PRESS KIT CONTENTS. Resort Factsheet 2. A Taste of Happiness 6. Nature Reserve enhances conservation efforts 12. Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club 16

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1 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

2 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 Rooms Area (m 2 ) Premier Superior Rainforest Deluxe Gardenview Deluxe Seaview Executive Seaview Executive Suite 8 72 Specialty Suite 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

3 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

4 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 Cuisine Coast Restaurant & Bar 100 Beachside Western contemporary Coffee Terrace 260 Level 1 International cuisine and buffet 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 Sampan Bar 60 Beachfront Cocktails & beverages Golfers Terrace 150 Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club Snacks & beverages 4

5 BANQUET AND CONFERENCE ROOMS Ceiling Venue Capacity Dimensions Area Height Reception Theatre Banquet Classroom (m) (sqm) (m) Lobby Level White Orchid x Green Orchid x Purple Orchid x Orchid Rooms x Heliconia x Gardenia x Jasmine x Lower Lobby Level Pink Frangipani x White Frangipani x Frangipani Rooms x Red Frangipani x Ballroom x Ballroom x Grand Ballroom x Ballroom Foyer

6 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. Sabah s remarkable natural attractions 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. 6

7 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. 7

8 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 orangutans can be seen twice a day enjoying a meal of bananas on a platform just a couple of minutes walk from the reserve s entrance. The antics of these young orangutans 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. 8

9 In line with its concern for preserving the environment, Rasa Ria has received ISO 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

10 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 within the grounds with the magnificent par 72, 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! 10

11 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

12 SHANGRI-LA S RASA RIA RESORT, KOTA KINABALU S NATURE RESERVE ENHANCES CONSERVATION EFFORTS The Nature Reserve was established by Shangri- La s Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu in collaboration with the State Wildlife Department of Sabah in June 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. 12

13 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 The centre adjoins the acclaimed Nature Reserve at Shangri-La s Rasa Ria Resort, Kota Kinabalu. The diverse eco-facility complements the Nature Reserve s 15-year history in the rehabilitation of baby orang-utans. 13

14 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

15 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 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

16 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. 16

17 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) or dalitbaygolf.rrr@shangri-la.com. Alternatively, log in to 17

18 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. a full array of modern amenities. guestroom. The Ocean Wing s 90-square-metre Premier Rooms are amongst the most spacious in the region. All guestroom decor features native selangan batu hardwood, locally inspired ornamentation and earth colours reflecting Sabah s natural environment, yet are equipped with Check-in for all arriving visitors takes place in the 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. 18

19 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

20 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. 20

21 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

22 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. 22

23 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 : (General) (Direct) Fax : 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: Fax: rrr@shangri-la.com 23