Pavalintang Resort

The snorkeling was very good, and the resort was quiet and private. We saw sea turtles, corals and tropical fish, as on the basic island hopping tours in Semporna. The accommodation and services were basic, so if that's what you want, this place may suit you. But the prices make no sense for what's offered. Other resorts in the area may be similar. From our point of view, spending more than two days in Semporna is a waste of time and money if you don't dive. We stayed five nights, definitely too many, as the last stop of our two-week Borneo backpacking trip. The staff seemed unprepared for tourists and often didn't seem to care about us. Communication was very difficult because they barely spoke English. The food was basic and the same every day, with no choice. The one exception was seafood you could buy from local fishermen who came by from time to time, but you had to pay extra for the chef to cook it. Our rooms were very basic and never cleaned during our six days. It also seemed like they had been using the same six cups, forks and spoons for a very long time. Admin, please replace them with new ones. It would probably cost 1% of what you charge each guest for one night. Once, we asked for a knife to cut our food and got scissors. Don't ask them to buy beer for you in town. They told me every day they would do it, but never did. Bring enough with you, since returning to Semporna town from the resort is difficult. You have to wait for the scheduled boat and waste a lot of time, or ask for an expensive private transfer.

It's a small, personal resort where we were treated like family. The crew kept us safe during the water sports we did there, and the freshly caught seafood was on offer. The resort's far enough from land to see a sky full of stars, but not too far away. The best part was watching sea turtles swim past our room every morning. There's lots to see just by snorkeling at the resort, and it's also known for fishing trips. They even have karaoke if you're in the mood. Perfect stay for my family.

It was easy to find a quiet stretch of time here, away from crowds and noise. The water around the resort is lovely for snorkeling, so we didn't need to go far, and our guide was experienced. Staff were attentive and the food was tasty during my visit. There were only two chalets built at the time, with three more under construction, so it felt like we had the place to ourselves. A calm choice for families or couples.

The one good part was a resort staff member who took us snorkeling and pointed out the cute fish, corals, and starfish. He was genuinely helpful, and we're grateful to him. The rest was frustrating. Before arriving, we asked several times about Wi-Fi and were assured it was available, but at the resort we were told there wasn't any. They don't sell snacks or drinks either, so bring your own. When we tried calling the contact person, he wouldn't answer. The customer service was very bad, and we wouldn't recommend staying here or come back.