Shangri-La

PRESS KIT
CONTENTS
Resort Factsheet
2
A Taste of Happiness
6
Nature Reserve enhances conservation efforts
12
Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club
16
Sunsets and scents are showcased at the Ocean Wing
18
The Spa at Dalit Bay
20
Weddings
22
Contacts
23
1
RESORT FACTSHEET
LOCATION
Situated amid the lush tropical vegetation
and crystal clear seas of Pantai Dalit, the
resort is just 40 minutes from Kota
Kinabalu International Airport and 35
minutes from the city’s shopping and
commercial district
ACCOMMODATION
The resort comprises of 416 elegantly
appointed guestrooms and suites. In the
Garden Wing, all ground-level rooms
have a private lanai accessible through
the Garden.
On the first floor, all rooms have private balconies. For guests who demand the very highest
of luxury, the Ocean Wing offers 90 premier rooms with a private outdoor bathtubs and
sweeping views of the sea or lush gardens.
GUESTROOMS
Categories
Premier
Superior Rainforest
Deluxe Gardenview
Deluxe Seaview
Executive Seaview
Executive Suite
Specialty Suite
Rooms
90
38
150
97
31
8
2
Area (m2 )
90
36
36
36
36
72
108
GUESTROOM FEATURES
 24-hour in-room dining
 Complimentary broadband internet access
 IDD telephone and voice mail
 Cable TV and in-house movies
 Tea / coffee making facilities
 Mini-bar
 In-room safe
 Hairdryer, bathrobe and slippers
 Pillow menu
2
OCEAN WING PRIVILEGES
 Separate gardens and Courtyard entrance
 Breath-taking
swimming
pool and
Jacuzzi pool reserved exclusively for
Ocean Wing guests
 Ocean Wing breakfast buffet in the
acclaimed Coast Restaurant
 Express check-in and check-out
 Dedicated concierge services
INTERNET CAFÉ
Located adjacent to the gym, facilities include four internet stations, reading corner,
board and card games, as well as printing, photocopying and faxing services. Tea, coffee
and juices as well as savoury pastries, cakes and sandwiches are available.
RECREATION FACILITIES
 The Spa at Dalit Bay
 18-hole/ Par 72 championship golf
course, club house, putting green and
driving range.
 Rasa Ria’s own nature reserve featuring
orangutans, native animals and pitcher
plants
 Free-form
swimming
pool
with
children’s pool
 Sailing,
windsurfing,
water-skiing,
fishing and Rasa Ria boat tours
 Gymnasium
 Horseback riding, cycling, nature walks,
tree-top canopy walkway and etc…
 A floodlit tennis court
 Tours to Mount Kinabalu, jungle treks
and wildlife reserves
 White-water rafting (seasonal)
3
OTHER SERVICES AND FACILITIES
 Cool Zone Kids Club
 Baby sitting services
 Hair salon
 Laundry
 Safety deposit boxes
 Clinic and on-call doctor
 Shopping Arcade
 Scheduled shuttle to City Centre with
minimum charge
 Limousine and car rental services
RESTAURANTS AND BARS
Restaurants / Bars
Capacity
Location
Coast Restaurant & Bar
100
Beachside
Coffee Terrace
260
Level 1
Naan, Flavours of India
95
Level 1
North India
Teppan-yaki Kozan
49
Level 1
Teppanyaki
Pool Bar
250
Garden Wing Pool Side
Asian and Western snacks
Tepi Laut
220
Garden Wing Pool Side
Local hawker specialties
Lobby Lounge
150
Garden Wing Lobby
Cocktails & snacks
60
Beachfront
Cocktails & beverages
Sampan Bar
Golfers Terrace
150
Cuisine
Western contemporary
International cuisine and buffet
Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club Snacks & beverages
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BANQUET AND CONFERENCE ROOMS
Ceiling
Venue
Lobby Level
White Orchid
Green Orchid
Purple Orchid
Orchid Rooms
Heliconia
Gardenia
Jasmine
Lower Lobby Level
Pink Frangipani
White Frangipani
Frangipani Rooms
Red Frangipani
Ballroom 1
Ballroom 2
Grand Ballroom
Ballroom Foyer
Capacity
Dim ensions
Area
Height
Reception
Theatre
Banquet
Classroom
(m )
(sqm )
(m )
30
30
30
90
75
75
110
30
30
35
100
60
60
100
20
20
20
80
40
40
60
22
22
25
56
35
35
60
4.6 x 6.8
4.9 x 6.8
5.3 x 6.8
14.5 x 6.8
6.9 x 7.7
6.9 x 7.7
12.4 x 7.7
31
33
36
97
53
53
95
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
3.0
3.0
3.0
100
100
160
350
60
60
100
400
310
800
-
50
50
120
300
210
630
150
50
50
72
210
150
450
-
10.4 x 7.4
11.0 x 7.4
21.5 x 7.4
4.6 x 7.4
17.1 x 24.4
17.1 x 24.4
29.3 x 24.4
-
78
81
159
34
417
295
715
306
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
6.4
6.4
6.4
2.7
5
A TASTE OF HAPPINESS
AT SHANGRI-LA’S RASA RIA RESORT, KOTA KINABALU
It is rare to be able to stay at a resort that
allows you to enjoy the highlights of the
country you are visiting without having to
travel further than its grounds.
