The Last Frontier Boutique Resort
The Last Frontier Boutique Resort
Kampung Bilit Kinabatangan River, Sandakan 90000 Malaysia
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About
5.0
#1 of 14 lodges in SandakanLocation
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The Last Frontier Resort is a unique resort in the Kinabatangan area. As the first and only, it's located on top of a 100 meter high hill with a beautiful view over the forest sanctuary and the Kinabatangan River. Our packages include accommodation, 3 meals a day and an evening river cruise. Optional we can provide jungle trekking, night river cruises and night walks in the jungle.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free breakfast
Bar / lounge
Hiking
Airport transportation
Shuttle bus service
Baggage storage
Non-smoking hotel
Restaurant
Special diet menus
Outdoor furniture
Room features
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
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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.
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Boutique
Languages Spoken
English, Chinese, Dutch, Malay
Location
Kampung Bilit Kinabatangan River, Sandakan 90000 Malaysia
Getting there
1 Restaurant
within 10 kilometers
1 Attraction
within 10 kilometers
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Detailed Reviews
We have just got back from our holiday in Malaysia and the very best part was our stay at The Last Frontier. We should have been a family of 6, but in the end only 5 of us made it. As all the other reviews have said- this is an incredible place. Yes- the stairs are hard in the heat and humidity but we knew they were there and they did set the place apart from the others. We saw everything, including elephants and a huge male orangutang just metres from us one morning over breakfast. Even on our last morning we saw a mother orangutang with twins as we walked down the stairs. Jason and Gert were great and a huge thanks to Ryan who always seemed to beat the crowds and get the best place to see the animals. I felt very looked after - thanks to the lads for showing me the way to my room each night and patiently holding torches. This was a family get together and one we will all treasure for the rest of our lives. We will be talking about it for years to come. Sorry about the stairs! 😀
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Date of stay: May 2024
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.
Our stay at The Last Frontier was simply amazing. Unique location, wonderful hosts, amazing food and very clean and comfortable rooms. Jason and Gert and their crew really go the extra mile to make your stay unforgettable. I highly recommend a stay here.
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Date of stay: September 2020
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.
Most of the reviews have already covered how good the resort was so I won't go into too much detail. My wife and I stayed for two nights and did the usual river trips and got to see most of the wildlife apart from the elephants. We did see an orangutan in the distance but it was still wonderful to see it in the wild.
All the staff were wonderful but with a special mention to Jason who was so informative and helpful. Gerd and Jason have a wonderful location for their tours and we couldn't fault the stay. Many thanks to Ryan for the river tours.
All the staff were wonderful but with a special mention to Jason who was so informative and helpful. Gerd and Jason have a wonderful location for their tours and we couldn't fault the stay. Many thanks to Ryan for the river tours.
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Date of stay: April 2024
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.
This place is amazing! We had such a nice stay at the resort. The place with jungle and river view, the super nice room (with hot!!! shower), the amazing staff, the food —> Everything is perfect. It really made us feel zo zen and relaxed whilst enjoying Sabah’s nature. We would say it’s a must go when in Borneo.
We are a couple, but we could also imagine it is a very cool place for nature/adventure loving kids.
Dear Gert, Jason and team - thanks for the lovely stay and making us feel at home far away from home. Wish you all the best!
We are a couple, but we could also imagine it is a very cool place for nature/adventure loving kids.
Dear Gert, Jason and team - thanks for the lovely stay and making us feel at home far away from home. Wish you all the best!
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Date of stay: October 2022
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.
The whole experience was amazing. On the river cruise we saw a lots of animales including Big five of Borneo. Our guide was brilliant and facilitated all of our requests. Also the accomodation and food was perfect. Absolutely worth of those steps.
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Date of stay: September 2024
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
It’s truly difficult to know where to start with our hosts and their accommodation but we’ll give it a go!!!
Myself, Wife and Daughter (15) booked to stay 20th and 21st August. The booking process and communication was exceptional from the start! All our questions and concerns were promptly answered and addressed.
