Joakim Persson

Shangri La’s Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu resort is a destination getaway in Malaysia and luxury resort stay. In this updated review we also take into consideration that this coveted resort unveiled its new look in July 2017 after an extensive 12 months of transformation. Our visit took place back in 2008.

For the latest renovation, the beachside resort carried out rejuvenation works throughout its 25-acre property in two phases, revealing newly refurbished guestrooms, dramatic ballroom and function rooms, family rooms, restaurant and even a brand new all-glass function venue recently. Designers were meanwhile careful to retain the nostalgia of the rich tropical jungle located in the heart of the Tanjung Wing throughout the renovation process.

A trip to Borneo at least once – or why not once in a while if you live in the region – is highly recommended. It gives something to remember. Take for instance real wildlife encounters and stays at any of the fabulous resorts available, as good reasons. For divers, Borneo’s coastal waters also deliver and surpass expectations – to say the least.

As a reader you might be sceptic towards this recommended destination. A remote and undeveloped island you might think. But there is an explanation why this rainforest island is growing in popularity as a destination, while keeping the tourism hordes at bay by the limited flights available (though they are likely to increase). Thanks to being focused on quality visitors, offering unique experiences, and incorporating offers of high-end lifestyle amenities, the Malaysian part of Borneo is especially appealing. And it should be added: Borneo does have modern cities – and five-star resorts! In fact more of them, as we now can notice in year 2022.

Dense tropical greenery covering one’s entire visual field, wildlife, humidity, richness in contrasts between rainforest and civilisation’s indulgence, and, as the garnish on the cake, a splendid destination resort: Shangri La’s Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalur. These are images I remember, and look at in digital format afterwards (This is also any photographer’s paradise but professional equipment is certainly needed to successfully catch wildlife on camera.)

Another inspiration is that for a suitable soundtrack to such trip, you ought to get hold of a certain album, featuring a photograph of the jungle on the cover, by the group Talking Heads and one of their songs called ‘The facts of life’, where the lyrics goes: “Someday we’ll live on Venus, Men will walk on Mars, But we will still be monkeys down deep inside…”

A trip to Borneo is something you are bound to remember, and the kind of exciting trip people increasingly opt for as one of those musts. And the destination deserves your attention. More visitors should also lead to higher awareness for such a precious environment as this. Many come to experience Malaysia’s strongly promoted ‘real’ wildlife and rainforest; perhaps before it is too late – might be the feeling (though things are changing for the better since recently in terms of wildlife and forest protection).

Borneo is very popular among backpackers, for obvious reasons, and typically means that more stylish travellers are due to gradually increase in numbers too.

Upscale Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu

If you fancy a treat of the more upscale kind – perhaps coming as a couple on a getaway, honeymoon or holiday – then Shangri-La Tanjung Aru is the answer.

And to clarify regarding the resort: for some of its guests this is the destination itself aside Borneo’s natural attractions. Some guests stay a prolonged period from two to up to four weeks, according to the resident manager.

One of Shangri La’s five star resorts on the largest island in the world is an excellent choice, situated close to the airport and downtown Kota Kinabalu (outside town another Shangri-La is situated), and spread out over several connected wings among lush gardens.

The vast garden area, the striking venues (dining, the nightclub Blue Note and the spa), and not to mention the top class refurbished rooms, make this resort a Southeast-Asian preferred destination.

To discover that Shangri-La – the purveyors of ‘heaven on earth’ – indeed have two resorts on Borneo and which have been there for several decades is indeed interesting! Even if based in for example Bangkok, Borneo is off the beaten tracks and one can easily have the perception of the island being undeveloped. This then becomes even more exciting to explore and compare with other resort hotels and beach destinations.

Kota Kinabalu. What a good start with such an exotic name! The national airline or the low-cost carrier AirAsia as well as other directly connecting flights from cities in Asia take you to this coastal city in the Malaysian state of Sabah, and from the airport you are whisked away to the resort which is only minutes away, and also neighbour with a golf course.

This is also the gateway to mount Kota Kinabalu, a national park with an over 4,000 metres high peak which is immensely popular among climbers and trekkers, including some guests of Shangri-La who come to climb the mountain but also just to visit the park.

Kota Kinabalu itself, which is surprisingly modern (part of the explanation being that the city was flattened during World War II), is seeing strong development in terms of real estate, hotels and modern shopping malls coming with design brands to cater to the increasing number of visitors and its urban population. Being part of Malaysia the city on this jungle island also offers a palette of different cultures and cuisines well worth exploring. For a lunch while visiting downtown, street restaurants offer a lot of exciting food, where the Indian-Malay cuisine is very palatable.

The arrival to Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu resort itself, a hidden gem also within this well established brand’s hotels, is exotic and striking. Guests are invited to hit a huge gong with a club to mark their arrival, and are warmly greeted.

As one can expect, the extensive resort comes with elements of the island’s rainforest culture. One quickly notices that the architecture is dominated by wooden details, like in the case of the open-air lobby with its lattice of wood in the ceiling.

