Sutera Sanctuary Lodges At Manukan Island

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!

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Nepenthes Suite At Kinabalu Park

"Weekend, where to go?" Kundasang.

"Public holiday, where to go?" Kundasang.

"Where to go to celebrate birthday or anniversary?" Kundasang. 

That's where KK people love to go to with their friends and family not just during the weekend and holiday but also on special occasions in order to enjoy the cold atmosphere and cool breeze there. My husband and myself been to Kundasang countless of times as the journey takes 1.5-2 hours drive from the city centre. We prefer to stay overnight rather than doing a quick and rush day trip (trust me, it's worth to overnight). Among all the accommodations we have experienced before, our favourite will be the one situated in Kinabalu Park, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Malaysia which managed by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges. 

Previously, I was pretty to lucky to grab a good deal for the Garden Lodge type (check out my post here) for RM300 nett only when normally this two bedroom premium lodge costs RM900. It's like hitting the jackpot but oh well, luck will not always by my side, right? And because there are just two of us, hence we love to try and stay other different lodge and my husband booked Nepenthes Suite type. Not just one, but he booked twice - gosh, this shows that he loves staying here. We stayed in Nepenthes Suite in two separate weekends and for this post, I will combine both into one post instead. Kinda lazy to make two posts.  

#2: Liwagu Restaurant - This is where the check-in process take place 

Due to the recent Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) regulations, their check-in process was kinda confusing and slightly troublesome. Before you can proceed to the check-in process, visitors are required to pay admission fee first [Adult RM3 and Child Below 18 years RM1]. Once your done at the ticket counter, turn right to do some identity verification at their office. But then, you will not get your room key here. Right after you have done with the identity verification, drive to Liwagu Restaurant (photo as above) for the "real" check-in process and this is where you will get your room key. Their rooms are normally fully booked on the weekend, hence don't expect to request to check-in into your room earlier. And in case you arrive early, no worry cause you can enjoy some nice food with delicious drinks at the restaurant first. 

#3: Sutera Sanctuary Lodges has 11 different type of accommodations and so far, I have stayed 4 of them.

Parking spaces are pretty limited and for Nepenthes Suite type, we unable to park right in front of it. So what we did is, we drove closer to our stay, unloaded all our stuff and only then parked in front of Hill Lodge. Don't worry, it's not that far away anyway but because we brought quite number of stuff (majority are food), I guess this is the easiest and quickest way to do so. 

#4: Nepenthes Suite - We booked the same type of room twice 

Unlocked the door and stepped into the lodge with full of surprises. The room is surprisingly huge just for the two of us where it features a huge king bed sized, a 3-seater sofa, mini kitchen, fireplace and outdoor deck. Although the outdoor deck doesn't facing the perfect view of Mount Kinabalu (you can't even spot it at all), but both of us enjoyed sitting there while surrounding by the lush green environment. 

#5: This is the room we being assigned to during our second stay 

Though we booked the same type of room twice, but each room has different features and designs. I personally prefer the second stay, simply because I love the turquoise colour sofa and the round shape wall decors with mugs inside it. Feeling so stylish and cosy.  

#6: Our first stay room 

As for our first stay, it's not bad where it features yellow colour sofa and colourful rug but somehow, yellow is not my kind of thing. 

#7

Next to the main entrance of the room, there is a mini kitchen consists of fridge, kettle, wash basin, mugs and table spoon. As you can see from the photo below, two same type of room we booked but even the kitchen might be slightly different where during our first stay, the fridge is larger and more spacious (photo on left) compare to our second stay (photo on right). And because the room rate doesn't come with complimentary breakfast, therefore we brought lots and lots of food for this stay. Not just for breakfast, but for dinner as well where we cooked steamboat. 

#8: Mini kitchen area

#9: Lots of snacks and food for the breakfast and dinner 

#10: Brought along steamboat pot and sandwich maker as they are easy and quick to prepare simple meals

There is a bathroom within the room and it comes with water heater, hairdryer, towel and basic toiletries. Not just that, they even provided ironing facilities for the guests who need to it during their stay here. Nah, both of us were too lazy to do so during our vacation. 

#11: Ensuite bathroom 

#12

#13: Hairdryer, toiletries and even iron and the board are provided inside the room 

#14: Outdoor deck where we had our breakfast here while enjoying the nature and misty cool air

#15

#16: Love the design of the wooden headboard that has built-in table lamp and USB charger. So cool!

Date Stayed: 6 - 7 March 2021 & 2 - 3 October 2021 (1 Night each)

Type of Room: Nepenthes Suite (Specially requested for King Sized Bed)

Room Rate: RM150 per night (Booked directly from Sutera Sanctuary Lodge during promo period)

Breakfast: Not included

Since we're staying at Kinabalu Park, we woke up early and took this opportunity to explore few places before any other visitors come in into the park. There are few hiking trails where one can hike up and get an awesome view of the majestic view itself. We tried the Mountain View Trail which is not far away from the Timpohon Gate view point. 

#17: One of the hiking trails at Kinabalu Park 

#18: We're blessed with the great weather cause normally, the mountain always blocked by the clouds  

#19: Kinabalu Park, Malaysia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site

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Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu

Joining the 5-star luxury hotel list in the state capital of Sabah is the Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu. Sits perfectly right in the heart of the city center where cities sights and shopping opportunities are within easy-peasy reach, this is hotel is definitely the perfect choice both leisure and business travellers. 

