This was the first stop on our Borneo tour organised with Trips Worldwide. The local agents who escorted us on the tour (Borneo Wildlife Expeditions) own this lodge. We stayed here 2 nights.

The lodge has about 24 rooms which are spread around the grounds. We were in the upper grounds near the top of the hillside giving us spectacular views over the Kinabulu Park. Indeed from our beds we had wonderful panaramic views of trees, clouds, birds, mountains and the perfect sunrise. The grounds are beautiful, with cannas, bizzy lizzies, vegetables and many other trees.

The room was basic but perfectly in keeping with the type of holiday and landscape. A 5* hotel here would have been totally out of place and not what we would have wanted. Our room was wood cabin style with a large covered verandah, easy chairs and tables.

The inside was cosy, but there were twin beds, a curtain covered hanging space, bedside table, dressing table and chair. Provided for our use whilst here were flip flops, brolly, torch and 2 complimentary bottles of water daily. There is a small toilet/shower which is functional but clean and the water is hot. Also in the room is a small heater to take the chill off as it can get quite cool in the evening and also to dry off any wet clothes.

The eating area is reached by a set of steps up to another wooden cabin style room. Tables are set out long ways for large parties with only a few smaller ones. Here tea and coffee are complimentary and on the go all day, and the staff even got up at 6.00am to put the coffee on then for our early rising friend, service not usual but very welcome. Depending on the number of people here, if there is less than 10 then individual meals are cooked and for larger numbers, meals are buffet style. The food was plain and tasty, the only day we didn't get a really good meal was the buffet breakfast when the scrambled egg tasted and looked very peculiar. Having said that there was still plenty of hot fresh toast and fruit. We were even allowed to bring in our own bottle of red wine and drink it in the evening (no corkage here).

If this is your base for a few days, the lunch boxes provided are really good. Ours were packed in a pink box with a rose and "Especially for you" printed on it (not your normal Borneo souvenir). These lunches were delicious and left many top class hotel ones lacking. We had fresh bread sandwiches with delicious fillings, all with crusts removed, lovely red unblemished apples, bananas, biscuits and chocolate wafers.

Overall this lodge is delightful and was exactly the type of place we expected when doing a wildlife tour. It is probably not a good place for those with walking difficulties as it is on a hillside and there are lots of steps. If you are one of those people wanting the ultimate luxury, mod cons and can't bear to rough it, please don't bother coming here it won't be for you.

The mountain lodge is situated within Mount Kinabalu National Park. The first thing to say about the lodges (roughly around 5) is WOW! The most awesome views of the mountain. The room was well appointed with air conditioning, clean water, hot water etc. Complimentary drinking water (you need it) and a torch to use whilst you're there.

The staff were so friendly. England played a world cup match whilst i was there, and because there are no TV's in the restaurant or the rooms - the site owner allowed me in to his family home to crowd round a 14" portable TV and watch the game with some of the local people. Great hospitality and an unforgettable experience.

The food isn't the best, but breakfast is ok with sausage and bacon etc with lunch and evening meal served buffet style (rice etc). They served limited soft drinks, beer etc which is cheaply priced.

All in all a very good value for money base if you're climbing/exploring mount kinabalu.