Voyage Vixens

Good girls go to heaven, bad girls go everywhere...

  • Home
  • About
    • Media Kits
  • EAT + DRINK + WELLNESS
    • Baby Voyage
    • Drink Me
    • Eat Me
    • For the Health of It
  • INSPIRE
    • Hidden Gems
    • Non-Profit
    • Quotes
    • Spa Me
    • Travel Advice
    • Travel Fashion
    • Travel News
    • Travel Tales
  • Reviews
    • Adventure
    • Gear
    • Hotel
  • STAY + PLAY
    • Accomodations
    • Adventure Travel
    • Arts | Culture
    • Beach Slap Me
    • Cruise Travel
    • Educational Travel
    • Gear | Travel Tech
    • Music | Film
  • Videos

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malayasia: Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort

February 20, 2014 By

Shangri LA Rasa Ria Kota Kinabalu

Located on the Pantai Dalit Beach in Borneo among 400-acres of tropical bliss, Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort is a stylish “one-stop shop” for travelers seeking a destination stay. Whether it’s romance, kid-friendly or adventure, Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort, with its vast amount of varied amenities and beautiful locale, caters to each type of vacation theme.

ShangriLA Rasa Ria Ocean Wing Pool

Ocean Wing

Although there’s construction underway until the end of 2014 in this wing, there are benefits to choosing a room here. Check-in takes place in the guestroom. A private pool is reserved just for Ocean Wing guests. The in-room Nespresso coffee maker alone is enough to choose a room here. A gourmet breakfast buffet is included at the Coast Restaurant, from Asian fare like chow mein and sushi to Western items like a made-to-order omelet and pancake bar. Every room has a giant outdoor tub on the balcony (perfect for a lil’ late night romantic rendezvous).

Choose a scent, such as jasmine or lemongrass, and experience aromatherapy via candlelit oil burner, tended to nightly by the housekeeper. Another lovely touch is the nightly turn-down service, which includes a different bedtime story, based on local Malaysian legends or folklore, placed on your pillow each night.

Baby Orangutans

Although we didn’t get to spend much time exploring the resort’s activities, one of the highlights was seeing the orangutans (found only in Borneo and Sumatra) in the property’s sanctuary.

Shangrila Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu Malaysia

Located within the resort, the 64-acre Nature Reserve is home to baby orangutans and other exotic animals such as pangolins, tarsiers and slow loris. At 10 a.m., head to the reserve to watch the adorable primates fly through the air during their daily public feeding.

Chi Spa

The Chi Spa menu at Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort offers a fair amount of treatments. One that’s particularly interesting is the Sabahan Experience. Based on the native tradition of river cleansing, it consists of a mild body scrub with rice powder and stone; ending with a hot stone massage.

We both opted for the traditional massage: a warm foot soak and hardy rubdown with a variety of techniques used from Thai to acupressure.

Restaurants

In Malay (official language of the hundreds spoken in Malaysia), Rasa Ria means “taste of happiness.” There are several dining options on the property to do just that. Here’s a rundown:

  • Naan – Traditional Indian fare.
  • Sampan Bar – We saw what we called “the Malaysian Elvis meets the Everly Brothers” perform at this beachside bar. It’s a great place to catch the sunset, offering refreshing cocktails and delicious finger foods. Many guests enjoy playing a game of pétanque at the adjacent court while enjoying drinks and snacks.
  • Tepi Laut Makan Street – Meant to simulate Malaysia’s heritage of street food stalls and open-fronted shop-house restaurants, this is a buffet meets Mongolie grill on steroids. Each food stall highlights a different cuisine of Asia. By day, the beachfront restaurant is transformed into a poolside bar offering Asian and western snacks, finger food and refreshing drinks. And don’t miss out on a tribal dance lesson as part of the nightly entertainment.

  • Coast Restaurant & Bar – Contemporary western cuisine and award-winning restaurant, with Chef Alvrie Manangka at the helm. The outdoor terrace is a perfect place for a romantic dinner at sunset, as are three private, thatched gazebos for a truly memorable beachside dining experience. Breakfast buffets here include a made-to-order omelet and waffle bar, and an array of exquisite Asian soups (yes, even at breakfast Tom Kha Gai is phenomenal).
  • Teppan-yaki Kozan – A traditional Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant, with a nontraditional aesthetic and modern design.
  • Lobby Lounge – A great spot for a cocktail pre-dinner or post-dinner with a lovely and talented singer who covers anyone from Norah Jones and John Mayer to Frank Sinatra and Etta James.

Sunset Cruise – As part of the many extra activities available, you can arrange a sunset ‘happy hour’ boat cruise. Tasty appetizers and wine and beer are served by gracious staff.

Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort, Pantai Dalit, Tuaran, 89208 Kota Kinabalu, KK, Malaysia Reservations: 866 565 5050

Travel info: Malaysia Air offers new direct flights from Narita, Japan to Kota Kinabalu.

Photos © Voyage Vixens.

Filed Under: Hotel, Reviews Tagged With: featured, kota kinabalu resorts, kota kinabalu travel guide, luxury hotel sabah malaysia, shangril-la rasa ria

Follow Us!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

WHO ARE THE VIXENS?

Lanee Lee and Lindsay Taub of Voyage Vixens

Hi! We're Lanee and Lindsay. You may have gotten to this page because you're intrigued by the word "vixens" or maybe you found some of our porn online (#travelporn, that is!). Either way, we are fully aware we are not what you typically think of when you hear the word "vixen", i.e. boobalicious babe wearing skintight minidresses in 6-inch heels. In our book, you don't need DDs to be a VV. To us -- vixens are smart and sassy women (and men, why not?!) who take action, scared sh**less or not, to turn their dreams into realities. Now you know a little about us; we'd like to get to know you. Connect with us on twitter, instagram, google+, pinterest, youtube, Facebook, tumblr, and periscope! (yes, we're on them all...#sorrynotsorry)

Sign up for our monthly newsletter!

Got a Story to Tell?

We want to hear it! We're now accepting guest blog posts. Send us your travel tale—be it hilarious, heartwarming or horrifying— to [email protected]. Promise, you'll hear from us in less than 48 hours.

Lowell Thomas Award

Lowell Thomas Award

2014 NATJA Award

2014 NATJA Award

Voyage Vixens Instagram

Good girls go to heaven. Bad girls go everywhere." ~ Mae West

Voyage Vixens™ is a travel blog and YouTube series dedicated to food, drink, adventure, travel, and pursuing passions, be it motherhood or motorcars, barbecue or barhopping.

> Contact | Advertise

If you'd like us to visit you, let us know! We're always on the search for our next great destination and adventure... For advertising, promotional, or sponsorship opportunities, please email us at
[email protected].

Media Kit

Voyage Vixens Media Kit

> ARCHIVES

Copyright © 2025 · Voyage Vixens
Maintained by Los Angeles WordPress Developer, DigiSavvy