Hotel Chain and Loyalty Program
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, the 5star worldwide hotel chain. Golden Circle loyalty program is applied.
Hotel lobby
We arrived to the hotel in the late afternoon directly from the airport. To get to the main hotel entrance, guests must pass lovely coconut trees gardens. Our first welcome to the hotel was a live traditional relaxing music at the entrance. As we proceeded to the front desk, we were welcomed by a fruity juice and cold towel. As the hotel premises are truly huge, there was a line of people waiting for checking-in. However, several receptionists were efficient, and our check in process was fairly fast and smooth. The hotel staff everywhere within the venue was very friendly, and expressing their warm welcome with wide smiles on their faces. Soon after we were escorted to our Kinabalu Mountain View room.
The lobby is huge and designed in traditional Borneo décor. There is a lobby bar, and access to the Peppino Restaurant and Café TATU from there.
All typical 5star services are located at the lobby as concierge, luggage porter, guest relations, money exchange etc. All major credit cards are accepted at the hotel.
Location
Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa Resort is located at Tanjung Aru area, away from the city of Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah. Kota Kinabalu international airport is situated about 4 km from the hotel which makes less than 10 minutes drive. The city of Kota Kinabalu is approximately 10 minutes by car.
Tanjung Aru area is a popular place with locals, as it is supposed to be the best place to see the sunset. Hundreds of visitors come to the area outside the hotel each evening to make a picture of colorful and romantic sunset.
Room
The resort has more than 490 rooms and suites in two hotel wings, Kinabalu and Tanjung one. Our modern and clean 45sqm twin-bed Kinabalu Mountain View Room was facing the Mount Kinabalu, the Borneo highest mountain but there was also a nice view to the hotel gardens as well as sea. The room was spacious and comfortable, with a good size balcony with chairs and table. The beds were large and comfortable. The typical Shangri-La pillow menu is available, meaning the guests can choose the different types of pillows to sleep on. The room equipment includes work desk, cabinet with large flat TV with satellite and in-house programs, coffee table with chairs, minibar, coffee and tea making facilities, slippers… Room is decorated in dark wood furniture with traditional Sabah-inspired touches and comfortable soft carpet on the floor.
The bathroom is not that huge but everything is there, large mirror and wash basin, toilet, bath tub and shower corner, including the comfy bathrobes.
Wifi connectivity is stable and fast, including the pool and beach area.
Restaurants and food
There are 7 restaurants and bars at the resort. Café TATUis a large restaurant venue where breakfast is served. The breakfast is huge and tasty, with a possibility to eat inside or outside, and almost everything is on choice. From fresh juices corner to Western and Asian food, including the child’s corner for little ones’ favourities. Peppino Restaurant serves Italian dishes and the venue is awarded as one of the best Italian themed restaurants in Malaysia. Shang Palaceis a place for Cantonese and Chinese food. Coco-Joe’s Bar & Grillis a beachfront barbeque restaurant and bar with views of the South China Sea. Borneo Lounge & Baris a good place to enjoy the drinks and small bites with live music in the evening. The most epic bar is Sunset Barsituated at the top of a little peninsula which serves cocktails and champagne, and is full every single evening as the guests are coming over and around to make unforgettable pictures of the sunset.
Leisure facilities
There are two swimming pools at the resort, one special for children with plenty of water play attractions, and one called Infinity pool for adults only. The Infinity pool with artificial waterfalls is popular place to make pictures with sea in the backgrounds. There is a Chi Spa offering all pampering from body massage to skin treatments. There is well equipped health club as well as kids club, petanque and tennis courts. There is a private sandy beach with soft sands and sun beds located on the wooden surface. A Star Marina is providing sea sports as water skiing or wakeboarding, as well as boat shuttle service to the neighboring islands.
Laundry service is, of course, available, but not tried.
Verdict
Best for :
5star comfort and cleanliness
Don’t miss :
to see the Borneo wildlife, and orangutan gardens
Room price :
from 260,- Euro / Kinabalu Mountain View Room
Contact : https://www.shangri-la.com/kotakinabalu/tanjungaruresort/