Read genuine traveler ratings & reviews to find your perfect stay.
Posted on May 14, 2026
Guest UserChoosing Beanstalk Homestay for my Semporna trip was absolutely the right decision! The owner and staff are incredibly warm and welcoming, treating you like friends. Before I even arrived, they patiently answered all my questions and gave me tons of practical tips for island hopping and dining. While the room isn't luxurious, it's spotlessly clean, the AC works great, there's plenty of hot water, and the bedding is really comfortable. Getting a good night's sleep after a day of activities is so important.
The service was the biggest plus! The seafood preparation prices were excellent, and the breakfast, though simple, was thoughtfully prepared – coffee, toast, and eggs, perfect for fueling up before heading out to sea. Next time I'm in Semporna, I'll definitely stay at Beanstalk Homestay again.
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Price per night from:AU$151
Posted on Nov 7, 2025|Queen Room With Window
Yvonne12Great location. Easy to walk to anywhere. I am a solo female traveller and feel safe here. Night time can be noisy, so recommend to bring earplugs for light sleeper. The owner was so kind. He helped send me to klinic at night due to food poisoning. They do provide hairdryers, towels, and bath amenities.
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Price per night from:AU$33
Posted on Jun 2, 2026
Guest User
The rooms are a bit dated, but clean and tidy, and come with a spacious balcony. Most of the staff can speak Chinese, and their service is very enthusiastic, offering free airport transfers and island pick-up/drop-off. While the dining options aren't extensive, they cater well to Chinese tastes. It's true that there are many tourists taking photos, but it won't bother you much if you're just enjoying your own trip. Most importantly, the crystal-clear water allows you to clearly see fish, starfish, sea urchins, and turtles. The wooden cabins and walkways are surrounded by flowers, and occasionally Bajau people will paddle by in small boats selling coconuts and fresh seafood – these are truly unique features of the hotel.
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Price per night from:AU$1,481
Posted on May 8, 2026|Luxury Villa With Projector, Private Net Bed, And Hammock Swing
Guest UserThe Popo Fish Water Bungalow offers incredible value for money, it's absolutely stunning! The water is so clean, and we were pleasantly surprised to find out we could book a diving experience during our two-day stay. All four of us agreed it was incredibly comfortable. The customer service representative was also very proactive in resolving any issues. When you go diving, make sure to eat on the boat and don't get off at the island.
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Price per night from:AU$570
Posted on Feb 1, 2026|Beach Villa
Guest User
This is such a relaxing island, perfect for a vacation! 🌴 We went during the rainy season, which is considered off-peak, so there weren't many people. Every day at noon, there's a boat to pick up and drop off guests. We stayed for three days, and compared to peak season, it felt like there were never more than 20 guests in total. It's incredibly suitable for families with children, with shallow beaches, 🏖️ turtles, lush greenery, and an exceptionally beautiful natural environment!
There are three hotels on the island, and Dragon Pearl seems to have the best facilities. They offer water villas, beach villas, and garden villas. The rooms are spaced appropriately, so you won't be bothered by neighbors. The beach villas have loungers on the porch and under the coconut trees in front, as well as hammocks, giving it a private beach feel. All rooms are equipped with life jackets 🦺, and upon arrival, there are clear signs in both Chinese and English advising guests to always wear a life jacket when in the water and to avoid swimming after 6 PM.
The beach is large, the shallow water area is extensive, and the water is incredibly clear – like jelly! You can see the bottom even in two to three meters of water, making it perfect for snorkeling. Every day, island-hopping boats come to snorkel near the pier, where there's a clownfish nest. You can spot turtles daily from the pier, and the island even has a dedicated turtle hatching program, with occasional lectures and release events for baby turtles.
The front desk and dive center can also arrange activities like scuba diving 🤿 and snorkeling. This was my first time trying scuba diving here, and because there were so few guests on the island, I got one-on-one instruction from the coach. I saw two turtles up close, truly within arm's reach! I even swam alongside a turtle during the ascent – incredibly lucky! For snorkeling, a dedicated staff member accompanied us with a swim ring 🛟, actively searching for turtles throughout the sea. The service for these small, boutique groups was fantastic!
The island's front desk has Chinese-speaking staff, and while the dive center coaches speak English, you can always understand them through gestures and simple explanations. The reception area has a restaurant and a small shop, so the facilities are quite complete and convenient. Perhaps because it was the off-season and there were so few people, the meal options were a bit simple, but the food was delicious and definitely plentiful enough to fill you up.
Finally, regarding the season, the rainy season wasn't bad at all. It didn't rain every day. We stayed for four full days, and it rained twice. The first time was at noon, a heavy downpour, but it was a thunderstorm that passed quickly and didn't disrupt our afternoon island-hopping and snorkeling. The second time was on the day we left; the rain was quite heavy, starting around 4 or 5 AM with loud pitter-patter sounds and thunder and lightning ⛈️ that you could hear from inside the room. It rained on and off for most of the morning. The temperature dropped a bit, but it was actually quite comfortable without the scorching sun. The waves were a bit stronger than usual, but I have to commend Dragon Pearl Hotel's location; as we walked along the beach, we could clearly see that the wind and waves calmed down significantly in front of the hotel. Even with the rain, the island-hopping boats for snorkeling kept coming.
It was an incredibly comfortable trip! It's definitely worth visiting and worth revisiting!
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Price per night from:AU$349
Posted on Aug 3, 2026|Water Chalet
Guest UserFirst, we gathered at the jetty, and then the second picture shows the bus taking us back to Tawau Airport from Semporna. It was fantastic; I'm so glad I chose this. The value of this long-standing five-star hotel keeps increasing. The service was excellent, and extra meals were served promptly. The buggy service was also very quick. The underwater scenery was even more vibrant and colorful. The sunset was also beautiful. There were so many sea turtles, we encountered them everywhere, along with manta rays and various schools of fish. It was breathtaking. I'll definitely go again if I have the chance. I've already recommended it to my friends!
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Price per night from:AU$494
Posted on Dec 15, 2025
M317847****
The value for money is decent, and it's not too far from town. If you're looking for a quieter stay, this could be a good option. The owner speaks a little Chinese. The service wasn't overly enthusiastic but perfectly adequate. No deposit was required for the stay.
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Price per night from:AU$26
Posted on Dec 2, 2025
Guest User
We stayed for 3 nights and had a great experience. We could pet cats and even saw monkeys 🐒, and my friend saw squirrels too! Breakfast was different every day and delicious. On the third day, we had to catch our flight at 6 am, and they still prepared breakfast for us. The service was excellent, and they offered free shuttle service to town, which was very convenient overall. There's also a swimming pool, and the island hopping tour in Semporna was beautiful. If I have the chance next time, I would definitely stay at Timba Garden again and visit Semporna's Jelly Beach again.
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Price per night from:AU$94
Posted on Jul 27, 2024|Twin Sharing Room - Back Row
Guest UserStrategic location. Convenient to go surfing and food. Very nice in house restaurant for sunset
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Price per night from:AU$67