Sandakan Backpackers Reviews

It's quite cheap, but very Spartan. First hostel I've ever stayed at that does not provide a sheet to sleep under. The rooms are quite cell-like. There is graffiti all over the walls of the public areas, most of which is from happy travellers (although it makes the place look more run down), but some is actually quite offensive. Still, if you're only staying a night in Sandakan, it's cheap and right next to some good local restaurants on the seafront.

A very nice hostel with friendly staff, but I got bed bugs at this hostel and are not very happy about that. It's very common in Borneo, but I've been here for one month and I've never run into them until now.

Staff was great..My room had been given away but Hansom remedied this by giving me a 6-bunk dorm bed all to myself. Wifi very iffy, sometimes working other times nonexistent. Room was clean and the AC worked..BUT the worst part was that several people were allowed to smoke in the main lobby and gathering area..there was a rooftop smoking pit but some just did not want to make the climb up there to have their ciggy...cigarette smoke smells and is a poison. This was the biggest negative here.

I stayed in hostel for a couple of days and the staff was super friendly and helpful advising you on trips you can do and getting bus tickets when travelling on. Dorm room was very clean and toilets / bathrooms were clean but a bit run down. Location of the hostel is very good, close to the seafront where you find many restaurants and shops. Overall, I was very happy to stay there and would go there again.

Really lovely staff; Very helpful with booking tours and answering questions.