8

861 reviews

Sandakan Backpackers Hostel

Sandakan Backpackers Hostel

Lot 108, Sh-11 Harbour Square Sandakan, Sandakan, 90000, Malaysia

Choose dates to view prices

Free wifi

Air conditioning

Tour desk

Terrace

Non-smoking rooms

View

Sandakan Backpackers Hostel

Sandakan Backpackers Hostel is a Bed and Breakfast in Sandakan, Malaysia. Located just 0.1mi from the city center, the address is Lot 108, Sh-11 Harbour Square Sandakan.

Featured amenities include free Wifi, air conditioning, a tour desk, a terrace, non-smoking rooms, and a view.

The property has 861 reviews. Prices start from $10.

Room options span a spectrum of styles, from budget-friendly Economy to more spacious configurations. Examples include Economy (accommodates 2 adults), Queen Room (accommodates 2 adults and 1 child), Room With Sea View (accommodates 2 adults and 1 child), Room - 1 Double, Sea View (accommodates 2 adults and 1 child), Deluxe Twin (accommodates 2 adults), and various Dormitory setups. Sea View options include Room With Sea View, Room - 1 Double, Sea View, and Room - 2 Twin, Sea View (accommodates 2 adults and 1 child).

With 861 reviews, the property presents a well-trodden path for travelers seeking affordable stays. A terrace offers outdoor space to relax and take in the surroundings, adding a pleasant break after days of exploring Sandakan.

Payment is flexible, with cash accepted and a wide range of card options available: Mastercard, Discover, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, Visa, Maestro, UnionPay debit card, and UnionPay.

Closest airports

Sandakan Airport

5.9mi

Lahad Datu Airport

57.5mi

Most popular amenities

Free wifi

Air conditioning

Tour desk

Terrace

Non-smoking rooms

View

Rooms

Standard Twin Room in Sandakan Backpackers Hostel

Show 6 photos

Room - 2 Twin

2 Twin Beds

110 sqft

City view

Air conditioning

+

More details

This twin room has a shared bathroom, air conditioning and city views. The unit has 2 beds.

Standard Triple Room in Sandakan Backpackers Hostel

Show 4 photos

Triple Room

1 Twin Bed

1 Queen Size Bed

130 sqft

City view

Air conditioning

+

More details

This triple room features a shared bathroom, air conditioning and city views. The unit offers 2 beds.

Standard Family Room in Sandakan Backpackers Hostel

Show 4 photos

Standard Family

1 Double Bed

1 Bunk Bed

140 sqft

City view

Air conditioning

+

More details

This family room has a shared bathroom, air conditioning and city views. The unit has 2 beds.

Twin Room with Sea View in Sandakan Backpackers Hostel

Show 3 photos

Room - 2 Twin, Sea View

2 Bunk Beds

110 sqft

Air conditioning

Shower

+

More details

This twin room features a shared bathroom, air conditioning and sea views. The unit offers 2 beds.

Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room in Sandakan Backpackers Hostel

Show 6 photos

Dormitory, 6 Bed, Female Only

1 Bunk Bed

130 sqft

City view

Air conditioning

+

More details

This bed in dormitory features air conditioning.

Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room in Sandakan Backpackers Hostel

Show 6 photos

Dormitory, 6 Twin Beds

1 Bunk Bed

130 sqft

City view

Air conditioning

+

More details

This bed in dormitory has air conditioning.

Show 5 photos

Queen Room

110 sqft

Kitchen

Free wifi

+

More details

This double room features a shared bathroom, air conditioning and city views. The unit offers 1 bed.

Double Room with Sea View in Sandakan Backpackers Hostel

Show 6 photos

Room With Sea View

1 Double Bed

120 sqft

Air conditioning

Shower

+

More details

Standard Double Room in Sandakan Backpackers Hostel

Show 5 photos

Standard Room

1 Double Bed

110 sqft

City view

Air conditioning

+

More details

Show 6 photos

Room - 1 Double, Sea View

120 sqft

+

More details

This double room features a shared bathroom, air conditioning and sea views. The unit offers 1 bed.

