Manukan island is the second largest island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Located 15 minutes boat ride away from Kota Kinabalu City center, Manukan Island is one of the most popular islands with restaurants and facilities for the convenience of the visitors. Most of the tourist and visitors go there as a day trip but should you stay the night, you can choose to stay at Manukan Island Resort, managed by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges.
On an invitation by Sutera Sanctuary Lodge, we visit Manukan Island and stay at Sutera Sanctuary Lodge’s Manukan Villa and Hillside Villa.
We take the shuttle boat at Sutera Harbour Marina Jetty to Manukan Island.
Sutera Sanctuary Lodges at Manukan Island boasts a private beach overlooking the South China Sea. It features an outdoor pool, spacious villas, and suites. It comprises a restaurant, swimming pool, tennis courts and 20 dark-wood villas, all overlooking the South China Sea and decked out in tasteful Bali-chic style. There are a total of 29 villas at Sutera Sanctuary Lodges at Manukan Island.
Hillside Villa view from Manukan Island Jetty
Check-in
Passport or Identity card is required for check-in. As Manukan Island is located in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, locals are required to pay RM5 conservation fees and foreigner are required to pay RM20 conservation fees to Sabah Park upon entering Manukan Island.
The Villas
Manukan Beach Villa – Double Storey
With 1,512 sq ft of space, Manukan Villa (double Storey) can fit up to 6 persons. The unit comes with a living area, dining area, pantry with microwave & fridge and 2 bedrooms, Master Bedroom with Super King Bed with attached Bathroom with Heated Shower and 2nd Bedroom with 2 King Bed with attached Bathroom with Heated Shower. The unit is fully air-conditioned for comfort after a day out at the beach.
A dining area and a kitchen at Manukan Villa
Master bedroom on the ground floor with a King Size Bed.
2nd bedroom upstair with 2 king size beds.
The Manukan villa is located near the public beach where you can find lots of activities.
Hillside Villa
The Hillside Villa is located at on the hillside overlooking the private beach and Manukan Jetty. We got the enjoy the beach view from the private terraces. A dining area and a kitchen are provided in some units. The en suite bathroom comes with free toiletries and a shower. There are a total of 9 hillside villas at Sutera Sanctuary Lodge Manukan Island Resort.
Hillside Villa
(880 / 890sq ft) 1 Unit for 2 person
- 1 Bedroom with Super King Bed
- Bathroom with Heated Shower
- Living Area with Mini Pantry
- Fully Air-Conditioned
stairs leading up to Hillside villa.
Manukan jetty view from the terrace.
Living Area with Mini Pantry
airy interior with ample natural lighting inside the hilllside villa.
The bedroom is located on the 2nd floor of the villas.
Restaurants
Perahu Restaurant
Buffet breakfast is served daily at Prahu Restaurant, which also opens for all-day dining. Guests can also order room service. Perahu Restaurant open daily from 8.00am to 10.00pm. Breakfast from 8.00am to 10.00am, Lunch from 11.30am to 3.00pm and Dinner from 6.00pm to 10.00pm. You can opt to dine in a fully air-conditioned room or dining al fresco to enjoy the sea breeze.
Sand Bar
- Open daily from 8.00am to 9.00pm.
- An extension of Perahu Restaurant, located next to the swimming pool, where you can enjoy a thirst-quenching cocktail or an ice cold beer while overlooking the sea.
Why I love Sutera Sanctuary Lodge at Manukan Island
Once all the day-tripper left Manukan Island by 4 pm, we got to enjoy the silence and have the whole island to ourselves. The resort has its own private stretch of beach so you didn’t get overwhelmed by the daytrippers during the daytime. Each villa at Sutera Sanctuary Lodge Manukan Island is well designed with cosy furniture and bed.
The price is reasonable for an island resort. The only complaint is the limited food choice at the Perahu Restaurant and slow wifi which is no big deal for us since we want to relax at the island.
Empty beach after 4pm
private beach at the foot of hillside villa.
beautiful view from the hillside villa.
Joanne Lee
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