In love with the idea of a destination wedding? Try Kota Kinabalu

Since a lot of friends will be tying the knot soon (others are "almost there"), I figured this article can be resurrected. In 2009, wedding planner extraordinaire Rita Neri invited a group of writers and wedding suppliers for a familiarization tour in the two Shangri-La resorts in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia: Tanjung Aru and Rasa Ria. With more and more couples opting for destination weddings, here are two venue options for those of you exchanging vows. Note, however, that prices of wedding packages may already be different at this time.

Whether you plan to say "I do" or just want to experience the sights and sounds of the place, there's something to look forward to in Sabah. Find out in this article published on August 23, 2009 in The Philippine Star.

In love with the idea of a destination wedding? Try KK

Admit it. Whether you call yourself a true-blue hopeless romantic or the antithesis of it, you probably have, at least once in your lifetime, pictured how you’ve wanted your wedding to be. And of course, you’ve always dreamed of it to be nothing but perfect. There is really something about weddings that strikes a chord in our hearts.

While it is true that most couples opt for a traditional wedding, there are those who are eager to skip the fuss and discover some more exciting ways to get married. No wonder destination weddings are becoming more and more popular in the recent past. If the engaged couple is truly in love with the idea of exchanging “I do’s” somewhere else, then a two-hour flight to Kota Kinabalu (capital city of Sabah, Malaysia) may just make their dream wedding come true.

Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa

Set amidst 25 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens on a peninsula surrounded by the waters of the South China Sea, Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa first opened in 1983 and consists of the four-story Tanjung Wing (facing the sea and the long sweep of Tanjung Aru beach) and the seven-story Kinabalu Wing. Using natural timber and indigenous fabrics, the 492 well-appointed rooms were designed to reflect the relaxed, easy-going lifestyle of Sabah. All rooms open onto a private balcony with panoramic views of the gardens, the sea and the outlying islands.

Shangri-La Tanjung Aru.
Photo courtesy of www.shangri-la.com/kotakinabalu/tanjungaruresort/

I had this Kinabalu Wing Sea View room all for myself!
Photo courtesy of www.shangri-la.com/kotakinabalu/tanjungaruresort/

Ah, the view from my room.

Our group of writers and wedding suppliers from Manila was billeted at the newly refurbished Kinabalu Wing. The rooms in this wing take advantage of the spectacular sea view and offer the ultimate in modern luxury for its discerning guests. An ingenious new room layout positions the generous-sized bed next to the glass door and window, giving guests a stunning view without having to step out of bed. Even the bathroom affords one the view with its large clear glass window. Modern convenience was also considered with the availability of broadband Internet connections (as in all Shangri-La hotels and resorts), as well as energy and environment management systems.

This writer choosing her massage oil. 

Tanjung Aru also houses the famous Chi Spa, which consists of five single Garden Villas, three Couple Villas and an open Yoga Pavilion. My spa attendant Rosveni (who gushes that almost all Malaysians know Filipino actor Jericho Rosales) let me experience a soothing one-hour Borneo Therapy Massage. The massage was so calming that it tamed my active muscles. (At the reception, I found out that my element was Earth, the element of active and dynamic individuals who love the outdoors.)

They use this to massage guests at Chi Spa in Shangri-La Tanjung Aru. 

Located just 10 minutes away from the Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Tanjung Aru is an ideal setting for most wedding and honeymoon destinations because there are a number of activities that couples can choose from to ensure that they have a memorable stay — island hopping, windsurfing, water-skiing, white water rafting and trekking the slopes of KK’s peak, the Mt. Kinabalu. Tanjung Aru also claims to being one of Asia’s destinations with the most recreational facilities.

“The market is consistently evolving and demanding new and exciting wedding destinations. The resort is able to provide the perfect backdrop for these uniquely exclusive weddings because of our picture-perfect gardens, immaculate service and event coordination experience,” says Tanjung Aru GM Andrew Steele.

Brides- and grooms-to-be who are planning to have their marriage solemnized in the resort will find its Solemnization Package (RM 6,500++) irresistible since all they have to do is arrange for their flight to KK because the resort’s event managers will take care of everything — from registration, to the wedding set-up and intimate dinner or banquet. Couples from as far as the UK, Belgium, Amsterdam, Australia and Japan have recognized the impeccable tranquility of the resort’s surroundings that they opted to hold their Big Day there. In fact, according to Tanjung Aru events management director Ravindran Isperan, the resort was able to successfully deliver five different weddings in a day last year (August 8, 2008).

This writer by the Executive Level of the resort.

Printsonalities' Noky Gatmaitan, this writer, Flower & Events' Teddy Manuel and writer Ani Hila by the Battery Center in Kota Kinabalu.

