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Their hospitality were excellent. The staffs were very friendly and attentive to our requests. They picked us up from the airport to the Jetty and then to the island. All of these have been included in the fees of the room. Hence, the price was considered quite cheap as compared to other islands.
The view of the room was stunning, we could even see sunset from our room. The sea was breathtaking. This island is really beautiful.
However, I have not rated 5 stars due to the following reasons, and I really hope the management could look into it because the place has got so much potentials:
The picked up time from the Jetty was originally 2:30pm when we first reserved our rooms and booked our flights. It was changed to 1pm, and we were only notified a day before our departure. Luckily, we have allowed sufficient time, so it was not an issue for us. Nevertheless, we had to wait until 2:30 at last because the flights of other guests were delayed. This has wasted a lot of our time. The staff was polite to apologise to us though.
Not many activities if you're not a person who is keen to dive or snorkel.
We opted for island hopping to Pom Pom Island. But the arranged arrival time at Pom Pom was already after the visiting time of the island. This has really wasted our time. I thought we could at least have a glimpse of how other islands were like. Island hopping to Bohey Dulang was in the hot afternoon? Why can't it be morning?
Food hygiene needs improvement. My family members got light food poisoning.
Coffee tastes awful. Too light with no taste.
The BBQ food collection needs some system. Queued for half an hour for a plate of prawns because some of the guests took many prawns at once.
The ocean was with strong waves due to the strong wind, and the boat riding felt like a roller coaster ride. While this is not something that can be controlled by the resort, it kept me wondering if we would have experienced the same situation if the boat had departed earlier.
I'd still recommend this place for others who'd like to visit Semporna Island but be prepared for the situations above, unless if the management took...
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We‘ve stayed at Arcadia for 2 nights, nature itsself is beautiful BUT
-plastic bottles all along the beach -trash on the terrace in front of the pool area, took us asking 3x over the span of a full day for someone to clean it up (which takes 5min) -every single staff member is on the phone NON STOP!!! I‘ve never witnessed anything like this: the reception - where they don‘t even notice you approaching since all 3 have their eyes locked on their phones Kitchen staff, they just stand near the buffet area, watching some videos with sound 99,999% of the time, again if you approach them, they don‘t even realise until you actually talk to them - once you‘re done talking to them, they are back to their phones Sunbeds are just as hard as rocks while you get the thinnest beach towels I‘ve ever seen, also no umbrellas No one bothers to restock food like Ananas, mainly because they are not aware its out of stock because again - everyone‘s on their phone anyway Lunch buffet was just empty 20min before official end, at least they brought it back at our request Diving trip wrongly booked, we have an OWD license and they have booked us a starter excursion, granted we were able to adjust it but still the service is just not there overall, doesn‘t feel like holiday They just take a seat in the restaurant, while tables are stacking with used plates, again sitting on their phones drinking the coconuts prepared for costumers, when I asked them if there is any left, they asked for a good review in return It‘s not like everyone is close to burnout at this place, maybe instead of having 3 receptionists focused on their phones, clean up the beach 1h a day or whatever.
Overall, lovely island but I‘ve never seen service like that, I am usually no one to complain but everyone being on their phone non stop while there is basic stuff to do buffles my mind. Sad to see with how much potential the beaches and...
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It was our first visit to Arcadia Beach Resort which was nothing short of remarkable and breathtaking. This resort is a one-of-a-kind gem in the area, blending the traditional beachfront charm with a modern touch that elevates the overall experience.
Right from the jetty, the atmosphere was delightful & relaxing with a myriad of sea turtles gracefully "swimming" with us into the resort. The dining experience exceeded our expectations – every meal was authentic with the local cuisine, spectacular. It was a worth the offering value for every penny spent.
We were fortunate to meet the owners and staff during our stay. Their hospitality and dedication to ensuring a fantastic experience for their guests were truly commendable. The personal interaction added an extra layer of warmth to our stay, making us feel more connected and valued as guests.
The natural beauty surrounding the resort was breathtaking. Snorkeling along the jetty was an incredible experience; the vibrant corals and lively fish made for a truly unforgettable underwater journey. The resort also offered convenient services for gear hire and diving, further enhancing our beachfront adventures.
We choose to take it light and easy for the trip and unfortunately due to the weather condition was not able to take a hike up a famous island national park. A thing to do for our next trip.
The highlight for our 5 y.o. daughter, however, was the pool. She spent most of her days there, thoroughly enjoying every moment. The beach resort created an extraordinary experience for our family, blending the awe-inspiring beauty of nature with fantastic amenities and a modern touch that set it apart.
We left with unforgettable memories and the anticipation of returning for another vacation in the...
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