For your information, there are two Shangri-La Resorts in Sabah; which are Shangri-La Tanjung Aru and Shangri-La Rasa Ria.
Previously, I blogged about
Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu.
For this post, I will share about my experience staying in Shangri-La Rasa Ria Kota Kinabalu.
Talking about location, Shangri-La Rasa Ria is situated nearly an hour from Kota Kinabalu International Airport. So, either you need to do early arrangement with the hotel for the pick-up, or taking Grab (approx. RM60-70 per way) or perhaps, you can consider to rent car from a reliable and trustworthy car rental such as Mirai Travel. Despite the location which it's quite distance away from the city centre, this hotel is absolutely the perfect spot for you to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and take this moment to unwind your body, soul and mind.
GARDEN WING & OCEAN WING
With just shy of 500 rooms and suites, Shangri-La Rasa Ria is split into two distinctive wings - the Garden Wing and Ocean Wing. Both wings have their own gracious lobby for the guests to do check-in and there are plenty of spacious parking lots too.
So which is better?
Rooms in Garden Wing are popular among the family, especially with small children as the children's facilities are more closer, such as kids club, swimming pool with slides and an outdoor playground. Whereas for the rooms in Ocean Wing, each and every room has its own oversized outdoor bathtub built at the private balcony. Because we don't have any lil kid and the outdoor bathtub looks pretty inviting, hence we chosen to stay in the Ocean Wing.
#1: Garden Wing - Perfect for family with children
OCEAN WING JUNIOR SUITE SEAVIEW KING ROOM
Right after we parked our car, we went to the open-air lobby at the Ocean Wing building. The check-in process was pretty fast and smooth - they just required our identification card for verification and after that, we're given two room cards.
#3: Check-in process at Ocean Wing's lobby
#4: Ocean Wing Junior Suite Seaview King Room
To our surprise, the room is indeed spacious and enormous. Furnished in warm earthy tones with natural wood furnishing, the room is well-equipped with:
- Luscious king-sized bed
- Marble-clad bathroom with twin hand basin, a separate toilet and shower room
- Walk-in wardrobe with dressing table and ironing facilities
- Flat screen television with numerous in-house movie channels
- A dining table and writing desk
- Mini bar including mini fridge, kettle, coffee and tea facilities. They even stocked some snacks and soft drinks.
- Cozy long couch next to the bed
- Large private balcony with oversized outdoor bathtub and sitting area
#5: Large bathroom with a separate toilet on the left side and shower room on the right side
#6: L'Occitane toiletries
#7: Walk-in wardrobe with dressing table
#8: Mini bar stocked with snacks and soft drinks
#9: Private balcony with oversized outdoor bathtub and sitting area
#10: And the best part of our room - facing the sparkling South China Sea
#11: Can even witness the most gorgeous sunset view from the balcony
Date Stayed: 15 January - 16 January 2022 (1 Night)
Type of Room: Ocean Wing Junior Suite Seaview King
Room Rate: RM600 per night (Booked from the official website)
Breakfast: Included
DINNER AT KOZAN TEPPAN-YAKI
As for our dinner, my husband and I decided to dine-in at Kozan Teppan-Yaki which located below of the main lobby at the Garden Wing. You don't have to worry about walking from one wing to another cause both wings are connected internally.
#12: Kozan Teppan-Yaki located at the below main lobby of Garden Wing
Kozan Teppan-Yaki offers 4 different sets of Teppanyaki and both of us chosen the Kaze set which indicates the wind in Japanese. All sets are inclusive of appetizer, sautéed mixed vegetables, garlic fried rice,
Japanese pickles, miso soup and dessert of the day.
Our Kaze (wind) set comes with:
- Hokkaido scallop
- Tiger prawn
- Norwegian salmon
- Boneless chicken thigh
#13: Kaze (wind) set Teppayaki
For more info Kozen Teppan-Yaki especially of their menu, you can check out
here.
#14
BREAKFASTFor Ocean Wing guests, we got to enjoy our breakfast at Oceano Modern Grill where they served breakfast in ala carte buffet style. We even got the choice either to sit indoor or outdoor and definitely for sure, we opted for the latter seating. Not just that we able to enjoy the extravagant breakfast with gorgeous view, we're also enjoy listening to the birds' chipping in the early morning. Such a relaxing and peaceful environment!
#15: Outdoor seating for breakfast
#16: Breakfast at Oceano Modern Grill
RESORT FACILITIES
There are two main pools within the resort, one for each of the wing. Ocean Wing's pool is more bigger but less crowded compare to the one in Garden Wing. Garden Wing's pool is towards more kids oriented with a water slide. The perk of being Ocean Wing's guest, you can access to both side of the pools.
#17: Pool at Ocean Wing. More bigger and less crowded. There is even an infinity jacuzzi.
#18: Pool at Garden Wing. More kids oriented with a water slide
#19: Mini outdoor playground for the little kids
#20: Sunrise jungle trekking at Rasa Ria Reserve. You can read my post here.
#21: Early bird catches the early sunrise with a glimpse of Mount Kinabalu
#21: Highly recommend to book the room with seaview because this is Sabah bah!
If you are looking for a family-friendly hotel, then Shangri-La Rasa Ria will be the best option as this resort offers plenty of activities to do. Apart from the swimming pools, recreational facilities, golf course and a nature reserve, there is even a stunning 3km white sandy beach where you and your family can enjoy the swim there and some watersport activities.
