Damai Beach Resort, Santubong, Sarawak. — Hotel in Borneo

NONSENSE NEW RULES by DAMAI!

FIRST, 👎 Unpleasant experience started as we entered the premises, being greeted by the security guards & were told to park our car at the roadside to register with the other guard under the tent. There were around 6 guards BUT only 2 guards (with 2 tents) available for the unpleasant registration process. There were 6-7 other cars as well with a long queue at both tent under the HOT sun!

SECOND, 👎 To adding up more unpleasant experience, we were told by the guard ONLY 2 ADULTS allowed per room, otherwise RM150 charged for extra person per head. We had book 2 rooms approximately RM770 for ONE NIGHT eligible for only 4 adults (Noted).

P/S: We booked a chalet (2 rooms) ✅ 1st room with KING SIZE bed ✅ 2nd room with 2 QUEEN SIZE bed

The drama began as we brought in another family members with 8 adults so we paid for another extra charges RM150/head (totalling RM1,200) as per requested by the receptionist. Noted. No argument made though we were informed last minute by the security about the extra charges.

THIRD, 👎 While on our way bringing our stuff to chalet. Despite paying a total of RM1,200 for another 8 family members (adults), we are stopped by the monitor staff from bringing our own mattress from outside & she told us to put it back in the car & telling us it is NOT ALLOWED. She told us the hotel can provide mattress but we need to pay for ANOTHER RM20/RM25 for each mattress for 1 person. We tried to argue as we did not seen/read anything regarding the extra charges for mattress stated in the T&C of the Damai Beach Resort when signing the paper during check in. But she kept on argue back saying that it is stated in it. My point is we paid extra RM150/person, so we thought the service should be more nicer & relevant. Which it is make sense they should have provide the mattress for other 8 person without another charges for the mattress. Where do they expect the other 8 adults to sleep? Can’t bring our own mattress. Don’t want to spend another extra charges for the mattress cause we had spent too much money in less than 24hrs. Other 8 family members have to sleep on the cold floor (take note the aircond is leaking in one of the room). Continue on with the drama, the monitor staff even called one security guard to “spy” on us until we reach our chalet just to make sure we did not bring our own mattress in! ✅ Paid extra RM150 per head (RM150 x 8pax = RM1,200) 🚫Not allowed to bring our own mattress 🚫Did not provide extra mattress cause we did not pay for another extra charges for mattress which RM20 or RM25 per head

FOURTH, 👎 The rooms conditions. The chalet wooden room still very old style, sandy floor, aircond leakage, bathroom very old style with cracks on the mosaic. AND there’s a stain on their comforter as well. Good game. Another headache. POORLY MAINTAINED ACCOMMODATION!

FIFTH, 👎 NO FOOD & BEVERAGES allowed from OUTSIDE. Is this rules applied to bringing outside snacks & drinks to the hotel? I mean, we came to the hotel to have fun, to release stress while we having a family gathering. But we felt anxious & moody the whole night just because this one guard keep on asking if there’s any foods & drinks or alcohol in our bags. Who the hell in the world having a midnight talk WITHOUT snacks at least some ‘kuaci’ or milo.

Tbh, I literally grew up watching the changes of the Damai Beach Resort. Despite being a regular customer, my family constantly received poorly treatmeant & services. A poor management can drastically change the whole perception of the guests towards the resort. We are beyond disappointed by the treatment & services. I don’t know if they did this to any other customers or maybe they did this to unwelcome any more guest into their resort. This is definately our last visit, no privacy, seems like they are watching us after the unpleasant encounter. This was supposed to be an exciting family holiday but our mood was COMPLETELY SPOILT by their ridiculous "hospitality" 👎

Damai beach resort DON’T...

Damai Beach: Beauty, Bumps, and a Lot of ‘Why?’

My stay at Damai Beach Resort was a tale of two worlds: breathtaking scenery and baffling service. While the beach and pool shine like a Sarawak sunset, the management and facilities leave much to be desired.

Check-in Chaos Date: 29 Dec 2024 Time: Around 2:30 PM

First impressions matter, and mine was being waved down at the gate by guards who insisted I park my car and register under a canopy. I half-expected a welcome drink, but instead, I got a paper slip to hand over at the front desk.

Things went from quirky to questionable during check-in when I was asked for a RM400 deposit—RM100 per room per night. Now, I didn’t plan on buying the rooms, just staying in them. Naturally, I asked for the manager.