We had arrived in Sandakan late in the evening of the 19th having stayed at the Four Points Sheraton. The following morning, and as arranged, we were picked up by Gert from reception. During our initial journey Gert proceeded to advise that we would be collecting 3 additional couples and then during the journey also explained, in detail, what events and activities were scheduled for the following 2/3 days!
Upon collecting the renaming guests we were introduced to one and other and then began the journey to Bilit (The Village of the Lodge). This journey is a pleasant one, takes around 1 1/2 - 2hrs depending on the traffic and included a short convenience / coffee break.
During the journey and something I would strongly recommend you do is talk to Jason (He was astonishing throughout)!
Prior to arriving at the lodge I would recommend, if you’ve not already been advised/told, that you sort out your clothes etc for only the essentials you will need for the duration of your stay (essential clothing / attire below).
The climb.....yes it is circa 600 steps, yes it’s humid, yes it’s hot and yes YOU ARE IN THE JUNGLE :) the climb to the top is a challenge but it’s great exercise and fun all at the same time.....I personally found it a lot easier to do bare foot! And yes was sweating (wet through) when I reached the top!
You’re welcomed by a cold drink and shortly afterward shown to your room(s) where you can settle in to before having a light and lovely lunch after which you’re advised what time you need to be ready for the evenings boat ride (The Activities below).
We only usually saw Jason during meal and down time.....not to say that he was sitting with his feet up (😉) in fact far from it......he was prepping the restaurant for our meal time and cooking with the other chaps at the lodge!
After our meals we sat playing UNO (card game) chatting to Jason and the other guest, who were all fantastic! And taking in the sublime views of the rainforest. We had a few soft and alcoholic drinks (which are all reasonably priced)
The Activities
1st afternoon activity - We all met at the top of the steps, around 15:30, before descending down the steps, through a small rough area, into the local village and then on to the boat! Our capital was Rodell, a smashing chap from the Philippines who has a wife and 18mth old back at home. He was absolutely exceptional throughout and took us on all of the boat tips.....his knowledge and eye for spotting the wildlife is utterly unbelievable.....how he spotted some of the snakes and lizards was beyond me!!!
During our initial trip we were fortunate enough to spot a crocodile (very briefly), all the main monkeys, loads of amazing birds and beautifully stunning views of the Kinabatang River!
We then ventured back to jetty, back up the steps (great workout again) and readied ourselves for the evening meal!
1st Mornings activity - We were up early, around 07:00, and after our delicious breakfast we headed in to the rainforest and began our climb to the highest point in the region/area, around 09:00. It was a fun but demanding climb yet at the same time rewarding and achievable for all levels of fitness! We were fortunate enough to see a small pack of Silver Leaf monkeys which were tremendous but the views......and again the knowledge of Rodell made it all the more special!
1st Day Downtime - before and after lunch! A great opportunity to take in more of your surroundings and get to know the guests or perhaps even a little nap :)
1st Evenings Boat Trip - Again
We followed the same route down to the jetty and all hopped on to the boat! The weather, was again, beautiful and as soon as you set off the breeze helped to cool you down and dry you up a little (much needed in my case). We were all desperate to try and spot an Orangutans, elephant or Crocodiles and believe me Rodell did absolutely everything he could to try and spot/find some.....he even took us along a section off the main river which he was unsure we’d be able to travel through as the water level was low....fortunately we made it but in the end the crocs, elephants and Orangutans were all hiding......it’s fair to say that everyone really wants to see the three BIG ONES.....but that aside you don’t end up disappointed, in fact far from it! Mainly because the journey along the river, the monkeys and our guide were exceptional and made every moment super special!
THE FOOD.......Well It was fantastic!
Welcome Meal - A light, but plentiful, spaghetti bolignase bolognese was fresh, tasty and just right to see us through to the evening meal!
1st Breakfast - We were presented with pancakes, bananas, fresh cream and a sweet toffee sauce.....you might want to consider that all the meals have all been really well thought out for the types of activities that you undertake......energy and slow release carbs! In addition when our daughters breakfast it arrived with her name written in pancake batter and lightly fried.......a lovely heartfelt touch.