Teksi! This red cab will take you to your destination.

Shangri-La Tanjung Aru at sunset.

Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort­

With a setting like this — a glorious long white sandy beach fringing the South China Sea and cradled by a jungle headland with a backdrop of Sabah’s icon, Mt. Kinabalu — Rasa Ria Resort has been consistently ranked one of the highest in the Shangri-La group and has received accolades from leading tourism publications and the Sabah Tourism Board. Not surprising at all since the resort allows one to enjoy the highlights of Sabah without having to leave the premises of the resort.

Rasa Ria first opened its doors in 1996 and has recently built a new wing that further reinforces the resort’s position as one of the finest getaways in the region. Surrounded by a sprawling 400 acres of verdant vegetation and the resort’s own Nature Reserve, the five-story Ocean Wing (where our group stayed) offers 90 sea-facing Premier guestrooms. Furnished in restful earth colors and natural wood, each room’s terrace comes complete with a private outdoor bathtub for two and an oversized bathroom. Guests can also select from a complimentary menu of scents with aromatherapy benefits. To ensure the privacy of guests occupying the Ocean Wing rooms, a number of facilities are reserved for their exclusive use.

Welcome to Shangri-La Rasa Ria.
Photo courtesy of www.shangri-la.com/kotakinabalu/rasariaresort/

This Ocean Wing premier room was too huge for me. But it was breathtaking, especially when I had my own bathtub at the balcony of the room.
Photo courtesy of http://www.shangri-la.com/kotakinabalu/rasariaresort/

Rasa Ria’s Malay name means “a taste of happiness” and the resort proves its name with an extensive range of dining options. Our group was able to sample a satisfying gastronomic feast in the Malaysian hawker-style Tepi Laut Restaurant.

We had our first dinner Malaysian-style, of course, in Tepi Laut Restaurant.
Photo courtesy of http://www.shangri-la.com/kotakinabalu/rasariaresort/

And our last dinner in Coast Restaurant and Bar.
Photo courtesy of http://www.shangri-la.com/kotakinabalu/rasariaresort/

Since the resort promises its guests only the best out of their stay, an array of activities is designed for all ages. There are activities that the younger set can enjoy at the Kids’ Club. The adults, on the other hand, can choose from a number of outdoor activities. A Nature Interpretation Center was opened in 2005 to foster education and conservation of Borneo’s unique natural environment. Impressed by Rasa Ria’s commitment to conservation, Sabah’s Wildlife Department works together with the resort in the rehabilitation of young orangutans. These orangutans, which are brought again to the wild after the resort took care of them, never fail to enchant the resort’s guests. The Nature Reserve also provides home for other species like deer, porcupines, Borneo orchids and pitcher plants. Rasa Ria also has an 18-hole championship course Dalit Bay Golf Club & Spa, the most complete golfing and relaxation experience in Sabah. There are also various water activities to be enjoyed.

We had encounters with the orangutans at the resort's Nature Reserve.

The resort treated the group to a river cruise and brought us to one of the local villages. 

Premier wedding and event stylist Teddy Manuel and this writer preparing for some action in the air.

And then we were up, up and away...

So yes, parasailing was the highlight of my Kota Kinabalu trip!

With all these first-class amenities, Rasa Ria invites couples to dare to be different when tying the knot. A resident wedding planner looks after all the details — right from the initial planning stages to the successful conclusion of the day. With Rasa Ria’s Romance Wedding Package (RM 5,999++), the resort’s wedding organizers will take care of everything, among them flowers, music, Civil Marriage celebrant, photography, wedding cake, cocktails and dinner and even the official marriage license from the local authorities. According to Rasa Ria communications manager Regina Sulit-Lain, a wedding in the resort is surprisingly affordable, especially given the relative strength of major European currencies. The Wedding Pavilion, a meandering walkway through landscaped gardens, is the resort’s focal point of weddings. The blushing bride may opt to walk along the path or ride in style on a decorated buggy. Live music adds romance to the already dramatic atmosphere with the presence of a classical string quartet, a soprano, a jazz band or the local gong orchestra. Whatever it is that you desire for your special day, trust that Rasa Ria can deliver.

Shangri-La Rasa Ria at sunset.

***

Planning a destination wedding is not a bed of roses. Reality is, it will take a lot of your time, eat up your energy and test your patience. So save yourself from all these, especially when you know that you’re not the type who’s overly fancy or good at planning events. Let Shangri-La’s Kota Kinabalu resorts help you celebrate a fuss-free wedding day.

With either Tanjung Aru or Rasa Ria at the helm of your wedding, all you ever need to do is say “I do.”

(For inquiries, e-mail Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa at tah@shangri-la.com or Rasa Ria Resort at rrr@shangri-la.com)