5-Star Hotels in Sabah, Malaysia

The hotel is a bit old, and some of the furnishings are quite worn out, especially the mattress, which had sagged in the middle. For two nights, we had to sleep on the sides of the bed. Since we were tired from traveling, it didn't really affect our sleep. However, if you're a light sleeper, be aware that there were kids running in the hallway around 11 PM, and people coming back to their rooms late or getting up early in the morning. Due to the design of the room doors, they close very loudly, so you'll hear doors slamming on and off throughout the morning and evening.

The water in the hotel's area is heavily polluted; it's so dirty that snorkeling is completely out of the question! The front desk staff were very perfunctory with guest requests and didn't follow through on promises. In the morning, we requested a private boat tour for island hopping and snorkeling. We discussed the time and itinerary with the dive center staff and finalized the price with the front desk. We even altered our subsequent travel plans for this. However, by 4 PM, we still hadn't received confirmation. When we called the front desk, they told us they couldn't arrange it. We asked several people, and got different explanations: first they said there were no boats, then that other guests had already been arranged for island hopping, and then that there would be a storm the next day (which turned out to be perfectly calm). I suggest the hotel improve its island hopping service. For those looking to dive, definitely don't consider this hotel! Also, the beach is incredibly tiny, barely palm-sized!

Due to a last-minute change in plans, I ended up in Kota Kinabalu. Many popular hotels were fully booked, so I had no choice but to stay at Shangri-La Rasa Ria, which is quite far from the city center. However, it turned out to be a really worthwhile stay. First off, the hotel provides a shuttle service. The bus stop is right next to Ba Wang Cha Ji at Suria Sabah Shopping Mall, and the shuttle was always on time. The hotel itself is expansive, featuring a large golf course. Upon arrival at the reception, the staff were very welcoming and even rang a gong, which I assume was a welcome gesture. After checking in, a buggy was waiting to take us around. There are two pools: one at the Garden Wing and one at the Ocean Wing. The Garden Wing pool has a waterslide, which the kids loved. The room was quite spacious, and the balcony even had a large plunge pool with stunning views, especially at sunset when the 'burning clouds' created a spectacular scene. The staff primarily spoke English, so communication was in English. Breakfast was excellent, especially the rice vermicelli, and you could also request custom-made fried eggs. One day, my little one wasn't in the mood to go down for breakfast, and the staff kindly packed a portion for us to take away. Nearby restaurants are about a kilometer away, so we relied on Grab every day to get around, setting our location to the Ocean Wing. The hotel offers many activities, but we didn't participate in any of them. In summary: The location is a bit secluded, but the price is reasonable. The hotel has its own beach, and the service is warm and attentive. They also have a mini-program for communicating with staff. There are seafood restaurants nearby, and a shuttle service to the airport and city center, running three times a day, so be sure to note the schedule. With plenty of activities, it's an excellent choice for a family leisure trip with children.

The hotel was very clean and comfortable! The breakfast had a great variety and was absolutely delicious to start the day. There were many shopping malls nearby and it was close to tourist attractions like the waterfront, which allowed us to make efficient use of our time. I'd definitely like to stay at this hotel again when I visit Kota Kinabalu.

Everything was perfect. Every staff member at the resort was incredibly welcoming and helpful, even the maintenance workers I passed on the paths greeted me warmly. The food in the restaurant was delicious, and breakfast was absolutely perfect – I couldn't find a single fault. The resort doesn't cut back on service or close facilities just because there are fewer guests, which is great. It was a perfect getaway, and I will definitely be returning.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I had a truly fantastic stay this time! Due to a typhoon, my flight schedule changed unexpectedly, but the hotel staff were all incredibly friendly and professional during my stay. They were also very willing to help us with all sorts of requests, which made us feel very at ease. The room was clean and comfortable, and the bed was excellent for sleeping. Housekeeping was impeccable every day. The infinity pool offered stunning views, especially the sunset, which was unforgettable. The gym was well-equipped, and the breakfast selection was extensive, with both local delicacies and Western dishes tasting delicious. The hotel's location is also very convenient. It's a short Grab ride to shopping malls, Gaya Street, and the waterfront, making it perfect for a trip to Kota Kinabalu. Although this trip ended up being extended by a few days due to the weather, it allowed us to enjoy the hotel's facilities and relaxed atmosphere even more. It actually became one of the most wonderful memories of the trip. I highly recommend staying here. I will definitely choose this place again on my next visit to Kota Kinabalu!

Sutera Harbour is truly a holiday paradise! It boasts a golf course, tennis courts, and even the trendy pickleball courts. It's a shame I don't play golf or tennis, and didn't even have time to play pickleball with my wife. The Pacific Sutera Hotel has its own small private beach where you can book sunset paddleboarding or go snorkeling (though the water isn't super clear). You can also walk (or take the mini-train) over to The Magellan Sutera Resort's smaller beach and pools. The hotel also has its own jetty, which is where all the tours to nearby islands like Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park depart from. Hotel guests can book these excursions and water activities directly at the jetty. My room didn't include breakfast, but I heard there's usually a queue. We ended up taking a taxi to the city center for dim sum, which was very convenient. I also heard the hotel has a sunset bar that's incredibly picturesque, but unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to experience it. Hopefully, I can come back again someday and just relax for a whole week!