1st Evening Meal - We started with corn soup and garlic bread! Then followed a traditional Malaysian rice dish (radang) which again was freshly prepared and super tasty.
This was followed by water melon and then some Duran as Jason had picked up one of these up....An interesting fruit this 🤣
2nd Days Lunch - Nasi Lemak which was home made and super delicious.
2nd Days Evening Meal - Starting again with Corn Soup (delicious and home made) and Garlic Bread followed by Chicken roulade, mashed potatoes and cauliflower.......again all home made and deliciously flavoursome! This was followed be water mellow :)
3rd Breakfast - We has poached eggs, toast and sausage roll! It was really pleasing to be given the choice of eggs!
ESSENTIAL CLOTHING / ATTIRE:
1st evening boat trip required flip flops / slippers, light T-shirt and shorts for the walk up/down and the boat ride! You will also need a waterproof jacket/poncho, torch (phone camera light is good enough), water (use theirs from the natural spring) and insect/mozzie repellent.
Evening meal - something light/loose fitting
2nd day/1st morning - you’ll be hiking so suitable footwear, walking/long socks and long trousers / leggings that ideally you can tuck into your socks.... a light top is also a good ideal and persons something to dab you forehead with as it’s a hefty climb!
2nd day/2nd afternoon - same as first day
3 and final morning something light to travel back in!
was
Natural Spring
Being from the UK we are always advised not to drink water from a tap abroad and the same applies here however if you take a couple of of empty plastic/reusable bottles the guys will fill them from their natural spring......this is natural spring which is filtered three times and then boiled and is perfectly safe to consume.....we drank loads of it throughout the whole of our stay and had NO ISSUES at all!
Jason - I couldn’t write a review of The Last Frontier without a special mention for Jason! His attentiveness, knowledge, experiences, food and all round nature is truly admirable and something more people should aspire towards! His passion not only for his guests but the wider community, with consideration and emphasis on the environmental factors affecting, not only Bilit, Borneo and Malaysia but the entire planet is something that we can all learn from! Overall Jason you made our stay incredible and we hope....and expect to return to see you in the future!
Overall this is, by far, one of the best places that we, as a family, have ever stayed! There are no negatives and we can’t recommend The Last Frontier highly enough to ALL types and groups of travellers.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! You will be remembered fondly!
Myself, Wife and Daughter (15) booked to stay 20th and 21st August. The booking process and communication was exceptional from the start! All our questions and concerns were promptly answered and addressed.
We had arrived in Sandakan late in the evening of the 19th having stayed at the Four Points Sheraton. The following morning, and as arranged, we were picked up by Gert from reception. During our initial journey Gert proceeded to advise that we would be collecting 3 additional couples and then during the journey also explained, in detail, what events and activities were scheduled for the following 2/3 days!
Upon collecting the renaming guests we were introduced to one and other and then began the journey to Bilit (The Village of the Lodge). This journey is a pleasant one, takes around 1 1/2 - 2hrs depending on the traffic and included a short convenience / coffee break.
During the journey and something I would strongly recommend you do is talk to Jason (He was astonishing throughout)!
Prior to arriving at the lodge I would recommend, if you’ve not already been advised/told, that you sort out your clothes etc for only the essentials you will need for the duration of your stay (essential clothing / attire below).
The climb.....yes it is circa 600 steps, yes it’s humid, yes it’s hot and yes YOU ARE IN THE JUNGLE :) the climb to the top is a challenge but it’s great exercise and fun all at the same time.....I personally found it a lot easier to do bare foot! And yes was sweating (wet through) when I reached the top!
You’re welcomed by a cold drink and shortly afterward shown to your room(s) where you can settle in to before having a light and lovely lunch after which you’re advised what time you need to be ready for the evenings boat ride (The Activities below).
We only usually saw Jason during meal and down time.....not to say that he was sitting with his feet up (😉) in fact far from it......he was prepping the restaurant for our meal time and cooking with the other chaps at the lodge!
