Shangri-La Tanjung Aru sits on a small peninsula at Pantai Tanjung Aru, a few minutes south-west of the city centre, with a private beach and views of five islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. It is the destination resort of Kota Kinabalu: spread out, green and built around water, with a private marina, two outdoor pools, a children's pool and a waterslide, and the Chi spa on its own islet. The resort has nearly five hundred rooms in several wings, from sea-view and mountain-view rooms to family rooms and suites. It is about ten minutes by road from the airport and the city centre, which makes it practical as well as relaxing. It suits couples marking an occasion, families who want a resort day built around the pool and the beach, and travellers who plan to island-hop from the resort's marina.
Location and getting around
The resort is a car or taxi ride from the downtown sights, around ten minutes from the airport and the city centre, and a car is needed for most excursions. Airport transfers and limousines are available, and the resort arranges tours and boat trips. The Tunku Abdul Rahman islands are visible from the beach, and the private marina gives access to the marine park in about ten to fifteen minutes by boat, so it is the best base for the sea.
Evenings are quiet, so if you want nightlife and markets, plan a taxi into the city.
Rooms and facilities
There are around 498 rooms, in sea-view, mountain-view, twin, king, family and suite categories, with large rooms by city standards. The resort has two outdoor pools, a children's pool, a waterslide and water play area, a kids club and babysitting, a health club, three tennis courts, pickleball courts and a nine-hole pitch and putt.
Chi, The Spa sits on its own islet and is reserved for guests aged sixteen and over. Dining spans six restaurants and bars, including Cafe TATU, Coco Joe's Bar and Grill, Shang Palace for Chinese food and the Sunset Bar for the view.
Good to know
The breakfast buffet is charged separately on many rates, so compare rates with and without breakfast. Work on part of the pool area continues into early 2027, so ask which pools and slides are open for your dates. Self-parking is free and valet parking carries a small daily charge. Pets are not allowed. Book a sea-view room if the view matters, and ask for a quiet wing if you are sensitive to noise from the water play area.
Why stay here
- ✓Private beach and marina
- ✓Two outdoor pools and waterslide
- ✓Spa on its own islet
- ✓Six restaurants and bars
- ✓Kids club and play area
- ✓Tennis and pickleball courts
- ✓Free self-parking
- ✓Airport transfers available
Good questions
How far is Shangri-La Tanjung Aru from the airport and the city?+
It is about ten minutes by road from the airport and about ten minutes from the city centre. The resort is not within walking distance of downtown, so plan on taxis.
Can I go island hopping from the resort?+
Yes, the private marina gives access to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park in about ten to fifteen minutes by boat. Ask the resort or a tour operator to arrange the trip.
Are all the pools open?+
Work on part of the pool area continues into early 2027, so confirm which pools and slides are open for your dates when you reserve.
