KOTA KINABALU, Sabah, Malaysia -- A dedication ceremony was held
for the Sutera Harbour Resort here in July, nearly six years after
the official groundbreaking.
Created to operate both as a traditional resort and a private
club, the 384-acre complex is situated in Kota Kinabalu in the
Malaysian state of Sabah overlooking the South China Sea.
The total cost of the development, which began in 1994 and was
carried out in several stages, was in excess of $500 million.
Future plans call for the construction of luxury condominiums
and beach bungalows.
The resort serves as a "catalyst" for growth within Sabah's tourism
industry and the local economy, said Ybhg Encik Edward Ong, the
resort's chief executive officer, during the dedication
ceremony.
Ong said the resort employs approximately 1,300 workers, 99% of
whom are Malaysians.
Designed to function as a self-contained village, the resort
consists of two separate hotels, the 500-room Pacific Sutera and
the 456-room Magellan Sutera; a convention center; a spa (see
sidebar); a golf and country club that serves a 27-hole golf
course, and a 104-slip marina.
Resort officials said they have been able to keep both hotels
near capacity by marketing them to different audiences.
The Pacific Sutera markets itself to business travelers, both
local and international. Rooms feature such business amenities as
computer hook-ups for laptops, work desks with ergonomic chairs and
task lighting, two-line phones and coffeemakers.
The resort's top two floors are classified as Club Room floors.
They are serviced by a dedicated business center and offer guests
free breakfast and evening cocktails.
Rates at the Pacific Sutera start at $50 for ground-floor rooms
that overlook the golf course.
The Magellan Sutera markets itself to leisure travelers with its
more traditional resort facilities. Chief among these are the spa
and the Magellan Club, which features rooms with butler service and
a private lounge that serves free breakfast and evening
cocktails.
No matter where a client stays, the resort allows guests signing
privileges at all restaurants (there are a total of 15 restaurants
and bars) and entertainment and recreational facilities (including
five swimming pools, three fitness centers, a 12-lane bowling alley
and a 100-seat movie theater).
Guests can get around the property by walking along the marina
boardwalk or by hopping on a shuttle service to access the various
facilities.
For information or reservations, call the Pacific Sutera at
(011) 60-88 318-888 or the Magellan Sutera at (011) 60-88
312-222.
You can also visit the resort's Web site at www.suteraharbour.com.