#1: Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu - cities sights and shopping opportunities are within easy reach

Date Stayed: 5 September - 6 September 2020 (1 Night)

Type of Room: Vista Sea View King Sized Bedroom

Room Rate: RM286.65 per night (Booked via Trip.com)

Breakfast: Included

Though Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu has been operating for more than 10 years (opened since 2005), fret not as they have been constantly renovating, upgrading and refurbishing the whole property, which including the room as well. So once we stepped into the hotel lobby, both of us were absolutely fascinated with the new looking sophisticated ceiling. It was gorgeous and mesmerizing. Without wasting any time, immediately we headed to the reception counter on the right side and the check-in process was kinda breeze and smooth.  

#2: New sophisticated looking ceiling at the hotel lobby

With over 300 rooms to accommodate the guest, there are variety of rooms and suites to choose from, whether with a view of bustling city (Urban Room) or gorgeous South China sea (Vista Room). Of course being us, definitely we pick the room with a seaview and we even purposely requested the one on the highest floor for unobstructed view. If you are driving with a car, you can park your car at the basement and it's free for the hotel guest. 

#3: Hotel's directory 

THE ROOM - VISTA SEA VIEW 

#4 

Gracefully decorated with soothing soft colour and exquisite ornate natural fabric decoration, the room is relatively spacious and larger than the one we stayed in Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel. Although there is no balcony within the room, but it is well equipped with all the basic room amenities such as:

• Comfy king sized bed
• 68cm LCD TV
• Desk and chair - ideally for the business traveller
• Sofa 
• Minibar including mini fridge and tea and coffee facilities
• High-speed wireless internet access and Internet data port
• Wardrobe/closet with ironing facilities
• Safety deposit box

#5: Vista Sea View King Sized Bedroom 

Most importantly is the unobstructed generous South China Sea magnificent panoramic view as well as Gaya Island one can expect right from this Vista Sea View type of room. Not just that, you will be rewarded with stunning and gorgeous golden sunset view on a clear and fine day. Unfortunately for us, we went out for dinner and didn't get to enjoy the sunset view from our room. 

#6: Unobstructed South China Sea magnificent panoramic view as well as Gaya Island right from the window

7: Minibar facilities 

Somehow for the room we booked, there's no bathtub available within the room but it wasn't a big fuss for us. The entire bathroom is furnished with marble tiles making it looking so grand and luxury. One thing that caught my attention is the brand of the toiletries provided which I have never came across before -  Malin + Goetz. What more interesting is that they even provided mouth wash, where majority of the hotels including the big one don't provide this for the hotel guest. 

#8: Spacious and clean bathroom. Just too bad there's no bathtub within the room

#9: A complete set of toiletries and can you spot the mouth wash?

THE BREAKFAST 

Normally, the breakfast was served at the main restaurant "Latest Recipe" which is situated on the same floor as the hotel lobby but due to the pandemic, the breakfast was shifted to the Club Lounge located on the 14th floor, the highest floor of this property during our stay. I've been to this club lounge quite a few times to have discussion/meeting with my foreign client and I have to say that I'm quite impressive with their newly refurbished on this floor. However, I was slightly disappointed with the breakfast buffet served on this floor as the spread was pretty limited and not much choices, unlike the one I had before at Latest Recipe. 

#10: Breakfast was served at the Club Lounge on 14th floor during our stay 

Thankfully once again for its breathtaking view overlooking the South China Sea, both of us were kinda enjoying the breakfast despite the limited choice. I guess both of us came to a consensus where view win over the food instead. 

 

#11: Breakfast spread was pretty limited but we enjoyed with this kind of breathtaking view 

#12: Even orang utan is practising social distance. How about you? 

FACILITIES 

Facilities wise, both outdoor swimming pool and gymnasium are located on the 2nd floor of the property. Though you can't get any perfect seaview from the pool side as it is blocked by the markets but still, you can enjoy the incredibly stunning sunset here. You can even grab snacks and drinks from the Pool Bar & Cafe while admiring the sky show. 

 

#13: Outdoor swimming pool 

#14: Pool Bar & Cafe just next to the pool where you can easily grab snacks and drinks 

In case you are searching for 5-star hotel located just right in the heart of Kota Kinabalu that offer amazing seaview and sweet romantic sunset view, an easy access and free car park, surrounding by countless of markets, shops, restaurants and bars that are within short walking distance, I can conclude this is the one you're looking for. No wonder my foreign client is constantly staying here whenever he was in the town. 

Distance From Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu:

• Filipino Market (Seafood and Handicraft Market) - Just right opposite of the hotel
• Waterfront and night markets - Less than 2 minutes of walking 
• Gaya Street - 4 minutes of drive / 10 minutes of walking
• Imago Shopping Mall - 4 minutes of drive / 15 minutes of walking
• Suria Sabah Shopping Mall - 4-5 minutes of drive
• Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal - 5 minutes of drive
• Tanjung Aru Beach - 10 minutes of drive
• Kota Kinabalu International Airport - 15 minutes of drive

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