Lux Travel: Borneo @LuxTravel06

After visiting Kuala Lumpur at the beginning of our Malaysia trip, we took the short flight over to the area of Kota Kinabalu in the state of Sabah, Borneo.

We decided to stay a week here and use it as a base for visiting the Orangutans at Sepilok and exploring the area.

There is a fairly limited choice of 4/5 star accommodation in Borneo when booking through UK travel operators, but the Shangri La Rasa Ria stood out for me when planning my itinerary with Hayes and Jarvis.

The hotel offers views of the Borneo rainforest one way and the South China Sea the other.

There’s a variety of room types available depending on your taste and budget. We opted for an Premium Ocean Wing Room which is located in a little more of an adult focused area of the hotel (the Ocean Wing) and boasted extras including:

* A separate pool area

* Discounted a la carte restaurants

* Pillow menu

* Separate check in

* Separate breakfast restaurant

* A larger room with your very own (HUGE) bathtub on the balcony.

If you’re a foodie like me, you won’t struggle here. There’s an extensive choice of eateries including an Indian, Italian, Japanese, Tepi Laut (Malaysian Street food style) as well as a buffet restaurant.

They also cater well for different dietary requirements so make yourself known on arrival if this is needed.

The Shangri La offers bed and breakfast, half board or full board so you can choose which one you would prefer depending on how much time you spend in the hotel. This can be upgraded in the hotel if needed.

The Rasa Ria is a half an hour distance from the town of Kota Kinabalu where you can explore local shops, bars and restaurants as well as some more contemporary shopping centres.

The hotel does put on a payable shuttle bus service for guests to and from the town as it would take way too long to walk.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Lux Travel: Borneo

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Rasa Ria Resort kicks off plastic-free campaign

KOTA KINABALU: Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa has started its plastic-free campaign to help reduce its plastic footprint.

“We are committed to identifying our plastic footprint in the resort then working on a plan to reduce our plastic single use items.

“On the 1st February we implemented no plastic straws in the resort which was met with outstanding enthusiasm from our colleagues and guests,” said Fiona Hagan, General Manager of Rasa Ria during her courtesy visit to Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, Minister of Tourism Culture and Environment at his office recently.

The resort has always been committed to caring for the community and the education of conservation and practices to protect our environment.

“Our management and colleagues are excited to lead the way and to make a difference,” she said.

According to the research done by Plastic Disclosure Project (PDP), there are roughly 33% of plastic for single use and approximately 85% of total global plastic used is not recycled.

Looking to the future Rasa Ria will be going plastic-free by 1st April 2018 and usage of one-time use plastic straws and take away boxes will be lessened by at least 250,000 annually.

The resort will be the first hotel in the group to work with PDP in undertaking a baseline measurement of their plastic use and/or waste profile, so that it can better manage, reduce and benefit from the efficient use of plastic with less waste and higher recovery rates.

The Plastic Disclosure Project is focused on bringing innovation, technologies, creativity and collaborations together to address some of the challenges that face the ocean and our broader environment.

Two preventative solutions to the plastic waste issues are the PDP and Global Alert, both of which were announced at the 2010 Clinton Global Initiative in New York.

Continue reading at: Rasa Ria Resort kicks off plastic-free campaign

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Travel Nation: Visit Borneo - a luxury family holiday offers everything you’re after @Travel_Nation

So why visit Borneo for a family holiday? Best known for its abundant wildlife and mountain scenery, Borneo is also blessed with fabulous resorts, unspoiled beaches and amazing coral reefs. We were all looking forward to the Easter school holidays and our 16 night luxury holiday to Borneo!

“What are you looking forward to most?” I asked my 7 year old daughter…

“Sleeping on the plane and the curly wurly slide at the hotel.” “And you?” I asked my 9 year old son…

”Seeing Orangutans in the wild!” he answered.

Breaking the journey in Kuala Lumpur

We flew with Malaysia Airlines and decided to spend 2 nights in Kuala Lumpur to break the outbound journey, having booked seats on the upper deck which is a lot roomier and quieter.

We stayed at the Aloft hotel because of it great location and easy transport links from the airport and around the city. It is part of KL central shopping centre and it is only about 30 minutes from the airport using the KLIA express train, so it’s a quick reach and very convenient. 

The rooms are big and it is rumored to have the best breakfast in the city, which my son would agree with! Aloft also has a nice rooftop pool which is always welcome after a day of sightseeing.

Kota Kinabalu, Borneo

After our two nights in KL, we took a 2.5 hour flight over to Kota Kinabalu on Borneo, where we stayed at the Shangri-la's Rasa Ria Resort for 6 nights.

The Shangri La Rasa Ria – perfect for families

I have to say, I could not fault this hotel - it just has everything for a perfect family holiday. We stayed in the Ocean Wing, where the rooms are a hugely spacious 105m2, have a large bathroom, a dressing room, living area and an enormous balcony with a double day bed, table and chairs and an outside double bath!

