Hotels in Kota Kinabalu (Sabah, Malaysia)

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  1. TD Plaza Hotel

    3 Stars
    from  R 376
    See prices from 4 sites
    • Popular choice

    Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu

    5 Stars

    Rooms with mountain or sea vistas, Expansive water park for families

    from  R 4,305
    See prices from 8 sites

  3. Gaya Island Resort

    5 Stars

    Exceptional culinary experiences, Panoramic South China Sea views

    from  R 4,358
    See prices from 5 sites
    • Popular choice

    Borneo Beach Villa & Suite

    4 Stars

    Private villa pools with ocean views, Well-equipped rooms with unique designs

    from  R 877
    See prices from 7 sites

  5. Tune Hotel - 1Borneo Kota Kinabalu

    3 Stars

    On-site restaurant serving diverse cuisine, Large mirrors and bright decor

    from  R 304
    See prices from 8 sites

  6. Ming Garden Hotel & Residences

    4 Stars

    Halal dining options available, Spacious rooms with city or river views

    from  R 593
    See prices from 6 sites

  7. The Magellan Sutera Resort

    5 Stars

    Multiple pools with family fun, Panoramic sunset and sea views

    from  R 2,354
    See prices from 6 sites

  8. Hotel Shangri-La Kota Kinabalu

    3 Stars

    Panoramic city and island views, Diverse dining with halal options

    from  R 564
    See prices from 7 sites

  9. Sky Hotel

    4 Stars

    Dedicated vegetarian restaurant, Spacious rooms with city or sea views

    from  R 548
    See prices from 6 sites
    • Popular choice

    Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu

    5 Stars

    Proximity to Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, Spacious rooms with ocean vistas

