Read genuine traveler ratings & reviews to find your perfect stay.
Posted on Aug 13, 2024|Deluxe Sea View Double Room
Will_Chen
I traveled alone and stayed here for 4 nights from 8/4 to 8/8.
**Environment:**
The resort is so amazing that I wish I could keep it a secret rather than share it with you. Located in the middle of the sea, with no other structures around, you can easily enjoy the sunrise, sunset, and the starry sky every day. During the daytime, you can participate in various water sports, and if you're lucky, you might spot a sea turtle at night.
**Food:**
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included when you book the hotel, so there’s no need to worry about meals. The resort offers seafood and local cuisine daily. Please note: Visitors should bring their own snacks and drinks before boarding the resort, as it only provides water, coffee, and tea.
**Facilities & Service:**
All the staff here will treat you kindly, even if there might be a language barrier (English is spoken here!). If you're afraid of swimming, the staff will accompany you while you're in the sea (life jackets are provided in each room). Each room also has a balcony with a lounge chair where you can relax, grab a beer, and do nothing but enjoy the soothing sea breeze.
You may not want to stay in the middle of nowhere like I did to escape from modern civilization, but I truly recommend staying at the resort for at least 2 nights. You'll definitely feel completely recharged!
Finally, I want to say that the view is so astonishing that I can hardly describe it with my limited English. You must visit this place yourself.
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Price per night from:PHP 18,473
Posted on Jun 18, 2026
Hotel Reviewer/Influencerfirst is the floor, it is sticky, it is sticky in the room and also at the gathering or public area where we take our meals. Next is the issue with the toilet, the shower head is broken, it's leaking and the water is too strong and thin, it is hurting me when i try to bathe. Thirdly, the floor mat is dirty and too thin, it is not absorbing water as it should. Fourth, the floor also has a lot of dust and sand. Fifth, the hotel does not have enough electrical plug, we only have two plugs and it is on the most left of the bed, it is better if it is in the middle of both beds. Sixth, the air conditioner is too weak for a room with 3 people, it is hot even at night. Seventh, the music is too loud, i cannot even rest properly at night, you can prepare earplugs at least. Eighth, the gathering or public area is too hot because there is no fan, please prepare some ceiling fans so guests can dine properly. Ninth, should have a table for a big room at least. the floor is wide enough, but it is so dirty that we do not dare to sit on the floor to play games or cards, we also do not want to play games or cards at the gathering or public area because it is too hot and loud. Tenth, rubbish in the sea or hotel area, i saw a huge pile of rubbish such as bottled water, food container, plastic bag just floating in the sea in the resort.
Here are some good things about the hotel, first, very nice scenery, the water is nice and clean in the morning. Secondly, the balcony area for each room is nice because we can look at the scenery while sitting on the chair and resting. Thirdly, the staff is very friendly and very responsible, they do their work fast, they carry our luggage, refill food fast, and are very nice. Fourthly, the overall atmosphere of the hotel is very comfortable. Fifth, the food is ok, breakfast is ok, it is not the best but it is edible, the dinner is the best, and the seafood is a very nice touch. Sixth, we can dry our wet cloth on the balcony too.
Overall i give it a 2 out of 5 stars. The price of your hotel does not match the pros and cons of your hotel. I would not want to stay in the hotel another day if the problems still stay the same. Please do your best to improve better.
This is my honest review as a Malaysian.
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Price per night from:PHP 18,897
Posted on May 27, 2026
GZxiaokengThe Kapalai Dive Resort in Semporna is an absolutely worthwhile island getaway experience, exceeding all expectations for my stay. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a slow-paced island vacation with water activities and relaxation.
Getting there is easy: you take a dedicated speedboat from the Semporna town jetty, which takes about an hour. Along the way, you can enjoy the vast blue sea and sky, watching the water change from a murky near-shore to a clear, Tiffany blue. The scenery is delightful, making the journey anything but boring. The entire check-in process upon arrival at the island was smooth, with staff helping to transfer luggage so I didn't have to worry about carrying it myself. Both getting on and off the boat were hassle-free.
The resort is built within a marine ecological conservation area, and the marine ecosystem is very well protected, without excessive development. The water is crystal clear, and the underwater environment is perfectly preserved. The entire sea area boasts excellent visibility, allowing you to encounter large schools of fish, starfish, and various tropical fish just by stepping out into the sea – no need to venture far! A casual snorkel yields endless surprises, and the pristine marine atmosphere is simply incredible.
