalu climbing trip I personally suggest Aaron be your mountain guide because of his good service. During our 2 nights stay, he checked us regularly. Aaron brought us for a sightseeing trip to several areas around Panalaban. He showed us where Gunting Lagadan Hut is, delivers a briefing about do and donts while being there, he showed the impact from the earthquake that happened in the middle of 2015 that we never see before. Aaron always with us, talking, chatting, laughing and enjoying coffee together with us. He will leave us alone only when we enter our room to get some rest and to sleep. He respects our privacy. Aaron is very knowledgeable about Mount Kinabalu. He became a porter in his teenage years then promoted to become a mountain guide. We stayed at Mokodou Hostel as we did our booking with Sabah Parks. The hostel is behind Laban Rata resthouse. Very clean. We feel safe in Aaron's care. He always is with us most of the time to ensure our safety during our climb to the top peak of Mount Kinabalu in the middle of the dark night challenged by the strong wind. He always is at our side. We appreciate his effort and his attention very much. Aaron motivates us without pushing too much, without shouting and without a sound of anger because of our slow movement due to slight dizziness being on the highest mountain in South East Asia. He always calm. He took care of us from start to finish just like a dear brother. He never let us feel down. He keeps good eye contact and always watching us on our way to Low's Peak. We feel so lucky and so happy to have Aaron as our guide. I am an experienced climber and I've climbed with 10 previous mountain guides before him during our previous trip. Aaron is different. He gave full service as a mountain guide more than what we need. He gave his best effort to guide us and taking care of us as his dear friends without asking anything in return. The way he talks is soft. Not too high and not too low. Aaron talked with passion, not too cocky, and not looking down on you. From our point of view, we saw Aaron as a passionate mountain guide. Guiding and meeting climbers like us were his passion even though he did not mention it for even a word. We saw that in his eyes. He truly loved his job very much. We reached Low's Peak, the top peak of Mount Kinabalu at early morning on January 1, 2021, during the beautiful sunrise of a new year's day all because of Aaron as our motivator and our Mount Kinabalu guide. We will climb Mount Kinabalu again next time with Aaron as our guide for sure. We recommended Aaron as best mountain guide to anyone who want to climb Mount Kinabalu. Thank you for all your kind help, Aaron!
6. Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 996 reviews
RDC is first and foremost an environmental education centre managed by the Sabah Forestry Department. It has been operating since 1997 but mainly for school visits and organising events for school students and also teacher training courses on environmental education.It was later developed for visitors mainly to sustain the environmental education programme for the future. We formally opened to visitors in August 2007 and is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. However, visitors are allowed to stay until 7 pm for viewing of the flying squirrels at the 347-m long Canopy Walkway, the only such structure in Southeast Asia.The newly revamped Birders Rest is now with a 90 m-long walkway, an open hall, a small centre and toilets. As of Nov 16th 2013, we have a new operator for the Keruing Cafe whom we hope will provide better services for our visitors.
Reviewed By ROSSHX - Melton Constable, United Kingdom
We sent 3 wonderful days in the Sandakan RFC using the trails, the canopy walk, the towers, early morning walks, night walks as well as lots of time walking forest trails, saw lots of Bornean wildlife, Orangutan, tarser, monkey, otter, snake, hornbills, snakes, flying squirrels and so much more, sorry to leave and defo hope to go back.
7. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,255 reviews
Reviewed By 663heathera - Canberra, Australia
We went here as part of a tour and it was the highlight. From seeing the young orangutans in the nursery with their very attentive keepers to the feeding platforms where the wild orangutans come in, what an experience to see these marvelous animals. to see them climb and swing through the trees. A must do experience.
8. Tawau Hills Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By IanG1967 - York, United Kingdom
Visited with family and friends for 2 nights. Organised by 1stopborneo and Shavez doing a top job of it. The park was fantastic, waking to the sounds of the gibbons and rhinoceros hornbills gets your day off to a magical start! Saw troops of red leaf monkeys at close range, 3 types of hornbills, loads of frogs on the night walks and 5 snakes in total during visit and just so many fascinating insects. Lots of easy walking trails and as someone who has visited jungles many times, I highly recommend visiting this gorgeous national park. Very close to Tawau and good accommodation within park, it is absolutely essential that every square inch of this park be protected for the future as so much of Borneo has tragically already been trashed by greedy palm oil companies.
9. Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,628 reviews
Reviewed By Cosmopolitan587907
We decided to go to the Bornean Sun Bear Center instead of seeing the Orangutans next door. This place does invaluable work for Sun Bears and we saw 3 bears out from the viewing platform and they were adorable. One of the helpers, Becca was very friendly and spoke to us for 20-30 minutes, answering our questions and talking to us about the bears. We even saw an orangutan pop in from next door briefly in the trees! Could not recommend this place enough!
10. Kokol Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By padala12
The mountain is so nice with a beautiful view. Best time to go is about 4 to 5pm and have a coffee or tea while waiting for sunset. The place is cool. The is a small hotel name Kokol Heaven. The cafe provide a good view of the mountain and sunset. The sunset view is worth waiting.
