Sandakan Backpackers Hostel
Lot 108, 1st Floor, Block Sh-11, Sandakan Harbour Square, Sandakan 90000 Malaysia
Lowest prices for your stay
US$15
Free cancellation until 06/04/23
US$13
Free cancellation until 07/04/23
US$15
US$12
Free cancellation until 07/04/23
TravelocityUS$15
Expedia.comUS$15
Vio.comUS$13
View all 13 deals
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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Room & Suite (40)
Dining (16)
About
#10 of 40 Specialty lodging in Sandakan
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
New management of Sandakan Backpackers started to operate on June 2016 with the sea view on the new roof top surrounding. Come and share your adventure and travelling experience with us! Unique Borneo atmosphere and centrally located in the heart of Sandakan town, right at the WATERFRONT at Harbour Square complimented with trendy bars and bistro nearby. You will be strategically and conveniently located in close proximity to the best amenities and services the city can offer. Being small, we thrive to provide you with the best budget, clean accommodation option within the city so that you will be comfortably taken care of at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel, which doubles up as your launch pad to the treasures and beauty of Sabah, Borneo.
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Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Free breakfast
Bicycle rental
Darts
Taxi service
Rooftop terrace
24-hour security
Laundry service
Wifi
Vending machine
Board games / puzzles
BBQ facilities
Baggage storage
Non-smoking hotel
Shared bathroom
Shared kitchen
Shared lounge / TV area
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Room features
Air conditioning
Kitchenette
Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Ocean View
Charming
Languages Spoken
English, Chinese, Malay
Location
78Somewhat walkable
Grade: 78 out of 100
24Restaurantswithin 1 km
7Attractionswithin 1 km
Contact
Lot 108, 1st Floor, Block Sh-11, Sandakan Harbour Square, Sandakan 90000 Malaysia
Getting there
Car HireSee all Sandakan car hire
169Reviews2Q+A9Room tips
Reviews
Traveller rating
- 102
- 42
- 14
- 4
- 7
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Stayed here for a few days after our jungle adventures. The staff here is the kindest and most helpful we've experienced in Borneo. Great room with sea view as well for a good price. Location is good with lots of nice restaurants all around.
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Date of stay: May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from sandakanbackpackersh, Manager at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel
Responded 25 May 2017
Hello Michael, thank you for your review and amazing score for us. Your feedback and compliment are encouragement to us. Much appreciated. :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I've unfortunately forgotten the name of the incredibly helpful lady that works there. She has outstanding knowledge of Borneo and is incredibly helpful. The staff made this a great experience, they will always help you. They do not try and push expensive tours on you, they just try to make sure you have a great adventure. I made two friends at this hostel too. Of course the rooms are basic as it's a cheap hostel but it's comfortable, clean and safe. I will probably return here.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from sandakanbackpackersh, Manager at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel
Responded 25 May 2017
Hello Liam, thanks for your review and amazing score. The girl that you have unfortunately forgotten her name, fortunately still remembers yours and your new friends' (whoever that girl might be). We have enjoyed a lot having you and your two new friends around discussing on your next whereabouts, it was fun. ;) And we look forward for you to come back to Borneo to give us a visit!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stayed two nights in the double room. This is a great hostel, with super friendly staff and lots of character. They helped us book a river tour and called for reliable taxis. The place itself is charming, with a large common area, clean and comfy rooms, breakfast provided, and animal and environmental facts/into all over which I loved. Also has a cool rooftop area that looks out to the ocean. Good location near really cheap food. Only minor complaints were that the shower on the 2nd floor did not have any power at all, and the wifi wasn't great outside the common area. They have a cheap laundry service as well.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from sandakanbackpackersh, Manager at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel
Responded 25 May 2017
Thanks Cora once again for your review and amazing score. We appreciate your feedback and will improve on areas that we have lacked. ;)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amazing place! Location is really good. The staff is really friendly and helpfull. Rooms were nice and clean. We really enjoyed our stay in here, we booked another night just because we loved it so much :) breakfast was simple but tasty.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from sandakanbackpackersh, Manager at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel
Responded 25 May 2017
Dear Marjut, thank you for your review and amazing score. We enjoyed having both you and Salla around too. :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is the spot to stay in Sandakan. Great value for money. Excellent staff. Breakfast included. Good wifi. In the Center of town with a harbour view. Very clean rooms with air con. The only suggestion I have is that there should be private security lockers in the dorms or somewhere in the hostel to store your things. The staff will let you put your valuables in the storage room or behind the front desk upon request. Other than that, this place gets full marks in every category. Great hostel!
