Top Boutique Hotels in Borneo (2026)

Bike and Tours Bed and Breakfast is located in Lahad Datu. It features a restaurant and offers complimentary parking (upon availability) and rooms with free WiFi access. Airport pick up and drop off available upon advance request at additional fees. Each room features air conditioning, a desk and wooden flooring. Bathroom facilities are either private or shared. Guests can purchase our homemade handcrafted vegan sambals and condiments such as moringa, kampung ginger and blue pea powder made from Lahad Datu’s homegrown ingredients through good agriculture practice. Local vegetarian and vegan dinner meals from the Malaysian Kitchen available upon advance requests. Our dinner service is not available on Sundays and Mondays. Bike and Tours Bed and Breakfast is a 3 hour drive away from Semporna.

- "This guesthouse was one of the best we ever stayed in. We had a warm welcome, the place was clean, the food was amazing en we really felt like we were at home." - "Beautiful oasis 15 mins walk to the shops, restaurants and launderette. Itisha and Simon were amazing hosts and the food was the best we'd had in Malaysia. Wish we could have stayed longer." - "The owners are wonderful people. Even though we only stayed one night because we were just passing through, we had a great time. The rooms are clean, and the bathroom, even though shared, was spotless, comfortable, and spacious. We were really sorry not to stay longer and enjoy dinner, which, judging by the quality and service, must be excellent."

Featuring 4-star accommodations, The Cara Boutique Hotel is located in Kota Kinabalu, 1.5 miles from Tanjung Aru Beach and 3.4 miles from Filipino Market Sabah. The property is around a 6-minute walk from North Borneo Railway, 2.5 miles from Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village and 5.8 miles from International Technology & Commercial Center Penampang - ITCC. The hotel features a hot tub, an ATM and free WiFi. At the hotel, the rooms include a desk. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a bidet and free toiletries, all guest rooms at The Cara Boutique Hotel have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and selected rooms here will provide you with a seating area. At the accommodation all rooms come with bed linen and towels. Likas City Mosque is 6.8 miles from The Cara Boutique Hotel, while Sabah State Mosque is 1.1 miles away. The nearest airport is Kota Kinabalu International Airport, 0.6 miles from the hotel.

- "The shore room for two beds are spacious and perfect for a family! The hotel is well located in Aeropod, recent popular place for food experience with a Ramadan Bazaar right in front of the hotel. It is well appointed with amazing amenities like a coffee machine and a projector with Netflix movies. The staff are readily at hand to assist in checking in and provide immediate professional housekeeping services." - "Atmosphere" - "Comfortable, clean and safe environment"

Brunei Darussalam is located on the north coast of Borneo and is a unique kingdom rich in Malay culture, peace, and tranquility. The country's most exclusive hotel, The Empire Brunei, overlooks the South China Sea and is renowned for its warm Bruneian hospitality and extensive services. Surrounded by vast, unspoiled, tropical rain forests rich with wildlife, it is the ultimate sanctuary for relaxing in a beautiful and natural setting. The 522 rooms and suites, spread across multiple buildings, and secluded private villas are luxurious havens of spacious comfort. Within the private 180-hectare grounds, there are beaches, pools, lagoons, and a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course with panoramic sea views. The resort also offers international restaurants, a children's club, cinemas, spa, a wide range of sporting activities, and extensive function facilities. The Empire Brunei offers an unforgettable revitalizing and relaxing luxury stay. Guests of The Empire Brunei can: Stay in expansive and luxurious rooms, all with large balconies offering views over the gardens, lagoon or swimming pools. Dine at one of over a half a dozen restaurants serving local and international cuisine Swim in any one of the five pools on property. Play a round of golf at the resort's 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course. Enjoy endless activities from the relaxation of a massage to an invigorating workout, to a round of golf or a movie at the cinema. From the moment you step inside the soaring lobby with its marble pillars, gold accents, and tiger's eye inlaid, gold-plated stair rails, you know you're in for an experience like no other. The Empire Brunei's welcoming atmosphere, multiple room types, and ample event space for both weddings and business events makes this resort hotel great for any type of traveler, from an intimate couple's escape to a family-friendly weeks-long reunion.

- "An amazing experience we felt like royality" - "World class service. Very comfortable bed." - "The pool area and bar; the gym facilities; the huge perverti; the extreme nice and professional staff; the unique design of the place; the elevators; the afternoon tea option; the breakfast area and organization; the excellent therapist at the massage; the quality of the food; the activities organization." - "Great comfortable bed and big bathroom."

