The Ormond Group has announced the upcoming opening of Ormond Sandakan in April 2026 in Sandakan, Sabah.
Set against the open horizon of the Sulu Sea, the new property marks a significant milestone for the group as it continues to expand its portfolio through the Ormond Hotels brand.
More than a place to stay, Ormond Sandakan offers travellers a more immersive way to experience Sabah.
Gracefully positioned along Sandakan’s waterfront, the hotel blends warm, dependable hospitality with the ease of a laid-back coastal lifestyle, serving as a comfortable base to explore Borneo’s diverse landscapes and cultural highlights.
Intentional design, intuitive service and carefully considered details come together to create an atmosphere of effortless ease, embodying the belief that simplicity, when done well, can be truly memorable.
“With Ormond Sandakan, we’re bringing the Ormond philosophy of essential comforts, thoughtfully delivered to a destination that truly reflects our values of authenticity and connection to place,” said Ormond Group chief executive officer Navin Singh.
“Sandakan’s unspoilt coastline, rich wildlife and deep ties to nature offer a rare sense of balance. Our approach is to design a hotel that feels quietly attuned to its place and community – allowing guests to explore Borneo’s beauty by day and return to a sense of calm and comfort by night.
“As we continue to grow our portfolio across Malaysia and beyond, our focus remains on creating hotels that are honest, intuitive and genuinely reassuring, wherever they are in the world,” he added.
A coastal getaway
Overlooking the Sandakan Bay waterfront, the hotel features 299 thoughtfully designed guest rooms and suites, from standard rooms to expansive suites and connecting family rooms, each offering uninterrupted views of the sea.
Curated to maximise natural light and a sense of openness, every room frames the changing moods of the coastline – from gentle mornings over the water to golden sunsets across the horizon.
Natural textures, calming tones and local materials subtly echo the beauty of Borneo’s landscape, creating spaces that feel grounded, restorative and quietly refined.
Culinary delights
Mornings at the hotel begin at Rise, where guests can enjoy a hearty breakfast buffet featuring international and local favourites curated to be both nourishing and indulgent.
Guests can dine at Pietro, a Mediterranean restaurant inspired by the coastal spirit of the region. Serving fresh seafood, handmade pastas and produce-forward dishes infused with Bornean ingredients, Pietro offers a relaxed yet elevated dining experience that reflects Ormond’s emphasis on warmth and simplicity.
At Rasa, the comforting flavours of Malaysia take centre stage, with Sabahan produce and influences woven throughout the menu. Familiar signature dishes from across the country are given a local touch, paying homage to the region’s rich cultural heritage and diverse culinary traditions.
For more casual moments, Brew serves as the hotel’s social heart, a modern reinterpretation of the classic bar and cafe, offering artisanal coffee, craft beers and signature cocktails alongside light bites throughout the day.
By the pool, Bayu captures the easy rhythm of Sandakan’s waterfront with refreshing drinks, tropical-inspired snacks and panoramic sea views that come alive at sunset.
Spaces for every occasion
With eight versatile event venues, including a 6673.62 sq ft ballroom that fits up to 800 people, the hotel is also a destination for memorable gatherings, from weddings and private celebrations to corporate meetings and conferences.
Each space is designed with flexibility and natural light in mind, supported by modern technology, bespoke catering and Ormond’s hallmark intuitive service.
Effortless adventures
Located within walking distance of Sandakan’s heritage town centre, local markets and harbourfront, hotel guests are well placed to experience the town as locals do, from morning markets to waterfront strolls.
From the hotel, adventurers can venture beyond the city to iconic natural attractions, including the wildlife-rich river systems of the Kinabatangan River, where guests can search for rare pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys, as well as the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Turtle Islands Park, before returning to a refined sanctuary of the hotel designed for rest and unwinding.
As travel increasingly turns towards depth, authenticity and meaningful connection, Ormond Sandakan invites both local and international travellers to rediscover Sandakan as it truly is: open, unhurried and deeply connected to the land and sea that define Borneo.
With brands ranging from the refined intimacy of The Chow Kit – an Ormond Hotel and the playful energy of MoMo’s to the smart convenience of Tune Hotels, the Ormond Group continues to redefine hospitality through thoughtful design and purpose-driven experiences.
The opening of Ormond Sandakan represents the group’s next evolution, extending its design-led, accessible approach to dependable, modern travellers seeking comfort without compromise.
