Manukan Island Resort

If you are ever in Sabah, do not leave until you have visited one of the islands....I mean, OK , they have Sipadan Island which is a world known diving place, but they also have nearby Islands , if you just want to go and see how clear the water is or what you can do there......


When I say near, I really meant near....its only about 20 minutes or so on the speed boat. This place is called the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Park.  The park is actually few islands, that you can just go for Island hoping and do a day trip .


But at Manukan Island Resort, it is a nice resort, but of course, being an island....its rather dead at night, if you get what I mean....unless you want to go there play with the water, get drunk or something, perhaps then they can go and do a one nighter...

Take the speed boat from Sutera Harbour Resort. There is a small marina there that has few operators that run the ferry transfer. Apparently the one that we took has been inspected accordingly to the safety and health, but I can't remember the name. But if you go there, you would see the small office on the left hand side. A proper place. 

At the marina, you could see some nice yachts docking..

Anyway, the resort is nice, look at the pics below :

From the small jetty area....you can hang around here too...

 You can see the fishes waiting for you.

 If you don't know what kind fishes there are....check this out .

 More clear water and fishes....

Welcome to the Island......

h yeah, there is an entrance fee to come in .....for Locals I think its RM3, while foreigners, its RM5.

 They have different type of units of chalets....one bedroom, 02 bedroom and etc.

 Nice living hall...

 Long stair case up...

 Master bedroom has 02 Double Bed....so for those with kids, I think this is sufficient already.

 But of course, they have 2nd bedroom for the 02 bedroom units.

Yes, they also have a swimming pool.

 Walk around the island, you could see some of the nice views from the higher land.

  The sandy beach

My 2 men looking at the blue sky and sea....

 Snorkeling

At this Island, mainly is snorkeling and you can also do the astronaut diving. I think its about RM150 per person if not more....I didn't do it, just incase I get freak out. My daughter wanted to do it, I was afraid she will get freak out too.


This was the first time both of us did snorkeling, so when the fishes came near us, both of us lifted our legs .... ????????? by the way, the life jackets are rented out for RM10 per person. You need the life jacket as there were cases....apparently. Anyway, they do rent out other things like snorkeling gear, flip flaps , all the water equipments.


My conclusion of the place is that, if you really want to experience it, have a nice relaxing day, then just do a one night. In fact, if you go there in the morning, then leave in the evening, I am sure you would be dead tired by then and just want to go home..... food wise, the resort has coffee house and also there are huts selling some food.


I enjoyed my trip there, I fell in love with snorkeling, but to some maybe the water is not as nice as others, I am not sure. But the resort is nice, the chalets are nice.....


So, do check it out, if you want to experience it....as you may like it, or you may just don't....


xoxo

Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

HHeelllooooooooo.................


In the post before this, I have mentioned that there are 02 Shangri-La in Kota Kinabalu (KK), oh yeah, but there is another Shangri-La which, is not  Shangri-La but used the Shangri-La's name since donkey years ago....and of course, the hotel is also donkey years old and yours truly won't ever stay. But let me say here, that they are not affiliated any way at all with the Shangri-La..OK ?


So, the other actual Shangri-La hotel in Kota Kinabalu (KK), is called The Shangri-La Tanjung Aru or fondly called as STAR ( short abbreviation for S - Shangri-La , T - Tanjung - A - Aru, R - Resort ). This hotel, STAR is located just minutes away from the airport, so it is in the city itself as opposed to Rasa Ria, which I said, like the end of the world :p


Even though being near to the airport, you can't hardly hear any noise from the planes taking off or landing, even though you can see them, so you are definitely safe.


Now, again with the Shang in KK, this hotel has also 02 wings, one is the Tanjung Wing and another one is the Kinablu Wing. Tanjung Wing is the nicer ones with nicer rates of course ;p


We stayed at the Executive Seaview Suites, but I saw the Deluxe rooms which are equally nice and the sizes are great.  Even the rooms at the Kinabalu wing are acceptable in terms of sizes and view. Just that they have the mountain view, which if you like the greens, shouldn't be a problem , right ?


So lets see the Suite :

As you come in.... the living area.

I like hotels that anticipate that we may receive guests and actually have a bigger dining table, instead of putting a table for 02 ?

 Spacious living hall with ample seating for guests, if you are expecting.

 The other view of the room from the bedroom area. If you need another room for 2nd bedroom, there you can see the connecting door.

 The bedroom...with a King Size bed.

 Another view of the bed....you can see the door to the main living hall.

 Room comes with a Thermal-pot...so easy to cook instant noodles in the cup :)

 Nice size bathroom...with separate shower stall and bath-tub

 I felt that this is fascinating !!! there is a note pad next to the WC...of course, there is a phone there, and just in case if you need to write notes while doing your business ? hahahahahahha

 A view from the room of the small golf course for putting ? or what do they call it ? 

 The same view but as the sun begin to sets down....

As the hotels are in blocks, so in between there's this garden where you can also walk around....

 That is the bar area where you could see a gorgeous sun set....very famous among the locals, but mind you....quite pricey .

 There is no actual beach at this hotel, so its the sea directly.

 a far away view of the Sunset Bar.

 The hotel has done up slides at the pool area... wooohooo !!! fun time !

 Pool area......

 This is actually man made beach...then you can see the other end is the Spa Area...

 Infinity pool...

 Kids would love the slides !!!

 A secluded Spa area...just for the serenity

I can't help but to load this pic....look at the prawns !!! The food came from the Dinner Buffet counter....So value the money !!!  I think I want to go back to the hotel :)

So....that's the hotel...what do you think ? which one is better ? Rasa Ria or STAR ? :)

OK, my 02 cents worth conclusion :

1. It is soooo for both Corporate Business and Leisure Travel 
2. Imagine, if the husband / father has a meeting there, the kids would be happy at the pool and the wife at the spa
3. Location is also just right...not really into the city, but yet, still near to the city if you want to have a life in KK
4. Price , yes, on higher side , but this is KK, most hotels are on higher side. 
5. Yes, I love both the breakfast buffet and dinner buffet :) 

So my friends, go and try...I have given you 02 Shangri-La for KK. See if you would like it ......or not :p

xoxo

Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Hello folks....


Life has been busy for me, gosh...I just can't wait for summer to be over....... Anyway, want to share with you , the hotel that I stayed at Sabah, the Shangri-La Rasa Ria. Shang has 02 properties in Kota Kinabalu (KK). I will blog the other hotel in another post.


Now, Rasa Ria is actually situated slightly outside the city...well, its not really far, per se, if you live in Kuala Lumpur, the hotel would be in say Subang, then if you live in Zone 1, London, the hotel would be in Zone 4, or maybe Greenwich....you get the drift ?

So , its about 30 minutes driving from the airport, depending on the traffic..oh yeah...KK has traffic jams too !!!!! and when I stayed, I said that this place is at the end of the world.


OK, lets go to the room. I stayed at the Deluxe Room ( apparently ) at the Garden Wing....the hotel has 02 wings, one is the Garden Wing and another one is the Ocean Wing.....yes, Ocean wing is the higher end rooms, with higher rates and nicer rooms etc etc etc. Those staying at Ocean Wing has extra perks too....they have another swimming pool !!! and get to use the common pool the one Garden Wing guests would be using. Ocean Wing guests also, would have to check in at the that wing.... oh well, anyway, at the end of the day, if you just want to stay at the resort, minus the extra pool , sharing the same beach, then just take the room at Garden Wing.


This room is a Deluxe room, facing the Garden....this hotel is kind of funny. They have few floors that if you look, they are actually , the facade is facing the sea, but because they have trees that blocking the view, it is called the Garden View and they charge you lower for that. Oh yes.....rooms with Ocean view , Sea View, Pool view, generally are higher in terms of rates.

As you enter......the view of the room

A seating area...which is like a split level ?

Remember I said about the Garden View ?? well, this is the view from my Balcony :)

And if you turn to the right, you would see more rooms where no trees would block their views and their rooms are called Deluxe Sea View :p

Lets go back again, you would see the whole room.....spacious I feel, the hotel has a child policy where you see the sofa / day bed kind of thingy below ? you could use it for your child....

then can add in 01 Extra Bed if you wish, but I feel it would be quite tight....unless rearrange the seating area, then add in one there. 

The beds are not exactly "Single Size" , so in actual Asian size....you may be able to share the bed wit 02 children below 12.

A sunset view from the pool area....

btw....the hotel has a policy that no smoking is allowed by the pool area unless at the BAR at the garden area.

 Ample lounger and nice beach there too....

By the way, the hotel has an Orang Utan Sanctuary just along the beach. They have timing for feedings, for petting and etc. So children would actually love it....I think it is only free for in-house guests but chargeable for outsiders. I am not sure, this, you would have to check.


Remember I told you how far this place is ? and the driving there is not the "oh so nice and pretty kind of view " driving....its dark, some part of the roads have no lighting , so if you plan to stay at Rasa Ria, plan to eat there too...yes, it's is kind of scary to drive out to town using that road. The locals would tell you that there used to be some Tribes' graveyard and etc etc etc *spooky*


BUT, yes minutes from the hotel, there is this Seafood Restaurant called "Salut" ..... fresh seafood that you can just pick and choose, so if you must go out, just go to Salut and back..... try these items below :

The prawns were juicy and succulent !! Fresh from the pond.

 I love these snails....eat with with the sweet and sour sauce. 

You can't get this in Peninsular Malaysia...don't know why.

So, my friends....... let me recap on Rasa Ria...it is a place if you want to rest and just do nothing, laze by the sea, the pool. I have met few Europeans that came back every year, just to have their chill out sessions. Not just Europeans, I saw Japanese, Koreans ( oh yes, I forgot....the resort is surrounded by a Golf Course too ) , enjoying the sun and the services.

Last but not least....my not so famous summary would be :

1. Definitely a family / kids friendly place
2. Could be pricey on certain months
3. A nice place for honeymooners ( check out the Premier Room at the Ocean wing )

But then again, you may like it , or you just may don't......

xoxo