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"I contacted the hotel via WhatsApp 3 days before check-in, and they replied very quickly. They even called me back, and the communication was very smooth. The boat departs from the jetty at 1:30 PM, but when we arrived at 12:30 PM, the boat was already waiting. Someone helped us with our luggage when we boarded. Later, we found out they weren't hotel staff, so we tipped each of them RM5. The hotel's check-out time is 10 AM, and the latest guests can leave by boat is 11 AM because the boat cannot sail after low tide. So, no late check-outs are possible. On the way there, it was high tide, and the boat sailed over shallow waters. The 'jelly sea' was absolutely stunning. My initial apprehension instantly turned into pure delight – it was so worth it! We were 6 adults and 3 children. We originally booked one triple fan room and one quintuple fan room. Because I didn't want a corner room, and the quintuple room was in the westernmost corner, and since there weren't many guests during the off-peak season (we practically had the place to ourselves, which was a pleasant surprise!), the hotel generously gave us an additional triple room and upgraded all our rooms to air-conditioned ones. Another great surprise! Actually, the sea breeze was strong, and opening the window with a fan was already very comfortable, so we didn't really need the air conditioning. In fact, after snorkeling, we found it too cold in the room, so we promptly turned off the AC. The hotel is currently undergoing renovations. The quintuple room was newer, while the two triple rooms were smaller and older. However, the sea view was so beautiful, and given the great value for money, these minor issues were acceptable. The hotel owner was also very accommodating and gave us keys to a few rooms, letting us choose which ones we wanted. Since the quintuple room was on the western side, the sunset views were spectacular. My friends even saw sea turtles twice from their room at night. After watching the sunrise, we walked to the easternmost part of the hotel. There's a bridge there that's perfect for photos, and we kept seeing sea turtles, which was such an amazing surprise! We saw about 7-8 sea turtles intermittently, and they were huge! It might have been the start of low tide, and they were all swimming towards the deep sea. This must be a common path for them, and it was the biggest highlight of our trip. The hotel has Wi-Fi and accepts TNG for payment. The round-trip boat ticket costs RM100, and children ride for free. Life jackets are RM5, and swimming rings are RM10 (no time limit). The hotel's snorkeling masks were broken and unavailable for rent, so it's best to bring your own. The sea has lots of corals, starfish, and fish, making it excellent for snorkeling. Bring extra bread to feed the fish. The hotel doesn't provide bottled water or hair dryers, but there's hot water and tea bags. Dinner was local Malay food, which might not suit everyone's palate, but we found it quite good, and the fish was cooked tenderly. The simple breakfast included delicious fried rice noodles. We also brought some chocolates and instant cereal/drink mixes to prepare with the hotel's hot water. There's also free karaoke and Lami mahjong, though they can only be used until 11 PM. The karaoke is a new facility, only 4 months old, and the sound system is excellent. The Lami mahjong set was brand new. In summary: Although the hotel is a bit old, the sea is incredibly beautiful, and we even saw sea turtles. For the price, it offers great value. Overall, I highly recommend it."

"Overall, it is good value for money. It is less than 10 meters away from my dive shop (cooldivive). The public bathroom is clean and not crowded. There is a place to dry clothes. The room does not have air conditioning but it is not hot. The sound insulation is indeed poor, but the neighbors are civilized. It is a good choice for those who have not booked a dormitory for diving students."

"Our stay at this hotel was excellent! The owner is incredibly welcoming and helpful. Being Chinese, communication was a breeze. They even helped us plan our sightseeing routes and book various activities, all at very reasonable prices. We'll definitely be back next time! The hotel is conveniently located close to the town center and the seafood market, with plenty of dining options nearby and a convenience store right outside. In short, it's super convenient. The cleanliness was also top-notch – no bugs, and they even provided mosquito repellent liquid. There's a hairdryer, and best of all, a TV with Chinese channels and power outlets that fit Chinese plugs, so no adapter needed – so handy, haha!"

"Absolutely glowing review! I booked this place based on other people's recommendations, and I'm so glad I did—it really lived up to the hype. What a coincidence, the owner is from my hometown! He's a really upright guy; Chinese people truly don't scam other Chinese people. You can ask him to drive you to the Zhenshan seafood market to haggle for prices; they're unbelievably low there. If you go by yourself, you're likely to get ripped off and waste a lot of money. Plus, the hotel has a chef, and the food is delicious. Just tell the owner your preferences. The processing fee is 25 MYR per person, which is very reasonable. In the evenings, you can sing in the courtyard, it's very peaceful. There's even a mahjong table! Overall, I highly recommend it. It's only about a 12-minute drive to the pier, and the hotel offers pick-up and drop-off services, which is super convenient. Trust me, just book it, you'll feel completely at ease."