remarkable
natural attractions
Sabah’s
include
a
complex rainforest, glorious beaches and
stunning wildlife, especially the orang-utan
– found only in Borneo and Sumatra. You
will find all three and more at Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu.
Rasa Ria’s setting: a glorious long white sandy beach fringing the South China Sea and
cradled by a jungle headland with a backdrop of Sabah’s icon, Mount Kinabalu. The
peace and beauty of Rasa Ria, where the chorus of birds mingles with the soothing
sounds of the sea, exert their magic on visitors. The temptation to do nothing more than
laze about the pool vies with the desire to go horseback riding, play golf at Dalit Bay
Golf and Country Club, cruise to the nearby islands on the Rasa Ria catamaran, windsurf
or hike on a trail through the secondary forest of the Nature Reserve. All this ensures
your enjoyment, while the well appointed and recently refurbished Garden Wing rooms,
most with great sea views, complement the many activities available.
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Now the resort has introduced an even higher
standard in luxury accommodation with its 90
Premier Ocean Wing Rooms.
Guests staying in the Ocean Wing can look
forward to a new level of spacious luxury and
gracious living. The 90 Premier Rooms each
have a spacious floor area of up to 90 square metres. All the rooms face a sunny windswept
sea and are opulently furnished in restful earth colours and natural wood inspired by the
ethnic richness of Sabah. Every room has an oversized bathtub on the balcony – a place to
enjoy the cool tropical breeze and marvel at the changing hues of the sky in privacy as the
sun sets over the horizon.
Guests staying in these rooms will experience an exclusive arrival through a private
courtyard and lobby with check-in facilities in addition to the new swimming pool
surrounded by lush tropical gardens and a panoramic vista of the South China Sea, a truly
magical place for an intimate sojourn.
There is a deceptive simplicity about Rasa Ria, where all the facilities one would expect of a
luxury resort are available and everything is supremely comfortable, yet never grandiose.
The attentive and genuinely friendly service is exceptional and has won Rasa Ria a number
of international awards; the resort has also received accolades from leading tourism
publications.
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Natural Attractions
The superb natural environment engenders a
rare feeling of peace.
Each day, guests can
awake to a chorus of birds living in the 64-acre
Nature
Reserve,
which
is
found
on the
headland at one end of the resort.
Impressed by Rasa Ria’s commitment to
conservation, Sabah’s Wildlife Department
works together with the resort in the
rehabilitation of young orangutans, teaching
them the skills necessary to return to the
wild.
In the Nature Reserve, several orang-
utans can be seen twice a day enjoying a
meal of bananas on a platform just a couple
of
minutes’
entrance.
walk
from
the
reserve’s
The antics of these young orang-
utans never fail to enchant visitors.
The Nature Reserve not only assists in the rehabilitation of orang-utans, but also provides
an education centre for schools and organisations in the West Coast region of Sabah. It is
also home for other species such as deer, monkeys, pheasants, porcupines, the huge-eyed
slow loris, pangolins, Western Tarsiers, pythons and many species of birds, squirrels and
bats, as well as rare Borneo orchids and pitcher plants.
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In line with its concern for preserving the environment, Rasa Ria has received ISO 14001
Environmental
Management
System,
ISO18001
Occupational Health
and
Safety
(OHSAS) and HACCP-based Food Safety System certifications. The adjacent Dalit Bay
Golf and Country Club was the first in Malaysia to be awarded international certification
for its environmental management.
The club has also worked towards rehabilitating the
mangrove and marshes native to the area, successfully attracting more birds, fish and
monitor lizards.
Resort Dining
Rasa Ria’s Malay name aptly means “A Taste of Happiness,” and this description
certainly applies to its restaurants, which offer guests an extensive range of options.
Other pulling factors that make one yearn for a return visit include the gastronomic
options available, which will satisfy the most discerning of palates as well as the many
outdoor activities that will satisfy even the most adventurous of spirits.
