Name: Laban Rata Resthouse at Mount Kinabalu
Address: Kundasang, Ranau, Ranau, Ranau, 89300, Malaysia
Rating: 8

Smoke-free property

Reception desk

General

Breakfast

Restaurant

Breakfast/lunch to go

Meals

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Temperature control for staff

Personal protection equipment for staff

Extra decontamination measures

Temperature control for guests

Individually packaged food

Additional measures against COVID-19

Health and Safety Measures

Location

At the cottage

Kota Kinabalu International Airport

Laban Rata Resthouse at Mount Kinabalu

Ranau

We were so so glad to see a guesthouse after a 6 hour mega trek up the steepest of hills with 3 kids in tow. But the joy was very short lived. When we opened the door to our room, the ceiling had partially fallen down, the beds were clean and comfy but our outside-positioned room was freezing and without cold water or heating and no way to dry our soaking clothes; our spirits dropped massively on the realisation. The food was really poor (not sure what the other reviews are referring to but it was grim) and the whole affair was tawdry and so basic. Tbh in hindsight I have no idea how we managed to get up the rest of the huge climb after this pit stop. 

The only plusses are that our room was quiet and I guess at 3000m high you can’t hope for much. A warm solar shower and some half decent food would have been a start though.

Very very basic and does little to raise the spirits during a very tough climb

We booked a mountain climbing package from Sabah Kinabalu Park organisation and they offered to stay in Laban Rata near to Panalaban checkpoint of mountain. We do enjoy with their foods sponsored and their nice Nescafe coffee. Although the menu is pretty pricey, it worth for us at this accommodation.
The shower room does not have water heater, it was bloody cold water that we are not able to take a shower. And yet every 11:30 a.m. they will shut down the water supply due to Sabah Kinabalu Park regulations. It was pretty annoying but we have to follow the schedule of mountain climbing activity.

No water heater, extra charge for late mountain climbing schedule.

Located in the north Borneo island,Mount Kinabalu (4,095m) is the highest mountain in Malaysia. The journey climbing to the mountain will begins at Timpohon gate and will continue the journey to the peak at 2am the next day. 

Things to bring - it's a must and please don't forget!!
Gloves.
Raincoat.
Waterproof Backpack. 
Lightweight Clothing.
Comfortable Hiking Shoes.
Change of Clothes.
Warm Clothing.
Fleece Jacket.
Head Torch.
Cap or Head Scarf.
Socks.

From my experience climbing Mt. Kinabalu, it was a magical moment of my life! because I don't believe i can make it to the summit.  When you are reach to the peak of course you will excited but don't forget it can be very cold with strong wind at the summit, so must be careful and follow your professional guide instruction. 

For those haven't climbing Mt. Kinabalu, please do  make sure you try once time in your life and you will feel that your dreams come true.  

The magnificent of Mt Kinabalu...Full of Love!

Magnificent beauty and good service!

Our stay and meals at Laban Rata were included in our package to climb Mt Kinabalu. The system is well-thought out, with dinner served 4:30-7pm before a few hours of sleep, followed by supper, 1:30-3am before hiking to the summit, and breakfast 7:30-10am after returning from the summit. The facilities are not new but are pretty well-maintained. Rooms may be shared with other hikers not in your group. 

The Goodie Bag Shop offers limited provisions. Keep in mind that supplies are daily hiked up the mountain by porters. So buy/bring everything you need from the base. 

The meals were sufficient. Nothing fancy, but I was especially grateful for the abundance of bananas at each meal.

Mountain Resthouse

Strangely, hot water is not served although hot coffee and tea (diuretic liquid) are available during the meals. On the bright side, the meals are relatively delicious, perhaps due to the strenuous journey up and down. There is no heaters in the rooms, so be prepared for a chilly nap. If you’re lucky to have bright sunny day with clouds, there’ll be solar power to provide hot showers but it’s still a rare luxury.

Average

Despite its isolation and the treacherous journey you must undergo to make it, the hostel was surprisingly very nice! There is a vast choice of food available to you at the buffet, all of which is very decent and actually better than the food of some of the ‘restaurants’ that I had dined at previous to the climb. There is a balcony which provides some extraordinary views of the mountain and makes the 3 hour journey to the hostel worth while, and it is a great spot to enjoy your welcome tea. But what really makes the place special is the buzzing atmosphere about it and the positive attitudes of the staff, which not only made our stay more enjoyable but also put us in a far better mood to make the final ascent! My only complaints about the hostel would be the freezing cold male showers - I lost all feeling in my body after that shower - and also the rather uncomfortable beds; however given I was sleeping alongside 11 others in a single room, it was probably inevitable that I was never going to sleep well anyway. All in all though, the hostel is a lovely place to stop on your way to the summit, and I would highly recommend you give it a visit.

Lovely stop

We stayed here whilst we climbed Mt Kinabalu. We watched porters carrying fuel, bedding, food, pipes etc all the way up to Laban Rata so had a lot of respect for the services provided up there. We struggled with 9kg in our backpacks and they ploughed on with much more than this. 
Food was fabulous however due to the earthquake a few years ago the water was unsafe to drink therefore you need to buy water at a higher price given the fact the porters have to carry it all the way up.
Sleeping arrangements are bunk beds in dorms. They do get quite hot when filled with 11 others however with fewer people they could be colder. The shower is solar powered which means it’s freezing most of the time however even a quick wash is better than nothing.
Staff are lovely and guides are amazing for the support they provide.

Amazing for the location

We stayed here as part of 2D1N climb. We were offered a complimentary jug of boiling water. As this boiling water is the etiquette in Borneo, we did not question it. We were appreciative and drank it. After drinking the water, my partner and I suffered intensely. Meaning the climb to Low's Summit and descent to the Park HQ was tarnished. We have had it confirmed by a doctor that our symptoms are consistent with illness by water contamination. As a result, our experience of Mt Kinabalu was a negative one. The remainder of our trip is effectively ruined too because we are bed bound. Please drink the bottled watered only.

Serves us contaminated water

I spent one night in this structure during my climb to the top of Mount Kinabalu and I have to say that to be a high mountain refuge it is a real luxury. It is located at an altitude of about 3,200 meters SLM and about 1,000 meters from the summit, it is only reachable on foot after seven hours of walking through a very steep and monstrously disconnected path but this is the Timpohon gate for pedaling! The building is perched on a rocky spur, above itself... the majestic of the giant. The very warm welcome from the frame to the Spartan tops but from the small windows you can get all the way to your feet to the top of Sabah; the common baths are carried by his choice on the fridge and water.

For a few, but not for everyone.

A good lodge for relaxing and staying overnight on the slope of Low's Peak (4095m) on Mount Kinabalu. The food was excellent. The drinks were very expensive. But considering that all of these are being towed by the locals, they are still cheap. The rooms were ok and practical. Keep a mountain house. So pretty cold. You can also shower cold. So bring enough warm clothes.

Laban Rata Resthouse at Mount Kinabalu

Main amenities of the hotel

Location

Available rooms

Location

Description of the hotel

What other amenities are there?

Policies

Check-in terms and conditions

Additional information

Payment