The Ocean Wing also provides a complimentary mini bar, a separate private pool area for Ocean Wing guests, a separate a la carte breakfast, and daily drinks and canapes at sundown. It is well worth the upgrade and certainly made our stay all the more special.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Travel Nation: Visit Borneo - a luxury family holiday offers everything you’re after

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MummyOnTheRun: Family Holiday Bliss at the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort, Borneo

After visiting Kota Kinabalu for two nights, we decided to stop off at the Shangri-la Rasa Ria Resort, less than an hour away from KK and en route to Kudat and the Tip of Borneo, our last stop before heading home.

We had a fantastic start to our holiday at the Shangri-La in Bangkok and so we had high expectations for our two nights at the Shangri-la Rasa Ria Resort.

Situated amid the lush tropical vegetation and crystal clear seas of Pantai Dalit, the resort comprises of 499 rooms and suites.

It’s split into two sections – the Garden Wing and the Ocean Wing.

We had an Ocean Wing room with a gorgeous room, the biggest bed I’ve ever seen and a day bed.

The best bit about the room is the balcony with its gorgeous beach views.

It’s a spacious area with a love seat, a table and chairs and an oversized bath with the best view of the stunning sunset.

Customer service plays a massive role in my high expectations of the Shangri-La.

The Rasa Ria didn’t disappoint.

The staff members were friendly, attentive without being intrusive.

Everyone says hello with a smile and eye contact when passing and many greeted us and the kids by name.

It was very impressive and as a result we were made to feel part of the family, which is an instant winner for me.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: MummyOnTheRun: Family Holiday Bliss at the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort, Borneo

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Flying The Nest: Luxury in Kota Kinabalu - Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort

Kota Kinabalu is the perfect tropical getaway with beautiful beaches, postcard islands and the very popular Mount Kinabalu at your doorstep. Stop to take a break here and you might just fall under the spell of this beautiful and lively capital situated on the northwest coast of Borneo.

Only having a weekend to experience everything Kota Kinabalu has to offer (or if you really want to sound local ‘KK’), we decided to split our time by spending the first night out of the city and instead surrounded by nature at the Shangri-la Rasa Ria Resort.

Checking into the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort

When we touched down in KK we were greeted to a large grin and a handshake before being ushered into a private luxurious van waiting to zip us away to the resort. This was a first for us and before we could take it all in refreshing towelettes were provided, bottles of cold water awaiting in the armrests and an abundance of snacks to cure our hunger after a day of flying was exactly what we needed – oh, and did we mention free WiFi during our entire drive?

30 minutes later and we pulled up to the gates of the largest resort we have ever stayed in! Located on Pantai Dalit Beach, set amidst a nature reserve, this place is one of those destination resorts where you never need to leave.

Having a private beach just for the guests, multiple pools, water slides, day spas, an abundance of restaurants and so many activities going on you just want to do them all – and don’t worry even with a one night stay we still managed to tick a few off.

The Room

Our Ocean Wing premier double room was beautifully decorated with a wide open plan that could easily be a luxurious apartment. If there was one thing to take away from this room is the sheer size will ensure a very comfortable stay.

Included were two double beds, a sofa, large desk for editing some vlogs, a dressing room and a large bathroom. Featured was a big TV & a much needed coffee machine and thats before you take a walk outside. The balcony was enormous and featured an oversized bathtub and a large circular daybed. Our room was sea facing which meant non stop stunning panoramic views over the ocean!

Continue reading (Incl. Pics & Vid) at: Flying The Nest: Luxury in Kota Kinabalu - Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort

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A Fat Girl's Food Guide: Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort – Sabah, Borneo

Sometimes my life is fabulously chic, and these past few days have been one of those occasions.

I was lucky enough to be invited to come and stay at the spectacular Shangri-la's Rasa Ria Resort in Sabah, Borneo earlier this week.

Borneo has always been at the top of my list for places to visit, and when I saw where we would be staying I couldn’t book my plane ticket fast enough.

There are half a dozen airlines that fly directly from Seoul, making it just a hop, skip, and a jump away.

The resort has been open for 20 years, and at this stage has virtually every amenity you could imagine.

Private beach, golf course, two pools, gym, a nature reserve, and a spa just to name a few.

We stayed in the very beautiful Ocean wing, where every room comes with an oversized outdoor bathtub on the balcony.

The room itself was very spacious, with a gigantic bed big enough for four, a twin-sinked bathroom, a walk in wardrobe, and of course the aforementioned tub on the giant balcony.

Guests staying in the Ocean wing are treated to a complimentary fruit/snack platter and minibar, which was stocked with beers and soft drinks for you to enjoy until your heart is content.

Ocean Wing guests also get to enjoy a complimentary cocktail and canape hour down in the courtyard, which we of course partook in too and sampled a very nice tropical cocktail as well as some local snacks.