In the evening, along the open air corridors, monkey-like figures and carvings is another striking feature of the resort. You can study these somewhat scary figurines while enjoying the sound of live music from the nearby lounge bar.

This high-ranking resort, situated on a tongue of land is truly a secluded tropical retreat, even though so close to a city. Its neighbour is a beautiful golf course and on the premises golfers get a 9-hole pitch and putt.

Sumptuous comfort at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu

As for the wonderfully appointed rooms boast contemporary luxury and are inspired by the colours and textures of traditional Borneo. Providing sumptuous comfort there are many choices among the two wings, and coming in different sizes. Choose between mountain or sea view, including Executive Suites.

All 251 suites and deluxe rooms in the Resort’s original wing, the Tanjung Wing, are now more luxurious and comfortable than ever before, as designers injected the rooms and suites with bright colours to reflect the brilliance of the South China Sea and the soft sands of the nearby islands.

Light and airy, each room features bright blue-green-brown tones on its walls. Tropical flora and Borneo wood features adorn each 47 square-metre deluxe room, while floor-to-ceiling glass doors accord guests with amazing views of the islands on the South China Sea before them.

Beds with leather-tufted headboards, large wooden writing desks, and rugs inspired by the hotel’s beachside location are included in the new furnishings. Generous wardrobe space and the convenience of smart televisions in these rooms are God-sent features for travel-savvy wanderers.

As an added bonus, some of these newly refurbished deluxe rooms also feature built-in Murphy beds, a much-approved feature for a party of three. Each marbled-top bathroom in this wing boasts of both a walk-in shower and a deliciously large bathtub, great to drain away a hard day out in the sun or at meetings.

Noteworthy is also that the Tanjung Wing rooms were originally built in 1983, then welcoming Malaysian sultans and heads of state as its first guests for the nation’s Rulers’ Conference. The four-storied building resembles a starfish that encloses a lush tropical garden and overlooks the resort’s grounds, Tanjung Aru Beach and the nearby islands.

The Deluxe, Executive and Presidential Suites in the Tanjung Wing are designed to pamper the discerning traveler with opulent facilities and state-of-the-art amenities.

The suites carry the same theme as the deluxe rooms: bright and earthy features adorn the walls and the interiors, promising respite to the weary traveller.

All suites are located in quiet corners of the star-shaped Tanjung Wing, measuring between 108 to 239 square metre each. Featuring separate living area furnished with comfortable oversized furniture on the large outdoor patio and spacious bedroom, each suite pampers guests with a separate generous walk-in closet, elegant hallway entrance, luxurious L’Occitane toiletries made with the finest ingredients, Nespresso coffee machines and a smart television that connects to your devices.

Also, to mark the new era of luxurious travel, Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru became the first hotel in Malaysia to present its suite-staying guests with portable high-speed WiFi connectivity throughout their stay. Each suite comes with a portable mobile WiFi device that accords the fast unlimited internet access in and outside the resort. The guests are able to take the devices out during their tour of the city, having the reassurance of connectivity while visiting the local attractions throughout Sabah.

The resort has also introduced 12 Family Rooms located in the Kinabalu Wing. Measuring an expansive 66 square-metre, each Family Room can accommodate two adults and two children in two separate spaces. The areas are connected by a doorway, allowing parents to watch over their children while enjoying the privacy of their own space. The children’s area is delightfully decorated with kid-friendly amenities and facilities like a bunk bed, its own television and children’s books.

The Kinabalu Wing rooms offer the ultimate in modern luxury for the guests and are designed to take advantage of the spectacular sea view. The layout in the room departs from the norm by locating the bed near the window creating a pavilion concept giving guests magnificent views from their bed. One step is all it takes to get out into the breezy terrace.

The colours and textures from the sea and beach are captured in the room through the blue green theme of the fabrics, contrasted by the rich wood of cherry, teak, ebony and coconut. Rich contemporary botanical patterns are provided by the Jim Thompson cushions blending with the contemporary rattan weave furniture while the artwork also blends the contemporary and the traditional, the local and the international by using mother of pearl, local tobacco leaves, and the inspiration from the local flora and fauna. The overall effect is that of a luxurious sea view room with the comfort and relaxed character that Sabahan culture represents.

Offering Kota Kinabalu’s most expansive and luxurious accommodations, for example the Kinabalu Deluxe Seaview Suite (123 sq. m) has a separate dining room seating eight, a sitting area, and a balcony with sweeping ocean views; ideal for stylish entertaining of a party or enjoying complete privacy.

Popular Club Lounge

The Kinabalu Club, offering an enhanced level of service, comfort, and convenience; turns out to be immensely popular – at least during high season.

If coming in July, the resort enjoys one of its peak seasons (which is also the month when the famous Rainforest World Music Festival can be attended in the neighbour state of Sarawak). Upon this visit the exclusive Lounge – for all the good reasons – was packed with guests, and not so much by the usual business travellers but here consisting in holiday makers!

