2022, Oct, Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu, Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort & Hotel

 One of the reason we've worked hard is getting relax in a resort, giving myself rewards. This travel was one of these for me. Malaysia Kota Kinabalu Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort is very well-known hotel for Korean tourists. Too normal and typical place to go, but decent choice to people who want to just get relaxed without any exporing or adventure. 

Shangri-La hotels in Kota Kinabalu

Shangri-La is the 5-starhotel brand, founded by Chinese Malaysian, Robert Kuok, which has about 65 hotels providing over 27,000 rooms. Although it serves all over the world, its headquater is in HongKong, holding the Asia market largely. 

In Kota Kinabalu, there are 2 Shangri-La resorts. One is located at the Tanjung Aru beach area which is south-west of the city center, another is placed nearby Rasa Ria Reserve on the east-north of the city center. 

If you plan to look around the city center for night market, shopping malls, local restaurants, apparently Shangri-La Tanjung Aru is better choice, since you can call Grab easier and it tooks just 10 to 15 min to get there. This hotel is also near the airport. 

Shangri-La Tanjung Aru : Kota Kinabalu 5 star hotel with swimming pool 

Check-in

If you arrve at the entrance of the building, the staff take your luggage and give you this tag. Your luggage will be carried to your room, and they use different lift so that you don't encounter with them. 

The check-in time is 3pm, we've got there by the time 1pm. Luckily, the staff let us early check-in. If they don't allow, I guess you can ask them to use the pool prior to the check-in. Since they keep your luggage at the lobby, you can change into the swimming suit and enjoy the pool first. 

Notice 1 : Don't use tap water for drinking

As seen above, Kota Kinabalu authorities informed that there would be intermitten water disruption to facilitate maintenace of the water system. There might be some discolouration of water for short periods. Tap water is safe for bathing, but for oral hygine, the bottled water provided by resort is advised. 

Well, I'm not sure this is only for a certain period, there were some reviews by Koreans who visited before, saying that the water color in the tub was yellowish. 

For sure, I used the bottled water to rinse off when brush my teeth. 

Here are some notice for breakfast, lunch, dinner and facilities that you might be interested. The breakfast buffet is served at a restaurant named Tatu, it was so crowded that I couldn't afford to take any pictures. 

Notice 2 : Ask a dish cover when you leave the food behind

One morning, we were guided to sit outdoor tables, and saw a couple left their food open on a table. Shortly after they disappeared, a flock of birds landed on the dish of fried rice, and pecked on all of them. 

Now I realised why some of the dishes were covered by stainless covers. 

Kota kinabalu hotel Ocean view

This hotel has two wings; left wing as Tanjung and right wing as Kinabalu. My room was in the right wing. Due to the clouds, the ocean view was not as great as I expected. 

But I could imagine how beautiful it is if the weather is sunny and clear. 

Even on the corridor to my room, I was able to look over huge trees which have stayed here for a few decades. I was heading to my room, thinking that this is one of the benefits in tropical weather, flourish vegetation. 

Although there was a site under maintenace, it didn't disturb me during the stay at all. But apparently this hotel is in need of refurbishment after a long time of service. 

Kota kinabalu hotel Shangri-La facilities

On the activity board, you can find some activites like Island picnic, water sports, massage, with extra charge. Free activities were only for the kids at the leisure zone, such as water melon eating competition, coconut bowling and so on. 

This map shows the overall location of facilities across the premises. If I had known there is a tennis court, I would bring the rackets and balls for games. I'm really into tennis as just a super beginner. 

Next to the tennis court, there is a nine-hole pitch and putt place. 

Sunset bar is located at the far east point, but this place requires reservation for sunset time and minimum order for taking tables. 

Personally, I don't think this is necessary to enjoy the sunset. Sunset is everywhere and doesn't last for an hour even. Taking the table only for 30 min is not worth the money.

This hotel provides massage at this place, Chi spa. This building is located opposite of Sunset bar. I recommend you to book a day earlier if you want. I walked in and booked on the day and I could get massage at last minute. 

There are some pool tables for guest. 

If you run out of beers, this is the place you can find some snacks and beers. They don't have a variety of seclection, but there are famous Korean snacks, cup noodles, instant steamed rice, and so on. 

Interestingly, I couldn't find this place on the hotel map. Probably they wouldn't like us to save money. Haha. 

Please check the shop opening hours on the above picture. 

Kota kinabalu hotel Shangri-La cuisine

If you feel like having munchies, Bornean Afternoon Tea time at Borneo lounge & bar. It's served from 2pm to 5pm at the price of 98RM for 2 people. 

Or if you're crazy for seafood, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you can enjoy all-you-can-eat seafood feast at CAFE TATU. The price is 288RM per adult, 144RM per child. 

My recommendation is this Weekend Express Set at Chinese restaurant, Shang Palace. They serve two types of promotion set which is suitable for 4 people. But this promotion is only available for dine-in guests from Monday to Thursday except Public holidays. 

Lunch 11:30 to 2:30 
Dinner 6 :00 to 10:00

Price RM128

Kota kinabalu hotel Shangri-La swimming pool

The swimming pool was generally well managed. Shallow section was for kids. You can get towels and safety vest at the bar. 

Adult pool has different depth from 160m to 2m. I should've brought the swimming goggles. Having contacts on my eyes but no goggles, how could I go under water? I really wanted to ask kids nearby to lend their goggles only for one time. what a silly Korean. 

Another silly young Korean couple came to this adult pool with huge fancy floaties. I guess, the lady in her 20s was so desperate to get Instagrammable shots here. Sadly, the safety guard guided them to kids pool. Yes. play with them in kids pool. The second silly Korean.  

Typically alcoholic drinks in Malaysia is more pricey than Korea. This is why drinks at this swimming pool was way better than Korea. 

Well, how could it taste bad under a parasol, watching over the see and people in the pool. Taking a sip of Mojito, I was wondering how a woman in burka can swim. Gulping down of drink, I saw her swim in burka. Getting out of my small country always give good chance to widen my experience. 

She swam well by the way. 

I enjoyed my vacation, out of serene and peaceful background. Only random splash sound was heard. 

Reflecting back how hard I've been through the work all this year. 

Putting this exotic flower on hair, I felt like I was a different person, away from all the hustle and bustle life. 

Hi, unknown bird

But a little after at swimming pool, my stomach was rumbling. 

Okay, hunting time

Let's go get some food at downtown.