It’s so nice to be able to unwind with a few drinks without worrying abut the cost, so this was a real plus point for us.

The most luxurious feature of the room is probably the “indulgence” bath on your very own balcony, with a choice of rose petals, bubbles, or bath salts (once for free and 50MYR for additional baths).

We had a very romantic bubble bath at sunset, which was just the thing to refresh us after a long day of sight seeing.

Our day started with breakfast at Oceano restaurant, which offers up the standard hotel buffet fare, along with an a la carte menu with items such as Eggs Benedict, frittatas, and local specialty nasi goreng.

The nasi goreng was especially good, as were the made to order omelettes.

Honestly i don’t think there was anything that you could want that wasn’t available.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics & Vids) at: A Fat Girl's Food Guide: Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort – Sabah, Borneo

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Travel Wire Asia: Roving in Borneo - The height of luxury in the depths of nature

BORNEO is one of Southeast Asia’s most prized natural wonders, an overwhelmingly stunning archipelago where some of the region’s most unspoiled rainforests and shorelines reside.

The region is also home to rare wildlife including many that are endemic; a nature trek could see you encounter species such as hornbills, orangutans, sun bears, leopard cats, proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants.

While refreshing to be at one with nature, your stay in Borneo doesn’t have to cross out the comfort and luxury you might be used to on a city or beach retreat. Here are four hotels that bring a little bit of decadence to the forest.

Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa

This spectacular five-star resort is perched on a hill and surrounded by the best of both worlds – the unspoiled Pantai Dalit Beach and 400 acres of lush tropical forest. While Kota Kinabalu in the east Malaysian state of Sabah has an abundance of stunning natural landscapes, Shangri-La’s outdoes one’s expectations of Borneo by offering both luxury and nature under one roof.

In the Garden Wing, each room features a private balcony with two armchairs and a coffee table overlooking the forest, garden or sea. Whether it’s the Superior Rainforest View, the Deluxe Garden View, or the Deluxe Sea View you opt for, rest assured you’ll rise every morning to a beautiful backdrop.

The 64-acre Nature Reserve is home to many species of flora and fauna that are naturally found in Sabah. While preserving the wonders of nature, the reserve also serves to educate guests of the beauty and uniqueness of the local biodiversity.

Meanwhile, the Canopy Walkway offers miles of picturesque views of the sea on one side and the majestic Mount Kinabalu on the other. Guests can explore the Nature Reserve with the guide of a Resident Naturalist via the six nature trails – herbal, entomology, native, wildlife, canopy walkway and adventure.

Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa

Deep within the dense tropical rainforest of Sarawak is Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa, a unique five-star operation. Suspended on a walkway set in the forest and designed in the style of a traditional longhouse, this Marriott property is likely to be the first of its kind you’ve set foot in.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Travel Wire Asia: Roving in Borneo - The height of luxury in the depths of nature

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Travel Wire Asia: Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa, Kota Kinabalu - Luxury in the stunning wilds of Borneo

IMAGINE an emerald-green forest paradise that hums with life, lined by sandy shores and a crystal-blue ocean with waters that sparkle for miles on end.

Well, that paradise is Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa in Kota Kinabalu, a spectacular five-star resort perched on a hill and surrounded by the best of both worlds – the unspoiled Pantai Dalit Beach and 400 acres of lush tropical forest.

While Kota Kinabalu in the east Malaysian state of Sabah has an abundance of stunning natural landscapes, Shangri-La’s outdoes one’s expectations of Borneo by offering both luxury and nature under one roof.

The resort’s 499 guestrooms assimilate the natural tranquility of its surrounding with the nature inspired interior décor. All this to better help you appreciate the gentle sound of the waves lapping against the shore from the comfort of your room.

In the Garden Wing, each room features a private balcony with two armchairs and a coffee table overlooking the forest, garden or sea. Whether it’s the Superior Rainforest View, the Deluxe Garden View, or the Deluxe Sea View you opt for, rest assured you’ll rise every morning to a beautiful backdrop.

Meanwhile, the Ocean Wing – which features all-inclusive suites for both couples and families – face the wind-swept seashore and is equipped with a private oversized outdoor bathtub so you can take in the crisp, salty air even while basking in the bath. The Ocean Wing Premier Rooms have the bonus of a private terrace overlooking the shoreline.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Travel Wire Asia: Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa, Kota Kinabalu - Luxury in the stunning wilds of Borneo

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Honeymoon heaven: Nowhere's more romantic than the wilds of Borneo

• The Daily Mail's Monty Halliday spent his honeymoon exploring Asia's Borneo
• Stayed at Shangri-la's Rasa Ria Resort and Spa, set in 400 acres of rainforest
• The couple then moved to the idyllic Gaya Island Resort for a beach retreat

We’re enveloped by pitch black.

Earlier in the day, I had convinced my wife Antonia that boating through a mangrove jungle in Borneo was a great idea. Now, I am not so sure.

