Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa — Hotel in Borneo

Missed potential in Mulu!

I arrived at this Marriott with a lot of expectations after the high quality of Luxury and hospitality at the other Marriott hotels in the region that I recently stayed in. While the hospitality is top notch and warm, the property seems to have missed out on a lot of opportunities that could have made this one of the best in the country(and even the continent!) For starters, they have a fantastic location - right in the fringe of the Mulu National Park that is a UNESCO heritage site - something that most jungle lodges dont have access to! Nonetheless, they have designed the property (especially the common areas like Bar/Restaurant/Pool) in such a mediocre fashion that they have missed out on the ability to provide guests visual access to the nature and wilderness that engulfs the property in an unbeleivable fashion! You have to do a drone shot or really step out of the property to realize how nestled the resort is within the thick jungle!

They could have used the area next to the river(that runs right next to the resort) for outdoor seating, or set up the pool with a better view, etc. Something for them to think about. On the plus side, the design of all the wooden walkways is wonderful and makes you feel like you are really exploring a trail in the middle of a dense forest. The wild sounds of the birds, bugs, and other animals around the area make a perfect soundtrack for an unplugged evening in the balcony of the bungalow!

LOCATION: Located right next to the national park (with a quick free shuttle ride away) and just 5 minutes ride from the airport.

DINE + DRINK: This was one of the big downsides - Tthe quality and choice of food availabe at the restaurant that serves all meals. While I Understand that everything needs to be flown in as you are in the middle of nowhere, the chefs can certainly do a better job with what they have gotten. Especially if you are a vegetarian - god save you! The RIVER bar is a lovely place to chill out in the evening with your favorite drink and experience a true Jungle Safari Lodge kind of vibes.

ROOM: We stayed in Room 213, which was a SUITE room, so this review is based on that; SIZE: The Suite came with a huge living room and a much bigger BEdroom area, each with it’s own Television set. There is also a nice big dining area. The room also comes with a wonderful ESPRESS machine - that is great to get your fix of Java in the mornign and evening! VIEW: The lovely BALCONY attached to the suite comes with views of the greenery and the River (with speed boats constantly ziping past) Be warned, You will never feel like leaving this balcony! ; AIR-CON: Perfectly functioning cooler that helped in setting the perfect room temperature; BED: Comfortable bed that played the expected part of putting us to sleep; BATHROOM: Stand-in shower; TOILETRIES: Good Spa quality Toiletries by THIS WORKS brand.

FACILITIES: Decent Gym with a basic range of weights and Cardio machines. The outdoor swimming pool is actually quite cool, but unfortunately a bit small and could have been bigger and better designed. They also have a nice Convinience store inside the resort to buy last minute things - from cosmetics to chilled beers and chips etc.

SERVICE: Friendly staff that took care of all our needs with a smile and made us feel pampered and well taken care of. Special Shout-out to JJ from front office for a very warm welcome and hosting us wonderfully

HOW WIRED YOU WILL BE: You are in the middle of a wild jungle, so dont expect connectivity here. But you do get some decent speed WiFi at the receptoin Area. The TV in the room is practically useless! It has only 4 channels which also dont work most of the times. So just enjoy your unplugged state and soak yourself in the...

We are two families of young daughter each. We had booked two Premier King Rooms using Mariott points, and requested for connecting rooms. To our pleasant surprise, Cassandra , the friendly receptionist, had upgraded up one of the rooms to a Suite - which was wonderful as the additional living area acted as a common space for the two families to socialise, rest and relax. Beautiful view of the river via our balconies and bathtubs. Turndown service was excellent - beds were comfortable and clean. We had such a great, totally no-internet time - that we forgot to take pictures of the beautiful suite n room!! We totally recharged ourselves from this stay.

Cassandra also gave great advice on how we should go about confirming our plans with the guided tours arranged with the National Park HQ (still using a common register book and pen method). Actually, one personal regret was we did not book our tour with Marriott (Mulu Unplugged Package) . Instead we booked directly with the HQ. From my observation, guests from the former option had a more intimate, personal experience and their guide was more informative and patient. Whereas, I felt the latter option given a much diverse and larger group size, our children were neglected by the guide as the guide often walked too fast, spoke too fast and always seem to be in a hurry to end the tour. If you are doing Mulu for your young children, I would recommend paying more for Marriott to have a better educational experience.

Marriott also offer free airport transfers + shuttle service to and back from the National Park HQ. Overall, staff are friendly and always happy to help despite the language barrier.

Understandably, supplies are hard to be transported here given the remoteness of Mulu. If it helps, I like to offer some feedback for improvement :

1. Gym - really old equipment and very stuffy/ mouldy-smelling. Only 1 aircon was working, the other was spoilt. The weights are all worn out so much so that we couldnt tell what numbers to indicate the weight have all faded.
2. Offer more diverse dishes during buffet breakfast, especially more fruit varieties and have fresh fruit juices and smoothies available. There was no more ice suddenly during the breakfast service for iced americano on a Saturday - which is a big deal given we needed a cool respite from the tropical heat as we were seated outdoors.
3. A little disappointed that amenities such as Toothbrush and toothpaste had run out on our 1st Night. As we were staying in Marriott, we had not packed these toiletries. So, we had to run to the store to buy them.
4. To increase staffing during peak periods like lunch and dinner service and during weekends. We had ordered 4 dishes for room service dining, but only 3 came. Surprised that room service took almost 2 hours but then we had to rush for our next tour at HQ so we could not...

Marriott Mulu Resort – A Hidden Paradise of Luxury and Tranquility||||From the moment we arrived at Marriott Mulu Resort, we were immersed in a world of exceptional hospitality, breathtaking nature, and absolute serenity. Nestled deep in the lush rainforests of Gunung Mulu National Park, this resort offers a unique blend of adventure, relaxation, and five-star luxury—making it the perfect retreat for both families and couples seeking an unforgettable escape.||||Unparalleled Service – The Gold Standard in Hospitality||||The service at Marriott Mulu is simply world-class. Every member of the staff goes above and beyond to make guests feel at home, and their warmth and attentiveness truly set this resort apart.||||A special mention must go to General Manager Benjamin, whose leadership is reflected in every detail of the resort. His passion for excellence ensures that every guest experiences only the best possible service. Likewise, Front Desk Manager Julia is an absolute gem—her welcoming smile, efficiency, and genuine care for guests make check-in and every interaction a pleasure.||||A Food Lover’s Paradise – Perfectly Crafted Meals||||Dining at Marriott Mulu is a culinary delight, with an incredible mix of Western and Asian dishes that cater to all palates. The quality, presentation, and flavors are exceptional, whether you’re indulging in a gourmet steak, savoring a perfectly spiced local dish, or enjoying a fresh breakfast before heading out for adventures.||||A Location Like No Other||||The resort’s location is simply breathtaking. Set in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Gunung Mulu National Park, guests are surrounded by untouched rainforest, pristine rivers, and stunning limestone formations. It’s the ultimate hideaway for families, offering a chance to reconnect with nature while enjoying the comforts of a five-star resort. Whether you’re looking for adventure or pure relaxation, this unique luxury retreat has it all.||||Why Marriott Mulu Resort is Unforgettable||||✔ Flawless service – Staff that makes every moment special.||✔ Outstanding cuisine – A perfect mix of Western and Asian flavors.||✔ Luxury in the jungle – The perfect balance of comfort and nature.||✔ Secluded paradise – A total escape from the outside world.||✔ Ideal for families and couples – A haven of adventure and relaxation.||||Final Verdict – A 5-Star Jungle Oasis||||Marriott Mulu Resort is not just a place to stay—it’s an experience of a lifetime. Whether you’re exploring the world-famous Mulu Caves, relaxing by the pool, or enjoying a gourmet meal, every moment here feels magical. With an outstanding team led by Benjamin and Julia, this resort sets the standard for luxury, service, and adventure.||||⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 –...