Shangri-La Rasa Ria

“Exceptional service by staff members!”

We had a long 1 week stay and then we left for Sandakan for a couple of nights and returned and Rasa Ria for another week and they were kind enough to hold our luggage for us. The Garden Wing was great and is actually more kid-friendly than the Ocean Wing. We were upgraded to the Ocean Wing the l… more

We had a long 1 week stay and then we left for Sandakan for a couple of nights and returned and Rasa Ria for another week and they were kind enough to hold our luggage for us. The Garden Wing was great and is actually more kid-friendly than the Ocean Wing. We were upgraded to the Ocean Wing the last couple nights of our 2-week stay. The room in the Ocean Wing was so much better, but staff are actually much nicer in the Garden Wing. You can eat at Oceano for breakfast in the Ocean Wing, but that was not a plus for my children as they liked the plethora of choices the regular buffet in the Coffee Terrace offers. You can also enjoy another pool in the Ocean Wing, but after 5 minutes of adults staring at your children and no slides, you’ll want to return to the family-friendly pools in the Garden Wing. The food was awesome, the amenities wee awesome and the staff are phenomenal! I would like to mention a few by name because of their outstanding service! Allya works in the Coffee Terrace and she was so delightful every morning and would greet my family with such a welcoming smile. Jonathan works in Tepi Laut. He was a great communicator and very friendly. Hariani, a manager in the Coffee Terrace I believe made me feel so special in the Seafood Buffet. I had been craving fish and chips and didn’t see any in the buffet. So, I was going to order it a la carte instead of the buffet, but I saw so many other choices in the seafood buffet that I opted for the buffet. To my surprise, Hariani brought me out at no additional charge a fish and chips plate!

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“A True Five-Star Experience, One of the Best Hotels We Have Ever Stayed At”

I spent two wonderful weeks at Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu with my daughter, and it was one of the best hotel experiences we have ever had. From the moment we arrived, we were impressed. The hotel is magnificent, with a spacious, open-air lobby that immediately creates a relaxing atmosphere… more

I spent two wonderful weeks at Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu with my daughter, and it was one of the best hotel experiences we have ever had. From the moment we arrived, we were impressed. The hotel is magnificent, with a spacious, open-air lobby that immediately creates a relaxing atmosphere. The welcome was outstanding. We were offered a refreshing iced tea while waiting for an available receptionist, and the staff took the time to chat with us, making us feel genuinely welcome. As soon as the check-in process was completed, another member of staff was already waiting to escort us to our room. It was a seamless and very professional arrival experience. Our room was spacious, beautifully maintained and extremely comfortable. Everything was spotless and exactly what you would expect from a genuine five-star resort. The gardens are stunning, the swimming pool is surrounded by lush tropical greenery, and there are many beautiful birds around the resort, creating a peaceful atmosphere. The guests were mainly international, with many Australians, and the overall atmosphere was calm and relaxing. Breakfast was exceptionally well organised. Despite the large number of guests, the service was always efficient. The live cooking stations for omelettes, pancakes and eggs were excellent, with four cooking stations operating simultaneously, so there was virtually never a queue. One detail I particularly appreciated was the presence of the Italian Executive Chef, who was always in the restaurant ensuring everything ran smoothly. It showed real commitment to quality. The entire restaurant team was attentive, friendly and highly professional. The beach is absolutely breathtaking. The water is warm, crystal clear and so pleasant that you simply don't want to leave it. It is truly a tropical paradise. The dinner buffet was fantastic. The variety of dishes was incredible, with an impressive selection of international and local cuisine. Everything was fresh, beautifully presented and delicious. There was something for everyone, and every dinner felt like a special occasion. The housekeeping team also deserves special recognition. Our room was cleaned impeccably every day, with great attention to detail. The level of cleanliness throughout the resort was outstanding. After spending two weeks at the resort, I can honestly say that this is what a true five-star hotel should be. Outstanding service, exceptional facilities, professional and genuinely caring staff, and an atmosphere that makes every guest feel valued. I highly recommend Shangri-La Rasa Ria to anyone visiting Kota Kinabalu. It is an exceptional resort, and we would return without hesitation.

