Sukau Rainforest Lodge – A National Geographic Unique Lodge

A few weeks ago, I was at Sabah with friends and I had a wonderful time staying one night at Sukau’s own National Geographic Unique Lodge – the Sukau Rainforest Lodge.

Although I wished I had stayed there longer, the time I had at the eco-lodge and its natural surroundings helped elavated my stress and lightened up my mood for the next few days.

Sukau Rainforest Lodge – Unique Lodge Of The World

Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Sukau Rainforest Lodge is located along Sabah’s Kinabatangan River. Yes, the river is long and there are other lodges along the Kinabatangan River too but what sets Sukau Rainforest Lodge apart from the others are probably the fact that it is certified by National Geographic to be one of the Unique Lodges Of The World.

It is not every day that you can be certified by National Geographic. It took Sukau Rainforest Lodge 25 years to get the National Geographic stamp because in order to operate an authentic ecolodge, there are three (3) main principles that need to be practiced and at least two (2) out of eight (8) criterias need to be fulfilled.

*Found on website
*Found on website

The lodge is designed, constructed and operated in an equally-balanced spiritual-nature communion.

Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Sukau Rainforest Lodge Rooms

Sukau Rainforest Lodge is an ecolodge of two-to-seventy five rooms with sustainable accommodation.

The rooms are named based on the first people or famous people who stayed in Sukau Rainforest Lodge before. I stayed in a room called Kari bin Ongong, who was the initial land owner of Sukau Rainforest Lodge’s site.

My room was furnished with two (2) single beds, bedside lamp, dressing table, clothes hangar and luggage store. The bathroom is on a separate level with a sliding door that opens to a sink and daybed. The usual toiletries provided such as toothbrush, cotton pads, cotton buds, shower gel, soap and shampoo. Shower and toilet is through another door.

I liked that the towels are green, which according to them is done on purpose to go along with the “green” living.

I also liked that on our first night, we were told to wear batik sarong to dinner – either in the traditional way or according to our own imagination. It was a fun dinner, especially when some people’s sarong started slipping to the floor.

Facilities at Sukau Rainforest Lodge

The lodge is nature-based and one of the examples of how sustainable the business is is the water – obtained from rain. There are a few large tanks around the lodge meant to store rain water. They are then are treated before turned into tap water. Drinking water on the other hand, are reverse osmosis water. It is advisable not to drink directly from the tap water. Drinking water are provided at a few locations around the lodge.

Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Since I’ve never stayed in other ecolodges before, I wouldn’t know if this is common or not, but Sukau Rainforest Lodge provides a separate Smoking Room for smokers to have their “fix”, away from the common room. Smoking in the open is not allowed here.

When we first arrived, we were advised not to wear sneakers or large shoes at the common area. Sandals or slippers provided in the room only, to keep the area clean and user-friendly for all guests.

Sukau Rainforest Lodge

There is a swimming pool at the lodge with lounge chairs to sit about 10 people at one time.

Sukau Rainforest Lodge

There is a spa too, which is located at the end of the Hornbill Boardwalk, slightly away from the guestrooms. An appointment is required to be made beforehand to check on availability.

If you’re one who needs internet connection 24/7, then you would probably feel depressed at this lodge. Unless you’re using “the yellow man” telco, data connection from other telcos will disappoint you. Even the wifi available at the common area (lobby) is not very dependable.

Services By Staffs

From the minute we got off our boat, the service was welcoming and friendly. We were given welcome drinks and even the sarong-wearing demonstration was light-hearted and fun. One of the staff even help refresh the internet connection when my friends requested it even though we knew the connection was unstable. Overall, I liked staying here.

Read about my other Sandakan experiences too.

Rating:

Service ♥♥♥♥
Cleanliness ♥♥♥♥♥
Price ♥♥♥♥
Location ♥♥♥♥
Overall Value ♥♥♥♥♥

Sukau Rainforest Lodge
C/O Borneo Eco Tours, Lot 1,
Pusat Perindustrian, Kolombong Jaya, Mile 5.5,
Jalan Kolombong, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Tel : +60 88-438 300
Web : Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Written by 

LizzaBella is a part-time traveler, amateur photographer and videographer and writer. Connect with LizzaBella through her social medias today!

15 thoughts on “Sukau Rainforest Lodge – A National Geographic Unique Lodge

  1. Wow! So amazing travel and so nice views there. Love reading your experince. Nice knowing you Bella. Keep up blogging ya ^__^

  2. such a magnificent place.. i do hope i can get a chance to visit this place one day and experience it myself

  3. I laughed out loud imagining some people’s sarong slipping onto the floor. Hope you were not one of them!

  4. Very warm and welcoming place to be. Calming and peaceful in nature. But sure got insects and mosquitoes that I fear most huhu… If not great place to bring family away from the bustling city

  5. blair villanueva says:

    It is beeautiful and very refreshing. I think all busy people should take a break and at least visit this rainforest to rejuvenate their thoughts. Thumbs up!

  6. Aww I so wanna go to Sabah one day! It looks like a really nice place to unwind. Actually a good thing that internet is bad there LOL

  7. The place looks so WOW, the ecosystem, facilities and all.
    I’m planning to visit Sabah in next 3-4 months, maybe I consider to stay here too.
    But somehow low telco reception there make me think twice.
    But thanks for sharing anyway!

  8. Surrounded by the beauty of the nature. Time for me to bring my children there to explore.

  9. It indeed looks such an happening place. Would love to visit one day.

  10. Joanne Cheah says:

    Beauty of Nature, I can feel how fresh is the air at there. Haha. So relax.

  11. so one with nature.. if i was there, i’ll run around naked! hahaha.

  12. Looks amazing! Wish I could be there to experience it in real life.

  13. I really miss travel and nature! This was a really unique experience staying in lodge =D

  14. Chuojashni Subramaniam says:

    Wow! I always wanted to experience something like this! Will definitely go for this!

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