Gay friendly guide to Sandakan in Sabah, Malaysia

“Stefan, if I get one more mosquito bite I swear I'm going to $*!@%$£”

…proclaimed my dear sweet loving Frenchman. It was Seby's idea to head to this extreme edge of Malaysia on Borneo Island. He's so passionate about nature and wildlife that a visit to Sandakan and the Kinabatangan River with all its jungle allure was a no-brainer. But with the jungle climate comes the inevitability of all those pesky mosquito bites…

A small price to pay for what is one of the most wonderful places you can visit in Southeast Asia. Sandakan is not only the gateway to the jungle life along the Kinabatangan River, but also to the spectacular tropical underwater world around Turtle Island, and more!

In this blog post, we've set out all our adventures and discoveries in Sabah's second city, Sandakan, following our trip here as a gay couple. Obviously being part of a country with a strong anti-LGBTQ sentiment, safety for us is paramount, which we discuss in more detail. Just don't come here expecting to find parties – save that for Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. This trip is all about nature, wildlife…and fending off all those irksome mozzies!

Is Sandakan safe for gay travelers?

We felt safe here as a gay couple. The people of Sabah are so sweet, friendly, welcoming, and curious towards foreigners that whether you're straight or gay, you will feel welcome. That being said, this is still an extremely conservative part of the world. Even straight couples don't express themselves publicly. We always avoid PDAs when traveling in such places and don't go around shouting our love – although we rarely do this anyway back home!

That being said, this is still a country with an anti-gay law in place. Open-minded locals will tell you that this law is a load of rubbish and is rarely enforced. Whilst this is true, the reality as a gay couple walking the streets in a place with an anti-gay law in place is that you always feel like you have to conform, “act straight”, and be extra cautious.

So yes it's safe, but as long as you keep certain things to yourself!

Gay friendly hotels in Sandakan

We'll be honest, when it comes to gay-friendly hotels in Sandakan there are few. This is more to do with demand rather than anything else because most travelers heading here only want to stay for one night and then head over to the Kinabatangan River. The most popular option used to be the Four Points Sheraton – a brand you know welcomes gay travelers – it certainly welcomed us when we came here! However, the building owner for the Sheraton closed the hotel and it's not sure if it will reopen so we've included a few more options that locals gay friends of ours in Sandakan have recommended.

We've also included The Last Frontier Resort, which is where we stayed in the Kinabatangan River. Highly recommended – super gay friendly, and if you reach out to the owner, Jason, he'll help you out with anything you need in Sandakan and beyond.

01

The Last Frontier Boutique Resort

In a nutshell

---

• Boutique gay-owned accommodation in the heart of the jungle
• Excellent packages to explore the Kinabatangan Forest Reserve
• Delicious Asian-Belgian fusion food
• See loads of animals up close in the wild!

The Last Frontier Boutique Resort isn't actually located within Sandakan, but we include it because it's an absolutely terrific experience and as a bonus, it's gay-owned. Most travelers to Sandakan will be looking for the best way to experience the Kinabatangan River – and this is it in our opinion!

You can book packages to stay here that include your room, all meals as well as tours of the surrounding Kinabatangan Forest Reserve. It's also owned/run by lovely gay couple Gert and Jason, so we felt totally at ease to be our fabulous gay selves.

When you first arrive you do need to walk up a lot of stairs to reach the resort, as it's located on top of a hill, but the staircase means that the natural terrain of the forest is undisturbed. Lots of care and consideration has been taken to ensure this accommodation doesn't disturb some of the rarest wildlife in Southeast Asia. We love to see it! Being on top of a hill also means you get to enjoy stunning views over the rainforest and river.

The packages at the Last Frontier include relaxing evening boat cruises on the Kinabatangan River, as well as guided jungle treks. Transport to and from Sandakan proper is provided for a small extra fee, which we made use of rather than figure our own way on the two-hour journey.

