We're planning a trip to Borneo next March/April and can't decide between the Shangri-la Tanjung Aru and the Rasa Ria. We'd like to be close enough to Kota Kinabulu for shopping and the occasional meal out and both hotels seem to fit this condition. However, we're torn between the easy access to the coral islands and great snorkelling that the Tanjung Aru seems to offer and the orang utan reserve at the Rasa Ria. Anybody got any experience of either of these hotels?

Anybody? Please?

Experience of both:<BR>stayed at Rasa Ria and saw grounds of Tanjung as we went off to the islands for snorkelling from there. Tanjung was much busier around the pool, Rasa Ria was much more relaxed feel. There are buses that take you into town from RR, but it is not 15 minutes away, more like 30-40. I think RR is better hotel but Tanjung is more convenient. Kota Kinabalu is OK (just), with interesting harbour area, but it is pretty modern - lots of 4-7 storey square blocks- and lots of people do not like it. For older town feel - Sarawaks' main town is supposed to be far more interesting. Water off the islands you are aiming for is beautiful, but some parts of main islands are dead - too much stepping on reef, and my Barrier Reef experience made it it look pretty feeble. RR has a couple of orang utans which the conservation people do not like - basically pets, and we went to see the wild ones at Sandakan - but you have to wait for them to come out of the jungle. We saw one big male -and if he comes, none of the smaller animals including females will come. You no longer can see the babies being reared to go back into the wild. So do not choose RR just to see a couple of orang utans that you can see in a zoo - pick it for more relaxing and better quality hotel. Or pick Tanjung for easier access to islands (get a bus to Tanjung to serve that if you want).

Thanks Travelnick, that's just the sort of personal info I was looking for. You can read brochure descriptions for ever, but you can't beat talking to someone who's actually been there!

No problem. If you want any info on Sandakan, just ask. One other thing re: Rasa Ria - quite a few of the activities are extra cost. We went horse riding and my horse was a joke - any time another horse came near he tried to kick or bite. Totally unenjoyable and I told the chapperone to go back after a short ride. The equipment was also pretty awful - helmets totally shoddy and Is uspect would not ahve passed any tests. I told the manager who did respond and maybe has done something about it. Also if you go there - the beach on the other side of the bay - you have to scramble through some bush paths, looked amazing. Only discovered it on last day- from the hill top only. Seemed totally deserted. Do not know of water safety, but check it out.

Thanks again Travelnick. It looks like the Rasa Ria is going to win. We were planning a trip to Sandakan in any case. All the brochures we've looked at offer trips there, but I presume you can just wait until you get there and shop around? Did you stay overnight, or just do a day trip?

We stayed overnight, but would not recommend - the trip to see the orang utans is only just under half a day and Sandakan itself is not the greatest - interesting fish market where you will stand out as the foreigner, but nothing much else. We ended up at the pony racing which was OK (only foreigners there) with good commentary - just like an Australian race caller, which was kindof surprising. So get morning flight and back in late afternoon should be fine - enjoy the Rasa Ria and not worry about packing/unpacking stuff.Flights booked in Malaysia were generally cheaper than booked outside, but limited service so maybe book beforehand or do it first thing when arriving.