We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
Contact accommodation for availability.
There are similar hotels available.
View all
Nearby Hotels
Reviews (210)
Filter reviews
210 results
Traveller rating
71
75
39
13
12
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageAll languages
More languages
Traveller rating
71
75
39
13
12
Show reviews that mention
All reviews dive center on stilts fish western and asian dishes lunch and dinner water resort sea diving sipadan jetty farewell
Selected filters
Filter
Updating list...
102 - 107 of 210 reviews
Reviewed 5 August 2011

Every room is an individual chalet on the water. Each room comes with a spacious bathroom, a balcony with two comfy chairs, a reasonably size living room, and of course, the bed/beds.

The service was very good. The drinking water in the room was topped up twice everyday. And every afternoon, the room service would help to open up all the windows. While every night after dinner, the windows will be closed, and there will be insect repellent ready too.

The dive master, snorkel guides, boat men at the diving centre are very friendly. We've spent a lot of time in diving centre. And it's really a comfortable and friendly environment. Besides, among the resorts at Sipadan, SWV is one of the resorts with most permits to Sipadan everyday. So the chances of you getting into Sipadan by staying in this resort, is relatively higher.

The water is very clear. If you spent enough time looking at the water, not only you'll find fishes. You'll get to see stingray, turtles, eels, sea snake etc. Full of live!

The only thing that would minus some points of your stay is the food. It wasn't terrible! But it's definitely not fantastic.

The internet was slow. But who needs internet in paradise right?

Date of stay: July 2011
  • Trip type: Travelled with friends
    • Value
    • Sleep Quality
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
3  Thank khooweiwei
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.
Reviewed 19 July 2011

We went in Early May and stayed in the Executive accomodation, I had originally requested this accomdation and it wsnt until 3 days before departure to Sipadan that the acomodation was confirmed, my advice is dont bother paying the extra, you do get a Jacuzzi, but we only used it once to wash our clothes....:)
There is no AC in any of the rooms except one where they were trying to see if it was working so maybe they are starting to put them in all the accomodation now.
On the map of the accomodation they do not show the adjacent accomodation which essentially is extremely naughty as you think you have a view of the sea where infact you have a view of the neighbouring Jetty. Also its about 600M from the end of the accomodation to the dive centre so make sure you dont forget anything. Its a long way back to collect something youve left behind.
Food was good, if a little repetative - Pak Choi comes with everything. Internet access is only available in the bar.
Now for the good part, we were there on the 7d/8n package and we managed to dive Sipadan on 3 occasions, I was told on arrival we would be lucky to get two days, however when I showed the dive master an email from the cente guarenteeing me 3 days at Sipadan this was agreed and actually happened. Be prepared to get up at 0415 if you want to dive Sipadan as the boat leaves at 0530 to be on the Island at 0600...it is worth it though.

Date of stay: May 2011
  • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
    • Value
    • Sleep Quality
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
4  Thank allan6164
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.
Reviewed 6 June 2011

A very lovely place to stay. The price is rather expensive but it is a place that you wish to stay longer. Van pick up from Tawau airport and boat from sempoerna to Mabul all transports are well organized and comfortable for tourist. Once you reach the SWV welcome by some friedly staffs there, lunch before checking into the room. With the crystal clear sea below every chalet, it was very romantic and lovely to stay there. The room is comfortable clean as well as the toilet even I am staying in a junior cottage. So happen the room i stayed was just rite infront the diving center which is conveniently near but of course there will be some noise during the noon time when the dive boat came back and have the tank unloaded from the boat and equipment cleaning but those noise does not really a problem when u r also one of the divers.
The dive center is a very well organized dive center which have more than 10 experience dive master or intructors there ready to bring you to any boat dive. As I also lucky enough to make my trip to Sipadan island on my first day diving thanks to the manager there to schedule it nicely according to your request.
My 2nd day of diving also a very unforgetable one, as I asked the manager whether possible to dive at Siamil island that is about 45mins boat trip from Mabul and he just say yes you can and he arranged for us. Our guide that day was really good in pointing us all sorts of nudibranch once I tell him that I like small and colorful creature.
The dive center juz lay above of two great dive sites in Mabul, Paradise 1 and 2.
Which is great for those who stay with SWV coz you can go for diving in these two dive sites as many time as you want without charges unless you go for night dive. It was very nice to have 2days of diving trip with them.
Overall It was a very nice place to stay and place with all the friendly and helpful workers.
However, with the price they charge should have air-cond inside the room, it was hot during noon time and warm during night time. There are some others tourist from other country also complaining the only problems is they can't have a good sleep in the night time due to too hot. The food is ok, not extremely tastety but it's normal and buffet ready for u in all 3meals.

