Celebrate the Queen’s big day at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa

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How to celebrate the special day (birthday or Mother’s day) of your mum? On my parents recent trip to Kota Kinabalu which coincides with her birthday, I arranged a staycation at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa. Located just 10 minutes away from the city, Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa provide the perfect setting for an amazing tropical getaway. Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort provides lots of activities for relaxation and pampering for my queen. Perfect destination for my dad and mum.

On arrival we were greeted at the door, our bags were handled for us and we were ushered to reception for a speedy and friendly check-in.When we first walk into the room on the arrival day, A surprising bouquet of red roses waiting in the room bringing a big smile to my mum. But flowers are just the beginning.

Sunset Bar

First things I bring them to the coolest bar in town, Sunset Bar
Gold spreading the ocean, glorious balmy afternoons to chill and catch a glimpse of the with breeze beautiful sunset is the Sunset Bar with the breeze with a grill on the hook, cool draught beer.This sunset experience out at sea adds a whole new dimension to the beauty that envelopes the already charming scenery.

the mini burgers, satay and grills on hooks perfectly supplement the already amazing sunset view.

Fuad, the bartender performing flairs

The million dollar view, a good start to a wonderful staycation

2nd day

Our upgraded room comes with access to the Kinabalu club lounge we where have our breakfast.
Dad enjoyed access to the amazing Club Lounge, with a special privileges and amenities.
During the evening, we got to enjoy the evening cocktail on the upper floors of a most beautiful building overlooking the sea.

Boat Riding
As my day is Suffering from pain from osteoarthritis, the management is thoughtful enough to organize for us a 4 seater buggies and drive us to the Star Marina.

We had a wonderful day on the water. With private boat ride to the nearby Tunku Abdul Rahman marine park, visiting five islands, Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Sulug and Mamutik, enjoying the sea breeze and bounce. Star Marina is one of the three official jetties for visit to the marine park and providing much convenience to the hotel guest to discover the nearby islands.

Borneo Lounge

Borneo lounge offers relaxing drinks and light refreshments We were served with three-tier stand freshly baked pastries, cakes and bread. The scrumptious delights come with a pot of tea or coffee before our manicure session.

Pedicure & Manicure
Every woman loves to be pampered and a pedicure & manicure session at the Nail Spa is the best place to pamper the queen. We sat in a big massage chair, had a good variety of colors to choose from. The whole experience therapeutic, refreshing & really lovely. it was such a pleasant experience to be attended to so professionally, good-naturedness who paid a lot of attention to detail to my nails and did it to perfection good-naturedness of both “our manicurists Mel and Ziana.

We got to enjoy a private session with mom-daughter private gossip session while the shaping, filing and polishing leave us with the most immaculate looking nails.

Family dinner at Shang Palace

My parents prefer Chinese foods for dinner and we had hot pot with fresh seafood. The hot pot comes with clear soup and tom yum base. Natural broth and fresh seafood paste are prepared daily, with live seafood varieties available like tiger prawns, clams, crabs, fish, jelly fish scallop, there are also a wide selection of freshness seafood which is on display in the in-house aquarium ensuring the freshness of the ingredients in your very own hotpot.

Freshly made seafood

Fresh seafood hot pot

3rd day

Sunrise breakfast

The next morning, we had a private breakfast at the sunset bar. The difference between sunset bar during
Sunrise from a sunset is that there is mist in the air in the morning due to the cooler temperatures overnight, colors are less saturated, mainly a bright pale yellow can indicate it. Sunset, the colors are very warm and saturated, aiming more towards the reds, oranges, pinks, and blues. Breakfast deck definitely a unique experience. Witnessing the first rays of morning sunlight on Sunset Bar on a glory morning.

We had the whole place to ourselves enjoying the morning breeze. The friendly staffs ensure we are comfortable while waiting for the chef to prepare our breakfast set from the live cooking station setup at the bar area.

Chi Spa

We had a spa session at the Chi Spa before we check out. Chi Spa is located on an island attached to the resort and recently won the Spa award at Sabah Tourism Award 2017.

Beautiful nature surrounding the Chi Spa area. Each individual spa villa is sea facing with utmost privacy.

Comfortably tranquil surroundings, the gardens and surrounds are so beautiful, the spa rooms are divine.
Such incredible beautiful setting. The rooms are so charming, marigolds and gorgeous wood carvings on the walls, it all adds to the feeling of Borneo luxury. The mellow environment of the landscape and interior already capturing body and soul before treatment.

we had a deep tissue massage for 60 mins followed by a 60minutes relaxing aromatherapy massage, 60 minutes rejuvenating facial.
The massage was perfect and I have never felt better – perfect pressure and I felt like I was in very experienced hands with the skilled massage therapist.They take every measure to ensure your satisfaction. They are very thorough and meticulous in everything they do. Great technique. Perfect pressure. In the most breathtaking setting.

Fact is – Chi spa is not just exclusive spa on an is where you spend some relaxing time, it is a healing therapy that you take home and it lasts.Even now as I sit and close my eyes; I can feel the ocean breeze, smell the typical scent and hear the softly “ do you feel comfortable Ms. Joanne, and I answer to myself- “ Yes, I feel wonderfull”.

We felt indulged and enjoyed the treatment, mum received a surprise complimentary Royal Songket Bag, a wonderful souvenir after the staycation at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa. She feels fresh and rejuvenated after before her flight back to Kuala Lumpur.