Stay close to Sandakan’s wildlife, local flavours and harbourfront at Ormond Sandakan
After three or four days in Sandakan, it’s easy to fall for this city; its unhurried pace, friendly locals and wildlife discoveries leave an indelible impression. Ormond Sandakan makes for an ideal base, just steps from the town centre, local markets and the harbourfront.
Comfortable rooms frame picturesque coastal views. Start mornings slow with breakfast at Rise, and enjoy lunch or dinner at Rasa, where the Taste of Sandakan set menu brings local specialities like paku pakis (fern), seagrapes, rendang and mango kerabu (salad) to the table. Even the grilled Sabah flounder and king prawns cooked in berlada bambangan (spicy wild mango) sauce are worth returning for. Then pair sunset swims at the infinity pool with refreshing bites and drinks from Bayu, and cap the night off at Brew over coffee, craft beer and live music.
The hotel arranges adventurous excursions outside the town. Knowledgeable guides from Sepilok Tropical Wildlife Adventure bring priceless experiences that let you observe orangutans and sun bears in their natural habitat, while a river cruise on the iconic Kinabatangan River tracks down Borneo’s big five, including pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys and saltwater crocodiles. Also, get to know Sandakan’s interesting colonial history with a guided heritage trail, which includes visits to Agnes Keith’s house, a memorial park for prisoners of war, and one of Sabah’s oldest churches. ormondsandakan.com
