Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort & Spa, Kota Kinabalu | Destination Wedding Spotlight

If you’re looking for a perfect destination wedding location (or that oh so luxurious honeymoon spot) it doesn’t get much better than the 5* Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa. The resort sits in a breathtaking setting on the north western coast of Borneo. Framed on one side by the South China Sea and on the other by lush tropical rain forests. It has a truly mesmerizing beach and at almost three kilometers of palm-fringed golden sand it guarantees space and calm. The local Malaysian culture is relaxed, rich and appealing to all your senses. It boasts exotic Asian food, heavenly spices, and colourful local customs!

The resort is 40 mins from Kota Kinabalu International Airport and the hotel can arrange tranfers for you and your guests. As a wedding venue it offers an exciting series of options (too many to list!) that cater for both traditional and modern tastes; from their Grand Ballroom that holds up to 600 to their beautiful function room in the Dalit Golf & County Club. But today we want to showcase their outdoor areas……and why not as they’re soooo gorgeous!!

Beach Wedding

For a classic beach wedding, the resort’s superb stretch of pristine sand has that WOW factor! They’ve recently hosted a wedding for 3,500 so keep adding to that guest list! Imagine sparkling torch-light reflecting off the water, stars overhead, music playing and family and friends mingling. The beach is a blank canvass and the team at the hotel are extremely creative, so let your imagination run wild!

Wedding Pavilion

The resort has a charming Wedding Pavilion that will add a romantic and traditional touch to your special day. It’s perfect for an intimate and dreamy dinner under the canopy or for the ceremony itself it can seat up to 120 on the beautiful lawns either side. We’re loving the beach in the distance which provides a stunning back drop.

Coast Function Room

Just next to the Wedding Pavilion and with the same amazing views is the Coast Function Room that can hold up to 150. It’s a stunning glass-walled space that brings the outside in. The layout is really flexible and it has a modern on-trend feel. It’s soft lights, magical visual effects and views across the beach make for an unforgettable wedding setting.

Rasa Ria Reserve

The hotel is situated in 400 acres of beautiful grounds part of which is a 64-acre rain forest reserve so you can choose to get closer to nature for your wedding. The highlight is their Ria Lookout located at the peak of the reserve. It is a genuinely unique spot for a wedding especially for more intrepid couples. You can experience the combination nature, adventure and romance all in one. The views of the majestic Mount Kinabalu are just out of this world!

After your special event, your guests can enjoy a plethora of fantastic activities. The resort has an 18 hole championship golf course, super indulgent spa, watersports centre and many inviting pools. For the more adventurous there are tours or treks to see the jungle and even the chance to climb Mount Kinabalu. If you’d rather take in some sights and culture, there’s plenty of that too.

Having your special day at the Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa will guarantee a perfect celebration! If you want to know more have a look at their profile page or contact the lovely Marsha at marsha.eyre@shangri-la.com or call (6088) 797 915.

A few helpful hints! If you are travelling from the UAE there are daily flights with the award winning Royal Brunei Airlines. From India there are a number of options including Malaysian Airlines. The knowledgeable Humphrey from Sabah Tourism Board is happy to tell you more about Sabah Province of Malaysia and holding your destination wedding there. You can email him at humphrey@sabahtourism.com.