Coast, a
beachside restaurant where innovative design, stunning views and superb contemporary
Western cuisine are its hallmarks, strikes a contrast with the laid-back hawker-style fare
offered at Makan Street at Tepi Laut Restaurant. Alternatively, one can choose to dine at
the resort’s award-winning Indian restaurant – Naan: Flavours of India – or enjoy a
simple yet elegant teppanyaki dinner at the new Kozan restaurant, whereas those
preferring a casual vibe can opt for the Coffee Terrace.
9
Family Fun
Rasa Ria’s attractions are designed for all ages.
Younger guests will delight in searching for shells,
running wild along the three-kilometre-long beach,
sliding down the water into the huge free-form pool or
zipping on a flying fox.
Quieter moments can be
enjoyed at the special Cool Zone Kids’ Club, where
children are safely entertained by the resort’s caring
staff.
Another convenience for families is the Tamu-Tamu shop,
where drinks ranging from milk to wine and beer, snacks and
biscuits can be purchased, along with clothing, books and
souvenirs.
In conclusion
Enjoyment
is
ensured
magnificent par 72,
within
the
grounds
with
the
18-hole championship Dalit Bay Golf
and Country Club and the resort’s 64-acre Nature Reserve
and Nature Interpretation Centre with Orang Utans, which
complements varied activities such as walking, jogging or horse riding on the threekilometre-long, white, sandy beach, sipping a cocktail at the Sampan sunset bar and
enjoying the Borneo sunset, exploring the nearby rivers and islands by cruise on the Rasa
Ria catamaran, exploring the surrounding area on an all-terrain vehicle, splashing in the
free-form swimming pool or watching the free-roaming animals on the resort’s grounds.
For the more active, jungle trekking, early morning birdwatching, cycling to the nearby
villages and more await. The possibilities are truly endless!
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Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu is the nearest resort to well-known
attractions like Mount Kinabalu National Park, the first World Heritage Site in Malaysia,
Kiulu River white water rafting and the colourful Kota Belud Tamu (or “open market”).
Trips to downtown Kota Kinabalu, a cycle tour to the village of Tuaran or to a nearby
fish farm and many other diversions are easily arranged by the hotel’s activities’ desk.
But for some, Rasa Ria’s patch of paradise is too perfect to leave.
11
SHANGRI-LA’S RASA RIA RESORT, KOTA KINABALU’S NATURE
RESERVE ENHANCES CONSERVATION EFFORTS
The Nature Reserve was established by ShangriLa’s Rasa Ria Resort,
collaboration
with
Kota Kinabalu in
the
State
Wildlife
Department of Sabah in June 1996.
The reserve is located within the resort’s
forested hills. This reserve spans 64 acres and
the topography is ideal, with steep slopes on the
lower part of the hill gradually becoming gentler
on reaching the ridge. The highest point stands
95 metres above sea level.
The hill is mainly covered by secondary forest growth and outcrops are available at the
ridge.
There are an abundance of fruit trees that support various species of birds and
other smaller native animals.
The aim of the Nature Reserve is to enhance the conservation of the flora and fauna that
are native to Sabah. The animals translocated to the reserve are often those that were
abandoned when young or domesticated by village folk and rescued by officers of the
Wildlife Department of Sabah.
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These animals are placed in the reserve to give them a new lease of life in a natural
environment, and it is hoped that they can learn to adapt to the new surroundings.
The 25-hectare (64-acre) Nature Reserve, which is the first and only one of its kind in the
state, is a rehabilitation centre for baby orang-utans (gentle red apes found only in Borneo
and Sumatra) that are trained for eventual release into the rainforest. The Nature Reserve
is also home to countless small mammals, over 60 species of birds, 30 species of
butterflies and a wide spectrum of indigenous flora.
The orang-utans translocated to the reserve are given sanctuary from the men who
trapped them while the orang-utans were infants. As the orang-utans have never had to
fend for themselves, it is unlikely that they would survive if they were released into the
wilderness.
The Rasa Ria Nature Reserve provides a home for these orang-utans until
such time they are ready for rehabilitation into their natural habitat.
A Nature Interpretation Centre, designed to foster education and conservation of
Borneo’s unique natural environment, opened on 29 November 2005. The centre adjoins
the acclaimed Nature Reserve at Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu.
diverse
eco-facility
complements
the
Nature
Reserve’s
15-year
history
The
in the
rehabilitation of baby orang-utans.
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The centre includes a dedicated Forest Garden, viewing and feeding platforms, an
observation tower, treetop canopy walkway, nocturnal animal watch area, a veterinary
clinic, nursery and animal food preparation kitchen, meeting hall for daily briefings and
audiovisual presentations, and a reference library.