The front desk's reply? “Oh, the manager is on a lunch break.” (Seriously?) After some insistence, the manager appeared, apologized, and generously allowed a “special arrangement” of RM100 per room for the entire stay. Why this wasn’t the policy in the first place remains a mystery, but I shudder to think what would happen if I’d booked for a week—RM1,400 in deposits, anyone?

Then came the vehicle registration explanation: “So we can let you know if your car lights are left on.” Cute, but wouldn’t pre-registering vehicle details at booking make more sense? Imagine standing in the rain just to queue up at the guard post. Not exactly the welcome you’d hope for.

Room for Improvement Date: 29 Dec 2024 Time: Around 4:00 PM

The Bright Side:

The room was spacious and tastefully adorned with native art—a charming touch of local culture.

The Dim Side:

Faulty plumbing: the toilet refused to flush properly, and the faucet was as stubborn as a toddler at bedtime. No bathroom exhaust fan, leaving odors to linger.

When I called housekeeping, a very polite staff member showed up quickly. Upon asking about the non-functional exhaust fan, I was told the entire block’s ventilation system (Block 6, in case you're wondering) had been out of commission for ages—and fixing it wasn’t on anyone’s to-do list. We relied on the sea breeze for ventilation, which, while effective, wasn’t exactly five-star service.

The Verdict The Good:

The beach is stunning, and the views are unforgettable. The pool is fantastic, especially for families. The staff are friendly and seem to be trying their best.

The Not-So-Good:

Management feels like it’s winging it, with inconsistent policies and avoidable inefficiencies.

The facilities are in dire need of maintenance—ventilation issues and plumbing problems should not be standard. Customer handling often comes across as dismissive.

Final Thoughts: Damai Beach has all the ingredients for a fantastic resort: location, views, and charm. Unfortunately, the recipe is spoiled by poor management and half-baked operational practices. With Sarawak becoming a hotspot for conventions and tourists, it’s high time Hemisphere—the management—stepped up their game.

To Hemisphere: your guests come for the beauty but stay for the experience. Right now, the beauty is carrying the weight of a lackluster experience. Time to level up and let the resort’s potential...

Hmmm...let see....these are my commends ya during my 1 night stay on 10 February 2025:

Good:

Toilet is super clean and my room specifically got all the things i need- hairdryer, iron board, sandals, bidet, holding bars at the bathtub for safety and laundry.

Pillow cases and mattress are super clean and smell good. Keep it up!!! Love them!!! Very very comfortable and makes you instantly fall asleep after a whole day hiking and walking around Santubong.

The food is nice. No comment on that as I dont specifically look into it and I dont eat much.

There is a nice bar and lounge you can hang out with your friends.

The services they provide are varied from mobility to laundry.

You can rent a bike at RM20!

Bad:

Swimming pool is small and definitely not worth the rating and price of this resort.

The room is still dusty and might not good for dust-allergy person.

Thrash everywhere!!! I know this is a beach and you keep it private property on your side, but why dont put some effort to clean the thrash along the beachfront?

Some seatings and gazebo around the resort need serious repairing, if you cant wait for the management, take some initiative to collect money among the staffs to repair it?

I dont like a toilet sink with flat surface like that, I mean after you wash your face, it will splashes onto the counter top and even on the tray, so maybe keep 1 section elevated for putting your tray and our toiletries so that they wont get soaked later.

The staff- oooh my dont get me started...they are waaaaaaaaaay behind Indonesian hospitality!! In Indonesia, even the gardeners and cleaners greeted the guests and smile, the staffs would just stand there talking to each other and even judge you if you are local, the counter is even worst,🤦🏻🤦🏻 the double standard of these people is killing this resort seriously, you see Angmo or Whites then you will tuck your tail, you see asians or local you just ignore and look away, we paid hundred to be here you know!!

My door stucked!!! And I cant get it to close thightly and properly!! So this needs a serious repair as safety is top priority in this resort.

This resort even got a connecting bridge to Damai Central and it seems like there is no restrictions on the incoming unpaid guests to the resort. The bridge has a door but it doesnt locked allowing illegal visitors from outside to come into the resort without notice!! I mean if I want a free breakfast or free swimming pool I can just sneaked it like that to the resort without paying and enjoying the beach or even stealing things from the resort!! So this go back to my door issue.

Oh...i have vids and pics for...