The resort operates on an all-inclusive basis, covering all accommodation and meals, so there's no need for extra spending once you're on the island, which made planning the trip incredibly convenient. Three meals a day are consistently provided, with a rich variety of dishes that balance Southeast Asian flavors with home-style cooking. The ingredients are fresh, ensuring you can eat well and replenish energy spent on water activities. Beverages and light meals are also available, so you can grab a snack whenever you're hungry, significantly enhancing the vacation experience.
Life here is simple yet restorative, a joyful cycle every day. After waking up in the morning, I'd leisurely head to the restaurant for breakfast. After eating my fill, I'd change into swimwear and take the shuttle to the designated jetty at the dive center for snorkeling or diving, getting up close with schools of fish and embracing the ocean. After playing to my heart's content, I'd return to the overwater bungalow to rinse off and rest. After a short break, it was time for lunch and afternoon tea. Refreshed, I'd head back into the water for more fun, followed by a delicious dinner in the evening. This infinite loop of eating, going into the sea, and resting allowed me to escape the city's hustle and bustle, with no pressure to stick to a schedule, completely relaxing my mind and body.
The overwater bungalows are fully equipped, with breathtaking sea views right outside the door. You can also see a sky full of stars and colorful rainbows 🌈. The entire island is quiet and peaceful, with only the sounds of the sea breeze and waves. The pace is slow, making it perfect for both diving enthusiasts and those simply looking to completely unwind. The whole trip was easy and comfortable, a truly restorative and unforgettable island experience.
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Price per night from:PHP 21,563
Posted on Jun 4, 2026
Anonymous UserThe scenery is beautiful, surrounded by the 'jellyfish' sea. The in-room facilities are complete and kept very clean. The Xiaomi smart home system in the room is a nice touch, but it's a bit unstable. They provide life jackets and snorkel masks, so you can enjoy free snorkeling. We pre-booked the 45-minute complimentary essential oil spa, and they came to our room, which was very relaxing. My only minor complaint is that the food was the same every day and got a bit boring. If you bring your own snacks, I'd recommend not eating them in the room as it can attract bugs.
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Price per night from:PHP 35,147
Posted on May 26, 2026
Anonymous UserVery nice staff. Good location. Clean, Qiet. Peacfull. Ment to stay 2 day, but keep extending my stay. After all I stayed there week. Hostel offering transwers to the Tawau airport for 30 myr.
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Price per night from:PHP 452
Posted on Oct 12, 2025
M532750****
My stay at 'Fairy Tale Wonderland Resort' in Semporna completely exceeded my expectations. Let's start with transportation: the hotel offers a shuttle service that picks you up directly from the airport, which was a huge convenience. The driver was incredibly friendly and even gave us tips on where to exchange money and reliable dive shops.
The accommodation was fantastic. The room had wooden floors and a high ceiling, and it felt clean and dry. The bed was super soft, and the pillows weren't flat at all. The big sea turtle plushie on the bed was absolutely adorable. Both the fan and air conditioning were quiet at night, ensuring a very restful sleep. The courtyard felt like a small garden with coconut trees, flower walls, and colorful signs. It was incredibly relaxing to just sit on the woven hanging chair and zone out; every photo I took turned out beautifully.
The food deserves a special mention. For dinner, we ordered steamed crab, mantis shrimp, soy-sauce steamed fish, and a plate of water spinach. The freshness was undeniable, and the cooking was perfectly executed, bringing out the natural flavors of the seafood without being overly salty or greasy.
Overall, the hotel's attention to detail in service was excellent: convenient transfers, clean and comfortable rooms, and high-quality food. If you're looking for a relaxing holiday in Semporna, I highly recommend staying here.
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Price per night from:PHP 6,317
Posted on Jun 5, 2026
Guest UserMy Semporna trip was full of pleasant surprises, and I absolutely have to rave about the overwater villa I stayed in! 😆
Before I left, I'd only booked a standard terraced room, but to my surprise, the owner upgraded us to a private standalone villa for free when we checked in! It worked out to only about 800 yuan a night for a private sea-view villa with its own terrace – what a steal! We were grinning from ear to ear the moment we stepped inside.
Once we actually settled in, we didn't even feel like going out to sightsee. In the mornings, we'd just pull up a small chair on the terrace, feel the sea breeze, do some fishing with our feet dangling in the cool water, and just relax. It was so comfortable doing absolutely nothing. In the evenings, we'd sit on the terrace and watch the sunset paint the entire sea a fiery orange. And waking up, we'd see the sunrise emerge from the horizon right from our room. There's also a huge bathtub where you can soak and gaze at the sea – now *that's* a vacation!
