Bario Balang Lembaa Longhouse Homestay @ Asal Longhouse Homestay Bario - Baram, Sarawak

hew K.

After my first two visits in 1997 and 2000—when I stayed near the town centre—I decided this time to experience something different by staying at Jane’s place in Bario Balang Lembaa longhouse (also known as Bario Asal, the first longhouse resettlement established during the Konfrontasi from 1963 to 1966). Though located at the far end of town, it offers convenient access to both the Prayer Mountain and the Pa Ramapuh waterfall trails.

Jane was a wonderful host who never let the plates go empty—I was constantly well-fed, maybe even too well-fed! Fortunately, it was pineapple season, and I’ve loved the local pineapples ever since my first visits. Jane made sure they appeared at every meal—breakfast, lunch, and dessert. Absolute heaven!

Kendrick C.

If you're looking for an authentic longhouse experience in Bario, this is the place to consider! Proudly located in Bario Asal (asal means "original" in Malay), this is the oldest longhouse in Bario, and it’s still home to local residents. As you walk through the communal area, you may be amazed to see how some elders continue to uphold traditional ways of living. You’ll also likely be touched by the warmth and friendliness of the community.

The bedroom was clean, cozy, and comfortable. During my stay, I didn’t encounter any bugs or insects, which made for a peaceful night’s rest. Although a fan is provided, you might not need it—it gets quite cool at night. Do note that electrical sockets are somewhat limited, but if you need assistance, you can always reach out to Auntie Jane, the owner.

The bathroom is equipped with an instant water heater and an exhaust fan. Bath towels, soap, and shampoo are provided, and guests are welcome to use the washing machine and dryer for laundry.

Auntie Jane was warm, hospitable, and incredibly helpful. If you’re interested in having a meaningful conversation and learning more about life in Bario, she’s a wonderful person to talk to. She’s also very accommodating and will do her best to assist you with your travel needs. On top of that, she’s a fantastic cook! She prepares traditional Kelabit dishes and serves fresh local fruits like bananas and pineapples. If you’re invited to dine elsewhere during your stay, she’s okay to adjust meal plans accordingly.

P.S. If you're planning to visit Prayer Mountain or Wind Chapel—two significant landmarks tied to the Bario Revival—this longhouse is ideally located between them. The town is also just about a 25-minute walk away!

Nirmaladevi A.

I had the opportunity to stay with Jane for 3 days 2 night recently. As a female traveler, I look out for comfort as well as safety. Throughout the stay, Jane was very hospitable and ensured my tummy is full all the time. Something nice about this family is they are self sustainable. What they grow is what they feed you. So, you get to have the freshest produce of all time such as Bario rice and pineapple and you can even buy from them.

The room was spacious and comfortable enough to place my storage. The long house is also strategic to most places and is accessible through walking or you could ride around (ps: check with Jane!) Overall, I highly recommend this for anyone who would like to take a break from their work / life events and wants to try living the kampung or long house life.

Owen C.

Aunty Jane is one of the best host in Bario definitely need to check out this place if you want top notch hospitality.

She is very patient, attentive and caring. If you need anything she will definitely go above and beyond to cater to your needs.

You will definitely enjoy your stay in the oldest long house in Bario. You get to experience the local culture here.

CMK788

I had an amazing time at Asal Longhouse. Jane is so hospitable and friendly! She is the most amazing cook, the food I had with Jane was the best I had in Borneo. I am a vegetarian and for each meal she made a variety of delicious dishes. Just staying here for the food alone is a reason to come! The room was clean and the pillows very comfortable. The long house is also the oldest and longest in Bario with a rich history. Jane was also very helpful in organising a guide for me for a day hike. I loved Bario and hope to come here again in the future!

Werner L.

Jane Radu is an attentive and friendly host, and an excellent cook.
Comfortable rooms in an annex to the main longhouse, and bathroom with hot water shower.

MElliott_51

We had the good fortune to have 2 nights in Bario with Jane in her amazing Longhouse. The oldest in the region. Quite an experience- I have never walked 209 steps from one end of a house to another- but I did here. We had our own room and shared facilities. Jane was an excellent hostess and we were given the most wonderful food experiences - all local food grown in the area. And of course the famous Bario Rice. She arranged motorbikes for us so we had some transport to explore the area. I recommend this location as a great way to immerse yourselves into the way of life in this area.

gavinc374

Our host Jane met us at the airport and made us feel at home right away. Jane asked us if we wanted to be shown around the town and introduced us to some of the local people while telling us about Bario's history. The longhouse itself was a very unique experience and made us feel like we were experiencing a part of borneo we hadn't fully seen in our 4 years here. Rustic and homely it was very relaxing to sit outside on the balcony and experience a calmer pace of life. The Kelabit food itself was delicious and we were well catered for. Using local vegetables and fruits Jane prepared us a mini feast of home cooked dishes and exotic flavours. The local pineapple curry was especially good! 
She was very much part of our experience of Bario and suggested places for us to visit, such as a small Penan tribe settlement on the edge of the forest. Although we weren't able to communicate with them they seemed not to mind and it was truly a unique experience to see the way they lived. On the way back to the airport Jane showed us her sisters pineapple farm and inited us in for tea while we waited for our check in time to start. Such a unique and truly cultural experience!