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Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat

Mile 14 Jalan Labuk, Sandakan, Sepilok 90000 Malaysia
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Traveller (458)
Room & Suite (155)
Dining (41)

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Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.

About

#1 of 1 hostel in Sepilok
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Paganakan Dii is the perfect retreat to experience Nature in its most serene and natural state. Built on a site high above the surrounding foliage, the combination of cool longhouses and cosy duplex chalets makes for an experience worth a thousand images.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free breakfast
Restaurant
Special diet menus
Fishing
Free shuttle or taxi services
Shuttle bus service
Mosquito net
Taxi service
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Room features
Air conditioning
Private balcony
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
2.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Charming
Languages Spoken
English, Malay
556Reviews2Q+A90Room tips

Reviews
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792lulu wrote a review Feb 2024
4 contributions
We stayed in the shared accommodation which was fine, 5 bunk beds in one space but the space was big enough and didn't feel cramped. Theres no Aircon in the shared accommodation but the 4 fans were sufficient at night, although the room was pretty hot in the day so hard to find somewhere cool enough to chill. The whole place is a little run down, the reception/restaurant area was nice, it has WiFi and a great view of the jungle, lots of mosquitos so bring repellent. There's a free shuttle bus at 9am, 2pm and 4pm that goes to the sun bears, orangutans and rainforest discovery centres. There arnt any shops walking distance. Be warned they only accept cash and the closest ATM is a 60RM taxi away. The food menu prices were fair but the food is basic. Free breakfast in the morning. The staff are also really nice. The only serious downside but a reason we'd never stay here again is the toilets and showers. The toilets are musky, humid and smelly. The showers have untreated bricks exposed and orange mold, just really grotty and not a nice experience using them.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
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Marcel S wrote a review Sept 2023
3 contributions
Amazing place nestled inside the forest. Comfortable beds and clean surroundings with super amazing staffs. Good food served in the in-house restaurant. Reasonably priced. The free shuttle to the Orang Utan Sanctuary is a plus. Connectivity from the main reception to the dorms/chalets when it rains could be a bit of a hassle.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip: Bring rain coats
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Franziska S wrote a review Sept 2023
1 contribution
This place is just amazing. The accommodation is clean, cozy with everything you need and in a nice calm area. But what really made our stay here unforgettable is the amazing stuff. They helped us with any situation and had always good advise for our plans in the area. Recommended to stay here 100% we would stay there anytime again.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Use the app Grab to order a driver
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Maxime V wrote a review Sept 2023
2 contributions1 helpful vote
We just left this place and it has been a wonderful stay! Staff accompanied us from the lobby to our room (second furthest one and it's a few minutes walking) to show us how things worked. Only the remote of the AC was missing, but they told us they were looking for it :) It still worked, but you just couldn't regulate the temperature. It sat at 22 degrees (perfect!) The place offers 3 free shuttles a day to the urang utang center, sunbear center and Rainforest Discovery Center at 9am/2pm/6pm. They offer a pretty wide variety of food on their menu which you can also pre-order when you want to eat straight away after for example going on the RDC night walk or when you wake up at a specific time in the morning. Breakfast wasn't really all that special, but still you left not hungry and that is the most important. The view from our room and from the lobby is spectacular beyond words! We snapped some amazing pictures just from our balcony alone! Side note: the toilet seat really could use a modern upgrade. The plastic is falling apart... Side note 2: don't leave any food, even sealed (!), in your room because it WILL get eaten at night by small critters sneaking in your room! Although staff warned this might happen :D Side note 3: cash only!
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
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AngelMolendijk wrote a review Sept 2023
5 contributions2 helpful votes
+1
We really liked this place! The views from the dining area and rooms are amazing. The room was clean and had everything we needed upon arrival. We really enjoyed the outside shower and the mosquito net by the bed was an added value. The staff were very nice and helped us when needed. Even when they didn’t understand much english they tried their best to help us as much as possible. The food was tasty and they had some nice vegetarian options as well. The food always arrived quickly and you can also choose to pre order your food so you’re sure you’ll have it in time when you have somewhere to go. The resort is close to the orang utan and sun bear rehabilitation center and the rainforest discovery center. They offer multiple free shuttles a day which is very nice. They also offer transport to the RDC night walk (would recommend!!) And it’s also possible to get some private transport to the bus terminal (for example) We were happily surprised by seeing some wildlife in the resort! There are a lot of squirrels, snakes and special birds. So make sure to keep an eye out if you want to spot some wildlife while relaxing.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Make sure to bring enough cash. Don’t leave ANY packaged food in your room, animal will try to...