Facing the seafront in Kota Belud, Bigfin beach resort features a private beach area. Offering a restaurant, the property also has a garden. The property provides sea views and a terrace. At the resort, every room is fitted with a balcony that opens up to views of the sea and the mountain. A buffet breakfast is served daily at the property. Guests at Bigfin beach resort can enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking while other on-site activities includes hiking or simply lounging by the beach. Kota Kinabalu is 40 mi from the accommodations. Kota Kinabalu International Airport is 43 mi from the property.

- "I found this place magical. I felt relaxed from the moment I stepped ashore. The common area is used for all meals and is a great place to just relax and hang out. There are games and books, and tea and coffee is available to make throughout the day. The gardens are beautifully kept and there are colourful flowers attracting all kinds of butterflies and bugs. There was a tree near our cottage that seemed to be a favourite for birds, and I managed to spot many species without leaving my hammock. Each cottage seemed to have at least one hammock, and our family room had two. The cottages are at the top of a hill (note that there are a number of stairs) which means that you get a wonderful view and a lovely the sea breeze, so the absence of air-conditioning was not a problem. From our deck you could see a massive tree in the distance that towered above the rest of the canopy and monkeys returned there every evening. Take binoculars! There was a lot to do, and it is equally possible to enjoy doing nothing. My husband and son spoke very highly of the dive staff, and they were able to cater well for the different levels of experience. Our group also used the kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. We went snorkelling off the beach, but you can also take trips. The food was excellent and plentiful. The staff were super friendly and helpful."

Nestled among the natural and lush greenery of the rainforests near the border between Malaysia and Brunei, Mulu Marriott Resort is located on Melinau Paku River in Miri. The resort features a large fitness center, pool and a sauna. It is 20 minutes from the Mulu Airport by car. It is just a 5-minute drive from Gunung Mulu National Park. Mulu Marriott Resort is less than an hour's walk from the Deer and Lang Cave and a 30-minute ride to the Wind and Clearwater Caves by boat. With well-designed rooms and suites, the resort offers guests with beautiful views of the tropical rainforest and river surrounding the property from their accommodations. The guests will be provided with a mini-bar, desk and ironing facilities. Private bathrooms are equipped with showers or bathtubs, hairdryers and free toiletries. Mulu Marriott features a 24-hour front-desk that assists guests with currency exchange, concierge services, baggage storage and laundry and dry cleaning services. The location of resort offers guests with a variety of activities to engage themselves in. Guests can go fishing, hiking or cycling. Bicycles are available for rental at the resort. Other activities include cooking classes, cultural demonstrations and Mulu Park activities from rainforest hikes to the awe-inspiring Mulu Caves visit.

- "Everything was great. I can’t imagine better place. Very quiet, stuff super friendly and helpful, they make every wish come true. Food was amazing!Definitely we will come back." - "Amazing time at Mulu Marriot Resort" - "everything was good. Friendly staff, transfer to airport and national park, nice breakfasts, clean rooms." - "perfect food, perfect ambience, we are having our good time and rest from city crowds!" - "Great location, premium hotel luxury in the middle of nowhere even with a swimming pool and and a great restaurant. Would definitely come again. Compared to other Jungle Ressorts in Sabah which charge 600 Dollar plus per night really value for money"

Featuring barbecue facilities, Tajau Laut Guesthouse features accommodations in Kudat. This beachfront property offers access to a balcony and free private parking. On-site staff can arrange airport transfers. Every room is equipped with a private bathroom with a bath, while certain rooms come with sea views. At the homestay, every unit is equipped with bed linen and towels. A mini-market is available at the homestay. Sightseeing tours are available close to the property. The homestay has a picnic area where you can spend the day outdoors.

- "So far this has been the best homestay where we have been staying in Sabah. We booked for one night and ended up staying almost a week. The location is stunning, the rooms are facing a pristine ocean. We swam more than once to the reef right in front of the place. Owner and family are very friendly and they are doing so much to preserve the reef. If you have a chance make them a donation on their found, their planting corals and doing a great job. Breakfast is included and you can have coffee, tea and water all day. They also rent scooter, snorkel and fins and cook lunch and dinner for you if you want to. In this secluded place you'll find all what you need!"

