It is Sabah’s moment to shine in the holiday spotlight and the Shangri-La Rasa Ria resort in its capital Kota Kinabalu remains as the city’s well-rounded luxury residence of choice — especially with its stunning Rasa Ria Reserve which promises exclusive experiences one can only find there.
Sabah, an Eastern Malaysian state that most would recognise for its UNESCO-famed, 4,095m-tall Mount Kinabalu — the country’s highest peak, rests at the northern tip of Borneo. At first glance, Sabah looks like any other tropical destination in the Malay Archipelago, with vast rainforests tucked behind its capital of Kota Kinabalu and its pristine beaches fanning down its coasts.
But Sabah is no ordinary state and has been the centre of an ambitious plan by Malaysia to revitalise the region as one of the largest contributors to the country’s tourism industry. In 2019 alone, a year before the pandemic, the state recorded 4.1 million tourists and 22 million domestic arrivals — trailing third behind the country’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. It is no surprise, considering Sabah is at the centre of one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems. Within the rainforest city of Kota Kinabalu, which lives between untouched nature and modern civilisation, you can swim among corals on its beaches before spending the night trekking in the UNESCO-recognised Kinabalu National Park.
Despite having a rare diversity of attractions for a holiday destination in South East Asia, for most average Singaporeans, travelling to Kota Kinabalu remains thin on the ground. Its existence is often overshadowed by nearby destinations accessible by land — such as Terengganu and Desaru. But with ‘revenge-travelling’ ever more on the rise since borders have reopened, the shining oasis two hours away from Changi International Airport entices more than in-demand regional sanctuaries such as Bali and Phuket with less congested airports and reasonably-priced airfares. Just this year alone, given that three airlines service round-trips between Kota Kinabalu and Singapore, and Malaysia’s ease of travel restrictions back in April, the city has been given an opportunity to convince once more of its arresting beauty. After all, Dame Judi Dench aptly mentioned Borneo as “the only place in the world that left (her) speechless.”
For visitors that frequent Kota Kinabalu, or what locals often call “KK”, there is a hotel awarded as the city’s distinct place of respite. Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu, is a 400-acre beach resort that sits right at the shores of the Pantai Palit beach of the city’s north, of which 3km of the clear-sea beachfront is private to guests of the hotel. Numerous travellers have fallen for the hotel’s Bornean architectural splendour, with even residents of Malaysia who have frequented the state of Sabah since the 1980s classing the hotel as the city’s shining glory still. As much of an institution as the hotel itself, its wayward tradition in its service offerings and grandeur is this splendid hotel’s most distinct characteristic. Like any resort, Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu, just paces from the most enjoyed attractions in the area, encourages you to unpack your city worries the moment you arrive.
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On arrival, a grand Malay-style pavilion awaits you in the lobby. The hotel’s well-appointed rooms, dusked in neutral tones and finished with solid wood on furniture and decor, are in a league of their own, allergic to any sense of city modernity and are accompanied by the sounds and colours of nature thanks to its floor-to-ceiling glass windows. With two wings offering distinct experiences — a room in the garden wing guarantees a balcony across all room types, while the exclusive ocean wing is disposed of only idyllic suites — the five- star resort is designed for an all-inclusive experience of Borneo without ever needing to leave the hotel grounds. It is so massive in size and offerings that the entire property functions much like a city on its own — Pantai Palit beach, Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club, six restaurants, an award-winning spa, and packaged experiences will fill up your itinerary. But most interestingly, it is the Rasa Ria Reserve, an ecological asset the hotel owns, manages and preserves, which references just how aspirational a stay at the Shangri-La will be.
The Rasa Ria Reserve is just a few minutes from the hotel’s main building. Guests can begin their journey in the Reserve at a Discovery Centre that blends with the rainforest thanks to its use of sustainable materials. Here, as the entryway of the Reserve, the original elegance and charm of the rainforest become an educational hub at the centre to learn about the indigenous long-tailed macaques, macaw parrots, Bornean keeled pit viper, and famous huge-eyed slow loris, as well as over 60 species of birds, 100 species of butterflies and a spectrum of native plants. It also serves as the gateway to the Reserve’s unique trail system covering five miles of walks through the tropical jungle.
With six walking trails taking up two hours off your to-do list, they delight in the different attractions of the jungle — from sightings of medicinal plants and trees, and native wildlife. Walking deep into its trails will also reward you with sightings of Sabah’s iconic Mount Kinabalu, and the reserves’ Timpak Pogimpaan summit platform promises the best views, especially during sunrise. Early risers can enjoy a hike to the summit followed by breakfast to immerse themselves in the beauty of the setting and connect with views across the Tambalang River and the resort’s own 18-hole championship golf course.
The resort features an online platform that will help tailor your experiences before arrival. In it, guests can browse the resort’s wide range of unique experiences and offerings, which includes bespoke activities and excursions crafted around cultural learning, mindful living, and active spirits adventure. For the young, the Junior Ranger Experience encompasses specially curated activities such as Borneo Sunrise, Canopy Walkway, and Bird Watching, guided by the resort’s team of rangers who will bring you on a guided and informative journey, explaining the geography and surroundings. For adventure seekers, the hotel offers a variety of scheduled activities for water sports enthusiasts and thrill seekers. Guests can choose activities from Jet skiing to E-Foil Surfing, ATV and Horse Riding by the beach. Adding to the local experience are the Bajau and Dusun tribes of Tuaran, two of over 30 ethnic groups in Sabah. They have preserved their culture by sharing their customs, festivals, handicraft, and authentic cuisine with visitors.
Visit this link for more information on the Rasa Ria Reserve.
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Some might also consider beginning their journey of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur before setting off for Kota Kinabalu — more flights depart from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which makes it a better gateway to Sabah. A good-sized itinerary could include a few nights at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur — the group’s famed-hotel which will provide an ample sanctuary for the start of your trip. Located within the Golden Circle, where a short drive or LRT ride easily connects you to both Jalan Ampang (where the Petronas Twin Towers are) and Bukit Bintang (where all of the city’s shopping needs are consolidated to an avenue of malls), the hotel offers a distinction in service and class with its discreet address away from the crowds and noise of popular areas.
Being slightly ajar from the Twin Towers and Bukit Bintang also represents a consideration for Kampung Baru to include in your itinerary. With Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur situated along Jalan Sultan Ismail, a short walk just left of the hotel instantly transports you to the older side of Kuala Lumpur. Food-lovers can relish in the plethora of offerings for Malay cuisine, where its streets are saturated with stalls widely-known to the locals.
Visit this link for more information on Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur.
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