Hotels near Tropical Research and Conservation Centre (TRACC) in Semporna

Wir waren über Silvester für 4 Nächte auf Pom Pom. Die Abholung von Flughafen Tawau mit privatem Fahrer und anschließender Speed Boot Tour hat einwandfrei funktioniert. Angekommen auf Pom Pom waren mit uns lediglich 13 Gäste im Hotel. Wir hatten einen Beach Bungalow, welcher täglich ordentlich gesäubert worden ist. Vom Bungalow an den Strand sind es lediglich 5 Meter. Der Bungalow ist zwar relativ groß, jedoch sehr altmodisch eingerichtet. Sowohl das Bad, als auch die Klimaanlage müssten dringend erneuert werden. Auf Nachfrage hat uns das Hotel höflicherweise die Klimaanlage innerhalb einer Stunde repariert. Wer einen ruhigen Ort mit paradisieschem Flair sucht ist auf Pom Pom richtig. Das Meer ist traumhaft warm und das Wasser ist kristallklar. Der Service des Hotels ist enorm hervorzuheben. Täglich konnte individuell mit Mitarbeitern besprochen werden, welche kostenlosen Touren man machen will. Tag 1 sind wir auf Sandbänke gefahren, Tag 2 zu einer Insel mit Wanderung, Tag 3 zu der Partner Insel Mataking (welche deutlich luxuriöser und teurer von der Austattung ist) Das tauchen hat pro Tauchgang 35 Euro gekostet und das Schnorcheln 20. Man konnte zusätzlich Schnorchelaisrüstung und Kajak Boote umsonst am Hotel für den Strand ausleihen. Das tolle Erlebnis Pom Pom wurde jedoch von der extrem!!!! schlechten Küche überschattet. Das Essenagebot ist Buffet und jeden Tag genau das Selbe. Es werden 4 ”Gerichte” angeboten, welche Kalt serviert werden, was wohl an den chinesichen Standart angepasst ist. Zum Früstück gibt es immerhin Omlett und Pankakes. Mittags und Abends gibt es immer Reis, Algen, Kaltes Gemüse, Wassermelone, Chicken mit Knochen (Kalt) und Kalte Shrimps. Ab und zu gibt es auch noch fritierten Fish. An SIlvester wurde sogar schon um 21 Uhr das Restaurant geschlossen und keine Bar war auf, weshalb der Abend sehr dürftig war. AUf Nachfrage haben wir erfahren, dass man spezifisch für Europäer und Amerikaner auch andere Speise habe,welche nicht erwähnt werden. SOmit haben wir ab Tag 3 uns entweder von Spaghetti und Tomatensosse, Tiefkühlpizza oder wenn wir sehr viel Glück hatten gebratenen Nudeln mit Chicken ernährt. Es gibt kein Wlan auf der Insel, man muss eine SIm karte kaufen. Schlussendlich ein traumhafte Malediven Insel mit tollen Sandstränden und tollen Ausflugsorten, bei welchen man Schildkröten etc sehen kann, vergleichbar mit den Malediven, jedoch auf Europäischersicht nicht mehr als ein drei Sterne Hotel. Total nette Mitarbeiter welche alles versuchen den Europäern den Aufenthalt angenehm zu machen, jedoch ist weder die Austattung (nicht mal ein Tv) noch das Essen an westliche Länder angepasst und erinnert mehr an Backpacker. Das Geld ist somit nur teilweise diese Erfahrung wert.

The overall environment is okay...the ocean current is very strong... The only thing lacking is the food… Having a buffet on New Year’s Eve…it’s more of a grab-and-go meal than a buffet… The quality of the Chinese people is really poor. They only rush to grab their own dishes as soon as they are served. I didn’t even taste the dishes in front of me. I happened to have a pot of orchid crabs next to it with a few pieces... When I looked back, I didn’t know it for a moment. ... The most embarrassing thing was a few foreigners... When it was their turn, there was no food left, so they ordered rice and then soup. It was very helpless... The tables of several groups of 5 people were piled full of dishes, but the tables of the remaining 2 or 3 people were empty... It was useless to contact the hotel, and no more dishes were added... I can only buy extra seafood... I have to say that mouse spots are 60 each, zebra shrimps are 40 each... the prices are okay... I bought them for processing and charged 100 processing fees... and then waited for a long, long, long time... Everyone in the restaurant ate them It's all gone and the food is here... This buffet is just a scam…

Breathtakingly beautiful treasure water house-Semporna Glass Sea Water House On a quick trip, eight friends met up and came to Semporna, decisively choosing to live in the Glass Sea. They were initially attracted by the clear water quality of the Glass Sea posted on other platforms. After arriving, they found that the sea water was indeed crystal clear! You can directly enter the sea from the room, enjoy snorkeling at any time, or enjoy the romantic scene of fishing on the balcony! ps: Semporna Water House is also the best place to watch the sunrise and sunset Moreover, the black people on the water house are very enthusiastic and happy. I look forward to my next trip~

Providing an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience, it offers an array of amenities designed for travellers… Internet access is offered to guests, and rooms at Dragon Hotel offer air conditioning. Guests of Dragon Inn Resort are also welcome to enjoy an on-site restaurant. Semporna has plenty of Asian restaurants. So when you’re here, be sure to check out popular spots like Fat Mother Semporna, Ocean Treasure Live Seafood Restaurant, and Fish Village Seafood Restaurant, which are serving up some great dishes. Best of all, Dragon Hotel makes it easy to experience some great Semporna attractions like Sabah (0.2 mi), which is a short distance away.

