Extra Photo Gallery: Room | Pool | Restaurant

LOCATION:
Some 5 minutes to the west of downtown Kota Kinabalu along the Coastal Highway. From Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), the distance is about 10 minutes by taxi. Taxi fare from the city centre is RM10 per journey, while the fare from either Terminal 1 (T1) or Terminal 2 (T2) is RM20 per journey. T1 is served mostly by Malaysian Airlines as well as lesser frequencies by Asiana Airlines, Korean Air and The Royal Brunei. T2 is strictly for the low-cost carrier of AirAsia.

The Pacific Sutera is located in the northeast precinct of the massive development of Sutera Harbour Resort, Golf, Marina, Spa & Residences.

DESCRIPTION:
Often regarded as the sister resort of the adjoining Magellan Sutera, these two resorts are often being distinctively marketed to the public. The Pacific Sutera is a more of a business-cum-leisure hotel compared to the Magellan Sutera. The resort, built on modern glass structures, is set amidst the 19th to 27th hole of neighbouring golf course, the beautiful marina and the strikingly blue ocean. A great business resort concept.

There is a whopping 500 rooms in the resort, not surprisingly to complement the big number of meeting halls and conference rooms that can easily accommodate close to 3,000 people at the same time in both resorts. Indeed, Sutera Harbour Resort is the perennial favourite in the city for MICE events.

The room types at the Pacific Sutera are as follow: Deluxe Golf or Sea View, Pacific Club (Golf or Sea View, Junior or Executive Suite), Junior Suite, Executive Suite and Presidential Suite. I only get to stay in a Deluxe Golf View room. Even the word "golf view" was quite a misnomer because its location on the 3rd floor could barely provide any view. More importantly, I could do away with the blue carpeting inside the room. It takes away the warmth and elegance of the overall design which is otherwise of acceptable standard, at least to me. The bathroom was spacious with timber window that opened out to the bedroom from the bathtub. The room furniture looked decidedly tired (another word for "old", I guess).

OK, the room might be a tad disappointing, but the Pacific Sutera does not go wrong with the swimming pool. Endowed with lush landscaped greenery and deep-blue seascape, the resort's swimming pool area is a winning combination of swaying coconut trees, spacious swimming area, fabulous poolside bar, a PADI dive centre and an equally breathtaking man-made beach. In fact, during my visit, the pool area was bustling with a hive of activities enjoyed by the resort patrons frolicking in the fantastic ocean view and the sweltering November weather.

The main dining outlet at the resort is the Café Boleh which serves all day dining options of breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet spreads. The Silk Garden on the ground floor near the swimming pool offers great selections of Chinese cuisine amidst landscaped gardens and fish ponds. There are two beverage outlets in the Pacific Sutera, namely the Lobby Lounge and the Waves Pool Bar. The resort also hosts a great spa outlet called the Body Senses by Mandara.

The cheapest room option at the Pacific Sutera is a Deluxe Golf View which goes for RM315 per night inclusive of breakfast.

REVIEWED ON:
November 2006

MY VERDICT:
Modern hotel design with superb view of the ocean and the marina. Fabulous swimming pool. Disappointing room.

MY RATING: