Sorry, even the sunset at Tanjung Aru can only rank TOP 3

Because I've found my TOP 2 sunset in Brunei and TOP 1 with my besties👭 〰〰Sunset🌇〰〰 You might not know Tanjung Aru Hotel, but you've definitely seen its sunset views. After several sunset gambles in Kota Kinabalu, I've learned sunsets are truly unpredictable. On my first night arriving in KK, we rushed by taxi to Tanjung Aru only to see a stunning sunset while stuck in traffic - by the time we reached the beach, it was dark. After returning from Brunei, we skipped sunset viewing entirely to feast after witnessing an incredible one at The Empire Hotel. When we finally stayed at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru with full ceremony (KK's legendary luxury resort experience), we got two hours of heavy rain starting at 4:45pm on the first night. Though the rain stopped and we saw a rainbow on the second evening, the sunset played peek-a-boo with the clouds. Yet we still managed "Instagram vs Reality" shots 😂 The true KK sunset might only be known to the naked eye. With phone color correction and filters, every shot becomes insta-worthy without saying a word haha. 〰〰Hotel🛏〰〰 Now about this Shangri-La Tanjung Aru - a hotel older than me. Despite renovations, its rooms and facilities show their age. ⭐Rooms: Divided into Tanjung Wing and Kinabalu Wing, the former has better views and higher prices. Twin beds are usually 1.2-1.3m wide with a large sofa. Minibar is empty except for water and four coffee capsules. Spacious bathroom with shower and tub. ⭐Pool: Large interconnected adult and children's pools surrounded by bars, loungers and spa facilities. ⭐Public areas: Tennis court, gym, beach volleyball, lawn loungers - all standard five-star amenities. ⭐Activities: Daily schedule with free/paid options, many family-friendly. We tried the 8:30am beachside yoga class (max 10 people). Evening live music at the bar after sunset. ⭐Private jetty: Island hopping and water sports available (more expensive than Jesselton but convenient). Coaches accompany all activities. ⭐Sunset Bar: Where movie-worthy sunsets happen 🌇 Must-visit landmark 📸 Opens at 5pm. General seats require 48MYR minimum spend (basic drinks included). Premium view seats from 398MYR. Non-guests can email for reservations; hotel guests can walk in (may wait during peak). ⭐Sunset SUP: Popular paddleboarding at an external beach area gets crowded - no comment as we skipped it. ⭐Star Lounge: Super practical lounge 💯 Open 8am-10pm for early arrivals/late departures. Offers seating, charging stations, water, showers and sauna. Many Chinese/Korean guests. Possible room upgrades during low season with extended stays. Worth experiencing for sunset views but might get boring for long stays haha.