"We arrived close to 10 PM, and to our surprise, not only was the front desk waiting, but Ah Qiang, the head of housekeeping, and Ah Zhong, the restaurant chef, were also still up. Ah Qiang helped us with our luggage to the room and even turned on the hallway lights for us. Ah Zhong, late at night, fired up the stove and made us fried rice noodles as a late-night snack. On the third day, it was my sister's birthday, and after a day of fun, we returned to the hotel for dinner when we realized we should celebrate with a cake. It was already 7:30 PM and pitch black outside. Without a word, Ah Qiang drove me straight to a cake shop in town. We rushed in just before they closed and I managed to get the birthday cake I wanted. When everyone praised my thoughtfulness, I knew I should be thanking Ah Qiang! What's more, the hotel's chef, Ah Zhong from Foshan, is an extraordinary cook. From simple fried rice noodles and fried rice to more elaborate dishes like pipa shrimp sashimi, baked lobster, and stonefish gourd soup, every dish amazed us, and even the plating was meticulous. Every day, we bought seafood and enjoyed fantastic meals at the hotel restaurant. A big thank you to Ah Zhong and his kitchen team! The hotel's bathroom facilities were also excellent. The shower faucet had a temperature display, allowing for precise water temperature adjustment, and the vanity mirror was fog-free."

"No wifi in the room (228) Not a bad place for it's price. Shower is big with a big water heater. Ask for a room facing the side you see in the photos. Then you will have a more private balcony. Water stores on the balcony floor sheet the rain. There's no drain. We asked for a glass or a cup but had to pay RM 1 to get a paper glass and create a scene so the receptionist gave us a spoon to stir the boiled water. The cheapest place in Semporna."

"Good parts: The host responded very promptly, the restaurant was good value for money, and the hotel would deliver when Grab refused to take us due to remoteness. Unpleasant parts: 1. The host who speaks Chinese can only be contacted online, and offline communication is difficult. I paid extra to book a French window, and the host was very considerate and said that I could check in early, but when I arrived, I found that the room type had been changed. I insisted on staying in the original room and waited outside the door for two hours. I repeatedly confirmed the drop-off point with the driver, but he still got off at the wrong place. My boyfriend almost missed the island hopping tour because of heat stroke after running wildly under the scorching sun. 2. The restaurant next door is good, but when checking out, I found that the price of each dish did not match the menu sent an hour ago, and I was charged 100 more horse, which was removed after communication. 3. After checking out, I troubled the hotel to find sunglasses and book a car, which was indeed an extra thing. The hotel's attitude was already impatient."

"The hotel has airport pick-up service, which costs RMB 100 per person for a nearly 1-hour ride. There is a fixed-time shuttle bus to the town every day, and you can also pay to use the car during non-shuttle hours, RMB 20 for a small car and RMB 30 for a large car. The hotel environment is very good, and it is renovated like a garden, without the noise and mess of the town. The staff is very friendly and the front desk can speak Chinese. The hotel provides seafood processing service, which costs RMB 20 per person, which is much cheaper than the processing fee of the restaurant in the town, and the processed taste is quite good. The breakfast is OK, although it cannot be compared with the buffet of a star hotel, but it is enough to eat"

"Unlike most guesthouses, which are typically large houses with several rooms, Pineapple Resort feels more like a hotel. It consists of a dozen small, standalone wooden cottages nestled among palm trees. The management is also quite hotel-like, and while breakfast isn't extensive, it offers a good variety. Although the resort is about five kilometers from Semporna town, considering the town's general disarray (especially near the jetty with seafood vendors and Bajau beggars), which can easily spoil a good mood, it's better to stay a bit further out in a quiet resort. Pineapple Resort offers free shuttle buses to and from Semporna jetty from morning to midday and in the evening, making transportation very convenient. What's more, it provides a warmer experience than a star-rated hotel, giving me a home-away-from-home feeling. For foodies, if you're a good cook (the resort doesn't yet have a professional chef), Pineapple Resort is happy to provide a cooking area for seafood bought from the town market, which is incredibly convenient for those of us who love beautiful views and good food."

"The location is very good. It takes about 5-10 minutes to drive to the city of the pier. Although it is a bit smelly when you enter, there is no smell when you open the window to ventilate. The equipment is very complete. The utensils in the kitchen are really nothing to say. The seasonings for cooking are all suitable. Recommended by the group"