Tawau Hotels, Hostels and Resorts
As mentioned, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to accommodation for travellers in Tawau, especially considering how small the town is. Many will include free wifi, breakfast and will have friendly staff who can help advise you on how best to navigate the area and work out which activities you might like to explore. Bear in mind that you are in a fairly remote area of Borneo so wifi is not going to be all that great – there is one internet cafe in the town in case of emergencies but even this is probably not something to be relied upon.
Budget
If you’re travelling on a budget there are a few reliable choices that tend to receive good feedback from tourists.
Hotel Son Yee is an older guesthouse that’s been popular with backpackers for many years now, offering basic, clean and very cheap rooms. Most rooms have air conditioning and you can choose from either shared or a private bathroom depending on your budget and preference. Be prepared for cold water showers, but for the price this is a decent place to rest your head, with a helpful owner who is happy to assist you with organising your travel plans in and around Tawau.
Other popular budget choices include VS Guesthouse, which is fairly new and has TVs, air conditioning, wifi and heaters in the rooms, costing from around MYR58 per night.
Ocean Villa has a very convenient location near to both the bus station and the port - ideal if you’re travelling to use Tawau as a base for ocean bound excursions. This too has air conditioning, wifi, TVs and filtered water. Really most are fairly similar standards and pricing.
You may also like to check out Hotel Murah and T Hotel Tawau. Generally with the accommodation for backpackers, as long as you don’t mind chancing it, you’ll find better deals by just rocking up and trying your luck when you find somewhere you like the look of.
Mid-Range
For those on a slightly more generous budget, there are a couple of options that are still more cost effective than your standard hotel. Try the Seaside Hotel for new, clean and generally apportioned rooms, most of which boast great sea views which is just what you want in a town like Tawau. It’s near to the bus station and to some of the best local seafood restaurants. You could also try the Kingston Hotel, Jalan Haji Karim Hotel and the Heritage Hotel that may be worth investigating.
Top End
Finally, whilst not exactly luxury, there are some higher standard mid range hotels in Tawau. One of the most popular is the LA Hotel, which has a great rooftop bar which is the perfect spot for evening drinks, as well as clean and modern rooms, again offering beautiful sea views. This is a good choice for business travellers and those looking for a comfortable stay in a contemporary style hotel that won’t break the bank.
For somewhere in a similar price bracket but with a little more personality, consider the Marco Polo Hotel, which is one of Tawau’s more historic hotels. It even hosted a state visit from the Swedish royal family back in the 90s! The rooms are spacious and clean, if a little dated. You could also try the Shervinton Executive Boutique Hotel or Prince Hotel, which also offer decent facilities and comfortable rooms for prices that will by no means break the bank.