After our meals we sat playing UNO (card game) chatting to Jason and the other guest, who were all fantastic! And taking in the sublime views of the rainforest. We had a few soft and alcoholic drinks (which are all reasonably priced)
The Activities
1st afternoon activity - We all met at the top of the steps, around 15:30, before descending down the steps, through a small rough area, into the local village and then on to the boat! Our capital was Rodell, a smashing chap from the Philippines who has a wife and 18mth old back at home. He was absolutely exceptional throughout and took us on all of the boat tips.....his knowledge and eye for spotting the wildlife is utterly unbelievable.....how he spotted some of the snakes and lizards was beyond me!!!
During our initial trip we were fortunate enough to spot a crocodile (very briefly), all the main monkeys, loads of amazing birds and beautifully stunning views of the Kinabatang River!
We then ventured back to jetty, back up the steps (great workout again) and readied ourselves for the evening meal!
1st Mornings activity - We were up early, around 07:00, and after our delicious breakfast we headed in to the rainforest and began our climb to the highest point in the region/area, around 09:00. It was a fun but demanding climb yet at the same time rewarding and achievable for all levels of fitness! We were fortunate enough to see a small pack of Silver Leaf monkeys which were tremendous but the views......and again the knowledge of Rodell made it all the more special!
1st Day Downtime - before and after lunch! A great opportunity to take in more of your surroundings and get to know the guests or perhaps even a little nap :)
1st Evenings Boat Trip - Again
We followed the same route down to the jetty and all hopped on to the boat! The weather, was again, beautiful and as soon as you set off the breeze helped to cool you down and dry you up a little (much needed in my case). We were all desperate to try and spot an Orangutans, elephant or Crocodiles and believe me Rodell did absolutely everything he could to try and spot/find some.....he even took us along a section off the main river which he was unsure we’d be able to travel through as the water level was low....fortunately we made it but in the end the crocs, elephants and Orangutans were all hiding......it’s fair to say that everyone really wants to see the three BIG ONES.....but that aside you don’t end up disappointed, in fact far from it! Mainly because the journey along the river, the monkeys and our guide were exceptional and made every moment super special!
THE FOOD.......Well It was fantastic!
Welcome Meal - A light, but plentiful, spaghetti bolignase bolognese was fresh, tasty and just right to see us through to the evening meal!
1st Breakfast - We were presented with pancakes, bananas, fresh cream and a sweet toffee sauce.....you might want to consider that all the meals have all been really well thought out for the types of activities that you undertake......energy and slow release carbs! In addition when our daughters breakfast it arrived with her name written in pancake batter and lightly fried.......a lovely heartfelt touch.
1st Evening Meal - We started with corn soup and garlic bread! Then followed a traditional Malaysian rice dish (radang) which again was freshly prepared and super tasty.
This was followed by water melon and then some Duran as Jason had picked up one of these up....An interesting fruit this 🤣
2nd Days Lunch - Nasi Lemak which was home made and super delicious.
2nd Days Evening Meal - Starting again with Corn Soup (delicious and home made) and Garlic Bread followed by Chicken roulade, mashed potatoes and cauliflower.......again all home made and deliciously flavoursome! This was followed be water mellow :)
3rd Breakfast - We has poached eggs, toast and sausage roll! It was really pleasing to be given the choice of eggs!
ESSENTIAL CLOTHING / ATTIRE:
1st evening boat trip required flip flops / slippers, light T-shirt and shorts for the walk up/down and the boat ride! You will also need a waterproof jacket/poncho, torch (phone camera light is good enough), water (use theirs from the natural spring) and insect/mozzie repellent.
Evening meal - something light/loose fitting
2nd day/1st morning - you’ll be hiking so suitable footwear, walking/long socks and long trousers / leggings that ideally you can tuck into your socks.... a light top is also a good ideal and persons something to dab you forehead with as it’s a hefty climb!
