Kudat Golf & Marina Resort

The sunset view is stunning, and the rooms are spacious and well kept. I booked three rooms for one night and asked for connecting rooms, which they arranged. Check-in, check-out and booking were all smooth. There are both a regular pool and a separate kids' pool, breakfast is simple but enough, and basic toiletries were supplied except shampoo. For an overnight stop in Kudat, I'd recommend it for cleanliness and comfort. There are some things to address. Our room floor was sandy, and the pillowcases smelled musty, though we didn't spend much time in the room. The house rules also felt a bit restrictive, with so many "do not" notices. Some restaurant plates looked dusty, and I saw staff eating sunflower seeds while working. Pool service could be better too. Towels were available, but staff weren't consistently at the pool, so it could be hard to get fresh ones when they ran out. The shaded seating was limited because the cantilever umbrellas weren't opened, and some loose pool-bottom tiles should be fixed for safety. The positives still outweigh the negatives, and the hotel has good potential with some improvements to maintenance and service. Especially for short stays, don't miss the sunset.

We really enjoyed our one-night stay, even though we didn't get to play golf. The room was spacious and comfortable, and the toilet and bathroom were clean. Front desk staff were friendly, and breakfast was satisfying, with kind service from the cafe staff.

The sunrise and the sea view over Teluk Marudu are beautiful, and there's a swimming pool and a breathtaking 18-hole golf course. The place has plenty going for it, but the cafe needs a serious upgrade. My food and beverage experience didn't meet the standard I'd expect from a 5-star hotel. As someone who travels a lot and works remotely around the world, I've stayed in both upscale and run-down places, and the cafe here really needs attention. To keep food costs manageable when occupancy is low on weekdays, they could offer an ala carte menu then. On weekends, when guests come from around Borneo and overseas, the resort could give them a fuller taste of Borneo's hospitality. That would mean training the chef and kitchen team in Sabahan flavours, including nasi lopot, sayur campur Ranau, Buras, Sabahan-style ayam penyet, rojak Borneo, and Sabahan Chinese food. Sabah has 27 ethnic groups, and there's a lot to draw on across Kudat, Pitas, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Sapinangoh, Telupid, Beluran, Sdkn, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna, Tawau, Kalabakan, Nabawan, Long Pasia, Sook, Tulis, Tenom, Keningau, Tambunan, Ranau, Tamparuli, Tuaran, KK, Penampang, Papar, Beaufort, Sipitang, Sindumin, Lawas, Brunei and Sarawak. Sincerely, LSA Academic House, Borneo. An advocate for tourism and hospitality that truly represents Borneo.

The resort is a peaceful place for a quiet break, with sea views and a laid-back feel. It's convenient for the marina, and a good fit if you want to play golf, with a well-maintained course. Some parts, especially the rooms and a few facilities, feel dated and could use refurbishment. Staff are generally polite, though service isn't always quick. It's a decent option if you like coastal views and a relaxed setting, as long as you're not expecting modern luxury.