Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Danum Valley Conservation Area
Danum Valley Conservation Area 88100 Malaysia
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The award winning Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL) is nestled within 43,800 hectares of protected virgin rainforest of the Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah. The immense biodiversity of 200 species of plants per hectare in this pristine 130 million years old rainforest is home to more than 320 species of birds and 124 species of mamals. It is also listed as an Important Birding Area (IBA MY24) as a site for international importance for conservation of birds. Accessible via a 55 minutes flight from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) and 2.5 hours overland drive from Lahad Datu (LDU), BRL has 30 chalets and a spa which adopts eco sensitivity, sustainability and minimum impact as the core principles of designs and operations. Full board packages include guides and return transfer of LDU-BRL-LDU. Reviews recommends a 4 days/3 nights package to experience the vast biodiversity of this magical 130 million years old rainforest and to pamper yourself with traditional Borneo massages at the in-house Spa.
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Free parking
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Free breakfast
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We spent two weeks in Malaysia in July, and Borneo Rainforest Lodge was definitely the highlight of our trip. The standard rooms were sold out when we booked, and thus we were "forced" to upgrade to a room with a plunge pool-- no regrets there (aside from it being a little too chilly to really swim)! Two things to note from my own perspective, however. Due to rain and wind the night our night walk was scheduled, we unfortunately missed out on that experience. Our really fun guide Rudy kindly made up for it to the best of his ability by taking us on an extra-long walk the next morning, wading through the river--an experience we'll never forget. Secondly, the drive getting to the lodge is quite a long one, and I think management could improve the experience for people if they…
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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.
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Nothing to add to the other reviews: from pick-up to welcome, rooms and food, with a special mention of the tours and excellent guides everything was perfect. A professional ressort, maybe a little bit too professional, so the ambiance is a bit less familiar, but this has nothing to do with the very kind and helpful staff, and having the tours and trekkings always with the same guide adds this little bit of familiarity, if you want this. Recommendations: Stay 3 nights and 4 days at least, we only did 2 nights, which is not enough for the amazing location and surroundings. Be patient and take your time if you want to see big animals and enjoy also the small ones and the vegetation. And if you stay in a premium villa, at the front, you will love to spend a few relaxing hours…
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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.
1 Helpful vote
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+1
What an truly amazing experience. The stay here was the highlight of our 12 day Borneo trip, to see the pristine rainforest first hand. We travelled into the resort by Toyota Hilux pickup, 2 1/2 hours along dirt tracks through the jungle. After turning off the main road you head down to a check point with a barrier where your driver does the necessary checks with the security guards. The first 2 hours of the drive are through jungle which has been previously logged but is still an amazing sight to see, it is only when you reach the pristine forest that you see the difference. Another half an hour past the next barrier and you reach the Rainforest Lodge, wow what can I say. I thought that the lodge was going to be fairly basic due to it's remoteness, how wrong was I. The main…
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Date of stay: March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
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We stayed at the Lodge for 3 nights. A special place to see the rainforest and its inhabitants. It is truly unique and we hope to return in the future. Walking through the rainforest and witnessing the rich and varied flora and fauna was awesome. We did not see pygmy elephants or a cloud leopard but this did not detract, the thrill and suspense of the forest is the experience and so much more to see. Accommodation was excellent, and food the best on our trip... We left on the day that the Malaysian government effectively shut down hotels and the lodge was closing the following day. Despite this, and the uncertainty/concerns that staff must have had, they were fantastic and helped us with our travel plans (hotels and flights cancelled). Thank you to Henry and his team, and a…
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Date of stay: March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
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We arrived to Borneo rainforest lodge after having spent 2 nights at Sukau rainforest lodge. It was interesting to experience secondary rainforest vs primary rainforest. The forest of the valley is breathtaking. The canopy walk is absolutely unique. Lots of activities with the guides. Again morning, afternoon and evening walks and/Or drives. You see different wildlife at different times of the day. Food exquisite 👌👍 Lodges fantastic Guides and staff amazing
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Date of stay: February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
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The meeting in Lahad Datu and transfer is very efficient.The location, Main Lodge, rooms food and staff are all high quality and well presented. The guides try very hard are very knowledgeable and caring. Whilst recognising seeing wildlife is a matter of luck many people staying were in agreement that the wildlife part of the trip is over sold - we spotted a rat and a frog on a night walk !! .All the trails are very well used. Spending time in primary rain forest in quality accomodation is special.
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Date of stay: February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
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The pick-up: Efficient and the transfer through the new welcome center at Lahad Datu feels very premium The drive: We are a family of 4 with 2 small children so requested the van for more space. This made the ride bumpy - as expected - but was manageable The room: We had the Premium Deluxe and it was fantastic for a family of 4 (you can probably fit 6 comfortably). Beautiful design, amazing deck. The little pool was really too cold to really use but our daughters still jumped in! Beautiful views into the rainforest The lodge: It was quite empty while were there so the staff were very attentive. It was nice to always have the same table for dining set-up and ready. Wi-Fi is poor so if you have something urgent to do better ask them to let you use their computers (which are also…
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Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
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Rooms were excellent and well maintained - we had a deluxe room facing the river which was excellent. Staff were friendly, guides were knowledgeable. We were lucky to have a guide to ourselves as it was low season. Food was good, and catered for restrictions well. Unfortunately there is construction of new villas going on, which were not warned about. Staff try to keep this to a minimum of disruption - but when you are in the middle of a jungle walk (in pristine rainforest) - the sound of an excavator in the distance does ruin it a bit! Animal sightings are tough (it is the Jungle), although plenty of good birding. It is pricy for what you get - however a lot goes to the reserve and its upkeep, as well as the research foundation.
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Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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We stayed three days at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge and it was truly amazing! We had Melvin as our guide and you could not wish a better one. All staff was super friendly, the rooms where amazing and the food was great. We saw a lot of animals including this small guy. Three days is clearly too short ;-)
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Date of stay: February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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If you like nature then you can’t really go wrong with a place where David Attenborough has filmed and stayed twice! And if it’s good enough for Wills and Kate then it’s good enough for me! I think most of the reviews that I have read on here are pretty spot on. This place is fantastic. They have managed to make it luxurious without losing the feel of what you actually go there for; nature and your love of it. Oddly enough I think we saw just as much nature in or around the lodge than we did on the treks.. Mouse deer, flying lemurs, red leaf monkeys, bearded pigs, macaques, monitor lizards…. So that gives you an idea of just how immersed in it all you are in it all. The staff, rooms, facilities, bar, food, spa …. everything was great. A big thank you to Melvin our guide…
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Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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ALSO KNOWN AS
borneo rainforest hotel sabah, borneo rainforest lodge
LOCATION
MalaysiaSabahDanum Valley Conservation Area
NUMBER OF ROOMS
30
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