Our latest family trip as a five (now a 6) took us on an incredible journey from the neon skyline of Hong Kong to the lush rainforests and warm shores of Borneo. It was one of those holidays that felt like three trips in one: big‑city excitement, close‑up wildlife encounters and then a week of pure poolside relaxation at Shangri‑La’s Tanjung Aru.

It was a perfect reminder of why I love multi‑centre, tailor‑made holidays for families: everyone gets something they love, and you come home with a whole collection of very different memories.

Stop 1: Energy, Culture & Skylines in Hong Kong

We started with a stay in Hong Kong, which is an amazing city to explore with children. There is such a buzz to it: colourful markets, ferries criss‑crossing the harbour and towering skyscrapers lit up at night.

As a family, we spent our time:

• Taking the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour for those classic skyline views, which are even more magical as the sun goes down.
• Heading up to a viewpoint to see the city from above, a sea of lights stretching in every direction.
• Wandering through local streets and markets, where the kids loved spotting unfamiliar fruits, snacks and gadgets.
• Finding green pockets and playgrounds so the younger ones could let off steam between city sights.

Hong Kong can feel very big and bold, but with a bit of planning it works beautifully for families: easy to get around, lots of simple, low‑cost experiences, and plenty to keep curious minds engaged.

After soaking up the city, it was time to swap skyscrapers for rainforest and fly on to Borneo.

Stop 2: Meeting the Orangutans in Borneo

Borneo has a completely different feel: slower, greener and wonderfully immersive. For our family, the real highlight here was visiting the orangutans and helping the children understand why this region is so special.

Our days here were all about:

• Visiting a renowned orangutan sanctuary and watching these incredible animals in a protected, respectful environment.
• Learning about the conservation work taking place, why habitats matter and how we can support wildlife in the right way.
• Letting the kids ask endless questions and seeing that moment when an experience clicks, and they realise they are seeing something truly unique.

There was something very grounding about being in the rainforest after the intensity of Hong Kong. Surrounded by greenery and birdsong, it felt like we had stepped into a different world altogether.

As a parent, it was one of those travel moments that felt genuinely meaningful: not just a “day out”, but a chance for the children to connect with nature and see first‑hand why these animals need to be protected.

Stop 3: Poolside Calm at Shangri‑La’s Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu

After the city buzz and rainforest adventures, we ended our holiday with a relaxing stay at Shangri‑La’s Tanjung Aru in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo. This was our chance to slow everything right down, enjoy some creature comforts and spend lazy days by the pool as a family.

First Impressions

The resort has a lovely, relaxed feel from the moment you arrive:

• Tropical gardens, sea views and a sense of space that is ideal for families.
• A welcoming, family‑friendly atmosphere where nothing felt too much trouble.

It instantly felt like the right place to finish our trip: somewhere we could properly unwind and let all the experiences of the last few days sink in.

Family‑Friendly Comfort

Travelling as a five, having comfortable rooms and practical spaces is always high on our list. At Tanjung Aru we really appreciated:

• Well‑designed rooms with everything we needed to feel at home.
• Plenty of spots around the resort where the children could be active, while we could still keep an eye on them and relax.
• A calm, easygoing atmosphere that made it simple to slip into holiday mode.

Pool Days & Sea Views

Much of our time here revolved around the pool and the water, which suited everyone perfectly after our earlier adventures.

Our days looked a lot like this:

• Long mornings by the pool, swimming, playing and simply enjoying the warmth.
• Time by the water’s edge, watching the boats go by and soaking up the views.
• Afternoons drifting between the pool, snacks and shady spots with a book.

For us as parents, this was the “exhale” part of the trip: no rush, no schedule, just time together to talk about everything we had seen and done.

Eating & Evenings

Meal times are always a big part of our family trips and Tanjung Aru did not disappoint:

• Plenty of variety so everyone found something they enjoyed.
• Relaxed dining options that worked well with children.
• Lovely sunset moments, when we could sit together and watch the sky change colour while we talked about our favourite parts of the day.

Evenings were low‑key but memorable: a mix of simple walks, a drink with a view and getting the kids happily tired out and ready for another pool day.

Why This Itinerary Worked For Our Family

Looking back, the structure of this trip felt just right:

• Hong Kong gave us excitement, culture and those classic big‑city experiences.
• Borneo’s orangutans and rainforest added a sense of wonder and learning that really stayed with the children.
• Shangri‑La’s Tanjung Aru provided the relaxing finale we all needed, with time by the pool and space to slow down.

For a family, it was a brilliant balance of adventure and comfort: enough variety to keep everyone engaged, but with a lovely, gentle ending so we came home rested rather than exhausted.