Sabah Tea Resort

Recent Reviews: 211

• User:Ellen M

  Trip type: Couples

  Fantastic location

  29 Mar 2026

  Lovely welcome. Had tour around the tea factory. Room was fairly basic but comfortable - no fridge which could be useful in the heat. Views from terrace and restaurant are amazing. Unfortunately it rained on the morning we were going to walk up to see the sunrise over Mount Kinabalu. Food was very good - loved the sweet and sour fish. No beer or wine which would have been nice to have with the meal. Staff were lovely. Had a good stay.

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• User:visitorwithsense

  Trip type: Family

  Great value, great venue. Decaf coffee would make it perfect

  27 Oct 2025

  The tea plantation is beautiful and the restaurant is excellent. It would get the 5th star if it had decaf coffee (Kopi tanpa kafein) and fresh milk. The Garden cottage is excellent. 6 huge en-suite bedrooms and a patio which looks straight at Mt Kinabalu, best seen in the morning and eveningThe longhouse accommodation looked comfortable too. The tea tour is slightly hampered by the guide being difficult to hear and understand but we got the gist. Good location for Poring hot springs, Ranau and Rafflesia flowers

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• User:Maltwood01

  Trip type: Couples

  Good resort - food plentiful and tasty

  25 Oct 2025

  Room clean but basic. Has air con and fan nice addition- has a tv but didn’t work (just don’t have one!) missing a trick on service, waiting for drinks menu/service. Food very tasty and plenty of it almost too much, can lead to a lots of waste.

• User:Justincdf

  Trip type: Couples

  A disappointing experience that failed to meet basic expectations. Unless you're looking for a very basic, no-frills stay in a r

  25 Jun 2025

  Disappointing Stay at Sabah Tea CottagesOur stay at Sabah Tea Cottages was unfortunately far below expectations, especially for a tour group like ours, booked through Newmarket Tours. We were expecting a peaceful, nature-filled retreat, but what we got was far from it.Accommodation:The accommodation was basic, but unfortunately, it was also tired and worn. The bed sheets were stained, and the floor mats were equally unclean. The vinyl-coated sofa was visibly dirty, and it felt like the place hadn't seen any real upkeep in quite some time. For a nature getaway, the rundown state of the cottage was a letdown. The bathroom was equally disappointing: the shower didn’t have hot water, and the bathroom itself looked outdated, with peeling paint on the cupboard doors. It was clear that this wasn’t a place that had been well-maintained.Accessibility:Getting to the cottage was another challenge. The path leading to the accommodation was uneven, with stone chips scattered all over. It was a struggle just to move our luggage, making it feel like a hassle instead of a comfortable arrival. Not a great first impression.Facilities & Dining:The facilities for guests were also lacking. The long metal hut designated for group relaxation was more suitable for backpackers than anyone expecting a comfortable stay. There was nowhere close by to grab a drink or just relax in a cozy setting, which made the place feel isolated and uncomfortable.The dining experience was equally disappointing. The food served at the restaurant was cold, poorly presented, and lacked flavor. It was clear that the quality of the meals was not a priority. In terms of cleanliness, the toilets were filthy, adding to the overall feeling that the property was not properly managed or maintained.Conclusion:I would not recommend Sabah Tea Cottages to anyone expecting more than basic, budget accommodations. For those seeking a serene getaway with comfortable amenities, I suggest looking elsewhere. As a guest of Newmarket Tours, I was genuinely surprised by their choice of accommodation. This place feels more like a backpacker’s lodge than a legitimate guesthouse, and it's not worth the price or time.Rating: 1/5A disappointing experience that failed to meet basic expectations. Unless you're looking for a very basic, no-frills stay in a rustic setting, I would suggest considering other options.

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• User:mw06

  Trip type: Family

  Great experience in the very basic longhouse

  12 Apr 2025

  We stayed at Sabah Tea plantation for one night as part of the Borneo Family Holiday tour run by Intrepid Travel.We were advised that accomodation would be basic and it was. Each 'room' has three mattresses on a raised platform within the longhouse, each with a mosquito net. Each cabin was segregated but open so you can hear the other guests around you (which in our case was fellow group members so no issue).Each room had an electric light and a very powerful fan which helped us to stay comfortable in sweltering heat (30deg but a 'feels like' temperature of 42deg in April). There was also a sink and power outlets for charging. The mosquito net was in good condition with no holes meaning we slept without worries as there are a plentiful number of insects active in and around the longhouse.There was a shared bathroom along the balcony which included hot showers although we were told the hot water does sometimes run out. No issues for us though.The whole setup is very basic but is promoted as such. Anyone wanting a more comfortable experience should look at the chalets which are also available.Just Infront of the longhouse is a covered communal area with a couple of vending machines for soft drinks and snacks. Beer is also available at the counter here. It isn't officially available in the restaurant.It's a 5-10min walk down the hill to the restaurant which served good traditional food at very reasonable prices with friendly and attentive staff. There are exceptional views towards Mount Kinabalu from here too. Our group took part in the tea factory tour which was a worthwhile experience to learn about the tea making process. It lasts just under an hour. There is also a gift shop selling Sabah Tea and various snacks, drinks and ice creams.As long as you're comfortable with very basic accomodation and know what to expect then this accomodation is recommended.

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