Shangri-La Rasa Ria With Kids: A Borneo Family Resort Full of Adventure
Some family hotels give children a pool and a playroom. Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu gives them bunk beds, waterslides, rainforest trails, traditional crafts, live music and a long sandy beach to explore.
Set on Sabah's coast in Malaysian Borneo, the resort combines a relaxed beach holiday with something much more memorable: direct access to the Rasa Ria Reserve, a protected coastal forest where families can hike, learn about local wildlife and experience a different side of Borneo.
Our girls loved the bunk beds in our family room, racing down the pool slides and spending time at the Cool Zone Kids Club. They painted their own batiks, listened to local musicians in the lobby and ended the day strolling along the beach with us.
For our family, that combination made Shangri-La Rasa Ria far more than a fly-and-flop resort. It was active without being exhausting, educational without feeling like school and luxurious without making us worry that children had to be quiet all day.
UKI Travels at a glance: Best for families who want a beach resort with excellent children's facilities, meaningful nature experiences and an introduction to Sabah's culture. Also a good base if you plan on exploring the rest of the island, however it is important to note that it is at least 4 hours away from Sepilok. Because the resort's former juvenile orangutan rehabilitation program has concluded and animals have been transferred back to Sepilok, flying to the east coast of Sabah is the most reliable way to see them.
Why Shangri-La Rasa Ria is so good for families
The resort occupies an expansive coastal setting at Pantai Dalit, outside central Kota Kinabalu. Its scale gives families room to slow down: there are tropical gardens, swimming pools, a broad beach, children's facilities, restaurants and the adjoining nature reserve.
What impressed us most was the balance. The girls had activities designed specifically for them, while we still felt immersed in the landscape and culture of Borneo.
A day could begin with a nature walk, continue with pool slides and the kids' club, and end with local music in the lobby or a walk along the sand. There was enough variety to keep the children excited without needing to organise an excursion every day.
The family room and bunk beds
The bunk beds were an immediate success.
Shangri-La's Garden Wing Family Balcony Room gives children their own sleeping area, with bunks and a plush toy. The current room description notes that the children's beds are designed for approximately ages seven to eleven, so check suitability if your children are younger, older or particularly tall.
Having dedicated children's beds made the room feel like part of the holiday rather than somewhere everyone simply collapsed at night. The girls had a space that felt made for them, while we retained a comfortable grown-up bedroom area.
Families should check the precise room name when booking because the resort offers several family-friendly configurations. The Family Garden Room, standard rooms with convertible sofa beds and larger accommodation may suit different ages and family sizes.
Confirm maximum occupancy, bed dimensions and any cot or extra-bed requirements directly with the hotel. Room names and configurations can change, and photographs on third-party booking sites may not represent every category.
Pools and waterslides
Pool time was one of the girls' favourite parts of the stay, particularly the slides.
The main pool sits within the resort's gardens, with a children's pool nearby. It is easy to alternate between energetic play and quieter time on a lounger, which makes the pool area work for families with children of different confidence levels.
The slides added the excitement our girls wanted and gave them a reason to ask for 'one more go' every time we tried to leave.
Opening hours, slide access and height or supervision requirements may change, so check the rules on arrival. As with any tropical resort, bring high-factor sun protection and encourage regular water breaks even when the children are spending most of the day in the pool.
Cool Zone Kids Club
The Cool Zone Kids Club gave our girls another space to play, create and meet other children.
The club currently operates during the day and offers supervised activities, with some programmes included and others potentially carrying an additional charge. Certain packages specify access for children aged four and over, but parents should confirm the current age bands, sign-in rules and supervision arrangements for their booking.
We particularly liked that the club was one part of a much broader family experience. Children were not confined indoors; the wider resort also offered pools, beach time, sports, nature and cultural activities.
Reserve popular sessions in advance during school holidays and ask for the weekly programme as soon as you arrive. That makes it easier to plan adult spa time or a quiet meal around the activities the children most want to join.
Painting batik
One of the most meaningful activities for our girls was painting batik.
Batik is an important textile tradition in Malaysia, using wax-resist techniques to create colourful patterns on fabric. The session gave the children a creative activity and a gentle introduction to local culture.
They loved making something themselves, and the finished pieces became far more personal souvenirs than anything we could have bought in a shop.
Craft activities vary according to the resort schedule, and some may require booking or an additional fee. If batik painting is important to your family, contact the hotel before arrival rather than assuming it will run every day.
Exploring the Rasa Ria Reserve
The reserve is what truly differentiates Rasa Ria from many other beach resorts.
The Rasa Ria Reserve protects 64 acres of coastal forest beside the hotel. Families can visit its Discovery Centre and choose from guided activities designed to introduce guests to the rainforest, plants and wildlife of Sabah.
We enjoyed hiking through the reserve with the girls. Being able to walk from a luxury resort into a protected forest made nature feel accessible rather than intimidating.
The resort promotes several hiking trails, ranging from gentler exploration to the short but elevated route towards Timpak Pogimpaan. A sunrise walk can reward early risers with views towards Mount Kinabalu when conditions are clear.
Choose a walk appropriate to your children's ages and fitness. The tropical heat and humidity can make even a modest climb feel demanding, so carry water, wear closed shoes and use insect repellent. Guided experiences may have age restrictions, require advance booking or cost extra.
The reserve is a genuine natural environment rather than a landscaped theme-park trail. Families should listen carefully to guides, avoid touching wildlife and stay on designated paths.
Adventure Point and outdoor play
Families wanting more active play can also explore the reserve's Adventure Point area.
Current information describes Bornean animal sculptures, balancing beams, swings, climbing areas and a sandpit with dinosaur bones. Other challenge elements may include aerial nets, ropes and a tunnel slide, subject to age, height and operating rules.
