In 2012 we took a family holiday to Kota Kinabalu the capital of Sabah a Malaysian state on the island of Bornio.
We stayed at the beautiful Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa about 5 minutes drive from the city centre.
Back then I never wrote up a review of the resort on the Toddlers on Tour reviews blog (well actually I hadn’t created that section back then). So today I thought I would review the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru through photos, using my Trip Advisor hotel review as a reference.
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My Review of Shangri-la Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa
This was the second time we had stayed at a Shangri-La Resort and I am a huge fan due to their impeccable service. This resort did not disappoint.
We were greeted with a cool drink and towel. Whilst checking-in we looked out to the pool, onto the neighbouring islands, before being escorted to our room.
View out to pools
Whilst the Hill View Room is their cheapest option it was by no means basic. We had ample room with a large king bed, a double fold out couch for Lewis, tea and coffee-making facilities, bar fridge, and space to even fit our bulky pram.
Mountain View room
In the mornings we headed down to one of the best breakfast buffets we have experienced. It may not have had pork bacon but that was more than made up for by the:
- dim sum trolley,
- fresh vegetable shots,
- home-made yoghurt,
- kids own buffet,
- activities corner for kids offering: colouring, blackboards and a TV with cartoons,
- plus one of the members of staff would dress up to entertain the kids in the restaurant.
Entertainment at breakfast
Most mornings after breakfast Lewis would enjoy heading to the Kids Club for the scheduled craft activity. This kids club was probably one of the better equipped, organised and more welcoming than most we have experienced.
Kids Club
The other thing Lewis (well all of us) like to do on holiday is hang out by the pool.
The pools here have something for all ages. Toddlers have their own little water slide and a shaded toddler pool.
Toddler splash zone
There’s another three water slides for big kids or those that are kids at heart.
Three big waterslides
For those that really liked to get drenched, there is a tipping bucket or water balloon fights.
Tipping bucket
But if you want to get away from all the noise and commotion then there is the adults-only infinity pool.
Adults-only infinity pool
My other escape was utilising the complimentary Yoga and Pilates classes held every afternoon at 5pm on the peninsula in the day spa (you can see the room to the left of the photo above) looking out to those islands.
In the evenings we would either take a short taxi ride into town. Or enjoy a delicious meal in-house at Peppino Italian restaurant or the buffet where kids ate free with adults.
This really was a fantastic family friendly resort. But just to let your know I also saw lots of couples enjoying the quieter more secluded areas throughout the resort.
What do you think?
Have I enticed you to Kota Kinabalu?
Tell me in the comments.
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- If you would like to see and read more about our Kota Kinabalu family holiday check out:
NOTE: We fully paid for our own accommodation. I’m just telling you about this resort because I really liked it!
I’m keen to go there – looks fun!
Kota Kinabalu was a great family travel destination Lydia, I’m sure your family would enjoy.
That looks just dreamy – especially the adults only infinity pool! Thanks for linking up with the Ultimate Rabbit Hole.
It was dreamy Sammie, the only thing was as the infinity pool was adults only we really didn’t much of a chance to be there as we had a young child who couldn’t swim well at that stage.
That looks like such a lovely spot – so much to do & enjoy! I’d love to spend a couple of days there relaxing.
Thank you for joining us for Photo Friday again this week!
Lots of great photo opportunities as well Jen.
We never made it to KK when we were living in Malaysia. However, many of my friends who visited there also stayed at the Shangri-la and came back with rave views. Judging from your writeup, I can see why they told me it’s a great place for families. We had a Shangri-la up the street from me in Penang, and it was always my favorite place to go for Mother’s Day Brunch. They knew how to keep the kids entertained and well fed so that no one minded lingering there. (I’ve also been wondering how far back I can go to review a hotel, so I think I will take your lead and start posting some from trips going back a few years.)
Glad I could inspire you Michele, I look forward to reading your reviews.
Looks very nice! I clicked over to one of your posts about Kota Kinabulu and saw you were there for one week. Do you recommend that length of stay or could a shorter trip work out?
We spent much of our holiday relaxing, only taking a day trip out to Rasa Ria to see the Orang-u-tans (However there is a bigger excursion – lasting 2 days – that takes you right into the jungle) and exploring around town. So you could definitely make it shorter. The other great thing to do in Kota Kinabalu is snorkelling and taking a ferry to those other islands.
Lovely, I can’t remember the name of the hotel we stayed when we were in Sabah, but I do remember eating beef rendang for breakfast daily.
I can never bring myself to eat the Asian dishes for breakfast Paula (I am an eggs on toast girl), but I do imagine that if I had no children I could sit a the buffet for hours and move on from breakfast through to an early lunch to enjoy the curries.
I have stayed in a Shangri La hotel in Sydney and in Cairnes, but I haven’t been to Borneo. If I do get there, I already know where to stay. Wow, what a spectacular spot.
Yes it was a spectacular spot Rhonda perched out on that peninsula.
I have stayed at that resort many times and the spa is amazing!
I never tried out the spa, thanks for the feedback Anne. Sounds like the top quality of the resort continues through to the spa as well.
Thank you for linking up on Travel Tuesday!
We have been thinking about going up to Malaysia during the September school holidays (after our plans for going to Western Australia went down the drain.. I STILL cannot get over that). But we just cannot decide WHERE in Malaysia to go. Let me go look into this resort, it looks nice, with the slides and kids corner. Plus the Shangri-La name. :p
Kota Kinabalu is a lovely sport for a family holiday that or consider Penang. Both have great Shangri-la Resorts.
I’ve only heard great things about Kota Kinabalu! Love the pool shots! i think the Shangri-La Resort is where we’d stay. The boys would love the kids club!
It’s a great resort for keeping energetic boys entertained Grace.
This place looks wonderful!! The room is huge, and that pool is awesome!
I would love to dive in Malaysia 😀
#MondayEscapes
it was a good size room Allane, but the pool was the real draw card.
That infiniti pool looks amazing. I think I have never stayed in a place with a pool like that. Love when you get a good deal with all the perks included.
I love good deal as well Ruth, I’ve discovered if you find a resort you are interested in then sign up for the emails and you will discover a time to travel there.
That looks a fantastic resort for kids and families, the toddler area away from the big kids slide would be a real bonus for me when mine were younger.
What I loved about the water slides at this resort Cery was that even if your little one wanted to ride the larger water slides they didn’t land in a deep pool but just a shallow area at the end of the slide.
Looks like a great place to relax with the kids, I especially like the sound of those yoga classes. Thanks for linking up for #wednesdaywanderlust
Got to love a place that offers free yoga classes.