For many travellers, booking Kinabalu Park accommodations means one thing—conquering Mount Kinabalu. But beyond the summit, its surrounding areas offer glimpses into the lives of the people who call this mountain home. Through the lodges operated by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges across Sabah and Sarawak, guests can experience another side of Borneo shaped by tradition, nature, and community.
Taste what the locals love
Around Kinabalu Park, where Sutera Sanctuary Lodges offers hillside stay, the mountain villages of Kundasang, Bundu Tuhan, and Kiau brim with the flavours of Kadazan-Dusun heritage. One of the most beloved dishes here is hinava — a traditional raw fish salad made with fresh mackerel or tenggiri, marinated in lime juice, shallots, ginger, and chili. The acidity of the lime gently ‘cooks’ the fish, creating a bright, refreshing dish often shared during family gatherings and festive occasions like Kaamatan, the annual Harvest Festival.
You’ll find hinava at local markets and small eateries alongside mountain rice, jungle vegetables, and wild honey, a delicious glimpse into everyday highland life in Sabah.
Book your stay at Sutera Sanctuary Lodges at Kinabalu Park
Bathe with the locals at Poring
About 40km from Kinabalu Park is the Ranau district, home to Poring Hot Springs resort and many Dusun villages. After a soothing soak in the warm sulphuric pools, visitors can stop by local stalls selling handmade crafts and simple snacks like bamboo rice and tapioca fritters, made fresh by nearby families.
Guests staying overnight at the Poring rainforest lodge often wake up to the calls of forest birds and the gentle buzz of village life nearby. The hot springs remain popular with locals too, a gathering place for families who’ve long valued these mineral waters for their restorative warmth.
Stay at the Poring Hot Spring Resort by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges
Meet Manukan’s ocean residents
Just off Kota Kinabalu, Manukan Island resort by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges is a haven for water-sport lovers. Guests can race across turquoise waters of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park on jet skis, wakeboards, or water skis. Not a thrill-seeker? You can choose to kayak, paddleboard, or snorkel among vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life instead.
For land explorers, gentle hiking trails wind through tropical forest to scenic viewpoints. The resort also provides equipment rentals for snorkeling and kayaking, making it easy to explore at your own pace. After a day of play, guests can unwind with fresh seafood dishes prepared by the island’s local culinary team, the perfect finish to a day in Sabah’s island paradise.
Book a getaway at Manukan Island Resort by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges
See bird’s nest harvesting at Niah
Deep within Niah National Park in northern Sarawak, the Penan community continues the remarkable tradition of harvesting edible bird’s nests from the soaring limestone caves. Using handmade bamboo ladders and rattan ropes, skilled climbers scale the cave walls to collect the delicate nests, a craft passed down through generations and still practiced under careful conservation rules.
To experience it up close, make Sutera Sanctuary Lodges at Niah National Park your base.
Stay with Sutera Sanctuary Lodges at Niah National Park