Sea Star Perfect resort. Perfect location. Perfect staff. Wonderful owner, ERIC, who has great PR 👍🏻. Staff is respectful and friendly. I cannot ask for more. Highly recommend Sea Star Resort. We bought a 3D2N Sea Star Resort package. It included a return transfer by van from Tawau Airport to Semporna boat jetty which took almost 1.5h, a 10-minute boat ride to Sea Star Resort, a whole day of island hopping and snorkelling, all meals (breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner 👍🏻), free usage of inflatables, transparent paddle boat and snorkelling gear and unlimited supply of drinking water. The room is very clean and spacious- had a king size bed plus a day bed. Bath area was spacious and attractive. Really love this place very much. Look at the video I have attached! Air conditioned, good internet connection and extended balcony. Food is local buffet style. We enjoyed all our meals there. You will get an assortment of dishes. For dinner, you get good large prawns 🍤 and fish👍🏻. Tea is special- besides 2-3 types if local cakes, you get an endless supply of banana fritters which are very addictive 👍🏻 The sea water around the resort and beyond is crystal clear. You can always see the marine creatures in the water. From 4pm, use of inflatables, transparent paddle boat and snorkelling gear are supervised. Very kind staff who are ever ready to lend a helping hand. We are grateful to Eric, Gordon, Amsyar, Lisa and all the Sea Star Resort staff. We will be back! To book, contact: seastarresort.sales@outlook.com

Adrian was a fantastic staff in assisting us in our needs, even at a late hour. Clean rooms and hospitable staff, would recommend to all divers, as it is near the marina jetty, a stone throw away from all amenities. Easy process from checking in and out

Probably one of the best guesthouses in Semporna area. Jono's place is strategically located near the jetty and restaurant area. Almost everything is walking distance. Pharmacies, dive centres, convenience stores, restaurants and etc. The place itself is so clean and tidy. Can see that the owner puts a lot of effort in maintaining the place. The guesthouse has a well equipped pantry. It has instant noodles, bread biscuits, eggs, tea and coffee. It's more than good enough for a simple breakfast. I highly recommend this place.

Upon arrival at the airport, things just went downhill. My wife had booked a ride from Ocean Inn from the airport to their hotel prior to our arrival. Our ride never showed up even after my wife confirmed with the hotel staff. Called them and not one response after several calls. Great way to confirm everything and then leave your customers high and dry. We ended getting our own ride. Ocean Inn hotel is situated in a what I would consider a more or less slum area. I saw multiple locals finish their drinks and then tossed their trash over into the sea when there’s garbage cans just a few feet from them. There’s a lot of garbage sunken and floating in the water everywhere. Countless rats scurrying on the ground and roofs in broad daylight. The area reeks of sewage. When we checked in, the gal in the front didn’t like her job. No greetings. No smiles. No friendly service. Not sure if it’s a cultural thing that I’m misunderstanding. I felt like she didn’t want to help us. Never did. The entrance of the front desk had an overwhelming smell of mothball. In our room, my wife found strands of hair between the sheets and blanket. The room smelled mildewy. The restroom smelled like a heavily used public restroom. The shower pressure trickled. I just don’t know how some of these reviewers gave this place a 3-5 stars. Absolutely baffled!!! Overall, there’s little nice things to say about Ocean Inn except that the AC works well. I’ll let you readers run wild with your own imagination that I’m painting. I would never come back here again. Thank goodness it was just for one night stay.

This hostel is located very strategic and all the restaurant, pharmacy, mini market,etc is within the walking distance. The room was clean. It has hot shower, A/C, amenities, coffee and tea as well. It comes with drinking water too. Room not too big but not too small as well. The hostel doesn't have a lift. It has a common area for people to hang out and have some coffee and tea. The staff was superb. Her name is Fadilah if I got her right. She returned back my wallet which I lost it and she found it at the front door of the hostel. She saved my day. I must give her a two thumbs up for this. The wallet was returned to be as it was before it was drop at the front door table. Thank you Fadilah. This will be my next hostel whenever I will come to Semporna. It has dorm as well with cheaper price.

It's a perfect budget hotel. Location wise, excellent. Its smack in the center of everything:dives hops, restaurants, pharmacy, Gmart. Room wise, yes it's old, aircon takes time to cool the room. But toilet functions, the hot shower functions well. They also have a hair dryer. Towels, toothbrush, soap and shampoo provided. Wifi was fast. Bed was comfy. Perfect for fussfree divers who just need a place to sleep and rest 😊