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The Best Hotels in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu is a five-star hotel with views to match
Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu is a five-star hotel with views to match | Courtesy of Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu / Expedia

In the shadow of Mount Kinabalu, the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia and fantastic to trek, Kota Kinabalu is the capital city of Sabah state in East Malaysia. It’s a great stopping off point to visit Mount Kinabalu Park Botanical Garden, cruise on the Klias River or snorkel in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, but offers plenty of attractions itself, including the Waterfront and Gaya Street Sunday Market. Here’s our pick of the best hotels in Kota Kinabalu, all bookable on Culture Trip.

Stanton Hotel

Hotel

A stylish lounge at the Stanton Hotel has two lilac sofas and a mantlepiece over which is a large mirror
Courtesy of Stanton Hotel / Expedia

Between the airport and the centre of Kota Kinabalu, Stanton Hotel is a fine place to base yourself. The grand colonial building, complete with a red telephone box outside, once housed an insurance company. Today, the compact rooms retain a formal look thanks to a muted grey colour scheme but comfy beds and friendly staff ensure you feel like you’re at home, not in the office.

TOOJOU Hostel

Hostel

A neat bedroom at TOOJOU Hostel with colourful art above the bed an ensuite
Courtesy of TOOJOU Hostel / Expedia

Calling all digital nomads, TOOJOU is made for travellers like you. With modern dorms and private rooms, speedy wifi and co-working spaces, a rooftop bar and an adult-size spiral slide in the lobby, this is the coolest place to work, play and stay on a budget in Kota Kinabalu. If you can drag yourself out of your beanbag, check out the giant mural by graffiti artist Kenji Chai on the exterior of the building.

Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa

Resort, Spa Hotel, Hotel

A sea-view terrace at Shangri-Las Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa with loungers, chairs and a circular sofa
Courtesy of Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa / Expedia

If you’re looking for luxury, you’ll find it at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru – one of the top resorts in Kota Kinabalu. With 10ha (25 acres) of beautiful gardens, a private jetty, healing spa and six trendy restaurants and bars, you might be tempted to spend your entire vacation within the resort. However, when you want to venture out into the city, you’ll find it only a 10 minute drive away.

Hotel Sixty3

Hotel

A traditional guest room at Hotel Sixty3 with a double bed, dark-wood headboard and a striped carpet
Courtesy of Hotel Sixty3 / Expedia

Within walking distance of Gaya Street Sunday Market, the most popular day market in Sabah, you can head out of Hotel Sixty3’s front door and be enjoying some tasty street food within moments. Don’t forget to browse the local crafts and souvenirs before returning to your spacious room with earth toned interiors for a peaceful night’s rest.

Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu

Hotel

A pool at Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu with geometric patterns on the pool floor and loungers around the outside
Courtesy of Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu / Expedia

Right on the waterfront, you get great sea and city views at Le Méridien, especially from the rooftop bar, Rooftop @ Le Méridien. And in your room, when the sun sets, you can watch the vivid red and gold colours through floor-to-ceiling windows. There are other restaurants on site including Favola, serving classic Italian food with local ingredients and a modern twist. On Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, this hotel is close to the night food market, handicraft market and waterfront.

Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

Hotel

A sew-view guest room at Hyatt Regency Kinabalu with wooden floors and double bed
Courtesy of Hyatt Regency Kinabalu / Expedia

The Hyatt Regency Kinabalu is what you’d expect upscale hotels to be – spacious, stylish and with plenty of amenities. It has six restaurants and bars, a fitness centre and an outdoor pool ringed with cabanas. Street markets and shopping malls are within walking distance and if you request a room on the higher floors, you’ll have sweeping views of the sea.

The Magellan Sutera Resort

Resort, Hotel

A guest room at The Magellan Sutera Resort with a double bed, patterned carpet and a white desk
Courtesy of The Magellan Sutera Resort / Expedia

If you really want to splash out, the Magellan Sutera Resort is the place to stay. The hotel boasts an exclusive beachfront with fine, pale sand, artistically landscaped swimming pools and the largest convention facility in Kota Kinabalu. For a relaxing treat, book yourself a Balinese massage at the Mandara Spa, where you can unwind under an open-air pavilion or in a private room.

Zara’s Boutique Hotel

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

A family-style room at Zaras Boutique Hotel with two single beds and striped carpet
Courtesy of Zara’s Boutique Hotel / Expedia

The colourful exterior of Zara’s Boutique Hotel’s hints at the vivid decor of its rooms and suites. With striped carpets like a Thousand-Layer Cake – a classic southeast Asian desert – and silken cushion pillows, this hotel is a great place to rest your feet after a long day shopping at Imago Shopping Mall. Hotel facilities are basic, but the buffet breakfast selection more than makes up for it.

Hotel Eden54

Boutique Hotel, Bed and Breakfast

A bedroom at Hotel Eden54 with green walls, dark-wood flooring and two double beds
Courtesy of Hotel Eden54 / Expedia

This no-frills hotel is good value and aesthetically very clean and understated. You get friendly staff and a central historic downtown location in Gaya Street close to bars, eateries, the Suria Sabah Shopping Mall and the ferry to Labuan and other islands in Sabah. The hotel is popular with business travellers and has an intriguing palette of colours.

Little Gaya Hotel

Hotel

A family-friendly room at Little Gaya Hotel with a double bed, sofa bed and animal-skin rug
Courtesy of Little Gaya Hotel / Expedia

The Little Gaya Hotel really does have plenty of gaya, meaning style. Wooden floorboards, standing lamps and faux-fur rugs in selected suites help inject this budget hotel with some glamour. While facilities are basic, breakfast is included, and local eateries are within proximity.

Sky Hotel

Hotel

A family-style room at Sky Hotel with two beds and tiled floors
Courtesy of Sky Hotel / Expedia

The Sky Hotel boasts a rooftop pool to go with its name, along with a spacious deck. Other facilities include a fitness centre, laundry room, luggage storage and the Green Table Restaurant, serving vegetarian cuisine. In your room, you’ll find an LED TV, a coffee and tea maker and a refrigerator.

Emma Sparks contributed additional reporting to this article.

About the author

Michelle is your textbook freelancer. She writes on a 13'', visits boutique cafes in old rustic towns, and travels the world every 80 days.

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