The tested Deluxe Suite (66 sq. m) in the Kinabalu Wing (otherwise 108 sq. m), is cosy and extremely comfortable where one can bask in the afternoon sun on the private terrace, overlooking a large lush garden with coconut palms and where the sea takes central stage. If looking for natural serenity and blissful views, this resort is nicely hidden from the rest of the world!

This Deluxe Suite has a separate sitting area furnished with a sofa and an armchair, a TV and the mini bar hidden in a dark wooden cupboard.

Take pleasure in admiring the design and décor and enjoy the comfortable seating choices.

The bedroom itself, which is separated from the living room with a hard wood slide door, is equipped with a relaxing chair, coming with support to place and stretch out your legs on.

Highly appreciated is also an electric converter at hand in the room for your various standards of sound equipment and electric gadgets.

Browse the internet or enjoy the view, while sipping on a caipirinha or a freshly brewed cappucino, ordered from room service. Broadband internet is complimentary to every guest of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.

For ladies a huge mirror near the wardrobes with silver painted frame comes in handy.

In the evening the room or suite becomes even cosier, much thanks to the lighting, including the floor lamp resembling a fluorescent flower.

To round this off nicely: this is also the time when you get to enjoy the scent that you have been offered from a menu listing fragrances such as ‘Uplift’, consisting in Orange Sweet, Jasmine, Cedar Wood, Ginger; or ‘Moments’ with a mix of Lime, Rose, Ginger, Lavender and Ylang Ylang.

Activities and excursions at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu

Whenever you feel the urge to venture outside your luxurious room the resort offers an abundance of activities and where dining is a feast. Golfing has already been mentioned, but do also take special notice of the (of course) state-of-the-art Health Club, where professionally trained staff is on hand to assist you with your personal training programme.

This also features six massage treatments rooms, a Jacuzzi, sauna and steam baths, as well as foot reflexology, massage and aromatherapy facilities perfect for rejuvenating tired muscles. You can opt to have a massage treatment also in the relaxing Tanjung Garden or at the Gazebo beside the Leisure Centre.

Then there are scheduled activities on the resort for its fellow guests to partake in. Those found of wildlife can get satisfaction on a trip to the sister resort, Rasa Ria, where a unique 64-acre Nature Reserve is situated, aimed primarily at nature conservation and Orang Utan rehabilitation. The Rehabilitation Programme for Orang Utans which is carried out at the reserve is the only one of its kind on the west coast of the state of Sabah. The reserve is also home to a wide spectrum of Sabah wildlife, such as two species of deer, long-tailed macaques, masked musang, monitor lizard, porcupines, pangolins, pitcher plants, 63 species of birds etc.

As indicated by the name the resort is also equipped with a spa, more precisely Chi The Spa at Shangri-La situated on a private island connecting to the resort’s garden and overlooking the sea and islands.

This luxurious private spa experience comprises 5 individual Island Villas, 3 Couples’ Villas, complete with herbal steam room, spacious relaxation area, changing room, and an open Yoga Pavilion. Chi The Spa embraces a holistic approach to physical and spiritual well-being. Inspired by traditional Asian healing philosophies, the treatments are based upon the principles of restoring balance and harmony to mind and body. Exercise, stretching, massage, hydrotherapy and movement of the mind through relaxation and meditation combine to assist the body’s natural renewal, forming the basis of the Chi experience.

For dining Café TATU, overlooking the garden, is a contemporary restaurant featuring a varied buffet breakfast and dinner in an open-kitchen design. The resort created waves with the newly-renovated restaurant (Feb 2017), now accommodating up to 468 guests.

Located on the garden level of Tanjung Wing, Café TATU offers the buzz and variety of live-action stations cooking up sensational authentic global cuisines in a vibrant and colourful atmosphere.

The restaurant also features luxurious buffet breakfast and dinner with the live-cooking stations. Guests can watch as their dishes are prepared fresh, hot and steaming on the spot. There is also an array of Asian and Western main courses.

Dishes are prepared fresh on the spot at one of the cooking stations, offering Mongolian, Tandoori, Asian noodles, dim sum, pasta, salads and desserts. Here one can also get to test appetizers from the Malay kitchen.

Voted one of the best restaurants in Malaysia, Peppino is also a must to mention, promising a “whole new traditional rustic and healthy Italian home-cooking cuisine of great freshness and an extensive wine list with vintages from around the world”.

Round off a day at the resort the following bars should also not be missed: Borneo Lounge and Bar is a delightful venue for enjoying relaxing drinks and light refreshments. Live musical entertainment is played in the evening. And then the Sunset Bar!
Perched on the edge of its very own peninsular, this bar “brings fresh meaning to the term ‘perfectly chilled’ and sets the standard in style and five-star service along with what can only be described as a stunning view of the sweeping Kota Kinabalu colourful skyline”.

As you can see by now, this rainforest island comes with an element of surprise. To experience it all and explore more, all you need to do is to get there.