Hotels in Ranau

Ranau is located 108 kilometres east of capital of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Ranau is situated in the West Coast division, with a town and a district all in itself. The residents of the place majorly consists of Dusun ethnic. The area is known for its hilly geography, being the major producer of highland vegetables in the state. Nonetheless the tourism industry is also booming, with half a million tourists coming over to visit Ranau as of 2009. From the historical point, Ranau gets its name from the Dusun word “ranahon” which means paddy fields. In the 19th century, Ranau is placed under the administration of British North Borneo Company (BNBC) and governed under the Province Dent before restructuring as a substation of Tambunan. In 1942, the North Borneo is occupied by Japanese, placing Ranau under the administration of the West Coast Territory Governance. It became a place of significance to the Japanese later due to its rice production capability, with the setting up of the garrison to control the locals. Ranau is also an important place where the Sandakan Death Marches happened. Three memorial stones were erected in memory of the incident.

How to Get There

From Kuala Lumpur International Airport, you can take flight on-board with the Malaysia Airlines or AirAsia for a direct flight to the Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Then you can take a local flight to Ranau or rent a car which would take up to 2 hours and 30 minutes journey by car.

Tourist Attractions

Kinabalu Park

Kinabalu Park is the national park that is recognized as the country’s World Heritage Site. It is the natural habitat of over 5000 vascular plant species and 90 species of mammals – no wonder it is also awarded as the Centre of Plant Diversity for South East Asia. This park is where the mighty Mount Kinabalu is located too, which is the highest mountain in Malaysia. Interested adventurers are advised to book six months in advance due to the overwhelming response as well as the limit imposed – only 135 pax are allowed to do the hiking on a daily basis.

Sosodikon Hill

Sosodikon Hill or also known as Pyramid Hill is a picturesque hill which is located near the Kundasang town and Desa Cattle Dairy Farm. The hill is nicknamed such due to its structure and shape that is akin to a pyramid. The journey to the top would take around 20 to 30 minutes, which is not as long as hiking the Mount Kinabalu, but do not underestimate – it does not mean that the experience is not one that lacked of challenge. The view at the top is mesmerizing, making it worthy to snap some photos for remembrance. An entrance fee of three ringgit is charged per head.

Hotels

Poring Hot Spring

This accommodation is located in the Kinabalu National Park, which takes around 30 minutes of trip from the Ranau town. There is a palm villa type which can cater to six persons at a time – a great fit for tourists coming in groups or families. The reception service works 24 hours hence you do not have to worry if you come late. In-house facilities include separate dining area, coffee maker, shower, fan, toiletries and breakfast being provided. There is also a camping site for the type that loves being adventurous. Furthermore, the facilities nearby such as outdoor pool, children pool, restaurant, garden and picnic area makes this place such a great spot to relax and enjoy quality time with family and friends.

Sabah Tea Garden

This two-star accommodation is situated at Jalan Ranau-Sandakan, which is close to the Sabah Tea Garden’s tea plantation. There is a choice between triple rooms in long houses or cottage type accommodation. Only the latter comes with breakfast, nonetheless WiFi is equally provided. In-room facilities include cable television, coffee maker and shower. There is a restaurant and a bar nearby, as well as a garden and barbecue spot. In addition to that, a gift shop is available for tourists to purchase souvenirs.