Room tip: Make booking to SWV 4-6mths advance
Date of stay: April 2011
  • Trip type: Travelled with friends
    • Value
    • Sleep Quality
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
4  Thank JustWanaHavFun
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.
Reviewed 19 May 2011

We spent 3 days 2 nights at SWV to celebrate our honeymoon. When the first time we reached there, we were served with fresh seafood.
Our bad honeymoon started when the time to get our room key, the receptionist claimed all room which opposite the sea has been fully booked. The only room left are those who opposite the island. However, when we placed a booking with travelling agent (YK Travel & Tours Services Sdn. Bhd), we booked with the sea view. When we called the travel agent, it seems they are not helpful and never tried to help us to resolve our problem. The worse things that we had is the travel agent asked us to go out and enjoyed beautiful scenery at the village. So, what the point we stay there, if we can't stay in the room. The difference between these two rooms are those rooms which opposite the sea could get the fresh air and the room was not hot because of the fresh air always comes to the room and you can enjoy sunrise. While, the rooms which opposite the island was terrible. Eventhough they provided the fan, the room is very hot and we couldn't sleep during day time. We also can't really enjoy the beautiful scenery to watch the sunrise. When we asked to change the room, the receptionist claim all rooms are fully book. However, we noted there are few rooms unoccuppied for 2 nights. We have been cheated by the receptionist. I would recommend if these things happens to u guys, please asked them to return back your money and book another hotel which much more cheaper price and better services.

Room tip: Sea is the best view
Date of stay: June 2010
  • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
    • Value
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
10  Thank mshukri
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.
Reviewed 6 May 2011

Although my ratings for individual criteria range from "poor" to "very good" I still must give Sipadan Water Village a very good rating for the complete range of services they provide (airport and jetty transfers, complete scuba packages), their spectacular location and access to one-of-a-kind diving in, perhaps, the world. These reasons are possibly behind why some areas are allowed to suffer or fall into disrepair...

We stayed at SWV on a 3 day, 2 night package. I had originally researched SWV online, and while in Malaysia we approached some tour operators about assisting us with bookings and arrangements. They were able to offer us a significantly reduced price on the package versus the resort's rates, and I can say that the resort is quite overpriced in the rates they quote. I cannot imagine paying their regular rates. Even at the price we paid, I believe the resort was a little bit below the level we would have expected. The rooms, while spacious, are very dated, the bed is acceptable, but is far from superior in comfort, and the furniture is old and worn. The bathrooms were the biggest disappoinment, poor condition, peeling paint, broken shower doors, dirty floors, no hot water (even after waiting over 20-30 minutes after turning on the heater). I understand some of these are caused by the harsh salt water they are constantly exposed to, but I would have expected hot water at the very least. The parts I loved about the room were the huge balcony with plants and lounge chairs, and the pocket shutter doors that open up entirely, meaning you can virtually remove an entire wall and face straight out into the beautiful Celebes sea.

This is first and foremost a dive resort, and the diving was excellent. I don't think I would stay here if I weren't diving. I would have to agree with previous comments about the dive instructors being somewhat careless, or maybe it was just a more laid-back attitude that I am not accustomed to. The check-in procedure at the dive center was very rigorous with an orientation and assigned lockers, BCDs, etc. However, they were absent when we attempted to check-out - twice!

Meanwhile, the check-in at the resort, after arriving on the boat transfer was somewhat confusing, as we were grouped with other people who knew each other and were together, so we didn't know if they had us mixed up or if they always check in everyone together that way. It seemed a little unprofessional.

Date of stay: April 2011
  • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
    • Value
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
1  Thank Natalie090
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.
View more reviews