2nd day/2nd afternoon - same as first day
3 and final morning something light to travel back in!
was
Natural Spring
Being from the UK we are always advised not to drink water from a tap abroad and the same applies here however if you take a couple of of empty plastic/reusable bottles the guys will fill them from their natural spring......this is natural spring which is filtered three times and then boiled and is perfectly safe to consume.....we drank loads of it throughout the whole of our stay and had NO ISSUES at all!
Jason - I couldn’t write a review of The Last Frontier without a special mention for Jason! His attentiveness, knowledge, experiences, food and all round nature is truly admirable and something more people should aspire towards! His passion not only for his guests but the wider community, with consideration and emphasis on the environmental factors affecting, not only Bilit, Borneo and Malaysia but the entire planet is something that we can all learn from! Overall Jason you made our stay incredible and we hope....and expect to return to see you in the future!
Overall this is, by far, one of the best places that we, as a family, have ever stayed! There are no negatives and we can’t recommend The Last Frontier highly enough to ALL types and groups of travellers.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! You will be remembered fondly!
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Date of stay: August 2019
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.
Visiting this area and taking cruises on the river is an amazing experience that you won't forget and this is the best place to stay. We absolutely love Gert and Jason and what they have managed to do. We keep coming back and sending family and friends here.
The rooms are good with fans, great bathrooms and an amazing setting and views. The food is spectacular and Gert and Jason are great, helpful and friendly hosts that will try to do whatever they can for their guests. They also care a lot about the environment they are in and work to protect it. The guided tours on the river and in the jungle are great - extremely well informed guides who spot animals that we would never have noticed ourselves.
We have also sent my boyfriend's mother and her girlfriend here and they absolutely loved it. The girldfriend is a little more high maintenance, but Gert and Jason made them both very comfortable and happy and they're still talking about their amazing adventure and how great hosts they were.
The stairs to get there are aplenty so pack as lightly as possible and wear good, cool shoes. Don't worry about it being taxing, you can always take a break and admire the jungle while catching your breath.
Don't miss the morning boat cruise, it is well worth the extra money (the afternoon cruise and morning jungle walk are included in the price) as you will spot other animals such as a lot of crocs. Sometimes it takes a while for them to reply to e-mails, but bear in mind that they live in the middle of the jungle with flooding and limited internet access and wait it out - it's absolutely worth it.
We highly recommend staying here and we will be back!
The rooms are good with fans, great bathrooms and an amazing setting and views. The food is spectacular and Gert and Jason are great, helpful and friendly hosts that will try to do whatever they can for their guests. They also care a lot about the environment they are in and work to protect it. The guided tours on the river and in the jungle are great - extremely well informed guides who spot animals that we would never have noticed ourselves.
We have also sent my boyfriend's mother and her girlfriend here and they absolutely loved it. The girldfriend is a little more high maintenance, but Gert and Jason made them both very comfortable and happy and they're still talking about their amazing adventure and how great hosts they were.
The stairs to get there are aplenty so pack as lightly as possible and wear good, cool shoes. Don't worry about it being taxing, you can always take a break and admire the jungle while catching your breath.
Don't miss the morning boat cruise, it is well worth the extra money (the afternoon cruise and morning jungle walk are included in the price) as you will spot other animals such as a lot of crocs. Sometimes it takes a while for them to reply to e-mails, but bear in mind that they live in the middle of the jungle with flooding and limited internet access and wait it out - it's absolutely worth it.
We highly recommend staying here and we will be back!
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Date of stay: May 2011
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.
From the welcoming smile to the big stair climb, this experience was phenomenal. Orangutans come right up to the dining hall!! Boars also find their way to the lodge to give us all a glimpse of life in the jungle. The food was amazing and made me forget I was actually in the jungle: I thought it was a 5 star hotel. Nights are quiet and cool and offer plenty of great sleep. Jason and his crew did a fabulous job of taking care of all the little things. This is not only a vacation, but a chance to alter your life forever with an eco experience that will help you further appreciate the diversity of life. Go back? Not a matter of "if", but "when." Thanks to you all!!
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Date of stay: September 2013
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.
My husband and I had went on the 3d2 night package and can easily say this was the high point of our time in Borneo!
