Visitors, including overseas tourists, usually visit Lahad Datu because of its natural attractions. The most popular destination in Lahad Datu is the oldest rainforest in the world, the Danum Valley Conservation Area.

Due to its location, people usually engage themselves in some ecotourism and sporty activities like trekking, birdwatching, and even diving and snorkeling. Hence, choosing a luxury place to stay in Lahad Datu is quite unnecessary. In fact, it’s hard to find a luxurious resort surrounded by nature. Visitors even prefer to stay in a homestay.

Yup, there are plenty of great homestays in Lahad Datu, including 2 to 3 star hotels that offer comfort and affordable rates. Find out the best accommodations in Lahad Datu on our list below!

Location: Lot 11, Taman Panji, Jalan Panji, Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia, 91100
Room Rate: Starts from RM 430.95

Choose the best homestay in Lahad Datu for an affordable stay, like House11. Meet the friendly staff and have a good rest inside the clean and comfortable room. They also offer laundry service, so it’s suitable for a long stay too. Of course there’s no breakfast, but there are some fruits and snacks to enjoy daily.

Location: No 37, Peringkat 1, Kampung Muhibbah, Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia, 91100
Room Rate: Please contact +60 3-8873 3710 for further information about price

In OYO Home 90333 Tiny Room Homestay, you can either book a room or book the whole house if you’re on a group holiday. Rooms are so homey and completed with basic amenities for your comfort such as air conditioning. For a more affordable choice, you can pick a room only, so you need to use the shared bathroom. But no worries, cleanliness here is guaranteed.

Location: Kilometer 10, Jln Lahad Datu - Tawau, 91100 Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia
Room Rate: Please contact +60 14 8637 007 for further information about price

Homestay Cahaya Kaseh Lahad Datu is a quite popular homestay in Lahad Datu. It’s also the best choice when you’re here with the whole family or your big gang and it’s going to be too expensive if all of you book a hotel room each. It’s enough for up to 16 people inside.

The rooms are all air conditioned, you’ll get comfortable and enough rest in the middle of your activities in Lahad Datu. Anyway, you can ask the landlord whether they have a tour package that you can join during your stay. They usually offer, at least, a snorkeling package.

Location: C1-9, TAMAN PALM GARDEN, 91100 Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia
Room Rate: Starts from

Who says you should limit something when you stay in a homestay? It’s not working in M&M Homestay Palm Garden Lahad Datu, because it has everything, including a swimming pool, gym, and even a cafe to eat in. Located in a complex, this homestay is not far from the city centre and is guarded 24 hours.

There’s no problem when you’re not in the mood of going out to the cafe to eat, because you can cook by yourself in the kitchen. Enjoy the complete kitchen utensils, including rice cooker, kettle, and toaster. You can completely have this homestay like it's your own home.

Location: Block C, Lot 20 , Ground & 1st Floor, Jalan Bunga Raya, Bandar Wilayah, Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia, 91100
Room Rate: Starts from RM 90.99

Maya Hotel & Spa is a 2-star hotel that is considered the nicest in Lahad Datu. The rooms are not spacious but still in a comfortable space. Basic facilities are complete, including WiFi connection, gym, and spa. Inside the room is the AC to keep the temperature as you like, desk, private shower, and coffee and tea maker.

Enjoy the view of the city, as you relax on your own balcony. Need to be more relaxed? Don’t forget that they have a spa!

Location: Jalan Teratai, Bandar Lahad Datu, 91100 Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia
Room Rate: Starts from RM 56.50

The next best place to stay that comes in at a cheap rate is Hotel Ocean. The 2-star hotel is close to the airport, and if you’re hungry, you just need to step outside to find the nearest restaurant. Rooms are enough, with a clean bed and a clean bathroom. It’s rather small but it’s not a problem at all.

Every room here is already equipped with basic necessities too. You can have your own wardrobe, lay on the comfortable bed, and watch the TV while resting. There are several types of rooms: Economy Triple Room, Deluxe Double Room, Economy Quadruple Room, and Family Room. Looking at the room options, you’ll know it’s perfect for a group stay too.

Some of the rooms here don’t have windows. If it’s a problem to you, you should communicate it with the hotel’s staff so you don’t pick the wrong room.

Location: MDLD 4678, Level 4 & 5, Lahad Datu Centre Point, Jalan Kastam Lama, Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia, 91100
Room Rate: Starts from RM 94.93

Grace Hotel Lahad Datu is quite big in the area, with 56 rooms that are divided into several types. The place also has family suites, which makes it a suitable place for a family stay. The room size is perfect, especially when you know that the rate is so cheap.

Facilities inside the room are very advantageous, like the AC, TV, electric kettle, bathroom with basic toiletries, bottled water, and a small fridge. Room types are plenty. Aside from the Family Suites, you can also pick the Studio with Ocean View for the best experience, or pick the standard one for 2 persons like Deluxe or Superior Room.

The location is very convenient, it is surrounded by almost everything, including restaurants, coffee shops, supermarket and mini market, mosque, temple, and even pharmacies. All of them are within walking distance too.

The breathtaking Danum Valley Conservation Area is already a 130 million years old rainforest, making it one of the oldest rainforests in the world. If you’re a naturalist, it’s a huge waste if you haven’t visited this area. From Lahad Datu, it takes around 2 to 3 hours to get to Danum Valley Conservation Area.

The things you can do in Danum Valley would be so much fun, especially when you’re a true nature admirer. Prepare your energy for trekking and meeting the wildlife of Danum Valley, like the orangutans and gibbons. Walk through its iconic canopy walkway for a more spectacular view.

If you want, you can visit its night safari, when you can encounter nocturnal animals and experience being in the middle of wildlife when it’s almost midnight.

Tabin Wildlife Reserve is another great place to explore. It has an accommodation too, a lodge with complete facilities. If you are not interested in staying here, it’s no problem at all. You can focus on exploring the wildlife here, including the endangered ones, like some exotic birds, Tembadau, and Borneo Pygmy elephants.

The situation of Tabin Wildlife Reserve is very refreshing. It’s full of tropical plants and surrounded by the rainforest. There’s also a waterfall where you can relax by the side, the Lipad Waterfall. Just hearing the sound of it will be a soothing experience.

Tabin Wildlife Reserve is really a place for nature lovers. When you’re here, don’t forget to take some pictures.

Lahad Datu is surrounded by beautiful islands, that’s why it is famous for nature lovers. When you’re in Lahad Datu, it would be easy to do island-hopping, like to Sipadan Island, Mataking Island, Mabus Island, Timba Timba Island, and Tun Sakaran Marine Park. There’s a lot of things to do on the island too, including diving and snorkeling.

Sipadan Islands is already well known for divers, as it is one of the best diving spots in the whole world. The place is well-maintained, and its pristine coral reefs and various marine life under the sea will amaze all the divers. If you crave for a white sandy beach situation, explore Mataking Island. It’s a good place to relax, aside from snorkeling and diving.

From the city, you need to go around the island nearby, usually by boat or speedboat. Some hotels and homestays in Lahad Datu possibly offer you some tour packages that already include the transportation. If you want a more private journey, booking a private boat is possible too, just ask the staff of the hotel or homestay for more information.

So, are you ready to explore Lahad Datu? Your journey will be twice as memorable if you choose the best accommodation, whether it’s a hotel or homestay in Lahad Datu. If you have picked your favorite accommodation, book it right away on Traveloka, where you book for your flight and attraction at the best deal ever!

Also read: Escape the Crowd: 7 Least Explored Places in Malaysia