Sepilok Nature Lodge

Sepilok Nature Lodge

Traveller (1223)
Room & Suite (157)
dining area and reception
Dining (80)
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About

#1 of 1 lodge in Sepilok
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Location
4.2 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
4.2 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.5 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.4 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.5 of 5 bubbles
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Hidden amongst a veritable treasure trove of tropical plants and grasses, hug trees and spectacular orchids in bloom, the quaint bungalows of the Sepilok Nature Resort are within walking distance of the world-famous Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, precious home of the last wild Orang Utans of Northern Borneo. Combining rich traditional style with contemporary luxury, Sepilok Nature Resort is the ideal starting point for most other wildife land destinations in Sabah such as the fauna rich Kinabatangan River and the surrounding Sukau area.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Parking
Free internet
Bar / lounge
Hiking
Airport transportation
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Public wifi
Restaurant
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Kids' meals
Taxi service
Concierge
Non-smoking hotel
Shared lounge / TV area
Sun terrace
Room features
Air conditioning
Private balcony
Coffee / tea maker
Refrigerator
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
2.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Family
Languages Spoken
English, Malay

Location

Jalan Sepilok, Sepilok 90000 Malaysia
4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,066 reviews
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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Nestled close to wildlife sanctuaries, Sepilok Nature Lodge is celebrated for its serene ambiance and spacious, pristine rooms, equipped with modern amenities. While some guests have pointed out the inconvenience of ongoing construction and spotty Wi-Fi, the overall cleanliness and attentive service are consistently lauded. The lodge's location earns high marks for its easy access to the orangutan and sun bear sanctuaries, enhancing the experience. Despite the basic nature of some rooms, the value is recognized, particularly in the well-priced on-site restaurant, although a few travelers mention additional taxes.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Inviting
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Well-appointed

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Detailed Reviews
Ezzaviking wrote a review Jan 2025
London, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Great experience with the family. We stayed for 2 nights. We were made to feel really welcome. The accommodation was great - better than I had expected given the location - and super close to the orangutan rehab centre, sun bears and the rainforest discovery centre. Our orangutan experience at the rehab centre was amazing, but when we went to the rainforest discovery centre, we saw a totally wild female with her 6-7 year old in tow (guess by the guide on age) and she came to about 20 ft away from us, which was incredible.

The food at the Lodge catered for every taste and is reasonably priced considering where you are. Breakfast was fruit plus a cooked breakfast which was great. Try the beef rendang for dinner - excellent. At the time of year we went, it was the rainy season, but we had relatively cool temps (27/28 degrees C) and not too humid so it was pretty comfortable. We saw relatively few mosquitos and am please to report no family encounters with any leeches. You get a huge can of mosquito spray in each room and we sprayed it around before dinner and had no problems with any mosquitos in the lodge. Bathrooms were large and all worked fine. The resort is all on boardwalks to minimise walking on the floor. It felt like you were on the edge of the rainforest rather than fully in it somehow, but it was a great experience all around.

The teenage daughters were stretched by the lack of wifi in the rooms and the fact that the lobby wifi was intermittent. Personally, it was good to cut off a bit and do some digital detox. I would recommend the Sepilok Nature Lodge for proximity to the various things to do there, and if you want to spend some time back with nature and feel a bit remote, then go for a few days. We did 2 nights prior to a trip to the Kinabatangan river and it was enough for us. I would happily go back there.
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Date of stay: January 2025
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
4.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Don't forget your ponchos and bug spray - it rains in the rainforest and insects live there.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M H wrote a review Feb 2023
Vantaa, Finland
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The staff here was really welcoming, friendly, helpful and happy. Receptionist, cleaners and restaurant workers all did their best to make our stay a pleasant experience and greeted us with a smile. They offered their trips but never pushed them too much.

The location is just perfect, because you can access the main attraction by walking. Orangutan and sunbear center are just 5 minutes walking distance away and we also visited rainforest center by walking. Rooms are surrounded by a lovely jungle-like forest and view from the restaurant is super beautiful and relaxing. There are frogs that make a noise 24/7, but that is expected since you are in the forest.

