Kota Kinabalu Travel Forum

Hello all!

It would be my family's first time to travel to KK. The OC that I am, I'd like to do a LOT of research in advance...and I guess it's also because I'm very much excited already :)

Anyway, has anyone tried booking with AirAsia and availed of their airfare + hotel package? Is it better to get that or to book with the hotel separately?

Also other things I need your help on:
1. How many days is adviseable to stay in KK?
2. Which is better to stay at: STAR or Shangri-La Rasa Ria?
3. Food - anything we shouldn't miss?
4. Nightlife
5. Tours - what to try when you're staying for 4d/4n only? Also, where can we get a tour package for 7-8pax that's not too expensive?
6. Shopping
7. Budget - how much should we bring per pax?

Thank you in advance!
Sansan

Hi there...I travel to KK almost every year for more than 10 years now. Here are some tips for your trip:

Place to stay:
Depending on what u want to do. Shangrila Rasa Ria is far, about 1 hour to Tuaran. Nexus Karambunai is about half hour. That if u intend to just chill out or play golf. Otherwise, some hotels to check out in the city is Promenade, Hyatt, La Meridien (its right across the market). Promenade is across the waterfront eating area. I think it's Anjung Senja or Anjung Selera. Can't remember which is which, as the other one is in Likas.

Things to check out in KK:
1. Sunday market at Gaya Street
2. Handicrafts at the Filipino Market
3. Island hopping
4. Museum
5. Monsopiad Cultural Village

Others:
1. Travel to the mountain. You can book your chalets from the State park. Even if you don't intend to climb the mount, you can just chill out at the national park office area. From there, travel to Ranau, then Kundasang. Lots of vege/flowers to buy along the way. Proceed to Poring hot spring.
4. For island experience, you can pick up any boat to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. Similarly, you can also stay at some of them. One option is the Gayana Eco Resort at Gaya island. Some activities to do are kayakking, trekking and snorkelling. If you don't want to spend the night, take the boat & have lunch there. The restaurant is above the water.
5. If you have some time to spare, visit Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, Kudat. It's the northern tip of Borneo. Superb view. The disadvantage is that it's 2 hours drive from KK.

To buy:
1. Pearls (you can find it at the filipino market)
2. Local handicrafts and those imported
3. Seafood (both fresh & dried)
4. Kuih cincin

To eat:
1. Seafood...One recommended restaurant would be the Kampung Nelayan restaurant. Be there early, about 7pm. There's a cultural performance. Another one would at the Garden Seafood, at the junction near the airport.
2. Lokan bakar and kelapa bakar (at Salut, along the Sulaman coastal road)
3. Local fruits (Bambangan, Tarap)
4. Local dish: Ambuyat (goey stuff made from Sago flour), Hinava (Equivalent to Sarawak's Umai. It's raw fish, cooked in lime juice. Varied fish are being used).

Guess that's abt it. Hope that helps.

Rasa Ria is very isolated and about 30mins drive from the town. We stayed at the Shangri La Tanjung Aru which in our opinion, having visited Rasa Ria for the Orangutang sanctuary, is the better of the two hotels if you don't want to solely stay in the hotel for meals etc.

If you want to go horse riding whilst in KK visit <http://www.kindawan.com/Great%20Rides.htm> I went twice over christmas for amazing beach rides which was truly out of this world and the owner/horses/staff etc are all first class! Its a real fab expereince even for those who have never been on a horse before!

i suggest you get a travel n tour card for holidays that is lifetime card. and the card will get you discount up to 55% for each rooms u booked... and u get insurance cover for 40K for 1 year free! and also get alots of package. try sms firdous +60129770423 he will call u back, he the one who offer me the card, its really worthy!!!. i just bought the membership card which there no expired date and alot of things that good for travel and if you want to travel, you no need to worry about booking, they can do it for you and you get 3 days 2 night free of charged and you can bring all your family!! the card, is RM399 for whole life. its really worthy it. if the number its wrong.. hit me, i will look it for you guys!

Hi Sansan,

I see you are from Manila as well. Its good that you will be visiting KK, if you like relaxation and just a few days of adventure then you will love KK as I have fallen in love with the food, places and of course the people. You can check out my Kota Kinabalu page or go to http://adreamcatcher.multiply.com/photos

I have a couple of packages that you may be interested in, as well as provide you with some tips for the trip. Email me at dream2wander@aol.com so I can email you information. You can also text me at 09172085317.

Looking forward to hear from you.

Mhay

Hi Mhay!

Thank you, unfortunately, we have changed our plans and will be going to KL instead. But will definitely let u know when we're going to KK. :)

surely! ill be in KK for an entire month so lemme see what else I can cook up on packages and tips. see you in kk.