Borneo Tree House

With forest views all around, Borneo Tree House lets visitors enjoy the scenery from up among the trees. It’s a peaceful spot with fresh air, and a nice choice for relaxing or taking photos. For tourists who like nature and adventure, it offers a fun, memorable experience and something different to do while visiting Sabah.

The hall has a private location and plenty of parking, which worked well for our wedding reception. Some of the tables included with the rental were defective, though, and one couldn’t be used at all. We had to set it aside. Make sure the rental hours are explained clearly before booking. I was told we’d have 13 hours, but only on the wedding day did I learn that covered 4 hours for decorating, 3 for cleaning, and 6 for the event, which ended at 10 PM. Our reception started at 3 PM, so I had to pay for another hour. The person in charge could have explained the breakdown earlier, and I could have adjusted the schedule. It’s a venue with potential, but check the details to avoid unexpected charges.

At night, there’s nobody at reception, so help may not be available if something goes wrong. The room cups didn’t look properly cleaned either, and worn plastic cups should be replaced regularly. The bigger concern was the toilet, where I saw what looked like rat or cockroach droppings. When I asked reception to clean them, they said this was normal and told me to pour water over them. The hygiene and service need a lot of work for the price being charged. The container-style rooms are a creative idea, and the place is reasonably priced for a rest, especially if you’re attending a banquet or group event. It may suit local travellers who just need somewhere to sleep, but international visitors hoping to relax may find it disappointing.

We stayed for only a few hours after checking in, then left in the middle of the night. The place felt like a ghost town, and smoke surrounded our room after someone apparently burned rubbish or dry leaves. We shut the door, but the air conditioning wasn’t working well and the room got hot, so we waited in the car until the smoke cleared. The room looked scary and unsafe. It was dirty, many facilities were broken, and there were rats, cockroaches, and lots of stray dogs and cats. Even the kids’ pool wasn’t clean, with dry leaves, small branches, and frogs in it. The staff weren’t friendly. I wish we’d never come here.