I haven't had such a good time in a hotel/resort for ages. We felt relaxed as soon as we arrived and were offered a drink and canapes. We booked the cheapest room type (Rasa Hillview) in the Rasa wing which was only slightly more expensive than the Garden Wing and at least US$100 cheaper than the other rooms in the Rasa Wing. The room was at the back of the hotel and faced the road, however it was spacious enough and very nice. The bathroom and bed were huge and plenty of water bottles and a fruit basket were delivered daily to the room.
As part of the Rasa Wing we enjoyed the private pool area where no children under 16 were allowed. We had breakfast daily in the Ferringhi Room which was lovely. We tried to the Spice Market one day but found the atmosphere and buffet style selection not as nice as the Ferringhi. We had afternoon tea everyday (3-5pm) and then drinks and canapes every evening (5-7pm), which included champagne and cocktails The lounge area also had free wi-fi which was great. Eating the afternoon tea and canapes (which they constantly give you seconds of) meant that we spent very little on food and drinks as we were never really hungry. The food was incredible and some of the best hotel food I've had. We had hawker food up the road from the hotel one night (about a 5-10 minute walk) into the village and we did have a posh dinner in the Ferringhi Grill one night which was great but very expensive. The Pinang Restaurant by the beach was nice for sitting outside and having a burger and cocktail or beer when the sun went down. We also took the free shuttle bus into town one day but spent the rest of the time eating, drinking and sitting by the pool.
All the staff were incredible and would chat with you whilst serving your drinks in the lounge. They really seemed to enjoy their jobs.
I would definitely recommend the Rasa Wing. It may cost a little more but you save in the end and the extras are what makes it feel so special.

This is the worst managed Shangri La I've ever stayed at. A complete waste of money - poor food, inept staff, dreadful managers - and completely overpriced compared with nearby hotels and restaurants.

It doesn't deserve to be a called Shangri La - it's not heavenly, it's ropey and unpleasant to stay in but the most unforgiveable thing for a supposedly five star hotel is the poorly trained staff and incompetent managers. The Spice Market restaurant where breakfast is served in the Garden Wing is a complete joke. If you can get a seat, you'll end up getting half the cutlery and crockery yourself, rarely get the tea or coffee you ordered and eat bog standard food. You can stand around for ages waiting for eggs while the rest of your breakfast goes cold, or find that the trays are empty and no matter how often you ask, things aren't replenished - so each day you have to figure out how to get what you'd like and make sure all your hot food arrives at the same time on the same plate - no mean task. It is a complete lottery as to if and when you'll get what you'd like and not the sleek, swift and efficient standard of any other Shangri La.

It was a huge waste of money and a massive disappointment after the huge refurbishment they are so proud of (I last visited in 2003). Superficially it looks lovely but when you're used to the pleasant and welcoming atmosphere in the east, this place feels really uncomfortable. I've travelled all over Malaysia, to far more basic hotels and met far more warm, welcoming and thoughtful staff. And Shangri La should really rethink their policy of customer recommendation of staff for a monthly prize because all the client facing staff badger you to fill in cards for them while the hard working gardeners, for example, don't get to speak to you, let alone ask for recommendations.

Oh, and the room cleaners are pretty poor. The bathroom was dirty and dusty, sometimes the towels weren't changed, the cleaners appeared anytime up to 6pm to clean, we were locked out on our balcony twice - as were our neighbours, the same fruit rotted in a bowl for a fortnight as did the crumbs and dirt on the balcony which was there from the day we arrived until the day we left.

We were also given the hard sell to upgrade our room on arrival. After hours of travelling we were dragged round the hotel looking at rooms we didn't want when a drink and a quiet seat was what was in order (and what I'd have expected from a 5 star hotel).

Stay away. There are far better Shangri La's in Malaysia and you'd be better spending your money on fun things and staying at the Pacific and Oriental or one of the cheaper hotels on Batu Ferringhi.

An absolutely faultless hotel. I love it and would go again in a breath. There were four of us, me and my hubbie and two children aged 1 and 3. We stayed in the Rasa Wing of the hotel. The hotel is an hour away from the airport but worth the wait after a long flight from the UK.

The staff were fantastic and even packed us a picnic breakfast to go on our last day there. The staff were excellent with the children. The hotel itself was a little pricey but that is 5 star and I kind of expect it.

Fantastic hotel set in a huge garden right in front of the sea. We were guestes at the Rasa wing and able to use all the resort's facilities. There are 2 big pools (one of them with airpool and whirlpool area), tennis courts and even a three holes green!
Don't miss the SPA...
Superb restaurants and excellent breakfast buffet.
The Resort location is also very close to the the Feringgi town with its "on mile market".
Extremely helpful and professional staff in all Hotel's division.
Definitely suggested!