We were picked up right on time by Jason for our transfers and immediately realised how friendly and professional he is! We talked lots about the region and the plight of the animals trying to survive in the shrinking jungle. It is obvious how passionately he feels about protecting the region.
The resort can be found high above the village up a steep set of stairs. Don't let this put you off, as for me it only added to the sense of escapism into nature. This has also allowed preservation of the surrounding forest and we were even lucky enough to have a close encounter with an orang-utan on the staircase in the canopy above us which was magical!
The standard of accommodation is very high given the remote location. The room featured polished wooden floors with a modern bathroom and was free from any bugs!
The wildlife spotting was fantastic. We saw many hornbills, a crocodile, proboscis monkeys in abundance, macaques, bearded pigs, kingfishers, stork, heron, monitor lizard and many weird wonderful insect species. There is plenty of down time, so bring a book or games to keep entertained!
Finally the food is plentiful, absolutely delicious and presented with pride. Visit this place and support the people who are doing the right thing and you won't be disappointed!
We were picked up right on time by Jason for our transfers and immediately realised how friendly and professional he is! We talked lots about the region and the plight of the animals trying to survive in the shrinking jungle. It is obvious how passionately he feels about protecting the region.
The resort can be found high above the village up a steep set of stairs. Don't let this put you off, as for me it only added to the sense of escapism into nature. This has also allowed preservation of the surrounding forest and we were even lucky enough to have a close encounter with an orang-utan on the staircase in the canopy above us which was magical!
The standard of accommodation is very high given the remote location. The room featured polished wooden floors with a modern bathroom and was free from any bugs!
The wildlife spotting was fantastic. We saw many hornbills, a crocodile, proboscis monkeys in abundance, macaques, bearded pigs, kingfishers, stork, heron, monitor lizard and many weird wonderful insect species. There is plenty of down time, so bring a book or games to keep entertained!
Finally the food is plentiful, absolutely delicious and presented with pride. Visit this place and support the people who are doing the right thing and you won't be disappointed!
Read more
Date of stay: June 2017
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.
We stayed here last week and have not stopped talking about it. There are not enough superlatives to describe this place and although I am reluctant to tell others about it because I do not want it to get spoilt, I feel I owe it to Jason our wonderful host to spread the word !!
Jason our host, collected us from the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary at midday and we had time to visit the Sun bear sanctuary opposite too. Two hour drive to Last Frontier filled with stories from Jason about the the birth of the Last Frontier which was Gert's dream and the trouble with the plantation owners and the politics surrounding building and managing a place in the rainforest.An education.
There is a small place at the bottom of the steps to store your heavy luggage but we travelled light with one rucksack each so climbing the 600 steps up to the resort was not too taxing. Our rooms were very clean, with ceiling fan (totally adequate for August) and hot running showers and flushable toilets and not a bug in sight !! LF only has 4 rooms so a very small which was more personal and more special. The food was excellent considering Jason does not have conventional ovens but they cater for all dietary needs. The views from the Monkey Cafe were breathtaking and various Hornbills and wild boars came feeding at night a few feet away. The trips were amazing - the first at 4pm on the 1st day up the river. This is when you realise how lucky you are to stay at Last Frontier as all the other lodges cater for the masses and each lodge has up to five long boats all cramming the river for views of the wildlife. LF has only one boat and an amazing guide who has eyes of a hawk spotting orang utans, elephants, Rhino hornbills,purple eagles, probocsis monkeys, long tail macaques etc. Our second day consisted of a rainforest trek with a guide where we spotted Orang utan nests and in the evening, another cruise, the other way up river to see crocodlies and lots more proboscis monkeys and exotic birds. We were lucky with the weather and wildlife but even luckier to spot orang utans close to the resort by the steps, a baby and mother - we were speechless.
We met a Belgium family during our stay who loved the place too and can't wait to return. We have three children 17, 12 and 10 years and all enjoyed the experience. They did not moan about the heat and slept and ate well. If you are lucky enough to go, please remember to take cash payments as they have no credit card facility and they sell soft drinks and beers and wine if you need them. Rain jackets (we didn't need them) torches and trainers or walking shoes are also a must We did not experience any trouble from locals or elsewhere. All appeared very safe..