Deluxe, Twin

1 Twin Bed

More details

Standard Family, Bunk

1 Double Bed

1 Twin Bed

1 Bunk Bed

More details

Guest reviews

8

861 reviews

Categories of assessments

Cleanliness

Comfort

Location

Facilities

Staff

Value for money

WiFi quality

Featured reviews:

🇬🇧

Francesca

10

July 2025

Staff so helpful with arranging busses and tours to Kinabatangan river - kept in communication with me even after I left to ensure I made it to my destination! It’s also easy to visit the sanctuaries in Sepilok due to a sanctuary. Lovely roof terrace and great overall vibe to the place. You can refill your water bottle for free whenever you want, and there is a decent breakfast included. They also provide free earplugs which is nice Also - I saw in another review and thought I’d echo.. had some amazing food at Fatimah just down the road!!

🇬🇧

Greg

8.2

April 2025

Great location. Free water, tea and coffee all day. Free simple breakfast from 7-9.30. Toast with spreads, banana and boiled egg. Room was large, if a little sparse. Free workout area with yoga mats, weights and punch bag. Decent rooftop with chairs and hammocks. Also really good restaurant nearby called Fatimahs, cheap, so tasty and lovely staff.

Pillows were large and uncomfortable. Some furniture would have improved the room.

🇸🇮

Janja

8.2

January 2025

The location is great. Right in the middle of all the action (although the city is weirdly spread and doesn't have just one center). It's reasonably clean (as far as hostels go) There were enough bathrooms & toilets, so we didn't have to wait our turn (although the hostel didn't feel at its capacity and it was the low season). The simple breakfast is actually nice. You might end up having a second breakfast, but it's a good start of the day.

Pillows. The bed was ok, but the pillows are horrible (to be fair, we had the same problem with all the accommodations in Sabah, so it might be a local thing, but still...horrible).

🇫🇮

Elena

10

May 2025

Extremely helpful staff. The best recommendations I got during all my travel time in Malesia were from the receptionist in the hostel. Excursions, money exchange with the better course, transportation, she new everything. When I prised her, she answered: "It is just my job and I like it". Super attitude. She even had good recommendations for diving in Sepadan (it is another city!). I admire professionals like that! In the hostel is relaxed and chill wibe, clean, smart murals on walls. Thank you for the best stay!

🇲🇾

Hanil

8.2

September 2024

1. The location is great and with nice sea view (Especially from the rooftop). 2. Cheapest accommodation option in town. 3. Basic but comfortable for a short stay. Security card included. 4. Comfortable bed & pillow with blanket and towel provided. 5. AC works very well. 6. Basic clean shower & toilet. 7. A simple free breakfast is provided (Bread + Fruit + coffee/Tea). Window table to watch the sea while having meals is a bonus. 8. Free flow of cold & hot water. 9. Love their hammock on the rooftop with the sea view.

1. Very tight space in the room to perform 'Solat'. No 'Mini Surau' was provided. Reception asked me to perform prayer at Harbour Mall's Surau. What? 2. The amount of water with pressure and hot water temperature are not satisfied. 3. Believe the management does not see our written message on Booking.com. I've also not received their reply. Requested the lower bunk bed due to my body size, but at the counter reception just said to fill in the unoccupied bed which finally ended with the upper bed for me. 4. Management not following the bed numbering system. I booked for 2 nights, and while I was out for local attractions my bed was taken by another guest.

