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#2 of 2 hotels in Pulau Mabul
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MABUL WATER BUNGALOW completed in 2005, is a new floating dive resort wholly owned by Sipadan-Mabul Resort (Sabah) Sdn. Bhd. (SMART). It's situated at Mabul Island overlooking the world-known Sipadan Island which is 15-minutes away by speedboat. These wooden-type bungalows are made up of 16 units and 5 exclusive units of suite type villas, entirely built over water with stilts offering sheer comfort, which can accommodate up to 42 guests at any one time.
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Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Free breakfast
Diving
Airport transportation
Spa
Non-smoking hotel
Laundry service
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
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Air conditioning
Private balcony
Minibar
Flatscreen TV
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Ocean view
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I won’t totally slam MBW because ultimately we enjoyed ourselves. But we won’t be returning. The positive aspects first. We went there to dive and the dive crew were fantastic - particularly Arif and Fahad - and it was fun to spend a week with all the crew. The hotel staff were charming and the senior members were very friendly and efficient. Sadly that’s where the positives end. We decided to pay (a lot of) extra money to treat ourselves to the “luxury” of MBW and we naturally had high expectations. What a disappointment. The accommodation - which wasn’t actually a water bungalow, we were put in a villa on the island, 8 minutes walk to the hotel facilities - is 3-star at best. The food is shockingly atrocious. The only upside was that I lost some weight. What you are not told amongst the glossy pics that lure you in to treat yourself to something that promises to be a magical experience is that hordes of Chinese day-trippers come every day and swarm over the resort. For about 5 hours a day the resort erupts into a frenzy of selfie-snappers and rampaging kids. Mayhem. As for the diving - other than Sipadan - this too failed to live up to the hype. To go to Sipadan you have to pay £80 additional to your already expensive dive package. And if you want to go a second time that’ll be £130 per person thank you very much! The diving at Sipadan is the best we’ve ever experienced but we hate being ripped off so we only went there once. The rest of the diving was meh! In conclusion, the staff and the people we met made it an enjoyable week, but MWB is over-priced and over-hyped and that’s a shame as it could be wonderful.…
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Room Tip: Over-priced, overcrowded with day-trippers and appalling food.
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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.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Kyna our dive master was just amazing! She was a lot of fun and super sweet, and we did great dives with her. She really made the experience for us. The resort itself was stunning, we didn’t wanna leave! Everything was clean and great condition. The whole staff working there is just incredible. We will 100% be back.
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip 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.
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We stay at this beautiful resorts for 2 nights under a tour package. The water bungalows are not cheap. The room is beautful and we love the balcony where we can watch the sea turles swimming at night. The kids will paddle their boats up to your balcony to sell their coconuts, 5.00 each. I wish I had brough enough goodies for them. When I drop the hotel coffee packs, sugar, toothbrush in a recycle bag for them, they instantly open the sugar pack n swallow all up, wish I bring lots of sweets for them. Do bring to cheer those poor kids if you do come. The breakfast, lunch n dinner are very good, more than enough for hotel guests. If you are going for snorkelling trips, they can provide the gears at a rental fee of 21.00 if you didnt have. The room is very comfort, they have a bucket in case you need to rinse your dirty clothings n a wooden hanger at the balcony where you can dry your wet clothing, very useful…
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Date of stay: May 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.
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5 star pricing but 1 star service level. A total of 11pax of us staying at the resort, with some in water bungalow and some in the villa. Once we arrive, they serve us drinks and towel, and gave briefing on the resort. However it went downhill during lunch. The lunch menu was limited (probably, 2 carbo and 2 meat and 1 vege and soup with fruits and cakes), which we didnt mind, however the food was insufficient. We have to 'fight' for food, and everything in the buffet line was clean up very quickly but the refills were super slow. Even thought lunch is from 12pm to 2pm, at 1pm, there is hardly any food left, unless you are ok with just rice. Also, their culteries are also limited, so you might just eat with your hands. Similarly, during dinner, which is from 7-9pm, at 8pm food were finish. A tour member left her handbag at the toilet and later, when she recovered her handbag, all the money in her wallet was missing. Reported the incident to the management but they gave a no care attitude and nothing was done to ensure that these incidents to be minimised in future. So those who is visiting there, please please be mindful of your belongings. Rooms are spacious and comes with a separate veranda, which is very instagramable. However, toilets does not justify the room and price. The shower for water bungalow are unsightly. The toilet bowl flushing is not working well. Water pressures are not consistent, sometimes big sometimes small. Another issue is when the glass table in the villa, suddenly broke when we put hot water on the table. It is a safety hazard and one of my friend was injured by the glass. When we made a report to the management, again the no care attitude. They sent someone to have a look and didnt even apologize nor ask about the well being of my friend. They also never mention about any penalty for the broken glass table. When we checked out, they charged us a penalty for the broken table. There were also renovations works carried out next to the villa. While there were notice stating that the reno work were from 9am to 4pm, at 8pm when my friend wanted to use the room jacuzzi, reno work next door were still ongoing. As my friends are ladies, they are worried about their safety so they are not able to enjoy the outdoor jacuzzi in their room. Overall, an overpriced resort with no or limited hospitality training. Apart from the clear waterwhich you are able to experience when you take any island hopping excursion amd some instagrammable spot, nothing much is praisable. Your money might be better spent doing a day excursion instead of staying in the resort.…
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
1 Helpful vote
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+1
As not staying there, just to use the facilities and place to eat before go for our diving at Mabul and Kapalai. Need to pay $30 ringgit each person which not includes in tour packages. Taking pictures and toilets break. If you don't want pay just stay on boat or go main island while waiting for your group back for lunch. Snorkling just below the Mabul resort with artificial collected square corals barge below. Colourful fish. Buy seafood here. Bargain hard. Great price for 2 live lobsters with 2 Sea Crabs $150 ringgit.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
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.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Had the pleasure spending two nights at this beautiful facility on the western most part of the Celebes Sea. Faster by 20 minutes during high tide from Semporna, Sabah Malaysia. Otherwise about 50 minutes by 500 HP speed boat. Our dinner was under the full moon light that was also reflecting on the calm sea. Tuna sashimi was the star of the sumptuous dinner ending with Messrs. Johnie Walker with the 21 carved on the bottle. We could almost touch the plentiful and colorful fish during our snorkeling trips. Found a few turtles among the corals too. Surprisingly clear water for me ,a first time snorkeling buff ( Golf my main activity). Made me hungry very fast so the warm drinks in between snorkeling was very welcomed. Our villa's living room had see thru glass floors in between the wooden ones. The white sand sea bed clearly visible. Did not have time to use the jacuzzi at the villa's spacious balcony looking at the sunset. We observed the sunset from the furthest end of the facility. Picture included. A return to this place is a must...…
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Date of stay: March 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.
