Today marks the fifth edition of Fliggy’s Super VIP – Malaysia!
Malaysia offers visa-free entry for our citizens; you can start your journey with just a passport. Furthermore, airfares are cheap, flights are numerous, the safety level is high, and the services are friendly to Chinese speakers. Everyone can travel with peace of mind.
Today, there are options for Kota Kinabalu (Shangri-La, Mermaids Island, Gaya Island), Semporna, Kuala Lumpur, and the Moonlight Resort in Terengganu. Additionally, there are flights to Malaysia available. Of course, we can proudly say that all the Malaysian destinations featured today have been personally experienced and reviewed by us within the past year. It’s only by visiting these places ourselves that we feel confident recommending them.
**What’s available today?**
**Kota Kinabalu**
– 2-night stay at the Pacific Sutera Hotel in Kota Kinabalu with breakfast included + 2-night stay in a sea-view wooden cabin at the Sutera Mermaids Island, all meals included + a sunset cruise at Mermaids Island + transportation from Kota Kinabalu Airport to the Pacific Sutera and back, starting from 2399 CNY/person.
– 2-night stay in a luxurious sea-view room at the Shangri-La Garden Wing in Kota Kinabalu with breakfast and dinner + 2-night stay in a sea-view wooden cabin at Sutera Mermaids Island, all meals included + sunset cruise at Mermaids Island + transportation from Kota Kinabalu Airport to Shangri-La and back, starting from 2899 CNY/person.
– 2-night stay in a luxurious sea-view room at Shangri-La in Kota Kinabalu with breakfast and dinner + 2-night stay at the Ganaobi Villa on Gaya Island with all meals included + transportation from Kota Kinabalu Airport to Shangri-La and back, starting from 3299 CNY/person.
**Kuala Lumpur and Surrounding Areas**
– 1-night stay in a luxurious room at the Dorsett Kuala Lumpur with breakfast + 3 nights at the Moonlight Resort in Terengganu with all meals included + transportation from Kuala Lumpur Airport to Dorsett + shuttle from Dorsett to Moonlight Resort, for 3399 CNY. Valid from May 22 to June 18, includes 1 spa session for one person at Moonlight Resort.
**Semporna**
– 2 nights in water villas at Kapalai/ Mabul MWB/ Dragon Pearl Island with all meals included + round-trip transportation from Tawau Airport to Semporna pier and to the island, for 3399 CNY/person; 3 nights in water villas with all meals included and transportation, for 4899 CNY/person.
– 2 nights in the Sand Villas at Mabul Island Borneo/ Banta South Arcadia with all meals included + round-trip transportation from Tawau Airport to Semporna pier and to the island, for 2699 CNY.
**Flights**
– Direct round-trip flights from Nanjing/Guangzhou to Tawau (Semporna) for 4-5 days, starting from 2649 CNY (tax included).
– China Southern Airlines: round-trip from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Changsha to Kuala Lumpur for 2010 CNY/person (tax not included).
– Air China international tickets with a round-trip from Chengdu to Kuala Lumpur for 1050 CNY (tax about 1196 CNY), and from Beijing to Kuala Lumpur for 800 CNY (tax about 1250 CNY).
**Limited Time Offers (Stock is Very Limited)**
– 3-night stay at Mataking Coral Resort with all meals included + round-trip flight from Cathay Pacific Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur (tax not included) + round-trip transportation between Tawau Airport and Semporna pier, as well as to the resort + unlimited snorkeling at the coast (equipment not included) + send postcards at the underwater post office, for 4599 CNY/person.
– Round-trip economy class tickets for two to Malaysia starting from 980 CNY (tax not included), with travel from Guangzhou, Kota Kinabalu, or Penang.
**Let me explain these offers one by one.**
These products go on sale precisely at 9:00 AM, while limited-time offers will be available at 8:00 PM (but stock is extremely limited).
**Kota Kinabalu**
– 2-night stay at the Pacific Sutera Hotel in Kota Kinabalu with breakfast + 2-night stay in a sea-view wooden cabin at the Sutera Mermaids Island, all meals included + sunset cruise at Mermaids Island + transportation from Kota Kinabalu Airport to the Pacific Sutera and back, starting from 2399 CNY/person.