The Ranee Boutique Suites is located in the heart of Kuching, a 1-minute walk from Kuching Waterfront and China Street. This stylish boutique hotel provides free WiFi throughout the building. The Ranee Suites is located a 5-minute drive from Sarawak Museum and a 5-minute boatride from The Astana Palace. Kuching International Airport is a 20-minute drive away. Spacious, air-conditioned suites each come fitted with a flat-screen cable/satellite TV, tea/coffee-making facilities, mini-bar and a personal safe. Bathrobes, slippers and a hairdryer are also provided. Some suites have a balcony. Luggage storage facilities are provided at the 24-hour front desk. Laundry service is available. Guests can enjoy a selection of local and international dishes in Mbar and Bistro. Room service is also offered.

- "Really Boutique !" - "I like the interior design concept of Ranee boutique hotel. A harmony of traditional with a touch of modernity. My room lounge was spacious, i am super delighted that the hotel go on the extra mile by introducing nespresso machine and capsule to get my day start off with a shot of espresso. There are no worries in sleeping at night in comfort knowing the A/C is functioning well and properly maintained." - "Very nice colonial style furniture, very friendly personnel and excellent location nearto the river and China town"

Sepilok Forest Edge Resort is a nature retreat in Sandakan, a 15-minute walk from the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center. Providing rooms in a natural environment, it has a plunge pool and free Wi-Fi in restaurant area. Simply furnished, the air-conditioned chalets feature wooden walls and floors. All chalets come with a private bathroom, equipped with hot-water showers. The mixed dormitory room comes with fan and shared bathroom with hot-water showers. Sepilok Forest Edge Resort is a 20-minute drive from Sandakan Airport. Free parking is available. Guests can arrange tour excursion and jungle treks at the reception. The resort also provides laundry services and foreign currency exchange. Both local and Western cuisines are served at the on-site restaurant.

- "The location and friendly staff. Within walking distance of several wildlife centres (bear, orangutan and rain forest). Other trips can be arranged by the staff. It’s not a 5 star city hotel city accommodation, but considering it’s on the edge of a rainforest, it’s dry, clean and relatively bug free. I think the owners have done an excellent job creating this facility. The staff are keen to help and their attitude goes a long way. At times you get very close to nature and wildlife of the forest, that’s a positive."

Located off the coast of Borneo on Gaya Island, Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa features spacious villas with a private balcony. The resort features an outdoor pool and 3 dining options. Free WiFi is accessible from the villas. Decorated in wooden furnishings, every villa overlooks the jungle or the South China Sea views. It is fitted with air conditioning and a 42-inch flat-screen TV. Some villas have a private plunge pool. For your comfort, the private bathroom includes luxury amenities and a shower. The Longhouse opens for daily buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pantai Restaurant & Bar offers fresh grilled seafood while The Koi Wine Cave houses a wide selection of cigars and wines. Guests can have pampering treatments at the spa or exercise at the gym. Alternatively, a wide range of outdoor activities such as kayaking, snorkeling and jungle trekking are offered. Friendly staff at 24-hour reception can assist you with luggage storage and laundry services. Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa is a 25-minute boat from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal. The nearest airport is Kota Kinabalu International Airport, a 6.8 mi drive away from the ferry terminal.

- "We loved absolutely everything. The accommodation was stunning, clean and stocked with beautiful amenities. The staff were absolutely wonderful and they couldn’t do enough for you. Everything we ate and drank was delicious too. We snorkelled in the bay and saw black tipped sharks and there’s also lots of monitor lizards around the area. Can’t rate this place enough - we didn’t want to leave!" - "The bay was beautiful it was like entering your own private paradise Service was excellent staff were happy and chatty Food was excellent Room was amazing and bed was so comfortable"

Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat features private cottages and dormitory beds in the middle of a rainforest. The hotel has a restaurant, free Wi-Fi and laundry facilities. Private rooms at Tropical Retreat Paganakan Dii come with a balcony, a fan and hammocks. They have a private bathroom and shower. The dormitory has shared bathroom facilities. Guests at the Retreat can play darts or enjoy fishing in natural surroundings. Sightseeing tours can be arranged at the travel desk, and the hotel offers assistance with car rentals. The restaurant at Tropical Retreat Dii Paganakan serves Malaysian cuisine and international dishes. Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat offers a free shuttle to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation & Rainforest Discovery Center, a 5-minute drive away.

- "The views are incredible. The location is perfect for getting to the sepilok orangutan and sunbear sanctuary. The staff are kind and the rooms are comfortable and the food is inexpensive, satisfying and quick." - "Great location situation in the middle of the jungle, really adding to the experience! It was always super easy to get breakfast, lunch and dinner with lots of tasty options, and the staff are all super friendly!" - "A genuine experience and get away from urban life. Very nicely done."