Our chalet (#11) was almost perfect for us. We could see the restaurant and even though wifi reached our room, the connection was pretty bad in the room but worked fine outside. Shower had a good water pressure and we always had warm water. Room had AC and fan. We didn’t use the AC during the night because it was pointed direct at the bed. That being said, fan was more than enough. There is also a safety box that worked fine.

The restaurant is great but the kitchen is not open all the time. The chef really knows their craft and the place served us some of the best food of our trip. The cocktails were delicious and beautiful and we liked how they added their own twist to classic cocktails. This is not the cheapest restaurant, but we felt that we get good value for the money. The waiters always had time for us and answered our questions whether it was about the food, how to say things in Malay or which reptiles live in the pond.

Receptionists helped us with all things possible and they, too, entertained us with chit-chat when we had downtime.
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Date of stay: February 2023
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Room Tip: Rooms closer to the restaurant can get a wifi in the room. Room further away might have a better...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Flyer229292 wrote a review Oct 2024
North Wales, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We stayed at the Sepilok Nature Lodge for 2 nights in October 2024. We arrived after almost 24 hours travelling and were greeted in a friendly and welcoming manner. The lodge is situated close to the orangutan and sun bear rehabilitation centres, only 2-3 minutes walk. The lodge is a series of chalets set around a central lake. The chalets are spacious and very comfortable. The restaurant serves a mixture of Malaysian and western food and was very reasonably priced.
The highlight of our trip was being told by Rul that there were wild orangutans in the resort. He allowed us amazing access to a mother and her baby. Rul was so helpful and came to find us the following day to see more orangutans in the resort.
We saw quite a lot of other wildlife, monkeys and snakes, in the resort and Rul was always available to answer our questions.
We had an amazing stay and would highly recommend the Sepilok Nature Lodge as a great place to stay.
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cat Garnett wrote a review Apr 2023
Bangkok, Thailand
4.0 of 5 bubbles
The resort is set in nature and gorgeous. The wooden walkways to the rooms had amazing trees growing onto the paths, wildlife and flowers, and view of the small lake. It was definitely on the luxurious side and the most expensive place to stay. I would recommend SNP to friends as it really is a beautiful setting. The restaurant had an OK range of food, with some vegetarian options, curries, pizzas, and a good cocktail menu. However, there could definitely be more options and bigger portion sizes for such a resort. The kitchen was open at specific times, which was fine. But while the staff were friendly, this seemed to be quite regulated and caused them hassle. The bungalows were big and comfortable. However, I was disappointed that the bath could not be used as the hot water was on a timer - such as shame, the bath looked amazing! The TV did not work in both rooms my family was staying in, and with no WiFi available in the rooms, we would have liked to watch nature documentaries in the evenings. We did see orangutans in the trees near the resort, which was incredible, and the location was ace. Overall, I would recommend this stay because the setting was beautiful, and it seemed the best option around. However, for the price paid, it seems there are a few problems which could be easily resolved to make the experience even better.
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MTL wrote a review Apr 2023
3.0 of 5 bubbles
This rating would have been higher if we hadn't had an unpleasant situation happen where we'd messaged the property about an airport transfer, and were told someone was looking into it but never got a response. At the Sandakan airport, I looked up a Grab and like others have mentioned it costs <20 MYR from there to the property. But when we arrived a driver was there who had our name on a paper, so we assumed the hotel must've booked a driver and it would be impolite to turn him away after waiting for us. He tried to charge us 160 MYR when we got to the hotel, and the staff did not offer any help with being ripped off and we ended up haggling with the driver. We were given an apology but it was an extremely frustrating situation made worse by the lack of communication on the hotel management's part. The actual hotel staff were very polite.