Wildlife around every corner
Visitors have always been fascinated by the twice daily feeding of the baby orang-utans.
There are now specially built viewing areas, although visitors might well encounter one
of these irresistible apes along the forest trails as well. Other engaging creatures in the
reserve include the tiny mouse deer and the beautiful Bornean long-tailed macaque,
which swings through the forest like a furry pendulum.
Flourishing plant life
The Nature Interpretation Centre gardens have been planted with indigenous herbs,
medicinal plants, shrubs and trees, letting visitors learn about native flora before they first
step foot on the trails. In the reserve itself, alien plants and trees are continuously being
replaced with native species.
As the indigenous vegetation takes over, increasing
numbers of insects and other creatures have made their way to the reserve.
Behind the scenes
Anyone who fancies the idea of being a ranger for the day can learn about the
temperament, habits and food preferences of the different animals, as they help the
rangers with their daily activities. Children can get in on the act, too, helping prepare the
food for those animals that need supplementary feeding.
Guided walks twice a day take visitors along the trails of the reserve, and dedicated bird
watchers can venture out in the cool early morning with a ranger to look for some of the
63 species found in the Nature Reserve and surrounding areas of the resort.
14
First-hand conservation
Thanks to its highly successful collaboration with the State Wildlife Department,
Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu has offered visitors the chance to assist
directly in Sabah’s conservation since 1996.
One way for visitors to make a long-term commitment is to foster any of the animals
within the reserve. Guests can also leave a lasting legacy by planting a native fruit tree in
the Nature Reserve.
15
DALIT BAY GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Whether a casual player or a dedicated sportsman, all visiting golfers deserve the
luxurious comfort of Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu, which is superbly
located on Pantai Dalit, a beach just half an hour from Kota Kinabalu. The resort is near
the beautifully sculptured Dalit Bay Golf and Country Club, an 18-hole, par 72
championship course designed by golfing architect Ted Parslow. Traversing between the
Tambalang and Mengkabong rivers and set amidst the stunning tropical jungle and
wetlands, nature has been skilfully incorporated.
Beautifully manicured Tifway grass
fairways and Tifdwarf greens glide through this natural landscape, with stunning views of
the South China Sea and Mount Kinabalu providing the inspiration for golfers of all
abilities on this challenging course.
Avoiding the water and wetlands are of the highest
priority as they come into play on almost every hole. Once successfully navigated, the
approaches to the carefully bunkered and undulating greens provide a stern test for the
aspirations of those seeking a good golf score.
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Dalit Bay’s clubhouse has all the amenities
golfers look for.
Among them, an aquatic
driving range with 15 bays, chipping area,
practice green, pro-shop, golfers’ terrace and
a spa. Adjacent is the five-star Shangri-La’s
Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu, which
houses several restaurants, a fitness centre, a
wide menu of recreational activities and a
64-acre nature reserve.
If all this proves too much, then sit, relax and rejuvenate in the beautiful facilities that
complement this wonderful course.
With an open-air golfers terrace, air-conditioned
clubhouse, pro shop, and the wonderful The Spa at Dalit Bay (which has over 30 spa
treatments in which you can indulge) to choose from, then your golfing experience is sure
to end on a high note.
For enquiries, please contact Dalit Bay Golf and Country Club at telephone (60 88) 791 188 or
e-mail dalitbaygolf.rrr@shangri-la.com. Alternatively, log in to www.dalitbaygolf.com.my.
17
THE SUNSETS AND SCENTS OF SABAH ARE SHOWCASED
AT THE OCEAN WING
OF SHANGRI-LA’S RASA RIA RESORT, KOTA KINABALU
Surrounded by 400 acres of verdant vegetation
and the resort’s own nature reserve, the fivestorey
Ocean
Wing
offers
90
sea-facing
Premier guestrooms.
The lobby and courtyard feature vertical walls
of granite, columns of cascading water, bamboo
partitions and gardens that usher visitors along a pathway and gradually reveal the broad
vista of the South China Sea.
The
Ocean
Wing’s
90-square-metre
Premier Rooms are amongst the most
spacious in the region.
decor
features
native
All guestroom
selangan
batu
hardwood, locally inspired ornamentation
and
earth
colours
reflecting
Sabah’s
natural environment, yet are equipped with
a full array of modern amenities.
Check-in for all arriving visitors takes place in the
guestroom.
Guests are invited to select daily from a complimentary menu of scents – lemon grass,
jasmine, markisa (local passion fruit) or frangipani – all with aromatherapy benefits. In
the evening, the chosen scent essence is released from a candlelit oil burner, thoughtfully
lit by housekeeping staff.