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LL721 wrote a review Aug 2023
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia900 contributions321 helpful votes
The only nice part was staying in the fringes of the forest. Other parts of our one night stay were lacking somewhat… The parts which weren’t great: 1. They did not send us our towels. We had checked in to our hut right at the end and they informed that they would send the towels ‘shortly’. The towels never came. We had go to reception twice and they kept saying they they had sent the towels. We waited like > 2 hours and it was not a pleasant walk back and forth to reception. We only got our towels after we insisted on waiting at reception. 2. They make us take off our shoes at reception. This was ok but the single unisex toilet upstairs was absolutely filthy with urine/water on the floor and toilet paper all over the floor. And we had to enter barefoot if we wanted to use this toilet. 3. The one and only restaurant at reception serves food really slow. Be prepared to wait > 1 hour for food. Or… when we ordered, the lady will inform that everything is not available except for fried rice and fried mee. Waited > 1 hour for these too. Worse: other people could order whatever they wanted and their orders arrived much faster. 4. They only accept cash. So strange and so unfriendly. 5. They either have no beer or warm beer.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
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Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
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Bernita E wrote a review Jun 2023
Truganina, Australia53 contributions18 helpful votes
+1
Paganakan Dii was the great escape and reset for my partner and I. This isn't your 5 star resort, this is back to nature and basics in the best possible way. We had a ridge view chalet (a bunk bed and a queen bed - all with mosquito nets) the facilities are simple, but everything works. Open air showering while looking out to the jungle was heaven.. the noises, smells.. I loved it. While it's a bit of a trek to get there (and not idea for any suitcases with wheels), it is well located for exploring Sandakan / sepilok and surrounds. The hosts are lovely and very accommodating, with free shuttles to the orangutans / sun bear sanctuary. A simple breakfast is included (eggs on toast) with coffee / tea. Dinner is available and affordable with a small selection of nice dishes - vegetarian options too. This is a place to shed the stresses of life, get back to the simple things and really connect with what Borneo has to offer.. even if that is a monkey on your roof at night 😁
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Bring mosquito spray! The accommodation only excepts cash payment. You can re-fill your water...
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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.
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TheGrebes wrote a review Jun 2023
40 contributions41 helpful votes
It's out in the rain forest which is hot and wet so keeping things in perfect order has got to be a challenge. We stayed in the bungalows. Put all of your western expectations on hold and you'll love it. The units are very rustic but comfortable. The bathroom is on an outdoors ( covered) deck. Everything works, but it's a bit home made. On site meals are very good but the range is limited. Staff are lovely. Monkeys rampaging over the roof is challenging, but wherelse can you get that?
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
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5redleader wrote a review Mar 2023
100 contributions58 helpful votes
It’s a jungle retreat, rustic but brilliant. Team are fantastic, super helpful, food is great, showers overlooking the jungle, shuttle service is helpful and the vibe is perfect if you want to get away from hustle and bustle. We’ll definitely stay again.
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
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Michele MM wrote a review Feb 2023
10 contributions3 helpful votes
The place would be ok if it was a 10-20 USD a night kind of lodge. But it looks quite in shambles, with garbage everywhere. We just road tripped through Eastern Africa for the last 4 months and we’ve stayed in dodgy places. But now we’re in Malaysia (travelling for a year) and it’s the first time ever we cancel a reservation after arriving, because we feel uncomfortable staying there. It would be ok, at a lower price I guess, but the room / place is not worth the 50-60 USD.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: The « menu » has only 4 options so if you’re staying 3-4 days, you’ll eat a lot of the same… The...
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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.
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PRICE RANGE
£16 - £43 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
paganakan dii tropical retreat hotel sepilok
LOCATION
MalaysiaSabahSandakan DivisionSepilok
NUMBER OF ROOMS
17
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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PAGANAKAN DII TROPICAL RETREAT - Updated 2024 (Sepilok, Sandakan Division)

Frequently Asked Questions about Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat
Which popular attractions are close to Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat?
Nearby attractions include Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (2.7 miles), Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) (1.9 miles), and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (2.7 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast and an on-site restaurant during their stay.
Is parking available at Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat?
Conveniently located restaurants include The Lake Bistro and Bar, Banana Cafe, and White House Bistro.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Malay.