Saturday, December 06, 2008

1Borneo is every shopper's dream

1Borneo Hypermall seen during the night. - PHOTOS COURTESY OF 1BORNEO

Cultural show at 1Borneo rainforest - PHOTOS COPYRIGHT TO ROL EZAM

At China Town located at 1Borneo - PHOTOS COPYRIGHT TO ROL EZAM

A fashion show held at 1Borneo - PHOTOS COPYRIGHT TO ROL EZAM


By Rol Ezam in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

A new era of lifestyle, fashion and entertainment have been heralded in 1Borneo in Kota Kinabalu.

Sabah has long been known for its nature-based attractions such as Mount Kinabalu, the Pulau Sipadan, watching Borneo pygmy elephants, the unique proboscis monkeys and the occasional orang utan along Kinabatangan river.

But the state is now on its way to offering visitors an opportunity for real shopping experiences, and leading the way is 1Borneo. Billed as the largest lifestyle mall in this corner of the world, 1Borneo has a total area of 4.8 million square foot and is home to more than 300 world-class shops; 1Borneo rainforest, the nation's first handicraft and cultural centre in a mall; 1Borneo Seaworld, a 750,000 million litre walk-through aquarium; an eight-screen movie theatre, four international and regional hotels and more.

Located within Kota Kinabalu, 7km northwards along the Jalan Sulaman Highway surrounded by lush greenery overlooking the majestic Mount Kinabalu and the Crocker Ranger; 1Borneo is set to be the ultimate shopping experience for locals and foreign tourists alike.

During the launching of the Malaysia Savings Sale 2008 at 1Borneo in Kota Kinabalu on November 30 by Dato' Sri Azalina Dato' Othman Said, the Minister of Tourism said malls like 1Borneo, which offers tourists a fine example of retail experience where everything from accommodation, F&B and entertainment to retail and spas are available under one roof, can and will bring tourists to its doors.

"I've been informed that from January to September of this year, Sabah has recorded 1,707,835 tourist arrivals - 1,165,821 domestic and 542,014 international tourists. The figures reflect a rise in the number of domestic tourists by about nine per cent this year,"

"Though the number of international tourists arrivals have dropped by 19.2 per cent over the same period of last year, the various tourism markets are showing a healthy growth with an increase in arrivals from Brunei (8.4 per cent), China and Hong Kong (16.7 per cent), Japan (12.8 per cent), South Korea (19.7 per cent), Australia (27.3 per cent) and United Kingdom (28.7 per cent)," said the minister.

Bruneians can take this huge opportunity especially parents to bring their kids shopping for 2009 school session needs during this year-end holidays and grab the unbelievable offers that outlets at 1Borneo has to offer.

Fashionistas can now splurge at French Connection, Mango, G2000, Esprit, Eclipse, Salabianca, Braun Buffel, M.O Outlet and many more outlets, which have taken residence in 1Borneo.

Fashion is incomplete without accessories like time pieces from Tag Heuer and Rolex, sparkling jewelleries from Habib Jewels, Lazo Diamond and Axxezz topped off with sexy stilettos courtesy of Nine West and Charles & Keith.

M.A.C, The Body Shop and Clinique are just some of the international make-up and skin care brands that the beauty-conscious can indulge in this one-stop hypermall.

Shoppers can also dine at al-fresco at Dome Café, NewYork New York and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf or delight their taste buds with oriental flavours of Hong Kong Recipe and Sushi King. For desserts, diners can drop by at Yogurberry and Big Apple Donuts & Coffee.

Food connoisseurs will be happy with the spread of authentic cuisine peppered across the mall like Basil Leaf Café, Michi Japanese Restaurant and Penang Village.

Another spot at the hypermall that is gaining much attention is the 1Borneo Rainforest, a cultural and handicraft centre with a twist. With a cave-like exterior complete with greeneries amidst the swanky facades of retail outlets, it's a treasure trove of Sabah and South East Asia culture all under one roof. Breaking new grounds in Sabah is the soon to be opened, 1Borneo Seaworld, an underwater park of oceanic wonder with over 500 species of marine life. Children and young-at-heart adults will be spellbound with the myriad of excitement awaits them at Toys'R'Us, Booboo Land and X-Terminator.

With nearly another 1,000 more hotel rooms in 1Borneo, travellers will be at more ease to rest and relax in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Whether you are a business traveler, holidaymaker or a budget conscious tourist, the four hotels in the hypermall will surely to meet your demands. Novotel 1Borneo, Mercure Kota Kinabalu, Courtyard Hotel @ 1Borneo, Tunes Hotels.com are only 10 minutes from the city centre and just 20 minutes from the Kota Kinabalu International Airport. At 1Borneo guests can virtually enjoy shopping and touring effortless under one roof.

Courtesy of: Borneo Bulletin Weekend

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