We're planning on visiting in Sabah (Malaysia) in late December, and I'm seeking some lodging recommendations. I imagine will dedicate a few days to Mt. Kinabalu (whether we make the hike or not), and then 2-3 nights by the sea.

My first impressions about the resort-ish options:

Shangri-La Tanjung Aru - looks urban and unbeachy
http://www.shangri-la.com/eng/hotel/24/index.htm

Shangri-La Rasa Ria - looks good, if not a little unexciting
http://www.shangri-la.com/eng/hotel/23/index.htm

Nexus Report - looks promising
http://www.nexusresort.com/new/master.html

As you'll see these options are on the West Coast -- from what it sounds like, the West Coast should have drier weather than the East Coast at that time of year. Furthermore, while I'm intrigued by the East Coast (Sipadan, Sandakan, etc.), I'm a little intimidated by the travel warnings.

That said, any other west coast resort/hotel recommendations...possibly including any possibilities on relatively close islands?

Thanks...

You will find many reviews here for three hotels:

http://www.asiahotels.com/hl/Kota_Kinabalu-Malaysia.asp

Thanks - I had already checked the site...one definite positive about asiahotels is that the rates are far better than what's being offered by shangri-la directly.

Any recommendations for other hotels and/or destinations?

I was in Sabah in December last year for a couple of weeks and in April this year for a couple of days. Both times in Kota Kinabalu I stayed at the Hyatt, which is in town, but pretty good value. Definitely not a resort style place though, so probably not what you're looking for, but very convinient for getting around KK town. If your dates are set it might be worth looking at www.airasia.com and checking out the hotel pricing there, they have some very competitive rates I've found for around KK.

As for the weather, it all depends on your luck I guess at that time of the year. When I was there there was only one particuarly rainy day, apart from that there was the expected afternoon downpour for an hour or so on about half the days, the other half were somewhat overcast, but no rain. I'd *definitely* recommend the climb up Mt Kinabalu if your legs are up to it, but be sure to book accommodation for Laban Rata early (the rest spot half way up).

Apart from that, other enjoyable places visited included Poring Hot Springs (very nice to relax in after coming back down the mountain, and an interesting elevated walk through the forest too). A trip up the Kinabatangan River is worthwhile if you like seeing animals in their native habitat, and Sepilok Orangutan Rehibilitation Centre is good if you want a more up close experience with the animals (though still sort of wild ).

Oh and I'm not sure I can really recommend heading into Sandakan town itself - unless you're going off to Turtle Island or the like. I've never had so much attention strolling around a town before, I'm above average sort of height (193cm) - but it didn't seem they got many people my size strolling around, plenty of yells and taunts from local guys, and wide eyed stares from local girls. Never had that sort of reaction anywhere else in Malaysia I've been, so not sure what sets Sandakan apart, but different it seems . Hope that gives you some further insights anyway!

Having spent 3 weeks in Sabah over the Dec/Jan period and staying at SL Rasa Ria for part of that time I found it not so unexciting. There is plenty to do. Horse Riding, water sport activities and plenty of other things to do. The one criticism I would have was the lack of food variation at the restaurants in the resort. You can pop into town for that but this can be a schlep and the shuttle bus only runs 3 times a day from RR to TA resorts. The taxi ride can become expensive if doing it regularly. We stayed at the Hyatt for one night only as a transfer for our flight to Brunei. I personally would not stay at the Hyatt for more than a night or two.
Sandakan certainly is a strange mix. The east is truly different to the west of the island. Off the top of my head cannot remember the great restaurant on top of the hill. Travel warnings are just that. Warnings. We felt safe the whole time we were there.
I went to the Australian War Memorial in Sandakan which is quite moving and informative.
Maybe Brunei for a 2 or 3 night stay would allow you to see something different in Asia and the opulence of the mosques.
The Empire Hotel and Country Club is a nice getaway for a few days.
If you have any other queries give me a buzz.
Highly recommend Sabah as a destination. ^

Here is a nice comment on Shangri-La Rasa Ria:
http://hkdiver.com/viewtopic.php?t=5093

If you want to see how beautiful the underwater of Kota Kinabalu, please see here:
http://hkdiver.com/viewtopic.php?t=5273

I've been to Sabah 5 times in the last 3 years and love the place. We stay at the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, which is close to KK City Centre. They have a small man-made beach which has nets at the entrance to (supposedly) keep the jellyfish out !. There is also a larger public beach that runs up to the side on the mini-golf area but isn't very good.

