In your search for first class accommodations in Kota Kinabalu, there is one name that should be at the top of your list; the magnificent Sutera Harbour Resort. A fully integrated resort, the 384-acre Sutera Harbour Resort is built on reclaimed land and is situated just 5 minutes from the airport and 10 minutes from the heart of Kota Kinabalu.
The centrepiece of the resort is the Sutera Harbour Marina, Golf and Country Club which includes the 27-hole Graham Marsh designed championship golf course and the 104-berth marina that can accommodate 13 mega-yachts and 91 smaller vessels. The course is divided into three distinct nines of varying difficulty; the Garden (holes 19-27) set by the Pacific Sutera Hotel, the Heritage (holes 10-18) which runs by the Magellan Sutera Resort and the Lakes (holes 1-9) adjacent to the golf clubhouse. The club amenities include a 41-bay, two tiered driving range, a fully stocked pro shop, practice greens complete with areas for chipping and practicing side hill lies, fully equipped locker rooms with sauna and spacious function rooms.
This is the only 27-hole facility in Sabah and is also the only club to offer night golf to its patrons. The club has been host to the Asian Tour’s qualifying school and is looking to host a full field event of its own to properly showcase the golf course and the rest of the property.
5-star accommodations are the order of the day at the luxurious Pacific Sutera Hotel. An air of subtle elegance permeates the hotel with its grand entrance, high ceiling lobby lounge, panoramic view of the sea and 500 immaculately appointed suites and guestrooms all backstopped by superlative amenities and excellent service.
The hotel’s swimming pools are beautifully landscaped and surrounded by greenery and sit a stone’s throw away from the resort’s private beach. A splendid view of the TungkuAbdulRahmanMarinePark and the tropical islands that lie therein provide a tranquil backdrop to the spectacular sunsets of Kota Kinabalu.
The world class Mandara Spa sits between the pools and the beach and offers the classic Balinese experience where guests can unwind and relax in the artfully decorated rooms or enjoy a full massage beachside in the open air pavilion.
A short par 4 away from the Pacific Sutera Hotel across the marina sits the Magellan Sutera Resort, a magnificent 5-star property with 456 suites fit for kings. The grand entrance is in the style of a majestic longhouse; an architectural tribute to the Rungus tribe, the most numerous of Sabah’s indigenous people. This resort is a favorite with families and couples and those seeking a relaxing tropical holiday in Borneo. The suites are lavishly decorated and present fabulous views of the meticulously manicured gardens and the South China Sea.
Sutera Harbour’s status as a unique leisure attraction is augmented by its affiliation to the eco-resorts of the five Sutera Sanctuary Lodges which include chalets, lodges and cabins at the Kinabalu Park including Laban Rata which was declared a World Heritage Site, Mesilau Nature Resort, the Poring Hot Springs and Nature Reserve and Manukan Island Resort at the Tungku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.
These are the crème de la crème of the attractions in Borneo and all within easy reach to guests of the resort. Sutrea Harbour Resort brings their superb brand of hospitality to tranquil retreats amongst Sabah’s most amazing natural sites. Wholly owned by the Sabah Governement, the management of the properties were privatized with Sutera Harbour Resort appointed to co-manage the properties.
SuteraHarbour also operates the North Borneo Railway which offers a unique way for all to experience the unique sights and sounds of the Sabah landscape aboard a vintage steam powered locomotive. A British Vulcan steam locomotive was refurbished to recreate the nostalgia of the bygone era of British North Borneo. The train runs every Wednesday and Saturday from Tanjung Aru to Papar. The North Borneo Railway is available for private charters and incentive theme parties. Functions can also be held at the railway station which provides a unique ambiance for the event.
The newest addition to Sutera Harbour Resort’s vast array of services is North Borneo Yachting. Established in 2007, North Borneo Yachting is Kota Kinabalu’s premiere luxury yacht charter service. There are two yachts in its fleet, the luxurious Puteri Sutera and the Trinidad a 32” fibreglass catamaran.
It’s clear that Sutera Harbour Resort offers something for travellers of every persuasion. Whether you’re a golfer, scuba diver, intrepid adventurer, sight-seer or a businessman looking for a conference site, Sutera Harbour Resorts is your first and best choice in Kota Kinabalu.
Image credits: Mike Besa