Any family with young children been to BOTH places? Which would be a better one in terms of sun and beach, island hopping, shopping and dining in the town, and family/kids friendly?
Really hard to decide. We are planning to go in August.
Kota Kinabalu - they have Shangrila Tanjung Aru and Shangrila Rasa Ria (both great family resorts). Tanjung is 10 minutes from downtown to easier to go for shopping, dining out. Rasa Ria is 45 minutes away from the city so you stay at the resort most of the time. I have a child who is 3 years old and we had the best time at Rasa Ria during the May holiday. Stayed 8 days and was never bored with the numerous activities available.
Have been to Koh Samui too but we just prefer KK more.
I went to K.K. in May with 2 very small kids and stayed at Nexus. It's all inclusive, great for kids (babysitters are life savers for those needing naps), but there is nothing else to do near by (not even any other hotels- it's very isolated - 45 min trip to city). Not much in the city either. I was in Koh Samui for a personal retreat. There hotels after hotels, so walking along the beach is fun, but a bit crowded. I stayed at a very chic hotel (Amari on Chaweng (sp?) beach and enjoyed the beautiful surrounndings, 2 pools and the walks along the beah people watching, cheaper food (the food at Nexus got tiresome after 6 days and EXPENSIVE). No playgyms, though, but the pools are perfect. I would prefer to go back to Koh Samui with the kids as there is more to do and see, though for a very quite trip, K.K. is good. That's my two cents. -Nackey