We have stayed at the SL Rasa Ria and this has a fabulous beach, but the sand flies can be a bit of a pain. The Nexus is right at the other end of the same bay and is nice.

The Rasa Ria is quite remote so it limits your options for eating unless you want to spend 25/30 minutes each way in a taxi. There is a great golf course next to it. The main reason we do always visit the Rasa Ria is to see the Orang-Utans that are in the reserve at the side of the Hotel, you can get much closer to them than at Sepilok over near Sandakan and it's open to Shangri-La guests only. You can visit even if staying in the Tanjung Aru.

There are 3 small islands right near the Tanjung Aru and there are numerous day trips and activities from the Hotel. If you do stay there it's worth considering an upgrade to Horizon Club, which includes a cocktail hour from 6-7pm with free alcoholic drinks and free internet access in the lounge. They are supposed to be extanding the size of this anytime soon as it was rather small and (not surprisingly) gets crowded for the free drinks. They also have a great little sunset bar here with fantastic views of the sunset over the South China Sea.

We usually go over New Year and you can get an hour of rain a day, which to be honest was quite welcome as it freshened the place up.

Kurwah, the place you mention must be the English Tea House & Restaurant (www.englishteahouse.org), an old colonial style place which has great views of the City of Sandakan and out to sea.

There isn't a lot to do in Sandakan itself and we've only flown over there to visit the Orang-Utans at Sepilok. If you do fly from Kota Kinabalu get an 'A' widow seat for (hopefully) fantastic views of the mountain as you fly past.

A wonderful place with wonderful people ^ .

We will be staying at the ShaLa Tanjung Aru in May for 3 nights, and were planning to do the same - take a one day airtrip to Sandakan to see the Orang-Utans at Sepilok. How much time should we plan for the stay at Sepilok? Taking the early morning flight and going back with the evening flight? Is it easy to get to Sepilok from Sandakan airport?

For the Sha-La, we'll be staying at the Tanjung wing.. the rooms look much nicer than in the Kinabalu wing... though there are not Horizon Club rooms in the Tanjung wing... and the Horizon Club rooms are almost about the same price level than the Tanjung dlx rooms... so would you say better take a Horizon Club room?

I would spend as little time as possible in Kota Kinabalu and instead head for Kuching which is a much, much prettier and far more interesting city. If Kuching is too far, then even Bandar (Brunei) would be a more pleasant place than KK to spend 2 or 3 days.

Most people who go to Sepilok for the day go on an organised trip, 7am flight from KK met at airport, feeding time at Sepilok are 10am & 3pm but there are no guaranteed sightings. The trip then usually includes lunch, & city tour, then back on 5:25 flight.

You could do it yourself with taxis, flights are easy to arrange, but not sure how it compares as we did it as a 4 day package.

For Sepilok we book a day trip with the travel agent near the shop at the Hotel. You won't be able to do it as cost effectively without booking everything individually and for the price it's not worth messing about. You leave on the 7am flight to Sandakan (get seats on left for amazing view of Mount Kinabalu). You can do an extended tour of Sandakan after the Sepilok visit or return on the mid-afternoon flight to KK, which we did. It's a bit of a trek from Sandakan Airport to Sepilok so book an inclusive tour which includes the coach transfer.

Don't forget that there is a small Orang-utan sanctuary next to the other Shangri-La Hotel in KK, the Rasa Ria. We always go up to see them as you can get much closer to them than at Sepilok.

The Tanjung Wing rooms are nicer than the Kinabalu rooms as that side of the Hotel had a revamp recently. We stay in the Kinabalu Wing just for the Horizon Club and they have better views out across to the islands. The HC can get very busy for the free hour of booze from 6-7pm when they Hotel is full !.

I disagree with the comment that Kuching is better than Kota Kinabalu but each to their own .