Our top 10 places to stay in and around Sandakan
Midrange at flashpacker rates
If you don’t mind a short trek into the city centre, then Sanbay Hotel offers spacious good value style at a flashpacker rate.
About two kilometres west of the city centre, the hotel takes up a standalone four-storey block. Interior styling is a little antiquated, and bland, but perfectly pleasant.
Air-con rooms are clean and orderly, with plenty of amenities including a large flatscreen TV, tea-making facilities, a minibar and free WiFi. Beds are comfy and linen is clean. Tiled modern-styled bathrooms offer hotwater showers, enjoy plenty of bench space and are spic and span. An included buffet breakfast is served in the lobby restaurant.
The hotel is well maintained and staff are competent and friendly. For travellers with their own transport, free parking is available. A free shuttle will drop you into town, but you’ll have to make your own way back. The location is really the only negative of this hotel—the outlook is carparks or rooftops, although the top floors may embrace sea glimpses, and the surrounding area is a bit desolate. We wouldn’t want to be walking around alone at night here, although it’s livelier during the day, and close enough to walk into town. Get a taxi back at night. If the position doesn’t bother you, Sanbay Hotel is an excellent value deal.
Address: Mile 1 1/2 Jalan Leila, Sandakan
T: (0892) 75000 ; F: (0892) 75575
Email: sanbay@po.jaring.my
Web: http://www.sanbay.com.my
Coordinates (for GPS): 118º6'1.51" E, 5º50'9.2" N
See position in Apple or Google Maps: Apple Maps | Google Maps
Room rates: 60 to 120 ringgit
What we were quoted as a walk-in.
| Standard double room Twin: 93 ringgit | 119 ringgit | 119 ringgit |
Reviewed by
Sally Arnold
Sally spent twelve years leading tourists around Indonesia and Malaysia where she collected a lot of stuff. She once carried a 40kg rug overland across Java. Her house has been described as a cross between a museum and a library. Fuelled by coffee, she can often be found riding her bike or petting stray cats. Sally believes travel is the key to world peace.
Our top 10 places to stay in and around Sandakan