Staying at the Last Frontier really feels like you are lost in the jungle a thousand miles from ‘civilization' – but still with the comforts of said civilization! The rooms are double or twin with ensuite and minimalist decor, perfect for getting a peaceful night's sleep as you listen to the jungle life around you. Delicious meals are provided at the Monkey Cup Café, which serves Asian-Belgian fusion cuisine.

You will see a LOT of wildlife while staying here though, so animal-lovers will be in heaven. Those with an aversion to creepy-crawlies… maybe not so much! Make sure you read our review of staying at the Last Frontier to see all the creatures big and small we met.

Prices at The Last Frontier Boutique Hotel start from $125 per night:

Check prices now

---

02

Sabah Hotel

In a nutshell

---

• Four star resort surrounded by jungle
• Breakfast included
• Large swimming pool and excellent gym
• Multiple on-site restaurants, café, and karaoke bar!

While it's called the Sabah Hotel, this property is actually more of a resort, perched on top of a hill and surrounded by rainforest, just outside central Sandakan.

There are two swimming pools, one is lovely, large and adults-only while the other is more for kids, with a mini waterslide. Since it does get pretty hot in Sandakan we loved being able to relax beside the pool with a drink in hand, then jump in whenever we needed to cool off!

Sabah Hotel also has a rather excellent gym, with plenty of equipment to work out along with a steam room, sauna and massage center. We like to keep up with our morning workout routine even while traveling, so this was perfect, especially when we could have a relaxing massage afterwards.

There are two main restaurants at the Sabah Hotel, Ming Restaurant serves delicious Chinese cuisine (lots of yummy dim sum and peking duck!) while the Plantation Café does Indian, Asian and western-style dishes for breakfast, lunch or dinner. A big breakfast buffet is included in the rate. We also loved their karaoke bar where we could belt out some Lady Gaga while having a nightcap!

The rooms and suites at Sabah Hotel are very spacious and comfortable, some with these fierce red carpets while others are more muted. The bathrooms are especially nice, with big marble bathtubs and separate shower.

Prices at the Sabah Hotel start from $41 per night:

Check prices now

---

03

OYO 1027 Hotel London

In a nutshell

---

• Clean and comfy budget hotel
• Located in the heart of Sandakan Town
• Basic breakfast included
• Small rooftop patio

OYO is a hotel chain which began in India but now runs properties throughout South Asia and the United Arab Emirates. Since they're committed to affordable and comfortable accommodation we found the OYO 1027 Hotel London to be the ideal choice for budget travelers looking to stay in the heart of Sandakan Town.

There aren't any unnecessary frills on offer here, but if you just want somewhere to sleep that's clean, comfortable and private (no dorm rooms or shared bathrooms!) then you will love the bargain prices at OYO 1027 Hotel London.

You can choose between rooms for up to four guests, so this could also be ideal if you're traveling with some friends. Otherwise, the deluxe king suite is perfect when you have a partner who likes to hog the bed *cough cough* like Seby! A very basic breakfast is included in the rate and served on the little rooftop patio where you can see over the town. There's also a little pond up there with some cute terrapins!

We also found the white and red color theme throughout the hotel to be quite charming. The staff are very nice and helpful, offering us maps and recommendations on where to eat, along with directions. Towels and soap are also provided which means you can save some room in your luggage.

The best part about the OYO 1027 Hotel London (aside from the price) is that it's right smack-bang in the middle of Sandakan Town, so you can easily walk to all the main attractions and restaurants. We also noticed a big monitor lizard that likes to hang around the back of the hotel, so we always checked if we could see him before heading out for the day. Don't worry though, no lizards (giant or otherwise) found their way inside while we were there!

Prices at OYO 1027 Hotel London start from $13 per night:

Check prices now

---

Where to eat in Sandakan?

Sandakan is actually a great place for foodies. It's located right by the coast so has some terrific seafood restaurants, which it's famous for. We've set out below a few of our favorites to inspire your culinary Bucket List:

Sim Sim Seafood restaurant

Sandakan is well known for having some of the tastiest seafood in Sabah and the Sim Sim Seafood restaurant is one of the best places for it. It’s a short taxi ride away from the town center and serves up some of the most delicious fresh seafood we’ve ever had. We recommend their soy sauce steamed groupers. You pick the grouper fish when it’s still alive then it's cooked and served immediately. THAT'S how fresh it is!