I have to give a special shout-out to the butler here; they were incredibly thoughtful. When we wanted to go sea fishing, they had bait ready for us in advance. When we wanted to go into town for food and shopping, we just mentioned it and a car was arranged to pick us up very quickly, no delays at all. Plus, when you look down from the overwater villa, you can clearly see all sorts of small fish swimming around in the sea. In the mornings, we even saw little crabs 'strolling' on our terrace. Feeding the fish breadcrumbs and just leisurely passing the morning was incredibly relaxing.
This is absolutely the most satisfying overwater villa I've ever stayed in, hands down. If you're coming to Semporna, you really should consider this place! 👍
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Price per night from:PHP 3,642
Posted on Feb 22, 2026|Standard Twin
Guest User
Three days, two nights, and every day brought a new kind of 'excitement.' Day one, the air conditioning didn't work, there were tons of mosquitoes, and the shower only had cold water. The only decent thing for dinner was the fried shrimp, which disappeared in seconds, and the few other dishes available were practically snatched away. It felt like a refugee experience. Day two, we got a different room. After swimming, I went back to shower, and there was no water, then cold water, then extremely hot water, constantly cycling. The water pressure was also incredibly low; I almost lost my mind trying to rinse the shampoo out of my hair. That night, it was very windy, and there was a lot of noise outside, as if something wasn't properly secured. On the third day, as we were checking out, our luggage was mistakenly taken by a staff member and given to other guests. It was only returned after the other guests realized the error. Our luggage was perfectly fine in the restaurant; how dare you just take it away? Do you have any basic management sense? Of course, the environment is nice, that's the only highlight. Given how expensive it was during Chinese New Year, you should provide a service level that matches the price. The buffet was cafeteria-standard, and we still had to fight for food. Are you not ashamed?
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Price per night from:PHP 25,477
Posted on May 4, 2026
Xiangbaobaodechengbaobao
This overwater bungalow requires a boat transfer from Myding Lodge, which takes about 20-25 minutes. It's crucial to contact the hotel in advance to register for fixed boat transfer slots.
Before my trip, I saw quite a few negative reviews online, so my expectations weren't high. I even double-checked the exact pick-up point with the hotel multiple times. However, upon arriving at the hotel, the stunning shallow waters and coral reefs along the boardwalk immediately dispelled my initial worries. The natural scenery here is truly exceptional.
After a smooth check-in at the lobby, the staff informed us of the specific dining times for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. We then proceeded to our room.
Regarding the actual room experience: the interior tends to be stuffy, and the air conditioning unit is quite noisy. Earplugs are definitely needed for a peaceful night's sleep. The water pressure in the bathroom is low, though not as bad as some reviews claimed (like a mere trickle). However, the faucet couldn't be completely turned off at night, leading to a constant dripping sound that somewhat disturbed our rest.
Of course, the room type also had its highlights. I booked the Deluxe room, which came with lounge chairs and a popular hammock net on the balcony, perfect for relaxing in the evening. However, the hammock net was surrounded by wooden boards and nails, making it feel a bit unsafe, so we didn't dare to use it for too long. The room also had a private ladder directly into the sea, which is fantastic for guests who love to swim.
The hotel offers complimentary rental services. Snorkeling enthusiasts can borrow masks from the front desk, and kayaks are also available for free, making for an excellent water activity experience. The waters in front of the hotel lobby are rich in coral. The best time for snorkeling is between 3-4 PM daily during high tide, when you can see numerous fish and extensive coral formations, creating a breathtaking view.
During our stay, we often encountered Bajau people in small boats selling seafood. I highly recommend bargaining boldly for the best price. After a successful negotiation, you can have the hotel kitchen prepare it. On our first night, the processing fee was 10 MYR per dish, but it increased to 15 MYR on the second night. The prepared dishes were decent and satisfactory for everyday meals. The hotel's own buffet quality was rather average, and dining options would be quite limited if you didn't purchase seafood elsewhere.
Overall, the biggest advantage of this overwater bungalow is its excellent privacy. You can quietly await the sunrise in the morning and enjoy the beautiful sunset in the evening, completely undisturbed by others. It's perfectly suited for those seeking a peaceful getaway and a close connection with nature.
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Price per night from:PHP 13,457
Posted on May 5, 2026|Deluxe Double King Room (Sea View)
Guest UserThis hotel is located in Semporna town. You can buy seafood and cook it yourself in the kitchen, as it's very close to the seafood market. There's a large supermarket nearby. Downstairs is a mosque, so you'll hear prayers at fixed times every morning and evening. There's a Chinese-speaking housekeeper who is incredibly nice and helps with booking cars and shopping.
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Price per night from:PHP 2,531