🇸🇮

Gabriela

10

January 2025

clean, tidy room bathroom, clean whole hostel, medium sized room, airy with window, just big enough for 2 backpackers, location in the city centre, beautiful rooftop terrace with sea view, extremely friendly and helpful staff who help with various practical information, good wifi, they also help with organizing excursions at a reasonable price, good value for money

maybe a little outdated equipment in the shared toilets and bathrooms, but everything worked, good water pressure and accessible hot water

🇦🇺

Ange

9.1

August 2024

Great location, in the heart of Sandakan, overlooking the water. Helpful and friendly staff, they were able to provide information on getting a public bus to Sepilok and they were also able to help arrange a day trip to Kinabantangan River. Basic breakfast provided, it's great for days when you don't have time to go out or if you need to leave early.

There was no cover/curtains on the bed for privacy - so I just used my towel. The water pressure/flow for the shower was very slow. But good enough for the price

🇳🇱

Julian

9.1

January 2024

Very friendly and helpful staff. They have the best, cheapest information about tours in the area like the apes or the bears. Good vibe inside the building and shared spaces. Location was perfect: very close to the water and in the center with groceries and restaurants nearby. Free water refill is available, also the same with coffee and tea. Free breakfast is also nice, but we didn't try that one because of the time (max until 09:30) :P

Could be cleaner in the rooms, but we are not complaining about this money & price value :)

🇬🇧

Emma

8.2

May 2025

Very chill vibe and interesting art on walls which makes the hostel feel like an attraction, it is nice to see thoughts and art left by past visitors Location right by waterfront with 7/11 and mall near by Terrace on top is nice to relax on and can smoke if you like Staff were very friendly and helpful

Sink in room was a bit leaky, showers and toilets were fine just very warm in there

🇲🇾

Hannah

10

September 2024

The place had a features cool wall art from past guests. The common area is comfy, and the seaview rooftop offers stunning views. The staff are friendly and very helpful. They offer great tour packages, including trips to the Kinabatangan River and Turtle Island. They also helped me with directions for public and long-distance buses.Breakfast is included, and coffee, tea, and water are available 24/7 which was a great convenience.

Points of Interest Around Sandakan Backpackers Hostel

Airports

Sandakan Airport

5.9mi

Lahad Datu Airport

57.5mi

Amenities of Sandakan Backpackers Hostel

Free wifi

Air conditioning

Tour desk

Terrace

Non-smoking rooms

View

Stay rules - Sandakan Backpackers Hostel

  • Check-in / Check-out

  • Pets

  • Internet

  • Age restrictions

  • Curfew

  • Parking

  • Children and beds

  • Cards accepted at this property

Frequently Asked Questions - Sandakan Backpackers Hostel

At what times are check-in and check-out at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel?

While the stay at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel offers a flexible check-in window between 02:00 PM and 06:00 PM, the check-out is fixed at 12:00 PM.

How much does a stay at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel cost?

Room rates at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel initiate from $10. Yet, variations occur based on your room and date preferences. For exact rates, please insert your travel dates.

What are the room types available at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel?

The Sandakan Backpackers Hostel offers a variety of room types including Double Rooms, Triple Rooms, Twin Rooms, and Family Rooms. All rooms are non-smoking and have different bed arrangements such as double beds, twin beds, bunk beds, or a combination of these. The occupancy varies from accommodating 1 adult in the dormitory rooms to accommodating up to 3 adults in the family room.

What are the main attractions at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel?

Guests at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel can spend their time enjoying various leisure amenities. The hostel provides board games and puzzles for guests to engage in some friendly competition or mental stimulation. These amenities are great for guests looking for indoor entertainment options or to bond with fellow travelers.

Additionally, the data does not provide information about other amenities or facilities at the hostel. Therefore, it is not possible to mention any other specific ways guests can spend their time at the hotel based solely on the provided data.

Are both cash and credit cards valid payment options at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel?

Yes, both cash and credit cards are valid payment options at Sandakan Backpackers Hostel. You can pay with cash or use any of the accepted credit cards: American Express, Discover, Visa, JCB, Diners Club, Mastercard, Maestro, UnionPay debit card, and UnionPay.