Review: Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu – a walk on the wild side

Sabah, a state in eastern Malaysia, located in the north of the island of Borneo, offers visitors the chance to explore the rainforest and the sea. Here, you will also find the fabulous Shangri-La Rasa Ria in Kota Kinabalu resort.

And while the region may be best known for Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia and Borneo’s highest mountain, the resort’s 64-acre nature reserve is a real treasure worth exploring.

So, I did – at 7pm, a time I would normally associate with cocktails before dinner. I put my headlamp on, took out my binoculars and ventured out for an evening walk in the jungle.

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This, the “Reserve After Dark: Glow Experience”, isn’t your typical evening activity. We wandered through the forest, guided by a UV torchlight to spot the glowing mushrooms.

Along the way, the guide explained what we might see and added, quite casually, that a scorpion could be hiding behind one of the trees. It was just as well Rasa Ria had prepared me.

Earlier that day, I had joined the resident naturalist for a buggy tour around the golf course. Just when I was wondering how “wild” a golf course could get, we spotted otters in the water and a type of long-necked bird called an Oriental darter that looks a little like a cormorant.

And while I had every intention of doing the hike at sunrise for a view of Mount Kinabalu, the rain had other ideas. The mountain, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is a huge draw for people coming to the island and on a clear day you can view it in all its glory from the resort.

Wake up to a perfect sunrise

The word “Sabah” means “morning” or “new day” in Arabic, which felt particularly fitting given that I was able to admire the sunrise from the balcony of my “Ocean Wing” junior suite each morning.

Inside, the suite was decorated in a calming, natural palette of colours. Think rich wood and olive-green touches. As for the furnishings, there was a king-sized bed, a desk and a dressing table, but the real showstopper was the outdoor bathtub on the balcony, of which I made good use.

Shangri-La Rasa Ria is divided into two sections – the Garden Wing and the Ocean Wing, with the latter home to the more premium suites.

Staying in the Garden Wing rooms means you forego the outdoor bathtub, but you do have the option of a forest, garden or sea view. This section is ideal for families, as it is situated closer to the children’s club and pool. Otherwise, it’s definitely worth paying extra for the Ocean Wing.

Besides having more space in the suites, compared with the Garden Wing rooms, you also have the benefit of a few added luxuries, such as a private check-in lobby, a complimentary minibar and access to a pool and Jacuzzi that are only accessible to guests staying in the Ocean Wing.

It’s perhaps no wonder guests come back year after year. I spoke to one couple who have been coming to Shangri-La Rasa Ria every year for the past 15 years. They told me that after so many visits, the staff all knew them by name and that the resort now felt like home. I, too, can vouch for the friendliness of the staff.

One aspect of my stay that would have me coming back year after year was the food. As part of the all-inclusive package, all guests have access to the internationally focused Coffee Terrace restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Guests staying in the Ocean Wing also have the option of eating at Oceano Modern Grill for breakfast and lunch. In the evening, it offers a menu focused on local seafood and premium meat dishes and dinner can be had here for around £18 per person.

The same price applies to the à la carte restaurants. There’s a Chinese restaurant, Kozan Teppan-yaki for Japanese and Tepi Laut for casual, poolside dining. The latter was one of my favourites.

It is set up like a local streetfood market, with dedicated sections for roti, an Asian grill and fragrant curries. The Japanese restaurant also stood out for the classic teppanyaki experience of chefs cooking everything right in front of you on a hot plancha.

Tee off after lunch

With around 60 activities on offer, there’s no shortage of ways to occupy yourself during your stay. I would recommend spending some time in the nature reserve, but there is also kayaking and jet skiing if you’re after something with a bit of adrenaline.

One evening, I went on the “Twilight River Cruise”, which starts a short, 15-minute drive from the resort. We spotted monkeys in the trees and kept an eye out for crocodiles.

The Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club, an 18-hole championship course, is also next door. The resort’s golf buggies can shuttle you back and forth and guests also get a discount. You can even buy biodegradable golf balls, which dissolve into fish food when they land in the water.

So, if your swing is off, at least the fish benefit. And if that leaves you feeling hungry, further afield the local food markets are also well worth visiting for a taste of Borneo.

Vaishali was a guest of Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu. This 400-acre beach resort features a 3km private beach, two pools, 64-acre forest reserve an 18-hole golf course and ten restaurants and bars. Soak in the sun, sand and the sea or enjoy the great outdoors with over 60 activities at the resort. From £609 per person for the all inclusive package, based on a minimum three-night stay.

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