– 2-night stay in a luxurious sea-view room at Shangri-La’s Garden Wing with breakfast and dinner + 2-night stay in a sea-view wooden cabin at Sutera Mermaids Island, all meals included + sunset cruise at Mermaids Island + transportation from Kota Kinabalu Airport to Shangri-La and back, starting from 2899 CNY/person.
**Validity until September 26, 2024; additional costs and restrictions are detailed on the page.**
The 2+2 package consists of two nights by the seaside in Kota Kinabalu, followed by two nights on Mermaids Island. This is a deep travel experience in Kota Kinabalu. Shangri-La, Mermaids Island, and the Pacific Sutera Resort are all excellent hotels in Kota Kinabalu.
I will dive into details about these packages, starting with Mermaids Island.
Those who have done some homework on Kota Kinabalu will certainly know Mermaids Island (Mantanani Island).
The nearby islands include Sapi Island, Manukan Island, Tiga Island, and Mermaids Island among others. I can confidently say that Mermaids Island offers the best waters and beaches.
This is easy to understand; the farther away the location, the better the water quality tends to be, with more underwater life to explore. Mermaids Island is also the most distanced among Kota Kinabalu’s many surrounding isles. The journey from Shangri-La to Mermaids Island took us two hours by car and around 45 minutes by boat.
However, everything was well worth it upon arrival. Here are some of our actual photos; Mermaids Island is indeed beautiful (limited-time benefit: Shangri-La upgraded to a luxurious garden-view sea room).
Mermaids Island features soft, white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. This place is renowned as one of the top snorkeling spots in Sabah, with extensive coral reefs and tropical fish.
Furthermore, the sunsets here are breathtaking, accompanied by a sky full of stars.
On Mermaids Island, there are two hotels: the Sutera Mermaids Hotel and the JSK Mermaids Island Resort. This time we chose the Sutera Mermaids Hotel because it belongs to the same group as the Pacific Sutera Resort we used in Kota Kinabalu, making it more convenient.
This time, we stayed in a second-tier room type, a sea-view wooden cabin, which comprises independent units. After reviewing both the first-tier deluxe rooms and the second-tier sea-view wooden cabins, we opted for the latter, as there is a significant difference in experience.
Here are the actual images of the room.
The wooden cabin has direct access to the beach and ocean; it’s a property facing the sea. I recommend everyone chooses a cabin close to the beach (there are two rows; the second row is slightly farther).
The Sutera Mermaids Hotel includes all meals. If you don’t opt for meals, it can be challenging to find dining options on the island. There’s only one ocean-view restaurant at the hotel, serving a buffet breakfast, with lunch and dinner consisting of various stir-fried dishes. Meal choices generally depend on the day’s available menu, but the food is well-prepared.
Activities like snorkeling, deep-sea diving, fishing, and sunset excursions are offered daily, with many requiring additional fees (snorkeling and kayaking are free). The package includes a sunset cruise at Mermaids Island, which offers a beautiful view of the sunset over the ocean.
Communication in Chinese on the island is not a major issue, as there are staff who speak the language.
The challenges of Mermaids Island primarily lie in its distance and a rugged natural environment (while the sand is good, there are sharp coral pieces that can hurt your feet, making it difficult to walk barefoot).
Now, let’s discuss the two hotels in Kota Kinabalu, Shangri-La Resort and Pacific Sutera Resort.
Firstly, the Shangri-La Resort is located beside the Dali Bay in Kota Kinabalu. This coastal resort spans 400 acres, with a 3-kilometer long private beach, a 64-acre nature forest reserve, and an 18-hole golf course.
Here’s an aerial image of the Shangri-La Resort; just look at how spacious the beach is.
Shangri-La is not situated in the city center of Kota Kinabalu, and its major highlights include mountains, sea views, a private beach, and stunning sunsets. Both Shangri-La hotels in Kota Kinabalu are perfect for watching the sunset. Additionally, the hotel features the only orangutan sanctuary in the city, allowing visitors to have close encounters with these amazing creatures.