Gert is very passionate about the rainforest and we were lucky that he shared his experiences through a slide show on the last evening and was very willing to answer questions from both adults and children. Two wonderful hosts in an idyllic place. Go stay somewhere else along the river and you will seriously miss a golden opportunity. The only place in this region, situated in a unique place, high up in the sky, looking down on this glorious earth.
Thank you Jason and Gert for such wonderful memories.
Jason our host, collected us from the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary at midday and we had time to visit the Sun bear sanctuary opposite too. Two hour drive to Last Frontier filled with stories from Jason about the the birth of the Last Frontier which was Gert's dream and the trouble with the plantation owners and the politics surrounding building and managing a place in the rainforest.An education.
There is a small place at the bottom of the steps to store your heavy luggage but we travelled light with one rucksack each so climbing the 600 steps up to the resort was not too taxing. Our rooms were very clean, with ceiling fan (totally adequate for August) and hot running showers and flushable toilets and not a bug in sight !! LF only has 4 rooms so a very small which was more personal and more special. The food was excellent considering Jason does not have conventional ovens but they cater for all dietary needs. The views from the Monkey Cafe were breathtaking and various Hornbills and wild boars came feeding at night a few feet away. The trips were amazing - the first at 4pm on the 1st day up the river. This is when you realise how lucky you are to stay at Last Frontier as all the other lodges cater for the masses and each lodge has up to five long boats all cramming the river for views of the wildlife. LF has only one boat and an amazing guide who has eyes of a hawk spotting orang utans, elephants, Rhino hornbills,purple eagles, probocsis monkeys, long tail macaques etc. Our second day consisted of a rainforest trek with a guide where we spotted Orang utan nests and in the evening, another cruise, the other way up river to see crocodlies and lots more proboscis monkeys and exotic birds. We were lucky with the weather and wildlife but even luckier to spot orang utans close to the resort by the steps, a baby and mother - we were speechless.
We met a Belgium family during our stay who loved the place too and can't wait to return. We have three children 17, 12 and 10 years and all enjoyed the experience. They did not moan about the heat and slept and ate well. If you are lucky enough to go, please remember to take cash payments as they have no credit card facility and they sell soft drinks and beers and wine if you need them. Rain jackets (we didn't need them) torches and trainers or walking shoes are also a must We did not experience any trouble from locals or elsewhere. All appeared very safe..
Gert is very passionate about the rainforest and we were lucky that he shared his experiences through a slide show on the last evening and was very willing to answer questions from both adults and children. Two wonderful hosts in an idyllic place. Go stay somewhere else along the river and you will seriously miss a golden opportunity. The only place in this region, situated in a unique place, high up in the sky, looking down on this glorious earth.
Thank you Jason and Gert for such wonderful memories.
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Date of stay: August 2014
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No it doesn't have AC,but it was not hot.They have a fan and since they are situated on a hill top,the weather is cool
For an optional morning cruise(5.15-7.45am) it's MYR 75 per person(with a minimum of 2 people)
The place is in a very remote location and off the main grid so it wouldn’t be surprising if one they lost power or secondly he might be travelling to pick guests up like ourselves that stayed recently (we were 2 hrs away from the lodge). You will need a little patience I’m afraid. Also Jason is quite philanthropic so is often away at university conferences as they are sponsoring students doing research. He a good guy and I imagine will get back to you when he can.
"Many steps to resort, bring torch & lucky poncho, 2 nights seems optimal Take binoculars & camera with decent lens, book early morning trip"Read full review
"If you have health or mobility issues, think twice before you attack the long stairs to get there "Read full review
"Bring a torch. Gert also recommends flip flops but one of us didn't have any and just used trainers and we were fine so judge for yourself"Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
RMÂ 828 - RMÂ 963 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
the last frontier boutique hotel sandakan
LOCATION
MalaysiaSabahSandakan DivisionSandakan
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
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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