1 Helpful vote
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+1
We came here to dive in one of the world’s most famous dive sites: Sipadan. No question Sipadan is a diver‘s dream come true! For the resort we should have opted for another stay. No doubt that this resort is well known for its luxurious accommodation but that’s basically all it has to offer. Yes, the rooms are clean and the resort is well kept and tidy. On the other hand don’t expect your money‘s worth in return. Concerning the food I must say it was nothing special and we expected far more for 6800 RM p.p. (being the low season) for a 5 night stay. Although I believe the chefs did their best the food quality itself is mediocre. There was little variation and everything seemed pretty much counted. The staff is doing their job but don’t seem to be actually enjoying it. Sometimes they wouldn’t even say hi. The most annoying part though was the fact that employees seemed to be on their smartphone constantly sitting next to a huge fan in the middle of the dining room next to the buffet and hardly moving from there. Funnily we saw them opening the buffet at lunch for them selves and I felt a little uncomfortable asking for their attendance since I didn’t want to disturb their meal. Another thing was that there is WiFi/Internet in the room (provided by a very slow 3G SIM) and we were told there was no signal due to a non functioning signal tower. So there was no Internet at all in the room. For 11 RM I purchased a 4G SIM in the village that didn’t seem to have any problem with the signal. And as mentioned before, employees‘ smartphones didn’t seem to have either. On asking if we could access the resorts WiFi we were declined. The staff seemed so busy on social media that I put back the plates and dishes myself, what didn’t seem to bother them at all. When you take a coke from the fridge you have to pay 8 RM and only at the 3rd day I was asked if I would like some ice with it (remember this is a 4 star resort). The staff in the spa though are refreshingly kind and can provide a really relaxing and nice treatment. Thank you for that. We were very thankful (due to the low season) to have gotten the chance to dive at Sipadan 3 days in a row with very kind and experienced dive guides and very friendly staff on the boat. So after all I enjoyed the diving a lot but I know that next time I will stay somewhere else and not at the mabul water resort again. …
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Travelled solo
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.
6 Helpful votes
Helpful
+1
My wife and I came from an already amazing Orangutan Rainforest safari and wanted to spend some time to relax and scuba dive at the end of the holiday. After a day of settling in, a very extended showing around of the island and it’s facilities we were quite impressed. Despite the clear and at times overwhelming number of people, the service team (some lovely ladies) and the dive team made it an unforgettable stay. We have eaten great food and sometimes though we get special treatment. The dive sites were just amazing - after not knowing what to expect - we were blown away. Lots of turtles who seemed not to be afraid, barracuda schools, tons of beautiful fish, reefs, etc. The unlimited diving was a real joy with small groups and good boat and dive guides. At times the boat ride can be quite bumpy (don’t forget medicine against seasickness). Overall, truly and no doubt on of the best dive site(s) in the world (Sipadan Island among others). Worth a visit.…
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Date of stay: August 2019Trip 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.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
+1
Excellent hotel for divers, located on the coast of the island of Mabul. The design of the hotel is rather a feeling that you are in China. One of the few licensed diving hotels on Sipadan. Good bungalows. The service is pretty simple. Basically, all the dishes in the restaurant, Chinese cuisine. By the way, the hotel guests are mostly Chinese citizens. However, diving on Sipadan is worth it all!
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Date of stay: October 2019
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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.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
From the moment the boat arrives at Mabul Water Bungalows, you know you are at a special place. Attention has been given to plants, planters, lighting, and architecture itself. This is obvious from the number of people taking photos and selfies at every turn. Teh view from the rooms is of sea stars, rays, birds, fish, and boats. The dive personnel and other staff stop at nothing to make your stay fabulous and always have a smile. I’d go back in a minute!
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Date of stay: October 2019Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
1 Helpful vote
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ALSO KNOWN AS
mabul water bungalows hotel pulau sipadan, mabul water hotel, mabul water resort
LOCATION
MalaysiaSabahSemporna DistrictPulau Mabul
NUMBER OF ROOMS
21
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Claim Your ListingMABUL WATER BUNGALOWS: UPDATED 2023 Resort Reviews and 359 Photos (Pulau Mabul) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Mabul Water Bungalows
What are some of the property amenities at Mabul Water Bungalows?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Mabul Water Bungalows?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at Mabul Water Bungalows?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Does Mabul Water Bungalows have airport transportation?
Yes, Mabul Water Bungalows offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Is Mabul Water Bungalows located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.6 km away from the centre of Pulau Mabul.
Does Mabul Water Bungalows have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.