The staff friendliness is just amzing 10/10. Excellent Service.Our room had amazing view of the sea and opposite resort called Gayana. Dinner: Only Buffet option is available and its about RM167/person +taxes. The spread are fairly good and it is delicious. Though they do have 2 more different Restaurant in the island,Japanese and fine dining. Breakfast: Included in the room price. Menu changes daily. I have nothing to complaint about the room,for us its comfortable.All rooms have exactly the dane Designs the only difference is where it is located. You are paying for the view. Activities: For me I think 3 days 2 nights are perfect to spend your time here, swimming by the pool,kayaking,snorkling,Jungle trekking, visiting the private beach. 1 hour complimentary use of snorklinh masks. I like the public guests showers and towel provided.Very convinient. One thing that I would like to comment is the boat fees are relatively very expansive.15 mins speedboat per person one way cost about Rm80+taxes..Just return trip cost RM170++ per person. This is not even including island conservation fees and tourist fees. All this added fees makes the Hotel cost more expansive. Because a boat trip to nearby or same Island cost only Rm40. GAYANA ECO RESORT provided inclusive/complimentary return boat fees. I hope the Management can improve this because we as Guests are going to spend more money on F&B and at the Bar. Last but not least I would like to compliment the service and staffs in thsi Resort I think they did such an amazing job. Overalö the Resort is beautiful andclose to the nature.

This village is all about beachfront holidays, and its pros and cons revolve around that. **Pros:** The private, secluded cabins offer unbeatable ocean views. You can lie on the terrace lounge chair at night, accompanied by the sound of waves and sea breeze, under a sky full of stars. During the day, various fish and birds keep you company. It's a diving resort, with both scuba diving and snorkeling available. I heard the diving is good, but I didn't try scuba. The snorkeling right off the beach near the village entrance wasn't great. So, we hired a private boat to go snorkeling elsewhere, which was excellent; we saw multiple sea turtles. **Cons:** What made it great also made it less so. The cabin is drafty on all four sides, and the air conditioning is really weak and blows directly onto the bed, almost making me sick. However, it was still better than opening the windows. The ocean waves in the morning were definitely louder than a bus downstairs. The most bizarre thing was that only the terrace had curtains; the rest of the cabin didn't. So, the morning sun shone directly onto the head of the bed, which I guess is due to its orientation. These are points where opinions might differ. Most frustratingly, aside from scuba diving and snorkeling, there are no other entertainment options in the village. Under the tropical sun, everyone just retreats to their rooms. Plus, scuba and snorkeling are handled at separate locations. I have to complain about the somewhat old facilities. You can see sea fish through the gaps in the wooden floorboards. The bathroom had various issues: the toilet needed two flushes (and I, being an engineer, still can't figure out why), the overhead shower only produced about a third of its normal water flow, with the rest squirting out horizontally onto the partition. Luckily, there was a handheld shower that worked for one day. The next evening, the handle broke off when I tried to turn it on, and water started gushing out. So, two security guards came, both claiming they were just security. The last time, around 11 PM, I was already in bed when three people arrived, again stating they'd fix it tomorrow. The next day, both showers were repaired... The food was... edible, I guess. In short, this village is a matter of personal taste.

My kids had a school break, so we planned a trip to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. A friend recommended this hotel, so I booked three sea-view rooms for our group of six (four seniors and two children). When we arrived, the staff member who greeted me spoke English. My English isn't great, so I asked for a Chinese-speaking staff member, and that's when Daniel came over. I explained our room types and requirements to him. He then communicated with his colleagues, and we were able to seamlessly get rooms on the same floor, with two of them connected, which perfectly met our needs. From our sea-view rooms, we had an endless view of the ocean, and the infinity pool on the 23rd floor seamlessly blended the sea and sky. The hotel's location is excellent, with a large shopping mall directly opposite, making dining very convenient. The breakfast was incredibly rich and varied. Enjoying breakfast in the restaurant while gazing at the sea was an absolute delight. The housekeeping staff was also wonderful; we stayed for four nights, and they changed our bedding on the third day. I'd especially like to thank Daniel from customer service. From the moment we checked in, he was able to communicate in Chinese. We contacted him with any requests (like helping us call a taxi, booking a table at the Shangri-La sunset bar, etc.), and he patiently helped us resolve everything, ensuring we had no language barrier during our stay. Thank you, Daniel! Our 5-day, 4-night holiday has ended, but the beauty of Sabah and the warmth of many of its Chinese residents will forever remain in our memories. Goodbye, Kota Kinabalu!