Where to stay in Borneo

Our guide on where to stay in Borneo

Getting into the heart of the rainforest does not require any compromise on comfort. One of Borneo’s leading attractions is that accommodation is of high quality, with warm hospitality and good food to match your extraordinary wildlife encounters throughout the trip. 

The key feature of any trip to Borneo will be picking out the most suitable jungle lodges for you. Getting deep into the rainforest does not have to mean stripping back on accommodation quality: our favorite lodges – such as the magical Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley, or alluring Kinabatangan Wetlands on the banks of the sultry Kinabatangan River – have deluxe, air-conditioned rooms with all the modern comforts and conveniences. Enjoy an uninterrupted view of the forest canopy from your private balcony: sitting back with a coffee or a book as the world’s greatest wildlife show unfolds in front of you. 

Once you come out of the bush the big-hitting hotels keep on coming! Round out your trip in a pristine tropical paradise: sampling stylish boutique beach escapes such as the Bunga Raya or Gaya Island Resort just off Kota Kinabalu; diving into underwater paradise on Lankayan or Mabul islands, or have all the bells and whistles at hand at luxurious resorts such as the Shangri-La Rasa Ria. If urban excitement is more your thing, ask us about the best hotels in vibrant Kuching or Kota Kinabalu – where you’ll find comfortable bases from which to explore the bustling night markets, waterfront eateries, or intriguing cultural attractions of these eclectic cities. 

Meanwhile, if you’re feeling really adventurous…Borneo can cater for that too! Wildlife purists making their second or third trip to the island can base themselves on simple, but immersive, accommodation on offer in Deramakot or the Imbak Canyon; thrill-seekers can attempt the two-night climb of soaring Mount Kinabalu; or curious minds can head days into the Batang Ai reserve to stay at tribal longhouses, sampling a near-extinct way of life first hand.