This is a useful option when children want an adventure but the family is not ready for a longer hike. As always, check whether the area is complimentary, bookable or tied to a particular reserve ticket.
Live local music in the lobby
One of our favourite evening rituals was listening to live local music in the lobby.
During our stay, musicians performed daily, filling the open space with a real sense of place. The girls could listen without needing to sit through a formal concert, and it created a lovely transition between a day at the pool and dinner.
These performances made the resort feel connected to Sabah rather than interchangeable with any tropical hotel. Entertainment schedules change, so ask what will be taking place during your visit.
Strolling along Pantai Dalit beach
The resort fronts a long stretch of sand at Pantai Dalit, and our beach walks became some of the calmest moments of the holiday.
The girls could explore the shoreline while we enjoyed the space and changing light. Sunset is a particularly lovely time to walk, when the heat softens and everyone is ready to slow down.
Sea conditions can change, and safe swimming is not guaranteed every day. Follow the lifeguards' advice, observe warning flags and treat the beach as a beautiful place to walk and play even when the water is unsuitable.
The resort also offers marine and watersports activities at selected times. Confirm ages, weather requirements and charges before booking.
Dining at Shangri-La Rasa Ria
The resort has enough variety to keep a multi-night stay interesting, with Malaysian, wider Asian, international and Japanese options.
Coffee Terrace
Coffee Terrace is the convenient all-day dining choice, with international dishes and both indoor and outdoor seating. It is particularly useful for breakfast and for families whose children want familiar options.
Eligible Shangri-La Circle members staying in-house may receive complimentary buffet meals for up to two children aged six and under when dining with a paying adult. Terms can change, so confirm the benefit before relying on it.
Tepi Laut
Tepi Laut celebrates Malaysian and Southeast Asian flavours in a more atmospheric setting near the pool. Its inspiration comes from heritage street stalls and traditional open-fronted shops, making it a good choice for introducing children to local flavours.
Kozan
Kozan's teppanyaki format turns dinner into entertainment as food is prepared in front of guests. This can work particularly well with children who enjoy an interactive meal.
The Eighth
The Eighth offers contemporary Chinese cooking in the Garden Wing and can suit a more refined family dinner.
Restaurant operating days and concepts may vary. Reserve popular venues, ask about children's menus and check whether your rate includes breakfast, half board or a wider meal plan.
A relaxed four-night family itinerary
Day one: Arrive, settle into the bunk-bed family room and explore the resort. Finish with a beach walk and live music in the lobby.
Day two: Take a guided morning walk in the Rasa Ria Reserve. Spend the afternoon enjoying the pool and waterslides, followed by dinner at Tepi Laut.
Day three: Book a Cool Zone session and a batik-painting activity. Parents can use the quieter time for the spa or a relaxed lunch. Reunite for the beach at sunset.
Day four: Choose Adventure Point, a sunrise walk or another reserve experience. Keep the final afternoon unstructured for swimming and favourite activities.
Departure morning: Have breakfast, take one last stroll along Pantai Dalit and allow the girls a final visit to the pool if timings permit.
Getting to Shangri-La Rasa Ria
The resort is in Tuaran, outside central Kota Kinabalu. Current reserve information places it approximately 40 minutes from Kota Kinabalu International Airport and around 35 minutes from the city's commercial centre, although traffic can extend journey times.
A hotel transfer or pre-arranged private car is the simplest option for most families. Bring anything essential for younger children because the resort's peaceful location means you cannot simply walk into the city for forgotten supplies.
The distance from central Kota Kinabalu is both an advantage and a compromise. You gain beach, space and nature, but city restaurants and attractions require a drive.
Other family experiences in Sabah
Families staying longer may want to combine resort days with carefully chosen excursions:
Kota Kinabalu city: Markets, waterfront walks and local food.
Mari Mari Cultural Village: An introduction to Sabah's Indigenous cultures through a visitor experience; assess whether the format suits your family.
Island excursion: Boat trips towards the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, subject to sea conditions.
Kinabalu Park: A longer day trip towards the UNESCO-listed mountain landscape.
Sabah wildlife experiences: Choose responsible operators that prioritise animal welfare and habitat protection.
Do not overfill the itinerary. Rasa Ria's greatest strength is that the nature, beach and activities are already at the hotel.
What parents should know before booking
Check that the bunk beds are suitable for your children's ages and heights.
Request the weekly activities programme before or immediately after arrival.
Reserve Cool Zone, batik painting and guided reserve experiences during busy periods.
Ask which activities are complimentary and which carry additional charges.
Bring closed walking shoes, insect repellent, sun protection and refillable water bottles.
Follow guides and lifeguards regarding trail and sea conditions.
Confirm restaurant opening nights and meal-plan inclusions.
Allow extra transfer time when travelling to the airport or Kota Kinabalu.
Expect heat, humidity and occasional tropical rain.
Is Shangri-La Rasa Ria worth it for families?
For families wanting more than a conventional beach holiday, we think Shangri-La Rasa Ria is one of Sabah's most compelling resorts.
Our girls loved the bunk beds, pool slides and Cool Zone Kids Club. Batik painting gave them a creative connection to Malaysia, while the reserve hikes made the natural setting part of the holiday rather than just a beautiful backdrop.
We also treasured the quieter moments: listening to local musicians in the lobby and walking together along the beach.
The resort's distance from central Kota Kinabalu requires planning, and some activities may cost extra. But that relative seclusion creates the space for Rasa Ria's greatest strengths—nature, culture, play and family time—to come together.
It is exactly the kind of hotel we look for at UKI Travels: somewhere children feel genuinely excited to stay, while parents experience a destination rather than simply a collection of family facilities.
Plan and book your stay
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