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Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Poring Hot Spring
Text by MUHAMMAD HASIF MOHD JELANI Images by MUHAMMAD HASIF MOHD JELANI & ED JUNAIDI
Occupying the verdant spot just a few minutes’ walk to the famous Poring Hot Spring in Ranau, Sabah, Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Poring Hot Spring complements the area’s natural offerings as a family-friendly accommodation with choices of rooms that easily meet travellers’ needs and comfort.
This property has 34 accommodation units that can be categorised into five types namely Palm Villa, River Lodge, Jungle Lodge, Kelicap Twinshare and Serindit. We experienced staying at River Lodge, which is recommended for families. It has two bedrooms, one with king-sized bed and another with twin beds. Each bedroom comes with spacious en suite bathroom fully equipped with heated rain shower, bathtub and basic amenities. Extra beds are provided at additional cost.
The River Lodge is also outfitted with LCD television set with cable channel, coffee- and tea-making facilities, iron and board, among others.
We adore our unit due to its spaciousness and semblance to a comfortable, private home. On top of that, since this type of unit is located next to Mamut River, the soothing sounds of the flowing water tranquilly lulls us to a deep and restful sleep.
The room package includes breakfast, which is served at the Rainforest Restaurant. Led by the affable and well-versed Chef Minin, the restaurant prepares local and international fare for lunch and dinner. Some of the memorable culinary options that guests should try here are from the Kadazandusun menu for such as ikan masak pinarasakan (fish stew), ayam masak halia (ginger chicken) and sotong masak cili kering (fried chilli squid). Dining here is definitely gratifying!
Why do we love the property?
A staycation at Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Poring Hot Spring gives the added value of turning your vacation not just rejuvenating but enriching too. What’s more, Poring, which is around three hours’ drive from Kota Kinabalu, is a family-friendly destination that offer multiple activities.
The highlight of Poring is surely the hot spring area where people can actually douse themselves with hot sulphur water. For hygienic purposes, travellers can find plenty of outdoor, gazebo-like sheltered bathtubs where they can enjoy dipping into the water.
Next to the hot spring area is an unusually large swimming pool that is tiered into different depths, making it friendly for all ages – it even has a water slide for the little ones to have fun!
Other recreational activities include visiting the butterfly farm, traversing the 43-metre canopy walkway, trekking to Kipungit and Langanan Waterfall, including jungle-trekking to find the world’s largest bloom, the Rafflesia. To make it easy for travellers, every time there is a Rafflesia in sight, Sabah Parks announces it by putting up a banner at the entrance.
Note: Most activities require minimal fees and not included in the room package.
Travellers who stay at Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Poring Hot Spring may request a guide from the reception to accompany them into the park at no extra cost. Though it is much more comfortable to explore the area on your own, we highly recommend travellers to hire the guide, whom are referred to as naturalists. They will explain in detail about the interesting aspects about the local ecosystem and biodiversity that guests might overlook when exploring the park. Don’t worry, the naturalists are not only informative, but accommodative as well, so that travellers can walk in their own pace.
Conclusion
Besides staying close to the oxygen-rich nature reserve, travellers can do many activities be it with their partners, friends or family when staying Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Poring Hot Spring. Friendly staff and comfortable space to relax are just a few factors that make this place an impeccable bolthole of choice!
For bookings and enquiries, feel free to contact Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Poring Hot Spring at +6 017 833 5799 or info@suterasanctuarylodges.com.my. To find out more about the property, log on to www.suterasanctuarylodges.com.my.