The villas themselves were in good condition, and they work meticulously on the garden and lake which is very nice. Wifi only worked for us in the main dining/lobby area and food is fine, as others mentioned there aren't options in Sepilok so the elevated prices are to be expected. The proximity to the Orangutan Center and Sun Bear Center is convenient. If you want to go on the night walk, inquire early or even before you arrive if only staying one night, since they shuttle you to the Rainforest Discovery Center and walks fill up the day off very quickly.
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Use Grab for transportation, it's far more transparent than dealing with hotel-arranged...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Moshidog wrote a review Feb 2023
Portland, Oregon
5.0 of 5 bubbles
As noted in our Family of Four in Malaysian Borneo & Singapore: Dec. 2022/Jan. 2023 Trip Report. SNR was our base for travels in Sabah. SNR is ~25 individual chalets in a wonderful nature preserve, anchored by a main open-aired restaurant/lounge. While we were enthralled by the wildlife of the Kinabatangan River, we also saw plenty of hornbills and other birds while just sitting on the veranda of our chalets. We’d recommend walking around the property to see its orchids. The staff are hospitable and genuinely helpful. We became friendly with “Rul”who was gregarious and fun, and a great source of knowledge and travel ‘hacks’ about the surrounding area. We felt the SNR restaurant to be tasty, but “safe” insofar that its dishes are geared towards tourists, so aren’t spicy or of strong flavor. As there are a few restaurants at adjacent hotels, the SNR restaurant will be your main option. The “night walk” offered by SNR, is simply a van ride over to the Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre. That said, the night walk is great and the van ride from SNR is worth the added fee of RM 20. WIFI is mainly available from the central building. The beautiful hotel rooms and its grounds; the hotel’s staff; and the 4-5 touristic sites - all within a 15 minute walk, all make SNR a great place to stay.
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Date of stay: December 2022
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Room Tip: Reliable WIFI from main building is accessible in Chalets #9 & 10.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shimmerandshine18 wrote a review Aug 2022
Luxembourg
4.0 of 5 bubbles
We were a family of 4 (2 kids of 10+12) and stayed 2 nights. The surroundings are simply stunning, there is no other word for it. The villa was ok, but it’s really a pity that they don’t cater for family of 4. Three of us shared a queen bed and it really was a bit of a squeeze, plus there was a single bed. An extra mattress on the floor would have been really appreciated. Bathroom looked new and was lovely. Room smelt very musty, not sure whether this was due to the location or the fact that it hadn’t been aired or used in a while. The restaurant has gorgeous surroundings. We had a full board meal package which included any starter, main and dessert from a la carte menu. The food was good and there was a lot of choice, with some western options too which was really appreciated by the kids. Only suggestion would be to add a cereal option for breakfast for kids. The resort is next to the orangutan and Sunbear sanctuaries so we were able to go there by foot, and witness both the morning and afternoon feeds (the latter is less crowded). Staff were very kind and attentive.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephanie178315 wrote a review Sept 2022
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
My partner and I had a fantastic time at Sepilok Nature Reserve. From the moment we arrived, the staff were so friendly and helpful.
The Bistro Restaurant served a great range of food and the food was all super tasty.
It was lovely to sit out on the terrace, with a G&T or one of the resorts signature cocktails and just listen to the sounds of nature.
The room was spacious, clean and comfortable- the hammock was a nice touch too.
We arranged our own transport to the resort, via Grab, we just connected to the free wifi at the airport and it was only 20MYR- we took a note of the drivers number and WhatsApp’d him throughout our stay to arrange taxis to the Labuk Bay sanctuary, Sandakan and to the airport.
We would highly recommend staying at Sepilok Nature Resort.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jan59Essex wrote a review Sept 2024
essex
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We arrived around 2.30 pm and spent a pleasant afternoon on loungers overlooking the lake. Our room was quite large, bed and pillows comfortable. You do need to take care on the wooden walkways because they are uneven in places & the odd tree root has grown through, but we’re mid-late 60’s with dodgy knees, and we never had a problem. Food was fine & there’s a small bar serving cocktails, beer etc. One thing we found odd was that they serve food from7-9pm, but both nights they wanted you to place last orders at 8.30. We were there at the start of the Malaysian bank holiday and there didn’t appear to be any management around - perhaps that was why!
