Lodge is clean, comfortable and their staff are warm and friendly. Highly recommended! - Stayed at the lodge for 1 night after reaching Laban Rata. Treated to a wide selection of freshly cooked buffet meals on arrival! My room had a twin bed with... read more an ensuite bathroom. Sadly, the water heater wasn't working. The room is pretty basic with no heating but very clean and comfortable. Overall my experience staying at the lodge was pleasant and comfortable. Would definitely return back here in the future!

  October 2022 was my 7th time to climb Mt. Kinabalu (since 1995) and my 7th time to stay in Labanrata Resthouse. I'm finding with the now ridiculous prices that Sutera... read more Sanctuary Lodges (SSL) now charge it's really difficult to justify or recommend climbing Mt. K anymore. (RM4000+/2pax/1night!) SSL need to seriously think about repair work and maintenance to Labanrata as it has become badly dilapidated and rundown under their stewardship - while SSL are happy to grab as much tourists $money$ as they can. For goodness sake reinvest some money back into maintaining your building! During our recent stay the upstairs women's toilets were badly leaking brown 'water' (multiple leaks downstairs onto the dining tables below - YUCK! There were 4 buckets placed to catch this filth - and it seemed to just 'be the daily norm' - Seriously? On this trip we paid extra for a $private room$ (which was spacious, nice and clean) but our hot shower still did not work! I would gladly pay USD$10 extra for a 5min hot shower! (Note: Even in the remote Himalayas at 17,000ft and 9days walk in from anywhere - the most remote, basic lodges offer GAS hot showers for USD$5 or less) On a good note the food at Labanrata Resthouse was goodish (for its location and logistics) and food a plenty. The staff were generally friendly and attentive. I remember back in the 90s/early 2000s (multiple family trips ) to Labanrata/Mt.K - the bedrooms/dorms were all heated and there was a hot shower for guests back then - not anymore! Advice to SSL: Install some GAS hot water showers - guests would gladly pay optional extra for this little luxury and would provide extra income for the porters in carrying the gas up.

  Overall my stay was very pleasant. I have been coming here every year. Service good. food also good but I think there's too much MSG added to the... read more food but I could be wrong.
The electricity was the biggest let down and needs to be seriously improved. Plus the dining area had leakages - water dripping down.
But generally it was pleasant, good staff working there, especially the Manager.

  The view from Laban Rata was incredible but difficult to sleep in cold weather - Laban Rata is the biggest accommodation on Mount Kinabalu. We may check-in from 2pm and since we arrived earlier and the room was already available. Room was non-heated and bathrooms... read more are shared with no hot water. Buffet meals are included as part of our accommodation package, however, Laban Rata also sells a variety of different snacks and essential items, along with some meals we can purchase outside of meal times. Please note that Laban Rata is cash only and all purchases must be paid in Malaysian ringgit. The provided meals were variety and plentiful. There were some local dishes like curries and rice, some salads, pasta and noodles, soup and fruits. For climbers with specific dietary preferences for example with particular allergies, you may be served a separate meal. Please be mind, tea and coffee will be provided at supper and breakfast only, but not at dinner. Drinking water is not provided at any meal, this always needs to be purchased. It was quite rushed and crowded for dinner around 5pm, so manage your time wisely. The bathrooms were good and clean, but the water was brutally cold. Most people skip the shower and bring wet wipes to tide themselves over instead. I regretted big time taking the shower that day. I had to do hundreds star-jump to warm up my body. Bedding is provided but the non-heated dorm rooms are freezing at night. Bring clothing suitable for cold mountain weather.

  We got two room for 10 pax. Overall, the room is all in good condition. Don’t expect a room like a 5 star hotel, just enjoy the scenery and cozy... read more feeling in the room. No light? no problem, use your headlamp! Yes the water is very cold when go take a shower, no complain, it’s only once in a lifetime 😀 try it! Sorry no picture inside the room 😛 More