We’re on honeymoon, as it happens.

Empress cicadas are screeching. Ripples beneath us drum against our leaky glass fibre riverboat. Nothing will go wrong, of course. But there’s no escape plan.

Then our ranger, who is sitting cross-legged on the bow, flicks on his torch. The white beam cuts through the nothingness until it catches the reflection of a pair of submerged eyes. They belong to a saltwater crocodile.

He adjusts the light’s position to the left, then to the right, revealing two more pairs of eyes.

‘It is high tide, and they like to hunt now,’ he says in a hushed voice. ‘But don’t worry, they are only small. No threat to humans for a few more years.’

Borneo is the largest island in Asia. It is a highly efficient ecosystem of dense, steamy rainforest.

Sir James Brooke, a British colonialist, undertook mammoth expeditions here in the 19th century to bring order to a violent and chaotic tribal land.

In those days, the Dayak, a collective term for the indigenous people of Borneo, practised the ancient tradition of headhunting.

This involved the taking of heads between warring tribes. Nowadays, you are more likely to find yourself in a Bornean jungle spa having a head massage.

We are one hour north of Kota Kinabalu, Borneo’s capital. My wife’s grandfather worked here for five years as an accountant in the Commonwealth Development Corporation during the Seventies.

It feels as though little has changed since then.

There is one Canary Wharf-style office tower and the younger locals are ambitious for a more cosmopolitan existence.

However, they are immensely proud of their heritage and constantly direct our attention to the country’s true natural powerhouse — Mount Kinabalu.

At 13,435 ft, it is the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Honeymoon heaven: Nowhere's more romantic than the wilds of Borneo

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HungryCityHippy: A Week in Borneo - The Best Bits

What with moving house, changing jobs – and a lot more besides – all of which has happened in the last month, it feels like my little trip to Borneo (a thirtieth birthday present to myself) was more than a lifetime ago.

In reality,  just a few short weeks have passed since I spent 7 days drinking in all of what this magical country has to offer. Here, in no particular order, are my best bits:

1. Visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

This is what Borneo is most famous for; the Bornean orangutan  – a species native to the island. Together with the Sumatran orangutan, it belongs to the only genus of great apes native to Asia.

Orangutans share approximately 97% of their DNA with humans, but Bornean Orangs are a critically endangered species, with deforestation, hunting and ever-expanding palm oil plantations posing a serious threat to their continued existence.

Seeing these guys relaxed and happy within the confines of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve (which covers more than 10,000 acres of mostly virgin rainforest) was an absolute privilege, and an experience I will never forget.

2. Staying at the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Hotel

Set on the white sands of Pantai Dalit Beach and surrounded by 400 acres of lush tropical vegetation, the Shangri-la's Rasa Ria Resort & Spa is ideal for nature lovers who also want their holiday to include more than just a touch of luxury. It’s pricey – but there are certainly bargains to be had, if you’re prepared to shop around for a great deal (see my blog post on this, here).

We absolutely loved the tropical swimming pool & jacuzzi which is exclusively for the use of residents staying in the Ocean Wing – if you’re planning a trip here, you’re going to want to make sure that’s where you stay, not least of all to avoid the hordes of kids in the Garden Wing pool!

When it comes to the food, we were thoroughly spoilt for choice, with a selection of eight pay-as-you-go dining and drinking venues to try out. We often went for traditional Malaysian ‘street food’ at the Tepi Laut Makan Street restaurant, followed by cocktails at the laid-back Sampan Bar on the beach.

The hotel is a great base to stay if you want somewhere to really relax and have your every need taken care of, but be mindful that it is a good 40 minute taxi ride from the centre of Kota Kinabalu, so you do need to factor in the costs (and time taken) to travel around during the days.

3. Watching endangered proboscis monkeys play in the wild

The proboscis monkey or long-nosed monkey, is a reddish-brown arboreal Old World monkey that is endemic to Borneo. As a species, they  co-exist with the Bornean orangutan, and are easily identifiable because of their unusually large noses.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: HungryCityHippy: A Week in Borneo - The Best Bits

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Vacationista: Shangri-la Rasa Ria Resort and Spa Kota Kinabalu

Knowing Shangri-la Hotels, you’d only expect the best of the best. Unfortunately, we didn’t start out on the right foot.

We had booked at the hotel for our second day in Kota Kinabalu (KK) and they confirmed that we would be picked up by their shuttle bus from Wisma Merdeka at 2:15pm.

Unfortunately, after waiting for 20 minutes and after a call, we found out pick-up was at 4pm.

So we just wasted about 2 hours of waiting, which could have been spent at the resort hotel, but we made up for it by going around the mall.

Right on schedule, the shuttle bus arrived at 4pm and we were finally on our way to the resort.

Immediately upon check-in, we were served welcome drinks then the manager approached us and talked to my sister (I was busy going around the lobby).