The Shangri-La Resort offers many activities to participate in (over 60 options), including sunrise hiking early in the morning, where you can climb high to watch the sunrise just before dawn.
Water golf, kayaking, and other activities are also available, with free performances every Wednesday. This hotel is more suitable for relaxation and vacationing.
The hotel consists of Ocean Wing and Garden Wing; this package offers a garden-view sea room. The rooms are 36㎡ in size and have a balcony; here’s what our room looked like.
The Shangri-La Resort also includes breakfast and dinner; since the hotel is quite far from the city center, there are no other dining options available if you choose not to eat at the hotel.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Sutera Resort is somewhat closer to Kota Kinabalu’s city center. It’s a five-star luxury hotel where you can enjoy tranquil nature and spectacular ocean views while also having the convenience of city access. If this is your first time in Kota Kinabalu, I recommend selecting this hotel, as it allows convenient visits to the city and other attractions or joining day tours.
This hotel also provides great sunset views; the rooftop bar is an ideal location for sunset watching.
We also captured photographs of our room at the Pacific Sutera Resort, where the standard room is 32㎡, overlooking a golf course view.
Pacific Sutera Resort includes breakfast but does not provide dinner. It is conveniently located near the city, so there are plenty of dining options available.
For the 2+2 package, I would suggest the following.
If this is your first visit to Kota Kinabalu, I recommend staying at the Pacific Sutera Resort + Mermaids Island, since it is closer to the city. If you want a vacation experience in Kota Kinabalu, go for the Shangri-La + Mermaids Island, as both are resort-style accommodations suitable for relaxation.
The 2+2 packages include transfers.
This covers transportation from the airport to hotels in Kota Kinabalu, to Mermaids Island, and back from Mermaids Island to the city/airport, making the travel very convenient.
1. Purchase Taobao code: 29￥ MF7997 nRfLWvU7Wl0￥ https://m.tb.cn/h.g2GvZLe/
Malaysia is visa-free; you can travel with just your passport. There are quite a few flights to Kota Kinabalu.
Sales begin promptly at 9:00 AM!
2. Stay at the luxurious sea-view room at the Shangri-La Resort in Kota Kinabalu for 2 nights with breakfast and dinner + stay at the Ganaobi Villa on Gaya Island for 2 nights with all meals included + transportation from Kota Kinabalu Airport to Shangri-La + Shangri-La to Gaya Island and back to airport/city hotels, starting from 3299 CNY/person.
Valid until September 26, 2024; additional costs and details regarding restrictions are available on our page.
I have already introduced Shangri-La; let’s now focus on Gaya Island.
Gaya Island Resort is located within Malaysia’s first marine national park – Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park in Sabah. This national park consists of five islands: Sapi, Manukan, Gaya, Mamutik, and Sulug. This wave is the closest to Kota Kinabalu’s marine islands.
Gaya Island is the largest island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. It does not feature just one hotel; there are three hotels on the island: the Gaya Island Resort, the Gayaana Resort, and the big flower resort. This is a private island where access is restricted to hotel guests only.
We visited Gaya Island last year, and the environment is truly lovely.
The island features a wildlife center and a marine center, where you can learn many marine facts and also see turtle conservation efforts.
This package includes the Ganaobi Villa, which is a second-tier room type, with an area starting from 47㎡ (indoor space only). This time, I can share some actual room images with you. The shape resembles a hidden treasure in the tropical jungle of Gaya Island.
Here’s what the interior looks like.
There’s a large balcony. This is quite a comfortable room.
Gaya Island follows an all-inclusive model where breakfast, lunch, and dinner can be enjoyed at Feast Village, a beachside all-day buffet restaurant.
Lunch can also be enjoyed at the poolside bar or Da Wei Cloud Bay. On Gaya Island, beautiful ocean views come at no extra charge.
Additionally, there are premium dining options such as the Japanese restaurant and the Fisherman’s Restaurant, which are not included in the all-inclusive package.
