--- title: "Island Backpackers vs Memory Boutique Hotel: which hotel is better?" description: "Island Backpackers or Memory Boutique Hotel in Semporna? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms and prices side by side." url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/island-backpackers-semporna-vs-memory-boutique-hotel-semporna/ language: en source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com) retrieved: 2026-11-08 --- # Island Backpackers vs Memory Boutique Hotel Both are in Semporna, 20 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger. Hostel · Semporna ## [Island Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/island-backpackers-semporna/) - **Guest rating:** 9.1 · Excellent - **Location score:** 6.3 - **Score by category:** 5 of 15 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1668365/agoda/?lang=en) Inn · Semporna ## [Memory Boutique Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/memory-boutique-hotel-semporna/) - **Guest rating:** 8.7 · Very good - **Location score:** 6.3 - **Score by category:** 1 of 15 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1837211/agoda/?lang=en) The short answer ## Pick Island Backpackers It comes out ahead on 5 of 15 compared facts. 20 m apart. ### Choose Island Backpackers if you want - the more consistently praised stay (9.1 / 8.7) - a smaller, quieter hotel (Rooms: 3 / 9) ### Choose Memory Boutique Hotel if you want - a big hotel with more facilities (Rooms: 9 / 3) ### Why is Island Backpackers better than Memory Boutique Hotel? 1. Higher guest rating (9.1 vs 8.7) (+0.4) ### Why is Memory Boutique Hotel better than Island Backpackers? 1. More guest reviews (924 vs 404), so the rating is more reliable (×2.3) ## All compared facts Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel. | | Island Backpackers | Memory Boutique Hotel | | --- | --- | --- | | Score by category | | Guest rating | 9.1 (+0.4) | 8.7 | | Location | 6.3 | 6.3 | | Ratings & reviews | | StayVersus score | 9.0 (+0.4) | 8.7 | | Guest rating | 9.1 (+0.4) | 8.7 | | Number of reviews | 404 | 924 (+520) | | Rank in Semporna | top 4% (+9%) | top 13% | | Location | | Location score | 6.3 | 6.3 | | Distance to Semporna centre | 160 m | 170 m | | To the airport | 57 km | 57 km | | Restaurants within 500 m | 89 (+3) | 86 | | To the nearest food shop | 210 m | 190 m | | Shops within 500 m | 7 | 7 | | Sights within 1 km | 3 | 3 | | Rooms & building | | Rooms | 3 | 9 | | Newest building or renovation | 2017 | – | | Listed amenities | 10 (+3) | 7 | | Policies | | Check-in from | 14:00 | 14:00 | | Check-out until | 12:00 | 12:00 | | Amenities | | Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ | | Shuttle | ✓ | – | | Concierge | ✓ | – | | Laundry | ✓ | – | | Room service | ✓ | – | | Wheelchair accessible | ✓ | – | | Smoke-free | ✓ | ✓ | | Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ | | Free parking | – | ✓ | | Luggage storage | – | ✓ | ## Live prices around both hotels Real nightly rates from booking partners for the dates you picked above. Tap a price for the offer. ## Location 20 m apart Island Backpackers: city centre: 280 m, Tawau Airport (TWU): 57 km, 89 places to eat within 500 m, 3 sights within 1 km. Memory Boutique Hotel: city centre: 260 m, Tawau Airport (TWU): 57 km, 86 places to eat within 500 m, 3 sights within 1 km. ## Weather in Semporna [Semporna weather: 15-day forecast](https://atlasofseasons.com/en/malaysia/sabah/semporna/weather) ## Island Backpackers or Memory Boutique Hotel: common questions ### Which is better, Island Backpackers or Memory Boutique Hotel? Island Backpackers leads in 5 of 15 categories, including StayVersus score, guest rating, rank in Semporna. Memory Boutique Hotel is stronger in number of reviews. ### Which is cheaper, Island Backpackers or Memory Boutique Hotel? Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side. ### How far apart are Island Backpackers and Memory Boutique Hotel? The two hotels are 20 m apart in a straight line. ## More match-ups - [Memory Boutique Hotel vs Wing tat grand hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/memory-boutique-hotel-semporna-vs-wing-tat-grand-hotel-semporna/) - [Memory Boutique Hotel vs Luna Capsule](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/luna-capsule-semporna-vs-memory-boutique-hotel-semporna/) ## Compare now Updated 6 Oct 2026. Data: Agoda, Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports and hotels' own websites. We may earn a commission from partner links; it never changes the comparison. [How we score](https://stayversus.com/en/about/) --- Source: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/island-backpackers-semporna-vs-memory-boutique-hotel-semporna/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/