The manager offered complimentary shuttle bus pick-up and drop-off (was supposed to pay RM30 per person per way even for checked-in guests so that’s a lot of savings) and after my sister’s inquiry, the manager also offered complimentary late check-out, to make up for the lost time.

So it was all good. Shangri-la can be depended on to make things better. Haha! We even requested to have our room transferred to somewhere nearer the lobby and they obliged.

The room, as always with Shangri-la, was pretty and immaculate. Big, comfy beds, huge restroom and a balcony overlooking the pool and even a part of the ocean.

I like the fact that they have welcome fruits and have now used glass bottles for their waters (yey for the environment!).

There is no time for rest for people like me who want to make the most of vacation time so after a quick change, me and sis went out to explore. Went around the resort and of course, first order of business was checking out the beach front.

OMG. Super huge beach front! 3km long of beach front, in fact. Super gorgeous!

We decided to have dinner at their international buffet. You actually have 5 choices for their in-house restaurants. Aside from the international buffet, you may opt for Italian, Japanese and Indian, all on ala-carte basis, and a Malaysian buffet.

Once in Shangri-la, you won’t be able to walk to a nearby resto since it’s pretty far from ‘civilization’. If you want to go out, you’ll have to take the shuttle, if still available, or a taxi.

The international buffet at Coffee Terrace was about RM150 per person. Unfortunately, I wasn’t impressed by their spread.

You’ll have the usual congees, sushis, steak, Malaysian and Western food, as well as the fruits, salad and dessert bar. 

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Vacationista: Shangri-la Rasa Ria Resort and Spa Kota Kinabalu

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Orangutan rehab centre by Sabah Wildlife and Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Wildlife Department and Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort and Spa, Kota Kinabalu announced they are nearing the completion of the successful jointly-managed Orangutan Rehabilitation and Conservation Programme – a support programme of the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre of the Sabah Wildlife Department.

Launched in 1996, Shangri-La’s Orangutan Care Project provides specialist care for orphaned orangutans in a sanctuary located within the resort’s private 64-acre Nature Reserve.

Over the course of nearly 20 years, 43 orphaned orangutans have successfully completed the first phase of their rehabilitation under the care of trained rangers in the Nature Reserve before moving to the renowned Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.

Once the orangutans complete the reintegration programme at Sepilok, they will be released into the adjacent Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve.

All remaining orangutans at Rasa Ria’s Nature Reserve will be relocated to Sepilok by April. In addition to orangutan rehabilitation, the resort’s programme provides a platform for education on wildlife conservation to school children and the general public based on the West Coast of Sabah.

“Over the past two decades there have been extensive efforts to educate the public and increase awareness and understanding of the plight of these endangered primates”, said Jonathan Reynolds, general manager of Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort and Spa.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to have been able to bring close to 12,000 students from 276 schools in Sabah to see our Orangutan Care project so they could gain a better understanding of how precious the endangered orangutans are and the urgent need to protect them.”

Through its conservation activities, Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort and Spa has funded many joint conservation programme and initiatives with Sabah Wildlife Department.

The long road of rehabilitating orangutans for reintroduction into the wild takes up to seven years. Over its 50 years of operation, Sepilok has registered 758 individual orphaned or confiscated orangutans. Sabah Wildlife Department Director William Baya said that there has been significant reduction in the number of orangutan admitted to Sepilok over the past 10 years, with only a handful of orphans coming into Sepilok for the past three years.

“We are very very happy with the wonderful partnership that Sabah Wildlife Department has forged with Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort and Spa for the past 20 years, helping Orangutan Conservation by increasing awareness to the plight of the orangutan in Sabah to Sabahans and our overseas visitors as well.

Continue reading at: Orangutan rehab centre by Sabah Wildlife and Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort and Spa

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Kota Kinabalu – the Best Place for Unplanned Travel

Sometimes the best adventures in life are unplanned. Multiple experiences have reinforced this belief in me and the Kota Kinabalu experience was no exception. Thanks to a busy work life, I had no time to read about Kota Kinabalu and also plan for it.

Additionally, I wasn’t too kicked about this trip because of the hangover of my splendid Vietnam trip. I was mentally reliving my Vietnam moments. Also, to tell you the truth I was kind of forced into booking this trip because a friend desperately wanted to travel out of Philippines and wanted me to accompany her but she chickened out in the end and this ended up becoming yet another solo trip.

I had two options. Either to cancel my trip or venture into the unexplored. I chose the latter, like I always do! A few adjustments were made- a luxury hotel was swapped for a hostel, budget was increased and more importantly, I became the pilot rather than a mere co-passenger.