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Date of stay: April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from sandakanbackpackersh, Manager at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel
Responded 17 May 2017
Dear Taylor, thank you for your amazing score for us. And we appreciate your feedback. :) We have slowly added some lockers in the dorms now, hopefully soon enough we will get them fully equipped to keep up your praises. ;) Best regards.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
this place is a great hostel, very caring and friendly staff. rooms are clean, the blanket was very comfy!! the rooftop terrace was a big big plus. very chill place. everything you need is just one minute away. highly recommendable!
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Date of stay: April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from sandakanbackpackersh, Manager at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel
Responded 17 May 2017
Dear Agnes, thank you for your amazing review! We will put more the effort to keep up the praises and recommendation you gave. Glad that you have liked us, our rooftop, our rooms, and our comfy blankets... :D Best Regards.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Fantastic hostel, great staff, friendly and helpful. Breakfast with fruit also, tea and coffee. Comfortable room. My base in the city. I ask help for some problem and they were very helpful. The atmosphere of the place is young and nice.
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Date of stay: March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from sandakanbackpackersh, Manager at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel
Responded 17 May 2017
Hello Nicola, thank you for your review! Glad that you have liked staying with us. Please do come back more often. ;) Best Regards.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The owners were so incredibly kind and thoughtful- I highly recommend them and their hostel! It's not often I run into people whose compassion for others outweighs everything else. Their kindness was a ray of sunshine in my journey through Sabah.
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Date of stay: April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from sandakanbackpackersh, Manager at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel
Responded 17 May 2017
Dear Amandine, once again thank you for taking the time to review us. Glad that we have done a good thing to cheer you up through your Borneo trip. Hopefully, you will get to come back again with a different expectation and for a different experience. ;) Best Regards.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I stayed at Sandakan Backpackers for my only night in Sandakan and I am so glad I did. My flight didn't land until late but when I got to the hostel Maya welcomed me immediately and helped me figure out my activities for the two days I had in Sandakan. I highly recommend the 2 day 1 night Kinabatangan River cruise tour as it was awesome and a highlight of my time in Borneo! The hostel has a great mix of travelers always flowing in and out and the owner, John, is so friendly and incredibly helpful. The hostel has an amazing rooftop deck with a few hammocks and lots of places to sit - a really nice atmosphere to drink a couple of beers and meet all of the other travelers. The rooms are nice and air conditioned, but the bathrooms are a bit small and the floors are always wet as the…
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Date of stay: April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from sandakanbackpackersh, Manager at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel
Responded 17 May 2017
Hello Courtney, thank you for your amazing review for us. Your feedback is important to us. Glad that you have enjoyed staying with us and Borneo in overall. :) Best regards.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
When we arrived in the hostel we where immediately warmly welcomed by the hosts. They showed us around and went out of their way to be able to give us a private room. The hostel is located very central in the city and has a seaview from the beautiful rooftop terrace (aka secret garden). We absolutely loved our stay there, the hosts where very knowledgeable about the tours and surrounding area. We could only recommend staying here, the best in Sandakan!
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Date of stay: March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from sandakanbackpackersh, Manager at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel
Responded 17 May 2017
Dear Dirk, Thank you for your amazing review! We appreciate it. We enjoyed having you and Dorien around too, so friendly and helpful with all the information you have. Glad that you have liked us. :) Best Regards.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
US$13 - US$18 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
MalaysiaSabahSandakan DivisionSandakan
NUMBER OF ROOMS
11
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