We spent 3 days 2 nights at SWV to celebrate our honeymoon. When the first time we reached there, we were served with fresh seafood.
Our bad honeymoon started when the time to get our room key, the receptionist claimed all room which opposite the sea has been fully booked. The only room left are those who opposite the island. However, when we placed a booking with travelling agent (YK Travel & Tours Services Sdn. Bhd), we booked with the sea view. When we called the travel agent, it seems they are not helpful and never tried to help us to resolve our problem. The worse things that we had is the travel agent asked us to go out and enjoyed beautiful scenery at the village. So, what the point we stay there, if we can't stay in the room. The difference between these two rooms are those rooms which opposite the sea could get the fresh air and the room was not hot because of the fresh air always comes to the room and you can enjoy sunrise. While, the rooms which opposite the island was terrible. Eventhough they provided the fan, the room is very hot and we couldn't sleep during day time. We also can't really enjoy the beautiful scenery to watch the sunrise. When we asked to change the room, the receptionist claim all rooms are fully book. However, we noted there are few rooms unoccuppied for 2 nights. We have been cheated by the receptionist. I would recommend if these things happens to u guys, please asked them to return back your money and book another hotel which much more cheaper price and better services.

Although my ratings for individual criteria range from "poor" to "very good" I still must give Sipadan Water Village a very good rating for the complete range of services they provide (airport and jetty transfers, complete scuba packages), their spectacular location and access to one-of-a-kind diving in, perhaps, the world. These reasons are possibly behind why some areas are allowed to suffer or fall into disrepair...

We stayed at SWV on a 3 day, 2 night package. I had originally researched SWV online, and while in Malaysia we approached some tour operators about assisting us with bookings and arrangements. They were able to offer us a significantly reduced price on the package versus the resort's rates, and I can say that the resort is quite overpriced in the rates they quote. I cannot imagine paying their regular rates. Even at the price we paid, I believe the resort was a little bit below the level we would have expected. The rooms, while spacious, are very dated, the bed is acceptable, but is far from superior in comfort, and the furniture is old and worn. The bathrooms were the biggest disappoinment, poor condition, peeling paint, broken shower doors, dirty floors, no hot water (even after waiting over 20-30 minutes after turning on the heater). I understand some of these are caused by the harsh salt water they are constantly exposed to, but I would have expected hot water at the very least. The parts I loved about the room were the huge balcony with plants and lounge chairs, and the pocket shutter doors that open up entirely, meaning you can virtually remove an entire wall and face straight out into the beautiful Celebes sea.

This is first and foremost a dive resort, and the diving was excellent. I don't think I would stay here if I weren't diving. I would have to agree with previous comments about the dive instructors being somewhat careless, or maybe it was just a more laid-back attitude that I am not accustomed to. The check-in procedure at the dive center was very rigorous with an orientation and assigned lockers, BCDs, etc. However, they were absent when we attempted to check-out - twice!

Meanwhile, the check-in at the resort, after arriving on the boat transfer was somewhat confusing, as we were grouped with other people who knew each other and were together, so we didn't know if they had us mixed up or if they always check in everyone together that way. It seemed a little unprofessional.

We spent four nights at SWV to celebrate our marriage. Since we had been here two years before (and absolutely loved the diving and loved the resort at Kapalai) we thought we'd come again and try this place since it had been recommended by some friends. The weather was amazing, the room was nice and the resort is in a beautiful location but there were several points that made our stay very disappointing. It all started with a very unfriendly reception staff that never seemed to warm up. When we mentioned that we had chosen the resort as our honeymoon, we received a blank stare in return.

For the record, the kitchen and dive staff were great. Here are some other points to consider before booking your stay here.

1. The food was below average. Fresh seafood was only served one night. It seemed like lunch was recycled into dinner with little diversity over a five day stay.
2. Dive Center and regard for regulations and rules was below average for a PADI 5 Star Dive Center.
- One our dives we had inexperienced divers go into Deco (although they didn't know what this meant so no additional DECO stops observed)
- touch the turtles
- wear gloves and poke and broad marine life
- kick and break coral
- ascend individually (i.e. without a buddy).
As seasoned divers who have experience diving throughout Asia including other resorts in Malaysia it appears this dive center is afraid to turn guest away and enforce "the rules" they set forth.

Relative to their peers, there are much better resorts out there and our experience at Kapalai 2 years back was far superior.



There were too many rules and numbers to remember - towel number, locker number, BC number, room number - not as relaxed as it should be for a dive resort
3.

SIPADAN
RESORT: The resort is nice, clean beautifully located over the water. Staff is friendly enough, food is acceptable with enough choices...lots of seafood for the seafood lovers but primarily targeting their Asian clientele (rice for breakfast, seaweed, etc.) which makes sense given the location and accessibility.

DIVING: While we were there the weather was not favourable for the resort or us. It rained every single day except for the last two days of our trip, which reduced the visibility to no more than 5m (on Sipadan Island as well), however even in perfect conditions the divemasters have confirmed that the best visibility only goes up to 15m. We know that the weather is out of everyone's control, but it's important that divers know what to expect in order to avoid disappointment. If planning a trip to Sipadan, make sure it is well into the dry season.

Plus I believe it’s very important to properly define what Muck diving is: little visibility, almost no coral and hidden critters. That is the type of diving you will be doing while awaiting a pass to Sipadan Island (which you may only get once during the week that you are there).

SIPADAN ISLAND: The health of the coral in Sipadan is extremely disappointing. Despite being a marine reserve, the corals are abused by the sheer volume of divers and their lack of skills and respect of the marine ecosystem. The life is there but it’s on a precarious downward slope.

We believe that the Island got that one positive comment from Jacques Cousteau back in 1989 - “ I have seen other places like Sipadan 45 years ago, but now no more. Now we have found an untouched piece of art.” and the tourism industry has been bleeding it dry ever since. This place may have once had great diving but presently, the diving is sub-par.

While diving at Sipadan, we did, as promised, see many sharks, large turtles and a few schools of fish in the murk. It was great seeing those but would have liked better visibility to truly enjoy their presence, but you can't have everything I guess.

DIVEMASTERS: The divemasters are not very professional - lost track of their dive groups repeatedly. The divemasters also touched marine life more than we are used too which could explain the health of the reefs. Finally, no divemasters had a surface buoy to identify us in the midst of 5 to 10 dive boats in the area plus there was a significant current. We won't assume all divemasters in the Mabul area are the same, but this is what we've experienced.

Overall, it's not a do-over for us.