It is natural for you to wonder when I say that Kota Kinabalu is the best place for unplanned travel. It is not without reasons and here are three of them:

1. Travel Easy: Kota Kinabalu is well connected with frequent low cost flights (at attractive prices) from all major cities in South East Asia. You can reach Kota Kinabalu in 2-2.5 hrs from most of them and within 15 minutes, the city centre. Most hotspots in the city are within walking distance and the distant ones can be covered with the pretty good public transport. You can either choose a city bus or a minivan or a taxi to get around. For traveling out of KK there are long distance buses or taxis available quite easily.

2. One place. Assorted Experiences: Kota Kinabalu is a ‘Nature Resort City’ located on the tropical island of Borneo, Malaysia, which possesses the natural treasure of unique ethnic cultures, endearing hospitality of friendly and English speaking locals, sumptuous cuisine from around the world, breathtaking marine and exotic preservations. And if you go a little further from KK you’ll find incredible landscape variety. It is a living Biodiversity island comprising of a complex ecosystem with mangroves stretching till the eyes can see, tropical rainforests with great trails, majestic Mount Kinabalu with crisp air and marvelous view, marshlands with astounding natural beauty, unending rivers with abundant wildlife, pristine long sandy beaches, paradise islands and virgin coral reefs among other natural wonders. I’ve never come across such rich variety!

3. Suits any kind of budget: Kota Kinabalu is one place which caters to all kind of travelers. Basis your pocket you can choose your accommodation and tours. While the best place to stay at KK is Shangri-la’ Rasa Ria Resort you can always have your pick from a wide variety of hotels, Hostels, Motels, B&B or house apartments to suit any budget.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Kota Kinabalu – the Best Place for Unplanned Travel

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Hotel insider: Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort and Spa, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort and Spa

The welcome

At Kota Kinabalu, the closest airport, I’m met at arrivals by a red-uniformed Shangri-La staff member, who guides me to the waiting transfer car, equipped with Wi-Fi, chocolate and peanuts. All are welcome, because I arrive at rush hour, which means the 30-kilometre trip takes 90 minutes. It’s scenic, and the welcome at the hotel’s Ocean Wing is polished. Check in is fast.

The neighbourhood

The 499-room resort is on 162 hectares on a promontory north of Kota Kinabalu. It’s away from the city sprawl, and backs onto a beautiful mangrove swamp, the largest in Malaysian Borneo. It’s well-located for trips to Mount Kinabalu, especially for recovering after the climb. The beach, comprising most of Dalit Bay, is large, sweeping and reasonably wild, though the dark-coloured sand means the seawater isn’t clear. The resort’s orangutan sanctuary, on one side of the resort in coastal jungle, works with the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.

The scene

It’s a large resort split into two sections, the Garden Wing, geared towards families, and the newer Ocean Wing, which has a more-adult, exclusive atmosphere. Despite the titles, all rooms face the sea and a large, landscaped area in between, which contains four swimming pools and seven bars and restaurants. The main buildings rise to six storeys, but the mostly open-air design makes everything feel relaxing and spacious. There’s a golf course and country club at the back. Although the beach is technically public, it feels private. Most other guests are Asian or European.

The room

My room is on the fourth floor of the four-block Ocean Wing, which was completed last year, and now contains 173 rooms. The standard rooms here are exceptionally large: 90 square metres, with a huge outdoor terrace containing a hot tub, a spacious bedroom with work and dressing areas, and big bathroom. Everything works and feels fresh; the mostly beige-and-cream colour scheme is pleasantly neutral.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Hotel insider: Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort & Spa, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

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Star of Sorts: A Relaxing Christmas in Borneo

The best thing about moving to Honky for me is travel.  I’m so lucky to have had the opportunity to visit so many places since our arrival: Taiwan, Seoul, Mumbai and Kerala in India, Siem Reap in Cambodia, Chiang Mai in Thailand (again!), Beijing and finally Australia.  As you can see from the gaps in the blog –  I’ve got quite some way to go in documenting all these trips!

So let me start with the most recent whilst it’s fresh in my mind – Borneo. Christmas is normally spent in throws of icy UK winters, gorging on food left, right and centre; and in the company of my favourite people – the Malatesta clan!

This year we thought we’d change gears and head somewhere hot just the two of us.  And so because in typical Stars and Joe fashion we’d left it too late to book our preferred destination – Bali – we settled for Borneo.  Flights were about one sixth of the price if you wanted to go direct, and so we thought we’d save a bit of cash and take on part of Malaysia.

Borneo is no doubt, beautiful – lush green jungle, sandy beaches and crystal waters.  I have to say though that we probably didn’t make the most of everything that is on offer.  We had very good intentions of traveling to Sipidan, Sepilok and climbing the famous Mt Kinabalu over our two week stay…  Instead we made an executive decision (after a lot of typical uming and ahhing from me) to just stay, in one spot and totally relax (note we also came back to HK a week early).

The umming and ahhing stems from my inability to actually sit back relax and do nothing.  I’m basically incapable of relaxing and sort of feel under pressure to do as much exploring as possible in a new country.  Pressure from who I have no idea.  But I actually managed to do it (it has to be noted there were a few wobbles and I had to be brought around by Joe’s maximum chill ethos) and really enjoyed it!

