Borneo Reserve
Canopy villa with private plunge pool at dusk

Stay

Canopy villas that listen to the forest

Eight suites crafted from reclaimed ironwood, woven rattan, and glass capture the sounds of cicadas and the rhythm of the Sulu Sea along a shoreline where sea turtles nest and horseshoe crabs roam.

View ItinerariesReserve Your Dates

Suites with purpose

Every architectural decision reduces impact and amplifies connection.

Stilted villa above rainforest floor

Zero-concrete foundations

Stilt systems preserve root networks and allow wildlife to move freely beneath each villa.

Open-air lounge with coastal breeze

Passive cooling

Cross-ventilation and operable screens replace air-conditioning. Energy needs are supplied by rooftop solar.

Marine research tools on desk

Immersive observatories

Each suite includes a coral lab kit—macro lens, identification cards, hydrophone recorder, and nightly sky map.

Thoughtfully curated inclusions

Every stay folds in sensory rituals and scientific immersion.

Mornings

Sunrise tidal deck breakfast

Plant-forward Sabah classics plated beside the lagoon before daily reef briefings.

Field immersion

Daily marine science brief

Join biologists for lagoon data dives, coral nursery updates, and evening hydrophone sessions.

Transfers

Private arrival logistics

Door-to-door transfers from Kota Kinabalu International or Kudat airstrip with chilled botanicals on board.

Evenings

Musang King nightcaps

Turndown featuring D197 Musang King truffles, house blended herbal infusions, and rainforest aromatics.

Wellness

Reef-safe apothecary

Complimentary amenities crafted with moringa, lemongrass, and kelulut honey for ocean-friendly self-care.

Suggested 4-night regenerative escape

Designed for curious travellers and citizen scientists.

Day 1 · Arrival & Forest Immersion

Gentle canopy walk, welcome dinner highlighting mangosteen and torch ginger.

Day 2 · Coral Nursery Lab

Morning dive to floating nurseries, afternoon data session, sunset bonfire on black-sand beach.

Day 3 · River & Orchard

Mangrove kayak with seagrass monitoring, farm lunch beneath D200 Black Thorn and D214 Tupai King canopy rows, and a Kampung durian & mangosteen tasting lab.

Day 4 · Community Exchange

Visit Kudat fisherfolk cooperative, co-create reef-safe fishing gear, stargazing on the telescope deck.

Day 5 · Renewal

Sunrise meditation, ocean plunge, nourishing breakfast before departure.

Bring your collective

Whole-estate buyouts available for research residencies, retreats, and productions.

Design a residency

Getting to Kota Kinabalu

Most guests arrive through Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), 2.5 hours from the reserve along the Pan-Borneo Highway.

Bandar Seri Begawan (BWN) → BKI — Royal BruneiBeijing Daxing (PKX) → BKI — AirAsiaShanghai (PVG) → BKI — AirAsia, Shanghai AirlinesGuangzhou (CAN) → BKI — AirAsia, China SouthernShenzhen (SZX) → BKI — AirAsiaHangzhou (HGH) → BKI — AirAsiaFuzhou (FOC) → BKI — XiamenAirZhangjiajie (DYG) → BKI — Batik AirChengdu Tianfu (TFU) → BKI — Firefly (Nov–Feb seasonal)Hong Kong (HKG) → BKI — AirAsia, HK ExpressJakarta (CGK) → BKI — Indonesia AirAsiaSeoul Incheon (ICN) → BKI — Jeju Air, Jin Air, T'way Air, AirAsia, Batik AirBusan (PUS) → BKI — Air BusanManila (MNL) → BKI — Philippines AirAsiaSingapore (SIN) → BKI — Scoot, AirAsiaTaipei (TPE) → BKI — AirAsiaHo Chi Minh City (SGN) → BKI — AirAsiaKuala Lumpur (KUL) → BKI — AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, FireflyKuala Lumpur Subang (SZB) → BKI — Batik AirPenang (PEN) → BKI — AirAsia, FireflyJohor Bahru (JHB) → BKI — AirAsiaKota Bharu (KBR) → BKI — AirAsiaKuching (KCH) → BKI — AirAsia, FireflyMiri (MYY) → BKI — AirAsiaSibu (SBW) → BKI — AirAsiaBintulu (BTU) → BKI — AirAsiaLabuan (LBU) → BKI — Malaysia AirlinesLahad Datu (LDU) → BKI — Malaysia AirlinesLawas (LWY) → BKI — Malaysia AirlinesLimbang (LMN) → BKI — Malaysia AirlinesMulu (MZV) → BKI — Malaysia AirlinesTawau (TWU) → BKI — AirAsia, Batik Air, FireflySandakan (SDK) → BKI — AirAsia, Batik Air, Firefly
International routesDomestic Malaysia

Seasonal intel

  • China leisure routes are most frequent November through February; plan around winter peaks when booking Firefly’s Chengdu service.
  • Korean low-cost carriers adjust capacity often—Busan flights on Air Busan are live from October 2025.
  • Hong Kong adds daily HK Express service from 27 November 2025 alongside AirAsia.
  • Firefly’s jet operations shifted from Subang to Kuala Lumpur International (KUL) on 19 August 2025; Subang retains turboprop regional links.
  • Sabah’s busiest travel windows are November–January and June–August; consider shoulder months for calmer fares.

Updated 4 Oct 2025

CountryAirportAirlinesSeasonality
BruneiBandar Seri Begawan (BWN)Royal BruneiYear-round
ChinaBeijing Daxing (PKX)AirAsiaYear-round
ChinaShanghai (PVG)AirAsia, Shanghai AirlinesYear-round
ChinaGuangzhou (CAN)AirAsia, China SouthernYear-round
ChinaShenzhen (SZX)AirAsiaYear-round
ChinaHangzhou (HGH)AirAsiaYear-round
ChinaFuzhou (FOC)XiamenAirYear-round
ChinaZhangjiajie (DYG)Batik AirYear-round
ChinaChengdu Tianfu (TFU)FireflyNov–Feb seasonal
Hong KongHong Kong (HKG)AirAsia, HK ExpressYear-round
IndonesiaJakarta (CGK)Indonesia AirAsiaYear-round
KoreaSeoul Incheon (ICN)Jeju Air, Jin Air, T'way Air, AirAsia, Batik AirYear-round
KoreaBusan (PUS)Air BusanYear-round
PhilippinesManila (MNL)Philippines AirAsiaYear-round
SingaporeSingapore (SIN)Scoot, AirAsiaYear-round
TaiwanTaipei (TPE)AirAsiaYear-round
VietnamHo Chi Minh City (SGN)AirAsiaYear-round

Peninsular Malaysia

AirportAirlines
Johor Bahru (JHB)AirAsia
Kota Bharu (KBR)AirAsia
Kuala Lumpur (KUL)AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, Firefly
Penang (PEN)AirAsia, Firefly
Kuala Lumpur Subang (SZB)Batik Air

Sabah & Sarawak

AirportAirlines
Bintulu (BTU)AirAsia
Kuching (KCH)AirAsia, Firefly
Labuan (LBU)Malaysia Airlines
Lahad Datu (LDU)Malaysia Airlines
Lawas (LWY)Malaysia Airlines
Limbang (LMN)Malaysia Airlines
Miri (MYY)AirAsia
Mulu (MZV)Malaysia Airlines
Sandakan (SDK)AirAsia, Batik Air, Firefly
Sibu (SBW)AirAsia
Tawau (TWU)AirAsia, Batik Air, Firefly