Kota Kinabalu (KK), Malaysia

As I mentioned before, we went away for a week on holiday to a place called Kota Kinabalu.

Gordon booked this on recommendation and it greatly appealed as it was only a hop, skip and a jump from Brunei.

All I can say is "I am so pleased he did".

We stayed at the Shangri-la Rasa Ria Resort and it was absolutely fantastic. We stayed in the Ocean Wing of the resort and had a beautiful view from our balcony. (There is also the Garden Wing).

The resort is next to a nature reserve and you can go and see Orangu-tangs, but be warned you need long trousers, socks and decent trainers/boots as it is full of buzzy things that like to bite you (nice). We didn't have anything suitable to wear and after speaking to someone who had been we decided to be wise and give it a miss (although we will be back and will have the right stuff with us next time).

Sand Flies are also a bit of a menace but if you are not bothered about going onto the beach then you shouldn't have a problem. However, there are so many things to do on the beach you might want to just take weapons grade insect repellent with you and hope for the best.

The hotel and staff were wonderful and I have never been anywhere that has resulted in every member of staff not only knowing all our names but remembering them for the week we were there. Amelie and Madeleine were treated like royalty (as were we).

One night there was a chocolate fountain which naturally had small children round it like moths to a flame, but much to Amelie's disgust it was gone the following night. This didn't prove an issue and 8 chocolate covered marshmallows appeared on our table much to both my children's total delight.

The food was a phenomenal as the resort and we tried each one of the restaurants but the highlight was definately the Japanese Teppan-Yaki restaurant, Kozan where all the food is cooked in front of you on a large iron hotplate. It was totally amazing and well worth a visit. We also went to the Indian restaurant Naan and the food there was also fantastic, all the ladies/girls were giving Bindi's to wear which was a novelty for my 2 horrors.

It was the complete opposite of the Seaview Hotel and so very much enjoyed by all of us that without a doubt if we get the chance to go again you can guarantee we'll be there.