Grand Hatika Hotel

Grand Hatika is one of Tanjung Pandan's longer-running hotels, describing itself as a four-star property with a minimalist interior. Its biggest advantage is position: Tanjung Pendam beach, with its jogging track, playground and evening food stalls, is directly across the street, and the town centre is about five minutes away by car.

Room types range from Superior to Executive Suite, Family Room and Penthouse, and there is an outdoor pool and meeting facilities. Guest feedback is mixed but useful: the location, local-style food and staff earn praise, while some reviewers say rooms are showing their age, wifi is weak in places and sea views can be blocked by trees, so confirm the view when booking. Bicycles and cars can be hired through reception, and early check-in or luggage storage is often possible.

Treat it as a convenient, fairly priced town base rather than a destination in itself. Walk across to the beach for sunset, eat at the stalls along the front, and use the hotel to organise transport to the north-west coast for island hopping. The airport is around 20 minutes away.