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Each room’s terrace comes complete with a private outdoor bathtub for two. A choice of
arranged bathing experiences includes such special touches as candlelight, flower petals,
chocolate and champagne, for a special toast to the Sabah sunset.
A free-form swimming pool and 30-metre lap pool are reserved for the private use of
Ocean Wing guests, as is The Coast restaurant for breakfast.
19
THE SPA AT DALIT BAY GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu is proud to
present The Spa at Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club.
The inspiration for the spa came from the land of Sabah
itself – from the colourful traditions of indigenous
cultures, the stunning natural landscapes, the wide open
spaces that engender a feeling of peace and tranquillity
and from the warm and welcoming people of the Land
Below the Wind.
The atmosphere upon entering The Spa is one of simplicity, serenity and peace, helped
along no doubt by its rich earth tones and natural resources, including local, hardy woods
such as “Sabah Oak” and “Sepilih” for the floors and bamboo motive for the walls, as
well as the sound of gentle running water in the background.
The Spa boasts seven luxury treatment rooms – two double suites and five single rooms –
all of which have been named after spices, flowers or fruits, such as “Cinnamon,”
“Jasmine” and “Ananas,” all well-known for their healing or general well-being
properties.
Treatments utilise a combination of exquisite herbs and essential oils and age-old,
incomparable traditional techniques using river stones from the rivers of Sabah and
aromatic poultices.
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Guests are encouraged to try some of the more unusual spa treatments.
Especially
noteworthy are the signature treatments such as the heavenly sounding “Heaven and
Earth,” the relaxing “Marine Elixir” and the rejuvenating and cleansing “Romance
Journey” that start off with a sensual foot ritual and culminates in an invigorating rose or
green tea butter wrap and full body massage.
One aspect of the new spa is the ‘Sense of Place’ experience created using natural
products and authentic treatments with revitalising and therapeutic benefits for personal
peace and well-being, such as the specialised “Golfers Reviver” to pamper and rejuvenate
the tired golfer who has just battled the 18 holes of Dalit Bay Golf Course; the mixed use
of medicinal mud and healing waters for detoxification and relaxation in “In Harmony”;
and the mild body scrub with rice powder and stone in the “Sabahan Experience,” which
was inspired by the clear, pristine rivers of the state. To further enhance the experience,
intuitive therapists with a caring touch are skilfully trained to carry out treatments to
rejuvenate the body and soothe the senses.
With the introduction of the luxury Spa at Dalit Bay and its unique and fascinating brand
of treatments, all of which begin with a purifying foot ritual, the 5-star Shangri-La’s Rasa
Ria Resort just became that much a better place to relax and indulge in the best of what
life has to offer.
21
WEDDINGS AT SHANGRI-LA’S RASA RIA RESORT, KOTA KINABALU
The focal point of weddings at Shangri-La’s
Rasa Ria Resort,
Kota Kinabalu is the
specially built Wedding Pavilion, approached
by a meandering walkway through landscaped
gardens.
The bride can opt to either walk
along the path or ride in style on a specially
decorated buggy, a perfect reflection of the
golf course that is an indelible part of the
resort’s identity. A trellis – ideal for the bride
to make a stunning entrance – gives on to a
20-metre walkway, flanked by lawns where
the guests are seated.
The romantic yet elegant Wedding Pavilion where the ceremony is conducted is an opensided structure with massive pillars of local wood, topped by a soaring roof of thick alang
alang thatch. Live music can add to the atmosphere, whether the couple’s taste runs to a
classical string quartet, a soprano, a jazz band or the local gamelan or gong orchestra.
Each couple has their own preferences, not just during the ceremony itself but also for the
post-marriage celebration.
If it is an intimate wedding party with no more than eight
guests, one of the three Gazebos, a private dining pavilion right on the beach in front of
the resort’s strikingly designed Coast restaurant, offers the most romantic venue
imaginable.
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Couples who opt to stay on at Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu after the
marriage ceremony will enjoy the attention showered upon honeymooners, including
flower petals arranged in a heart shape on the bed and scattered loosely in a half-filled
bathtub.
PRESS CONTACT
Tina Goh
Director of Communications
Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort
Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club
Tel
: 6088 797888 (General) 6088 796850 (Direct)
Fax
: 6088 791777
Email : tina.goh@shangri- la.com
Digital images are available on request
Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort
Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club
P.O Box 600, Tuaran 89208, Sabah, Malaysia Tel: 6088 797888 Fax: 6088 791777
Email: rrr@shangri-la.com www.shangri- la.com
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