About this hotel
General information
Borneo Rainforest Lodge lies deep inside the Danum Valley Conservation Area in eastern Sabah — 43,800 hectares of untouched lowland rainforest on Borneo, thought to be some 130 million years old. A single hectare holds around 200 plant species; more than 320 bird species and 124 mammal species have been recorded, and the valley is listed as an Important Bird Area. A Kyoto University research team has long been based at the lodge, following the wild orangutans that live around it.
The lodge was built to tread lightly: the chalets follow passive-design principles, with high ceilings and natural ventilation, water is heated by the sun, and drinking water is filtered and UV-treated rather than chlorinated. There are three villas and 27 chalets, each with its own bathroom, plus a restaurant and a Mandara Spa. Stays are full board, and each day’s programme — forest walks, night drives, birding — is led by local naturalist guides.
Location
The lodge sits above the Danum River in the Danum Valley, about 97 km from the nearest town, Lahad Datu. Lahad Datu is a flight of around 55 minutes from Kota Kinabalu International Airport; from there the lodge’s scheduled transfer leaves the Borneo Nature Tours office daily at 9.30am for a drive of about two and a half hours, mostly on gravel road. The return transfer leaves the lodge at 1.30pm.
Spa
Mandara Spa draws on age-old Eastern healing traditions. The menu covers Balinese massage, the signature four-hand Mandara Massage that blends shiatsu, Thai, Hawaiian lomi lomi, Swedish and Balinese techniques, warm stone massage and the signature Pure Nature Facial, along with longer rituals built around an aromatic floral footbath, body washes and scrubs, coffee among them.
Sports & leisure
The forest is the main event. Guides lead walks of two to three hours along different trails, starting with a short self-guided interpretive trail. The canopy walkway lifts guests 27 m above the forest floor, and a viewing platform across the Danum River looks back over the lodge and the valley. By day there is a natural rock pool beneath a small waterfall and tubing down the river; after dark, night drives by electric buggy and night walks go in search of nocturnal wildlife.
The valley is home to orangutans, mouse deer, sambar deer, civets, hornbills and several primate species, with rarer sightings of clouded leopard, leopard cat and western tarsier. More than 50 endemic bird species, including the scarce white-crowned hornbill, reward a longer stay for birders, and the lodge arranges tailored itineraries around orangutans, birds and insects.
Restaurants & bars
The lodge restaurant serves Asian and Western dishes built on local produce, with breakfast, lunch and dinner taken indoors or out among the greenery. Private dining in the forest can be arranged, special diets are catered for with notice, and evenings tend to end with a drink on the verandah.
Swimming
Swimming here is in the wild: a rock pool beneath a waterfall near the lodge and tubing on the Danum River. The Premium villas and the Premium Deluxe chalet have their own plunge pools.
Rooms
Three villas and 27 chalets are scattered through the rainforest, from compact Jungle Chalets facing the trees to spacious Premium villas above the river with plunge pools, outdoor tubs and Swarovski Optik binoculars.
Air conditioning, natural bath products, a stocked minibar, tea and coffee facilities, a safe, an electric insect repellent and mosquito net, international sockets, an umbrella and a phone to reach the front office; Wi-Fi is available in the main lodge.
Premium Double Storey Villa
A two-storey river-view villa for up to four, with a king bed and two single beds, a plunge pool, an outdoor tub on a broad deck, two Swarovski Optik binoculars and trekking gear.
Premium Single Storey Villa
A single-storey villa for two with a king bed, a sitting area, a plunge pool and an outdoor tub on a deck overlooking the river and forest; two Swarovski Optik binoculars are provided.
Premium Deluxe Chalet
A modern chalet with floor-to-ceiling windows, a large balcony above the Danum River and a plunge pool, sleeping up to four in two queen or two king beds plus a Murphy bed.
Deluxe Chalet 1 Double 1 Single
The larger Deluxe chalet, facing the jungle, with a double and a single bed for up to three and an oversized outdoor tub on the private balcony.
Deluxe Chalet Twin Doubles
A Deluxe chalet with two double beds for up to three, looking into evergreen forest, with an outdoor tub on the private balcony.
Deluxe 1 Double
A compact Deluxe chalet for two with one double bed and rainforest views.
Jungle Chalet
A snug jungle-view chalet where a step outside brings the sounds of the forest or the drama of a tropical downpour, with a double and a single bed.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.