The Japanese restaurant specializes in teppanyaki.
Overall, Gaya Island provides a very enjoyable experience. You can relax on the beach, do yoga in the morning, and watch movies in the evening. This is the perfect vacation lifestyle by the sea.
The package for Shangri-La + Gaya Island also includes full transfer services. This covers transportation from the airport to Shangri-La, from Shangri-La to Gaya Island, and Gaya Island back to Kota Kinabalu city.
Having transfers will definitely provide peace of mind.
1. Purchase Taobao code: 88￥ CZ3460 Jn6GWvfy3cD￥ https://m.tb.cn/h.g2GjyOO/
This package is perfect for enjoying a laid-back vacation in Kota Kinabalu.
Sales begin promptly at 9:00 AM!
**Kuala Lumpur and Surrounding Areas**
– 1-night stay at Dorsett Kuala Lumpur with breakfast + 3 nights at the Moonlight Resort with all meals included + transportation from Kuala Lumpur Airport to Dorsett + shuttle from Dorsett to Moonlight Resort, for 3399 CNY.
Valid until September 20, 2024; additional costs and restrictions will be detailed on the page. This promotion is valid from May 22 to June 18, and includes an additional spa for one person at Moonlight Resort (please mention “Xiyou” while redeeming).
Let’s start with Dorsett Kuala Lumpur.
The hotel is conveniently located, less than 100 meters from the Kuala Lumpur MRT station. You could say it’s the epitome of what a Kuala Lumpur metro station should be.
This is common; local groups often occupy better positions than international hotel chains.
Dorsett Kuala Lumpur was established in 1932 and is recognized as a national historical cultural heritage by the Malaysian government, representing the flourishing period of Malaysia after World War II.
Dorsett Kuala Lumpur opened in 1932 and features classical British design, retaining much of the heritage from the British colonial period in Malaysia.
The hotel has both a new building and an old building; the old building opened in 1932. Here’s a photo of a room in the old building.
The new building opened in 2012 and features more boutique hotel-like rooms. Just look at this lovely room; imagine the price being just over 600 CNY per night. Staying at Dorsett Kuala Lumpur provides great value for money.
Dorsett Kuala Lumpur embodies a vintage charm, with a dedicated barbershop for men. The hotel also has a flower-themed afternoon tea room, which is a restaurant full of flowers.
Moonlight Resort, located in Terengganu, boasts a crescent-shaped golden beach. To preserve its ecological integrity, its buildings are designed to accommodate nature. The resort mirrors the Sultan’s palaces from the 17th century in Malaysia, featuring traditional wooden structures reminiscent of local village buildings, layered over two stories, nestled within a rainforest.
Transport from Dorsett Kuala Lumpur to Moonlight Resort is arranged via private car service.
Once the car reaches the entrance, a resounding drum roll announces your arrival, welcoming you alongside warm smiles from the hotel staff.
Upon arrival, staff will provide an overview of the resort, highlighting essential points of interest such as restaurants, pools, spas, and must-try activities on a map.
There are plenty of English-speaking staff, ensuring seamless communication, enhancing the overall experience.
The package includes a standard king room measuring 55㎡, which offers a very spacious feeling.
Teak wood serves as the primary visual theme, presenting a slightly vintage vibe, but the large windows that can completely open provide a lively infusion of energy, reflecting a tropical atmosphere that I personally enjoy.
An excellent feature is that all rooms are equipped with an extra small bed, suitable to serve as a lounge chair, making it suitable for families of three.
However, since the resort opened in 1993 and has made continuous updates, the rooms can feel a bit older, as some retro designs like air conditioners and locks have been retained to preserve historical charm.
Given that you are in Terengganu, the ocean should be the main focus. The resort’s private beach faces the vast South China Sea and is accessible only to hotel guests.
The hotel offers a wealth of activities, distinguishing it as a major highlight, including both paid and free options. You can plan your itinerary according to your preferences.
Besides visiting Swan Island for diving, I managed to fill my time participating in various complimentary activities, ensuring high enjoyment!
I highly recommend witnessing sea turtles. The hotel hosts a turtle conservation facility.
