Is Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

Self parking is free at this property.

Where is Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat located?

Situated in Sandakan, this lodge is within 6 mi (10 km) of Rainforest Discovery Centre, Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre, and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Sandakan Memorial Park and Sandakan Memorial Park are also within 12 mi (20 km).

Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat Reviews, Deals & Photos 2026

10/10 Excellent

Elianne

15 August 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Well looked after

Wonderful place, such friendly, helpful staff. The communal eating area has a lovely atmosphere. Rooms are very pleasant and comfortable.

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Ryan

26 September 2025

Liked: Staff & service

Disliked: Cleanliness

Lovely staff and location but lots of bugs in our room. Tiny ants could get the mosquito net and into our bed which we had to remove each night. Not the nicest. Maybe it was just our room.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bradley

18 September 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Great accommodation surrounded by beautiful nature. Staff was very helpful and kind. Would definitely stay here again.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lykke Christel

10 July 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Nice and authentic

Authentic place. Very nice staff. Free shuttle to the parks. 4-5 dishes to choose from on the menu.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

17 January 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Amazing experience!!

I loved this unique hotel, it was a tick off the bucket to stay in the rainforest! The staff are so friendly and the food is excellent and great value for money. It is very easy to get to the animal centres and I was still able to access the internet so could order grab taxis. I’d definitely recommend bringing bug spray! 100% would recommend, where else can you stay in the rainforest?!

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

cara

4 September 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Room much nicer and bigger than expected (family room) with lovely views. Nice breakfast options and lots of trip options and lifts if needed. Limited food options in evening but food good.

8/10 Good

Meredith

4 June 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Overpriced but great location

Cute eco lodge near attractions in Sepilok. Beautiful views in the morning and staff offers competitive rates on tours and transport. I appreciated the free shuttle to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. The property is not as pristine as the photos and I feel was overpriced for what it was.

Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

Richard

9 August 2023

Liked: Staff & service, amenities

Staying in the bunk longhouse could be classed as roughing it a little, but the lodge as a whole is inexpensive the staff are very helpful and it is a fantastic adventure - a base from which to explore Borneo's wildlife. Our teenage kids loved it, once they had adjusted!

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Jo

4 August 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

A family run retreat who make you feel like part of the family. Basic and rustic, it fits perfectly into the surroundings. Close to the attractions in Sepilok so location is convenient. While breakfast is provided and other meals can be purchased, the menu didnot change (we were there 5 nights) so some variety would be nice. Outdoor bathroom attached to the room makes you feel like you are showeri g in the jungle. Don't leave anything in the bathroom though. My husband's toothbrush mysteriously went missing!!

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Victor

10 August 2023

Liked: Staff & service

Disliked: Cleanliness

This review is for the private room. Our room was nice with 1 Queen bed and a bunk bed. All beds had netting in good condition and the view was excellent. Our private bathroom was almost outdoors so that made for an immersive experience. Food was ok; the amount of protein was in some dishes very small and the menu never changed but it was cheap. Breakfast was included and was eggs, 2 white toasts and small amount of fruit. Plus tea or coffee. The big buts we’re maintenance;e.g. door latches didn’t work, loose safeguard netting for the balcony and cleanliness. Under the beds they didn’t clean and the reception/restaurant area was not very clean. Leftover food was left for hours and floors weren’t swept. The bathroom there was filthy. The big plus we’re the leading ladies who multitasked booking tours, checking in/out, taking restaurant orders etc. They eeee always serviceable and with a smile. Lots of families and younger travellers.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

6/10 Okay

Francesca

31 October 2025

Liked: Staff & service

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities

Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat has a stunning setting, you’re right in the rainforest, surrounded by beautiful grounds and nature. The location is great, and the free shuttle to the Orangutan and Sun Bear Centres is a big plus. The staff were incredibly kind and helpful throughout our stay. However, we did struggle with the accommodation. Our room was hot and stuffy, the air conditioning didn’t work, and the shower leaked. The mosquito net was too small for the bed and had several holes, which made it difficult to sleep comfortably, especially since we really needed it in that environment. Unfortunately, we also had rats running in and out of the room during the night, which made for a very unsettling experience. We asked for help from security, but no one came to check. In the end, we only stayed one night instead of three, though we appreciated that the team kindly refunded the booking. With some updates to the rooms and better pest control, this could be a wonderful place to stay, but in its current state, it just wasn’t suitable for us.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Veronica

30 September 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Abbiamo soggiornato qui due notti ad Agosto, che dire il posto é circondato dalla foresta, stupendo! Si è in mezzo alla natura! Le ragazze sono gentilissime e si preoccupano di dare tutte le informazioni. Il cibo è fantastico! C’è un servizio di navetta gratuito per il centro di conservazione degli oranghi e per l’escursione nella giungla se ricordo bene due volte al giorno. Per quanto riguarda la camera la vista era pazzesca peccato solo che là si possa vedere tenendo lo scuro aperto, ma così c’è la possibilità che entrino insetti perché ovviamente non ci sono zanzariere. Il bagno è all’aperto, fa parte dell’esperienza. Abbiamo trovato tutto abbastanza pulito a parte qualche formichina sul letto. Consigliato!

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marcel

8 September 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Sehr schöne Natur, toller Blick ins Grüne

Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Cristiana

4 August 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

I bungalow sono spartani ma molto puliti. Non troppo spazioso. Noi abbiamo dormito in una camera famigliare con letto matrimoniale e letto a castello, molto comodi. Il bagno è annesso alla stanza ma praticamente aperto verso la foresta, molto molto basico ma funzionale. Cucina OTTIMA ed economica. Personale super gentile e disponibile Navetta gratuita per i parchi dei dintorni ad orari prestabiliti. Gli esterni sono poco curati. Ci sono diversi cani e gatti lasciati liberi

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Elise

19 December 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Lorsque je suis arrivée, j'ai vu le restaurant en pleins travaux, alors que je prévoyais d'y travailler (sur mon ordinateur) et qu'il n'y avait pas beaucoup d'autres endroits autour. J'aurais aimé le savoir avant.

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Hans Peter

25 March 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Das Preis/ Leistungsverhältnis war okay

Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Regina

11 April 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Jungle stay

Great place close to the jungle!

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

13 February 2020

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Basic but fit for purpose, staff and food great

Basic wooden hut stay in the jungle so has to be judged as such. Staff were really friendly and helpful. Food was great and very reasonable. Rather remote so you have to get the shuttle provided or sort out your own arrangements. We couldn't get Grab from the hotel but could get it at the attractions in town. Room itself was basic, no towels provided, no cleaning service. Shower was hot. Served its purpose and would recommend for a few days to see the sights of Sepilok.

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Wendy

18 October 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

We had a great time staying at Paganakan Dii. The hotel is rustic, but clean. It is a quiet location and you really feel like you are in the jungle when you are staying there. The staff are very friendly and it is lovely that they organize shuttle services to the Orangutan Sanctuary as well as the Rain Forest Discovery Center. Our kids loved staying the bunk beds and the mosquito nets added to the adventure.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth

10 September 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

This is a retreat built in the jungle and has to be judged accordingly. We stayed in a wooden chalet which was clean and spacious with a private outdoor bathroom. We slept under mosquito nets and were careful not to leave outside lights on unnecessarily so as not to attract the insects. You will need insect repellent in the open dining/sitting areas particularly in the evening. Tha staff were particularly friendly and helpful. This is a great place to stay to visit Sepilok and surrounding areas with the staff helping if you wanted transport or trips arranged.

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Adila

26 August 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

true nature

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

23 August 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Great lodge in the heart of Sepilok. Good facilities and very tasty basic food. Staff amazingly friendly and helpful, especially when organising trips. Very child friendly. The kids loved chilling in the hammocks and listening to the spunds of the jungle. Free transport to Sepilok, Sun bears etc. If yoi have time dont miss out the Rainforest Discovery Centre. Almost deserted and haven for wildlife. Saw orang utans, flying squirrels, slow loris etc. The night waalk is a must! Paganankan is also highly recommended as a lodge, especially if you have kids!!!

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

7 August 2019

Liked: Cleanliness

The location is great, the cabins lovely and the staff fantastic!

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

7 July 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

We really enjoyed staying here. It is basic but a different experience to the other lodges. Rooms where the walls slide away to bring the outside in. Comfortable beds with mosquito nets. Outdoor shower. Lots of hammocks to relax in. Communal areas to sit and meet other guests. The food wasn’t special but was good enough.

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

4 July 2019

Liked: Staff & service

The property is OK, did its purpose. The staff are wonderful and the location is perfect for the orang-utans sanctuary. The location is not good for anything else unless you have your own car or want to spend money on cabs - there is nothing around. You rely on their meals and services. The internet service is only available in the common area of the meals area and is barely useable. My advice, if you have urgent emails or bookings to do, do it before you get to this property.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

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