Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / Malaysia / Kota Kinabalu / Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu
Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia · Shangri-La · High Luxury
Set on Borneo's Pantai Dalit Beach since 1996, Shangri-La Rasa Ria ran one of Southeast Asia's most unusual hotel conservation projects: a 64-acre on-site nature reserve, established in June 1996 with Sabah's State Wildlife Department, that spent two decades rehabilitating orphaned orangutans before successfully relocating the last individuals to Sepilok in 2016. Today the reserve shelters over 80 bird species endemic to Borneo.
- 494 rooms
- Opened 1996
- Rooms from 388 sq ft (36 m²)
About Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu
- The resort established a 64-acre nature reserve in June 1996 with Sabah's State Wildlife Department specifically to rehabilitate orphaned Bornean orangutans — the programme concluded successfully in 2016 when all rehabilitated individuals were transferred to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
- The resort occupies 400 acres of tropical forest at Pantai Dalit, giving it one of the largest land footprints of any Shangri-La property, with a 3-kilometre private white-sand beach and an 18-hole par-72 championship golf course.
- Rasa Ria holds both GSTC Certification 2025–2028 and the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award 2026–2028 — a dual international sustainability credential rarely achieved simultaneously.
- Entry-level rooms start at 388 sq ft (36 m²).
History
Shangri-La Rasa Ria opened in 1996 as a luxury beach resort on Pantai Dalit, featuring a low-rise design reflecting local architectural style and spanning 400 acres of landscaped gardens. In 2012, it underwent a major US$20 million refurbishment of the Garden Wing's 326 guestrooms and public areas following the Ocean Wing upgrade. The resort established the 64-acre Rasa Ria Nature Reserve in collaboration with Sabah's State Wildlife Department to rehabilitate endangered local fauna, enhancing its cultural and ecological significance in Sabah.
The setting
Located on Pantai Dalit in Tuaran, 40-45 minutes north of Kota Kinabalu International Airport, the resort sits where the rainforest meets the South China Sea, offering a 3km private white-sand beach and views toward Mount Kinabalu.
Restaurants and bars
- Coffee Terrace — Café · International
- Kozan Teppan-yaki — Restaurant · Japanese
- Tepi Laut — Restaurant · Local hawker specialities
- Oceano Modern Grill — Restaurant · Seafood
- The Eighth — Restaurant · Chinese
- Sampan Bar — Poolside · Beach bar
- Golfer Terrace — Restaurant · Local
- Ice Monkee — Café · Ice cream bar
Experiences
- Borneo Sunrise — A hike up to enjoy the sunrise.
- 18-hole championship golf course, club house, putting green and driving range — 18-hole championship golf course with club house, putting green and driving range.
- Rasa Ria Reserve — Rasa Ria Reserve featuring native animals and plants.
- Explore Sabah — Journey into vibrant Sabah, a haven for nature enthusiasts, with its natural wonders and local culture.
- Watersports activities, fishing, river boat tour — Watersports activities, fishing and river boat tour.
- Horseback riding, cycling, nature walks, jet ski and ATV — Horseback riding, cycling, nature walks, jet ski and ATV.
Amenities
- private beach
- spa
- gym
- multiple pools
- 18-hole golf course
- 64-acre nature reserve
- kids club
- yoga
- Hot tub
- Tennis
- Water sports
- Horseback riding
- EV charging
Awards
- ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award 2026-2028
- GSTC Certified 2025-2028
- No.4 Malaysia’s Best Beach & Upcountry Resort
- Top 10 Best Malaysia Resorts
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