We stayed Shangri-La Rasa Ria resort about 45 minutes outside the main town of Kota Kinabalu. This was the first time I’d ever stayed in a big beach resort like this and can certainly see the attraction – everything you could want is there!  Restaurants, pools, spas, golf, beach, activities galore and more.

That isn’t to say we were sitting ducks, although the sand flies and mozzies seemed to think so.  We managed to get out on a couple of day trips – a river cruise to spot some of the local wildlife which included monkeys, giant lizards and fireflies and a boat trip to a little island called Sapa to do a bit of snorkeling.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Star of Sorts: A Relaxing Christmas in Borneo

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How Eco Tourism Is Saving Sabah’s Wildlife

The Malaysian state of Sabah sits on the northern tip of Borneo. It’s an island rich in biodiversity, and it’s this biodiversity that attracts so many visitors to Sabah, but it’s now more endangered than ever before.

The rainforests here are home to truly unique creatures including orangutans, sun bears, proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants and Sumatran rhinos.

But these creatures are rapidly losing habitat, which is being taken over at a rapid pace by our appetite for Palm Oil.

Sabah is also home to some of world’s best snorkelling and diving. The Sipadan Barrier Reef, on Sabah’s east coast, is the largest barrier reef in South East Asia, and boasts the highest marine biodiversity on the planet. Over 2000 species of fish have been identified here.

But current levels and methods of fishing in this region are not sustainable. Large parts of the reefs have fallen victim to dynamite fishing and enormous numbers of sharks have been harvested to satisfy the world’s appetite for shark fin soup.

It’s not all bad news though. In Malaysia tourism is fighting back. Most of the tourism operators in Sabah are very environmentally aware, and are at the forefront of initiatives to conserve it. Here are a few of the best.

Shangri-La Rasa Ria

The orangutan sanctuary at Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort is well known, as is the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre which the resort also assists.

These sanctuaries play an important role in highlighting the plight of these adorable creatures, our closest primate relatives, and contribute to fund-raising efforts.

The sanctuary was opened in 1996 and works together with the Sepilok Orangutan sanctuary over in Sandakan and Sabah Wildlife, to help raise and rehabilitate orphaned orangutans.

Orangutans are solitary creatures, and young are raised by their mothers for at least 7-8 years before they are able to take care of themselves. These orphans need to be taught the basics of orangutan life, like how to climb and forage for food.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: How Eco Tourism Is Saving Sabah’s Wildlife

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Insignia2015: The Island of Borneo

We arrived into Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia on Friday morning passing several small islands just off the coast.

Gaya Island had several upmarket resorts as well as a village built on stilts over the water. 

It was hot and extremely humid.

We were met at the wharf entrance by Melina, the daughter of Hajah Halimah who runs a cooking school from her restaurant called D'Soka in a village outside of Kota Kinabalu.

Melina first took us through the local market where we bought a selection of traditional ingredients including  wild fern (puck pakis) which grows in the forest and then onto the seafood market where we bought fresh blue swimmer crabs at the equivalent of $A3 per kilo, prawns and tuna.

Melina then drove us to her village to meet Hajah and begin the cooking class.

We helped prepare Chicken Liku and Kerabu Pakis, a warm salad made with the wild fern tips. 

We then sat down to enjoy a feast which also included a tuna and okra curry, eggplant sambal, prawns and the crab cooked in a butter/milk sauce and beef with dark sweet soy sauce.

This was followed by a coconut milk and ice cream dessert and coffee with traditional sweets. 

It was all delicious and we could have stayed for hours chatting but we had an appointment with the Orangutans.

Melina kindly drove us the 40 mins north to the beautiful Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort where they have a nature reserve.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Insignia2015: The Island of Borneo

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Tip of Borneo villa, retreat voted best

KOTA KINABALU: Hibiscus Villa Borneo and Hibiscus Beach Retreat have excelled in this year’s Best of Malaysia Awards.

Not only were they presented with an Excellence Award for ‘Best Romantic Stay’, they were also the overall winner of the ‘Best Boutique Hotel’ category.

Hibiscus Villa Borneo is a large three-bedroom property capable of sleeping up to nine people. The open plan design of the structure means that guests can watch stunning sunsets from the first floor lounge, or take a dip in the infinity swimming pool that extends right into the villa itself. Honeymooners and small families can opt instead for the romantic one-bedroom Hibiscus Beach Retreat. Both are located just five minutes’ drive from the Tip of Borneo.

Also at the awards ceremony, Mount Kinabalu was the overall category winner for ‘Best Attraction/Tourism Experience. Other Sabah winners were Shangri-la's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa (Excellence Award in ‘Best Family Stay’ category) and The Spa at Shangri-la's Rasa Ria Resort & Spa (Excellence Award in ‘Best Spa Experience’ category).

