Best way to book rooms in Mabul?

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Naomichele

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Hi Everyone,

My Fiance and I are looking to spend some of our Honeymoon in Mabul/Sipadan. Hooray! Based on what we've read, we're hoping to stay with Mabul Water Bungalows and get the best rate possible.

Can anyone share their advice on actually booking the rooms? I haven't been able to locate a trustworthy agent with decent rates so is it best to go through the resort? Any and all help is appreciated!

:D
 
go direct to the resort, prices quoted in the US are higher...

And congratulations !!!
 
Hey - I just came back from Mabul (we stayed at Borneo divers (which was good though the bathrooms are a little tired..) I was lucky enough to be on an escorted tour (courtesy Sabah and Malaysia Tourism) and got to check out a lot of the more upmarket resorts. I felt the best I saw was SMART (Sipadan-Mabul-Resort).....they have both water bungalows and a garden resort. What I noticed was how much cooler it was - both in the garden area and on the water. The bungalows are air-conditioned and most of the walkways are well shaded and vegetated. There are nice lounge and restaurant areas that are well sheltered and shaded and it really is a superb looking resort with a more compact layout. I spent 2 nights at Kapalai, which looks sensational, but actually it is a very very hot place, baking in the sun with little shade apart from your own room and the restauarant. It was very very still while we were there and I couldn't believe just how hot it was! So do a comparison and consider this as an option - it would be my choice if I go back there.
 
Thanks for the tips!

The Mabul Water Bungalows are run by SMART so I'm very relieved to hear you liked them the best. We're very excited to see them ourselves. :)
 
Sipadan Water Village's rooms all book through Travel Masters in Austin, TX.

So if you want to book there, go to them or you'll be paying for a middle man too.

(512)323-6961 / www.travel-masters.net
 
I did the same last year, and I stayed with SMART (non-bungalow side), I almost had night dive every night at the house reef, it is cheaper than the Bungalow part but still within walking distance, say 10 min to the other end of the island (same operation) when I went night dive.
 
Hi Naomichele

Yes MWB are probably the highest end choice. Lovely rooms and a gorgeous spa with the massage beds looking out to the horizon. Yes it is run by SMART but is really a separate resort.

Kapalai is also very nice and built on a sandbank (rather than an island) so is a bit more breezy and less chance of mossies.

Someone above mentioned that if booking through a US agent you have to pay for a middle man. That is maybe true but not all agents (outside the US) are in the same position. Some charge published rate (same as the operator) and can advise on the various choices.

You can see a video of MWB here. Videos of the various resorts and diving here.

Hope that helps.
 
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