Cheap Hotels in Semporna

"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."

"I thought this hotel was great. Room would be a bit small for two but was great for one. Bed was comfy and good shower, everything was clean and location for island trips and restaurants was great. Nice staff recommended a really good value shared minivan taxi to an early morning flight for me saved me a lot of money. Semporna itself is a bit of a dump and crowded with Chinese tourists in February (Chinese new year). No laundry as far as I know"

"This guesthouse is located right in a market, which is great for its convenient location directly opposite Haifeng Wharf. It's run by Chinese owners and the service is pretty good. However, I felt the price didn't quite match the facilities. The family room was almost 1,000 RMB for two beds, and it wasn't very big. Also, the breakfast was quite meager. To top it off, the island hopping tours sold at their front desk were significantly more expensive than those on Ctrip."

"Choosing 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."

"+ location (full of palms / birds / squirrels) + shuttle bus (you never think about grab becoz they always found the possibility to pick up from a city center + English-speaker workers + helpful in EVERYTHING + very comfortable bed + pillows + breakfast for all nationalities + coffee!!!not 3-in-1, normal coffee + drinking water unlimited + cream after sun (aloe) + spray off mosquitoes + karaoke nights + food menu + possible to buy on a market and they’ll cook for you + shampoo + gel - amazing smell + washing machine and dry machine (!!!) THE BEST EVER HOTEL IN SEMPORNA!!! I’ve tried 4 different ones locations (city center was the worst) and this hotel you can’t compare at all! It’s 100 from 10, believe me! After staying there I would love to come to Semporna again🤍I’m really totally recommend!"

"Honestly, I never had high expectations for hotels in Semporna. This one was decent, about on par with a chain hotel during a holiday period, and it was clean enough. However, the balcony has glass and aluminum doors, so there's practically no soundproofing. You can hear kids downstairs and people working late at night. One night, I was unlucky enough to have a full night of unloading nearby. If you plan to stay here, bring earplugs. **Cleanliness:** I'd say it's acceptable for Semporna, as the general standard isn't high. The only issue is that housekeeping is done, but not thoroughly. **Service:** They were generally cooperative and helped resolve any issues. However, they are quite particular about the cleanliness of the room, especially the sheets and towels, when you check out. So, make sure not to stain them. Also, ensure you have both room cards when checking out. **Environment:** The location is probably its best feature. It's convenient for island hopping and finding food and drinks downstairs. If I had to recommend it, I'd say it's an option in Semporna, apart from the soundproofing – just remember to bring earplugs. The breakfast, I have to say, is extremely poor. It's not even basic sustenance. The picture shows the view from the hotel balcony."

"Service: Enthusiastic. Environment: Central location in town with all amenities nearby, and well-equipped room facilities! Cleanliness: Clean and tidy. This is my second visit to Semporna, so I'm quite familiar with the hotels and their surroundings. While this hostel's private rooms might not offer the absolute best value for money, they are still quite good."

"The Lighthouse Hotel Semporna boasts an excellent location, directly facing the jetty for boat excursions. It's within walking distance of island hopping meeting points and seafood restaurants, making it incredibly convenient for getting around and finding food. Opened in 2023, the rooms are spacious and clean, with separate wet and dry areas in the bathroom. The rooftop pool offers sea views, and the overall environment is quiet and peaceful. The front desk service is thoughtful, and they support WeChat communication, offering great value for money. The only downsides are that the breakfast selection is simple and the facilities are quite basic. If you're looking for a luxurious experience, you might want to consider other options. However, it's perfect for travelers primarily focused on island hopping who prioritize convenient accommodation."

"The hotel is located in town, not too out of the way. Overall, it's considered a decent hotel for the area, and the value for money is pretty good. Before coming here, I'd already researched everything online, so I didn't bother taking many pictures of the hotel. Instead, I've shared some photos from my boat trip for everyone to enjoy."

"We were two girls traveling, and here's why we chose Yongda: It's very close to the pier, a 10-minute walk or a 2-minute drive, making it super convenient for island hopping. Plus, Yongda has a shuttle service, offering free pick-up and drop-off to the pier for excursions. They even drove us to the seafood market to haggle for prices, which was incredibly helpful. For a hotel in town, it's really quite good. And! Yongda was the only hotel in Malaysia that had three-pin sockets, meaning we didn't need a travel adapter! That was truly a lifesaver~ Pro tip: If you're going to the seafood market to bargain, go after 8:00 PM. If you go too early, it's crowded and you won't be able to get the prices down."