Santubong Hotels & Resorts

Sarawak’s Cabo San Lucas, the Santubong Peninsula is a good overnight trip possibility some 30km north of Kuching. A strip of land jutting out to the sea, the region is heavy in tourist-traffic and was once the site of an early trading settlement.

Dominated by the 2,500m Gunung Santubong, the neighbourhood is a seaside strip with upscale resorts and villas owned by Kuching’s wealthiest residents. Featuring secondary rainforest and lots of strangely shaped rocks, Santubong’s main draws are its beaches, a golf course, jungle trails and a cluster of seafood eateries. Key sightseeing spots in the area include the Sarawak Cultural Village (an ethnic themed park that plays host to the annual Rainforest World Music Festival), Batu Gambar (a unique collection of primitive rock carvings) and the riverside village of Buntal.

Accommodation options in the region are limited – you’re more likely to find luxury ventures than budget deals in the area; the four-star Damai Beach Resort is a good bet when you’re in the area. Worth mentioning due to the fact that it is the oldest hotel in Santubong, this sprawling property has classic ocean view guestrooms and hillside Bidayuh-inspired suites.