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“Nice place to finish our time in Borneo”

We had very high expectations of our stay here having had very positive experiences at other Shangri La hotels. In short; our stay was very good but did not quite hit the highs that I had been expecting. POSITIVES. Accommodation - we had two rooms next to each other in the garden wing - spacious, … more

We had very high expectations of our stay here having had very positive experiences at other Shangri La hotels. In short; our stay was very good but did not quite hit the highs that I had been expecting. POSITIVES. Accommodation - we had two rooms next to each other in the garden wing - spacious, well equipped and with lovely views out to the sea. Food - breakfast buffet was very good and never ran short of anything or seemed too busy whatever time we went. Good choice of restaurants for the evening; the Japanese being a favourite of ours Location - Being right next to the reserve is lovely and the trips into the reserve itself are a real highlight Wildlife - snakes, monitor lizards, macacques and birdlife galore on the resort Activities - plenty of activities around the resort like pool tables, boules, volleyball, football pool (you will know what I mean when you see it!). table tennis etc plus the golf course and riving range a 10 minute walk away. Watersports offered were varied and well priced and I would recommend the sunset SUP and the kayak safari - both highlights of our stay Staff - friendly, courteous and helpful NEGATIVES Rooms - furniture in the rooms (at least in 303 and 304 anyway) is a bit tired and could do with refurbishment Beach - I appreciate its the South China Sea but the beach was really grubby all the time. Its clear the hotel was trying to clear the worst of the mess but it was fighting a losing battle I am afraid. Bars - we wanted to have a quiet drink one evening after dinner but could not do this as the only bar open is the Lounge and there is live entertainment in there. Having another venue open of an evening would be a real bonus - why not the bar on the beach where its happy hour from 4:00 - 6:00? Also, the set up for getting drinks around the pool could be improved. I wanted to get an iced coffee at about 10:45 / 11:00 in the morning and was told I had to walk up to the Lobby Bar as the one by the pool did not open until 11:30. Service - having said the staff were friendly and courteous, service was a bit slack in the restaurants - it took a long time for plates to be cleared, drinks orders taken etc. All in all we had a great stay and would definitely come back but as I said initially, I have really high expectations for the Shangri-La brand and the Rasa Ria did not quite hit the highs of some of the other hotels in the group we have visited.

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“Bringing the family back”

As we enter our final day before heading home, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on what has been a fantastic family holiday at Shangri-La Rasa Ria. This resort holds a special place in our hearts as we first came here 14 years ago on our honeymoon. Returning with our two children has been … more

As we enter our final day before heading home, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on what has been a fantastic family holiday at Shangri-La Rasa Ria. This resort holds a special place in our hearts as we first came here 14 years ago on our honeymoon. Returning with our two children has been a lovely full-circle moment. We travelled as a family with a 13 and 10-year-old and had connecting Garden Wing rooms, which were a great size and worked perfectly for us. The rooms were spacious, comfortable and ideal for families. While everything was clean and fully functional, the furniture feels much the same as it did 14 years ago and is beginning to look a little dated. A refurbishment would really elevate the accommodation. The food throughout the resort was excellent, with plenty of choice to suit both adults and children. The speciality restaurants were particularly impressive and definitely worth visiting. The spa was also a real highlight, providing a relaxing and high-quality experience. One thing that really stood out was the staff. Every member of the team we encountered was friendly, welcoming and eager to help, which made our stay even more enjoyable. We also made use of the laundry service, which was excellent value and meant we returned home with far less washing to do! The resort itself is beautiful, with plenty of wildlife to spot around the grounds. During our stay we saw monkeys, snakes, lizards and a variety of birds, which added to the Borneo experience. The pool area is fantastic, with different depth sections, plenty of space and a small waterslide that kept the children entertained. There are a few points worth mentioning for anyone considering a stay. Drinks and food service could sometimes be quite slow, particularly during busy periods, and at times the hotel felt a little understaffed. The beach is a reasonable walk from the main resort and the sea wasn’t particularly clear during our stay, although this may have been due to the weather. Neither of these came as a surprise, as they’re things you can easily research before booking. We upgraded to the all-inclusive package, but it felt like the hotel isn’t quite set up for this style of offering. Although everything was included, we still had to sign a bill every time we ordered food or drinks, even when the balance was RM0. It became a little repetitive over a two-week stay. The resort is also some distance from Kota Kinabalu. Depending on traffic, the journey can take anywhere between 45 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes. Again, this is something you’ll know before booking, and getting a Grab is incredibly easy and affordable. Finally, unless you’re travelling as a couple looking for a quieter, more exclusive experience, I personally don’t think the Ocean Wing upgrade offers great value for families. Most of the family-friendly restaurants, activities and facilities are based in the Garden Wing, so you’ll likely find yourself spending much of your time there anyway. Overall, we have had a brilliant holiday and would happily return. The combination of excellent staff, spacious rooms, great food, beautiful grounds and unique wildlife makes Rasa Ria a fantastic destination for families visiting Borneo. While there are a few areas that could be improved, they certainly didn’t overshadow what was an enjoyable and memorable stay. We’d happily recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing family resort with plenty to offer.

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