Shangri La Tanjung Aru Hotel

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This was the 2nd time we stayed at this hotel - 2005 was the first time and was booked with Kuoni & had 2 weeks there on a room only basis.
This time, we booked direct with the hotel and had a much better deal. Breakfast is included in the price as well as discounts on various things the hotel offers (e.g. laundry, phone calls etc). Due to the money saved on booking ourselves we stayed for 20 nights and it was still cheaper than Kuoni!!
This time we took the upgrade on the room to a junior suite - excellent value but the main rooms were just as nice - both times we stayed in the Tanjung Wing instead of the Kinabalu Wing.
Both rooms were ground floor with our terrace going straight out to the gardens. This is a beautiful hotel. The staff are friendly and helpful and speak excellent English. Room service was excellent, meals arrived promptly and cooked perfectly. Hotel was clean and decorated to a high standard.
Restaurants
Cafe Tatu - Superb - excellent soufflés, plenty of fresh food buffet style.
Coco Joes - Again, ate here regularly and was a lovely setting overlooking the bay.
Blue Note - late night drinks - saw David Attenborough there trying to watch rugby on a stay while filming and everyone left him alone including us..
Shang Palace - forgot to try the dim sum but other food was great.
Borneo Lounge & Bar - lovely location and decorated and often live entertainment.
Peppinos - 1st time (2005) there this was an excellent restaurant with perfect food and steaks.
2nd time (2006) they had a new chef - not always a good idea - and decided to try this for Valentine’s Day - big mistake. Meal was really expensive as was advertised as 7 courses with champers etc but was extremely disappointed. We were not alone as there were couples were leaving before the end of their meals, but it was as if we were being experimented on.
Twice a week there is a meal with 'traditional' Borneo dancers in a separate restaurant - tried it once and had a great time but was eaten alive with bites from mossies/sand flies - apart from that the food was ok but as we had a coach load of Japanese tourists turn up, we couldn't get to the majority of it.
Pool area was excellent, outside toilet facilities and ample towels, loungers.
Beach area was rather small and couldn't really swim due to the strong currents.
Would recommend the daily boat trip to the national park which have pretty beaches and reasonable priced restaurants.
Hotel offers shuttle bus into the town with 3 drop/pick up points for a small fee but if you get a cab this doesn't cost much either.
Wonderful hotel - hope to go back again.