James Burns, manager at Hibiscus Villa Borneo, is delighted and says “it is an incredible achievement considering we were competing against large luxury brands from Langkawi and other well-known tourist destinations. Being a difficult year for tourism in Sabah and especially for Mount Kinabalu, receiving these awards are a great motivational boost. They help highlight Sabah as a top tourism destination and show that we can compete with our larger counterparts elsewhere in Malaysia”.

Jonathan Reynolds, general manager of Rasa Ria Resort & Spa, said they were honoured to receive such an accolade for The Spa.

“Since our upgrade, we have been committed to providing luxury spa experience to both resort guests and day-spa visitors from Kota Kinabalu. The accolade goes to the spa team for their outstanding service, he said.

Continue reading at: Tip of Borneo villa, retreat voted best

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Sam Around the Worldd - Borneo

Borneo the land of orangutans, magnificent national parks, UNESCO world heritage sites, white sandy beaches, tropical islands, long nosed (proboscis) monkeys, gigantic caves and so so so much more!

It’s hard to describe this place in words, this magnificent place has so much to offer and it was so much more than I ever could have expected.

My sister Kirsten and I were heading to Borneo with our Mum Kerry to celebrate her upcoming 60th Birthday.

Initially we were arriving, climbing Mt Kinabalu (the tallest mountain in South East Asia) and then joining an intrepid tour for 10 days.

However due to the earthquake and landslide that occurred in Borneo earlier this year the mountain was closed and our plans had to change.

We were left with a few days at the start of our trip which we had no trouble filing.

Upon arrival at Kota Kinabalu airport we picked up a taxi and headed to the luxurious Shangri La Rasa Ria resort.

Our main draw to this resort was the Orangutan rehabilitation centre that it boasted.

The poolside cocktails, beachfront sunsets and water sports activities were all just a bonus.

Looking back this was probably my favourite place that we got to see the orang-utans, they only had two at the time we visited but this was the closest we got to get to orangutans, there weren’t too many other people and watching them swing through the trees to grab a bite to eat is something I’ll never forget!

The following day we did a tour to Mantanani Island, there has been sightings of dugongs in the waters surrounding this island so that was a big draw card.

Unfortunately we weren’t lucky enough to spot one but the ridiculously white sandy beaches and crazy clear blue waters are more than a good enough reason to visit this tropical paradise!

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Sam Around the Worldd - Borneo

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10 Things to Do in Kota Kinabalu with Kids

If Malaysia isn’t on your family holiday to-do list, there are many reasons why it should be. My daughter and I recently visited Kota Kinabalu in the state of Sabah on the western side of Borneo. It’s a popular destination for those who would like to take a break from city life to enjoy a tropical vacation in an incredible biodiverse part of the world.

We had a brilliant time experiencing the area’s extraordinary wildlife, attractions and luxury hotels. It may surprise you to know that there are many things to do in Kota Kinabalu with kids, some of which are mentioned below.

1. Go Snorkeling

The snorkeling off the coast of Kota Kinabalu in the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park is amazing.

A particularly excellent option is Mamutik Island which we had direct access to it via Shangri-la's Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa’s STAR Marina private boats. But the park has five islands in total: Gaya, Mamutik, Manukan, Sapi and Sulug. Snorkeling and diving can be done around most of them.

You’ll see a variety of tropical fish, eels, rays, black-nosed sharks, jellyfish (the harmless kind), stunning coral and so much more in often clear waters. A number of tours run from Kota Kinabalu and it only takes a few minutes to reach the islands by boat.

2. Visit an Orangutan Sanctuary

A family vacation to Kota Kinabalu with kids (or without) is not complete without a visit to an orang utan sanctuary. We were short on time so could not visit the famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Sanctuary, which may require a flight or a long (over 5 hours) bus ride. I have heard that if you can swing it, a visit here is well worth it. It is larger than others, with 40-60 orang utans there at any given time, and by far the most famous for viewing these amazing rescued animals in their natural habitat.

Instead of Sepilok, we attended a morning orang utan viewing at Shangri-la's Rasa Ria Resort and Spa Nature Reserve where some orang utans are rehabilitated before being transferred to Sepilok to relearn life skills prior to release. After learning about orang utans and Borneo wildlife in general, we walked to a viewing platform where we enjoyed a close-up look at the two orang utans in residence (my daughter also participated in Ranger for a Day where she cut up the fruit and veg they ate).

3. Watch a Sunset

The sunsets in Kota Kinabalu are nothing short of amazing. The sun appears larger closer to the equator, the air quality is good and the tropical clouds create an incredibly dramatic effect. Witness the magic of a Borneo sunset at Tanjung Aru Beach, the Sunset Bar at Shangri-la's Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa or Sutera Harbour.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: 10 Things to Do in Kota Kinabalu with Kids

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