If you arrive during the sea turtle hatching season, you might witness the adorable sight of turtle hatchlings making their way back to the sea under the guidance of staff, although we just missed this event.
For those traveling with children, you can partake in a small botanical research trip led by a professional botanist for a 30-minute hike around the hotel’s hillside, learning about dozens of fascinating local plant species.
A special recommendation is to check in over the weekend! Each Saturday, the hotel organizes market activities on the lawn, providing traditional Malaysian snacks alongside numerous interactive activities.
Step onto the lawn, and the enthusiastic staff will invite you to join them for traditional games and crafts, creating a delightful atmosphere.
Other more conventional activities like meditation, yoga, and movie screenings aren’t elaborated here; vacations should embody this spirit.
The resort offers two pools, one family-friendly with shallow and deep areas right in front of the beach, ideal for great photo opportunities, loved by many.
The second pool is more secluded; while it isn’t large, it features a screen where movies are played each evening at 21:00, making it a perfect spot for couples—this is a rare pool cinema experience.
The resort has two restaurants: a Chinese and a Western one.
Breakfast is served at the Chinese restaurant with an extensive buffet featuring authentic Malaysian dishes, including a heartfelt nasi lemak with its spicy kick that left me teary-eyed with its authenticity.
Lunch is also at this restaurant, featuring family-style Nyonya dishes. Having enjoyed Southeast Asian cuisine, the hearty stir-fried offerings tasted especially delicious!
Dinner was enjoyed at the Western restaurant. Besides standard pasta and steaks, the seafood is the highlight, featuring whatever the chef freshly catches that day, offering quality food directly from the sea without middlemen.
Of course, the specifics of the all-inclusive package can be confirmed on the page.
1. Purchase Taobao code: 67￥ CZ3452 LhX7WvUOLNy￥ https://m.tb.cn/h.gW6l2yR/
There are plenty of flights to fly to Kuala Lumpur, this package lets you explore both Kuala Lumpur and Terengganu.
Sales begin promptly at 9:00 AM!
**Semporna**
– 2 nights in water villas at Kapalai/ Mabul MWB/ Dragon Pearl Island with all meals included + round-trip transportation from Tawau Airport to Semporna pier and to the island, for 3399 CNY/person; 3 nights in water villas with all meals included and transportation for 4899 CNY/person.
– 2 nights in Sand Villas at Mabul Island Borneo/ Banta South Arcadia with all meals included + round-trip transportation from Tawau Airport to Semporna pier and to the island, for 2699 CNY.
Validity until December 31, 2024; available during summer and National Day periods, additional costs and exclusions are detailed on the page.
Semporna is a small place.
Malaysia has 13 states, one of which is Sabah. Sabah is then divided into five provinces, one being Tawau. Semporna is merely a seaside town in the Tawau province.
However! This is the place with the best water in all of Malaysia, and fact that cannot be disputed.
We mapped out the different islands’ locations around Semporna, identifying three tour routes for diving.
Personally, I recommend staying both on the water and on the islands in Semporna.
The water villas and island resorts here cost less than a third of those in the Maldives, making their value incredibly appealing.
I suggest booking either three nights or four nights. This package charmingly includes options for 3-night and 2-night stays (where 2+2 totals four nights).
There are not more than 20 resorts overall that accommodate guests in Semporna’s waters, and we have visited approximately 15, giving us substantial insight.
The first tier: Mabul Island MWB/ Kapalai/ Mataking.
The second tier: Mabul Island Borneo/ Mabul Island SMART/ Dragon Pearl on Pompong Island/ Banta South/ White Pearl.
The third tier: budget water villas and sand rooms (New Gambang, Crystal, Star Mia, Starfish, Santorini, Coco Water Villas, Coral Sea, etc.).
The fourth tier: staying at Semporna town (this is the most cost-effective option).
Not included in the ranking: oil drilling platforms (a favorite among photo fans).
I’m aware there are many varied reviews online; my advice is to examine the public areas of any resort. Many water villas might look good, but if the public facilities fall short, it’s practically impossible.
