Looking for a short island staycation but not far away from Kota Kinabalu? Well, you can consider Sutera Sanctuary Lodges at Manukan Island, the second largest island of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. This island is one of the most popular islands among both of the local and foreign tourists, besides Sapi, Mamutik and Gaya Island.
HOW TO GET TO MANUKAN ISLAND RESORT
If you book to stay with this resort, normally the package includes the boat transfer to the island.
All guests are required to register themselves at Sutera Harbour Marina jetty booth and the boat rides takes approximately 15-20 minutes to reach to the island. Hence, it's wise to arrive early.
NOTE: You can park your car at Sutera Harbour Marina & Country Club for free. Or else, you can take Grab car as well.
#1: What can I say - I feel like I at paradise!
#2: Manukan Island, the second largest island of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park
#3: Do take note that the package doesn't include the entrance fee. So, do bring along small notes.
Upon arriving on this island, we're brought to a small room where we were served with welcome drinks and the staff gave us some briefing before we can proceed to check-in into our room. Oh yeah! Don't forget to bring along your identification card (IC) or passport for identity verification and also to keep track of how many number of guests per night. Not long after the briefing, it's time for check-in.
THE ROOM - MANUKAN VILLA
Typically, there are 3 different type of lodges to choose from; Beach Suite, Hillside Villa and Manukan Villa. Guess what, we're given the largest and biggest type which is the Manukan Villa that can fit up to maximum of 4 guests.
#4: Manukan Villa type which can fit up to maximum of 4 guests
#5: This type of lodge comes with living room, dining area and kitchen - perfect for a group of family
#6: Two spacious bedrooms and two huge bathrooms
#7: Fairly large fridge with kitchenware. However, guests are not allowed to cook inside the lodge
The entire lodge is well-equipped with air-conditioning, from the living room to the spacious bedroom. Televisions with selective satellite channels, refrigerator, kettle, bath towels, toiletries and hairdryer can be found inside the lodge. The only downside is the Internet connection kinda weak. Not just the wireless type, even most of our tele don't work well there too. I guess this is the sign for us to enjoy the nature instead of just facing our mobile phone most of the time.
#8: The Beach Suite type
#9: Hillside Villa type which offers stunning view overlooking the South China Sea
(Guess what, we came here again this year and stayed at this type of lodge. Will blog about it soon)
RESTAURANTS
There used to be two restaurants operated on this islands but due to the pandemic, only Arang Restaurant is opens for all-day dining. This is where they served breakfast for the in-house guests too, from 7am to 10am. Food wise, it's decent and not that bad but I found out that choices are pretty limited.
#10: Arang Restaurant, the only restaurant opens for all-day dining on the island
#11: We had spaghetti, nasi ayam penyek and nasi goreng kampung for our lunch
#12: We ordered few seafood such as scallop and fish for our dinner
#13: Breakfast time and they are no longer served in buffet style. Hence, we're given breakfast menu to choose from; American breakfast, pancake, nasi lemak, porridge, roti canai or even fish noodle soup.
To our surprise, we found an outdoor pool not far away from the Arang Restaurant which only for the in-house guests to relax and swim. But then, who need that when you can have the whole beach for yourself right?
#14: You can choose to swim and relax by the poolside
#15: Or, take a leisurely walk along the beach overlooking the stunning crystal clear blue sea
#16: Let's swing our worries away and just enjoy every sweet moment
Wondering how much the room rate per night? Oh well, we got to stay here for free as Sutera Sanctuary Lodges is giving a free night stay for the frontliner for battling hard towards the pandemic. Because one of my husband's friends is part of the frontliner, hence he tagged us along for this trip. Thank you frontliners for your hardwork, sacrifice and services to the nation.
Hurry up and book for this coming holiday!