The resort is 5 minutes drive from Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, and the sun bear sanctuary which both are musts, plus close to the Proboscis monkey sanctuary, also a must.
The highlight of our stay here, though, has to be spotting wild orangutans both evenings, around 5.45, on our way back to our chalet. A true privilege, especially as we didn’t see them on the next part of our trip down the Kinubitangan River.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mayank wrote a review Apr 2024
London, United Kingdom
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This is by far the best hotel in Sepilok and you can see why! The grounds are stunning and really well maintained. The rooms were the biggest, cleanest and comfiest out of all our stays in Borneo. The restaurant food was good especially the French toast for breakfast. The cocktails were even better. The hotel is in a great location for the Orangutan and Sun bear sanctuaries and only a 10 min walk from the RDC. The hotel staff are very friendly and hospitable even helping us book a last minute taxi to the airport when we couldn’t find a Grab. I would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone looking to stay in Sepilok. We wish we had spent 2 nights here instead of 1 but the hotel books out quickly !
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Date of stay: March 2024
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arif N asked a question Nov 2024
Pontianak, Indonesia
Is this include free breakfast?
CC asked a question Oct 2024
Sydney, Australia4 contributions
Are there laundry facilities here? How much does it cost? Thank you!
sunseeker asked a question Nov 2023
Hertfordshire, United Kingdom57 contributions7 helpful votes
Are there leeches? Will we need leech socks?
Answer from MADABOUTANIMALS
Borehamwood, United Kingdom403 contributions103 helpful votes
We never came across any and weren’t warned about their possible presence - so I would say no.
Julie C asked a question Sept 2023
1 contribution
When will rooms for March 2024 be released please?
Answer from Helen T
223 contributions107 helpful votes
I’m sorry but the only people that could possibly answer that would be the business.
Ezzaviking wrote a tip Jan 2025
London, United Kingdom7 contributions1 helpful vote
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Don't forget your ponchos and bug spray - it rains in the rainforest and insects live there."
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Daniel G wrote a tip Nov 2024
5 contributions2 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Taxis can ask for more money as it's so remote so maybe ask the hotel to collect you"
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Trvlguy88 wrote a tip Sept 2024
Roseville, California32 contributions5 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"Current Construction noise could be off putting. "
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Keith B wrote a tip Aug 2024
Weybread, United Kingdom343 contributions149 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Avoid mornings if you can but yours mostly come then"
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Kev sullivan wrote a tip Aug 2024
Maidstone, United Kingdom36 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
"Avoid if not physically active"
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Not the right property for you?
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PRICE RANGE
RM 217 - RM 493 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
sepilok nature hotel sepilok
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Sepilok Nature Resort
LOCATION
MalaysiaSabahSandakan DivisionSepilok
NUMBER OF ROOMS
23
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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SEPILOK NATURE LODGE (R̶M̶ ̶4̶8̶7̶) RM 219: UPDATED 2025 Hotel Reviews, Price Comparison and 1,248 Photos - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Sepilok Nature Lodge
Which popular attractions are close to Sepilok Nature Lodge?
Nearby attractions include Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (0.3 km), Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) (1.2 km), and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (0.3 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Sepilok Nature Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at Sepilok Nature Lodge?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and complimentary tea during their stay.
Is parking available at Sepilok Nature Lodge?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Sepilok Nature Lodge?
Conveniently located restaurants include The Lake Bistro and Bar, White House Bistro, and Banana Cafe.
Does Sepilok Nature Lodge have airport transportation?
Yes, Sepilok Nature Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Is Sepilok Nature Lodge located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.7 km away from the centre of Sepilok.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Sepilok Nature Lodge?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Malay.
Does Sepilok Nature Lodge have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the park view available here.
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