---

My Harbour Restaurant

My Harbour Restaurant is another excellent spot for fresh seafood in Sandakan, although they don't only serve seafood. This restaurant is right on the harbor of Sandakan Town, so you can easily walk there if you're staying at the OYO 1027 Hotel London, or get a taxi from further afield. You look directly out onto the water at My Harbour Restaurant and the portions here are really big, so do be warned! The meals are so yummy though, with dishes like spicy fish, nasi goreng, or sweet and sour chicken.

---

Top things to do in Sandakan

Whilst most visitors come to Sandakan as the gateway to the Kinabatangan River, the city has quite a few excellent sites to check out along with fun day trips to see orangutans and sun bears. Here's a summary of some of the best things to do in Sandakan:

The Sandakan Heritage Trail

The Sandakan Heritage Trail is a comprehensive walk through the main historical sites of Sandakan, like the 100-year-old Masjid Jamek mosque, the Pryer Memorial statue honouring William Pryer (the founder of Sandakan), and restored colonial buildings like the Agnus Keith House. You can download the map to discover Sandakan's history at your own pace, although it generally takes about an hour, depending how fast you walk and how long you spend at each stop. Our favorite was the “stairs of a hundred steps” which rewards your effort with a stunning view over Sandakan Town. The walk ends at the Sandakan Heritage Museum, which is also worth checking out.

---

The Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple

The Puu Jih Shih temple is one of the finest Chinese Buddhist temples in Sabah. It was undergoing renovation when we visited in August 2015, but still had a calm and serene atmosphere. It's located on top of a hill, so even if you have temple fatigue, it's worth visiting just for the views. But make sure you also head inside to enjoy lots of colorful carvings and Buddhas. We also loved seeing some eagles soaring up and down on the air currents while we were there!

---

Sun Bear Conservation Centre

The Sun Bear Conservation Centre is where these very cute small bears are rescued from appalling conditions and treated so they are ready to return to the forest one day. They are the smallest bears known to man and nicknamed honey bears because they love honey so much. This is similar to Sebastien's nickname of Pooh Bear because he's always caught red handed with his face stuck in an empty pot of honey. If you're short on time you can do a tour which combines visiting the Sun Bear Conservation Centre with visits to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Rainforest Discovery Centre.

---

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

The Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation of wild orangutans and their rainforest habitat. They rescue orangutans which have suffered, been separated from their mothers or lost their home due to deforestation. Like the sun bear centre, they are taught the skills they need to survive in the wild, then released when ready. Join the combined tour we mentioned above to visit both centres with a private guide and no transport hassles.

---

The Rainforest Discovery Centre

The Rainforest Discovery Centre is excellent for bird watching, with more than 250 species sighted from the canopy walkway. Visiting the centre also gives you a great introduction to how unique and important Borneo's rainforests are. If you're here in August, look out for the annual Rhythms of Rimba Festival, organised by Future Alam Borneo. We attended and had an awesome time enjoying great music in a rainforest environment, complete with the intermittent tropical rain.

---

Plan your trip to Sandakan

Gay map of Sandakan

Here's our map of Sandakan which includes all the hotels, restaurants, and sightseeing highlights we've mentioned in this post. Use it to plan your own amazing trip to Sandakan!

---

Read more travel adventures like this in our book!

We've published our very own gay travel book called, ‘Out in the World'. It has all our practical safety tips, first-hand advice, and travel stories from some of our favorite destinations.

We hope it inspires you to have a fun and safe trip!

Click on the book to order:

For more inspiration:

• How many of these interesting facts about Malaysia did you already know?
• Find out what it's like growing up gay in Malaysia in our interview with local boy Ronnie
• Read our full gay country guide to Malaysia
• Along with our gay guide to Kota Kinabalu
• Our gay guide to the “pink jewel” of Langkawi
• And our gay guide to the city of Penang