    from  R 1,626
    See prices from 9 sites

  11. Hotel 7 Suria

    3 Stars

    Rooms with captivating sea views, High ceilings in guest rooms

    from  R 725
    See prices from 8 sites

  12. The Klagan Hotel

    3 Stars

    Convenient airport access, Halal dining options

    from  R 661
    See prices from 8 sites
    • Popular choice

    Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu

    4 Stars

    Stunning South China Sea views, Renowned Dynasty Chinese Restaurant

    from  R 884
    See prices from 5 sites
    • Popular choice

    Promenade Service Apartment

    2 Stars

    Kitchenette-equipped studio units, Spacious family room accommodations

    from  R 298
    See prices from 4 sites

  15. The Pacific Sutera Hotel

    5 Stars

    Olympic-sized swimming pool, Panoramic sea and golf course views

    from  R 1,600
    See prices from 7 sites

  16. The Shore Kota Kinabalu City Centre by LW Suites

    Rooms with mountain or sea views, Year-round outdoor pool

    from  R 1,167
    See prices from 2 sites

  17. The Klagan Regency

    4 Stars

    Rooms with city or mountain views, Halal dining options

    from  R 707
    See prices from 7 sites

  18. Sabah Beach Villas & Suites

    3 Stars

    Family-friendly amenities and activities, Stunning ocean and sunset views

    from  R 782
    See prices from 3 sites

  19. Gayana Marine Resort

    5 Stars

    Overwater villas with ocean views, Direct ocean access from villas

    from  R 3,116
    See prices from 8 sites

  20. Pan Borneo Hotel Kota Kinabalu

    4 Stars

    Rooms with scenic sea or mountain views, Outdoor pool with city views

    from  R 545
    See prices from 8 sites

  21. Sheraton Kota Kinabalu

    5 Stars
    from  R 1,879
    See prices from 3 sites

  22. Raia Hotel Kota Kinabalu

    3 Stars

    Views of passing airplanes, Extensive event and meeting facilities

    from  R 623
    See prices from 9 sites

  23. Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

    5 Stars

    Prime waterfront location, Halal-certified local and western cuisine

    from  R 1,530
    See prices from 8 sites
    • Popular choice

    Gaya Centre Hotel

    3 Stars

    Prime city center location, Diverse halal dining options

    from  R 556
    See prices from 8 sites

  25. FLYPOD Hotel

    3 Stars

    Express check-in and check-out, Aviation enthusiast's dream views

    from  R 316
    See prices from 3 sites

  26. Palette Kota Kinabalu Near by Imago Shopping Mall Formerly Zara's Boutique Hotel

    3 Stars

    Views of the South China Sea, On-site shared kitchen access

    from  R 384
    See prices from 4 sites

  27. Hilton Kota Kinabalu

    5 Stars

    Signature Teh Tarik at breakfast, Rooftop infinity pool with city views

    from  R 1,396
    See prices from 6 sites

  28. The Klagan @ Riverson Hotel

    3 Stars

    Year-round outdoor swimming pool, Dedicated family-friendly accommodations

    from  R 668
    See prices from 6 sites

  29. The LUMA Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels

    4 Stars

    Design Hotels collection member, Boutique gym with state-of-art equipment

    from  R 1,184
    See prices from 7 sites

  30. Sabah Oriental Hotel

    4 Stars

    Rooms with classic tropical furniture, Outdoor pool for relaxation

    from  R 525
    See prices from 8 sites
    • Popular choice

    COZY Studio at Ming Garden Residence

    3 Stars

    Spacious rooms with city or river views, Apartments with kitchenettes available

    from  R 579
    See prices from 2 sites
    • Popular choice

    Borneo Tree House

    2 Stars

    Unique upper deck bed configuration, Rooms with balcony or terrace

    from  R 177
    See prices from 1 site

  33. K Avenue by Pinstay

    Modern apartment-style accommodations, Sauna for ultimate relaxation

    from  R 580
    See prices from 3 sites

  34. The SIGAR Hotel at Sutera Bay

    4 Stars

    Riverside city views, Kadazandusun cultural inspiration

    from  R 762
    See prices from 5 sites

  35. Tang Dynasty Hotel

    3 Stars

    Ski equipment and lessons available, Early check-in without extra cost

    from  R 387
    See prices from 5 sites

The prices and availability we receive from booking sites change constantly. This means you may not always find the exact same offer you saw on trivago when you land on the booking site.

Popular hotel categories in Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu is the perfect base for Malaysian Borneo.

Located on the island of Borneo, Kota Kinabalu is the capital of the Sabah state of Malaysia and a fast growing tourist destination. It is a coastal city featuring a waterfront stretching several kilometres and a port regularly receiving international cruise ships. Although a favoured destination in its own right, Kota Kinabalu also acts as a gateway to the impressive nearby nature, including its namesake national park. Diving, deep water fishing, plus a whole host of other ocean activities are some of the biggest draws to the region, the city of Kota Kinabalu provides the perfect base.

A diverse city centre with varying architecture

The design and atmosphere of Kota Kinabalu reflects its history rather well, it is a blend of cultures and ethnicities with a strong British feel in certain areas. Atkinson Clock Tower, the oldest building in the city which dates to 1905, is a focal point close to the centre and portrays an excellent visual example of British influence on the city. From here visitors can walk up to the Signal Hill Observatory to gain a panoramic view of the downtown area, a good method to understand the bearings of the city. Another aspect of the cultural diversity can be seen in the city’s religious buildings; churches, mosques and temples stand together in close proximity. The Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sabah State Mosque and Che Sui Khor Temple provide some of the finest architecture in the region and can all be located in the central districts of the city. Indeed, many of the hotels in Kota Kinabalu are also located in the downtown strip, particularly along the waterfront, including multiple large international chains. The area is mostly very developed and hectic, however the somewhat compact City Park provides a slice of greenery amid the skyscrapers. That said, visitors do not have to venture far to either find the beaches or forestry that this region is famous for.

Lively markets and a myriad of local delicacies

One aspect which greatly benefits from the city’s diversity is the cuisine, a wide variety of Chinese, Malay, Brunei and Javanese plus others can be found. The Chinese section of the city is centred around Gaya Street, an area with several restaurants and shops, plus an extensive Sunday street market. Also along this street are multiple Kota Kinabalu hotels, particularly those popular with the young backpacker crowd. As with many modernising Asian cities, there are a host of large shopping centres, often overlooked by tourists due to their homogeneous appearance. However, the food courts they contain are worth exploring due to their range of local cuisine and a chance to experience everyday life in Malaysia. In terms of shopping, one of the most visited markets is the Handicraft Market, located close to the waterfront. Its colourful appearance and welcoming residents create a memorable atmosphere where visitors can find all kinds of souvenirs and artwork. A considerable amount of Kota Kinabalu’s bar scene is also situated along the waterfront, with multiple establishments entertaining travellers with live music and the broadcasting of international sports.

Beaches, diving and fishing

Being a city on the coast, plenty of the tourist highlights involve the stunning coastal scenery. There are a two major beaches within walking distance of the centre, namely Tanjung Aru and Likas Bay, at opposite ends of Kota Kinabalu. Tanjung Aru Beach is a well-frequented spot and the surrounding neighbourhood is ideal for visitors seeking a large resort style hotel. Likas Bay is more of a locals hangout and is a much quieter experience, albeit in a less scenic location and further from most of the hotels. Many of the recreational activities that Kota Kinabalu offers are based around the water, with diving and snorkelling being extremely popular. There are multiple islands situated off the coast of mainland Sabah and the surrounding waters present some of the finest diving areas. These include the renowned Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, just thirty minutes by boat from Kota Kinabalu. Deep sea fishing is another common activity with a variety of trips leaving the marina, from small day trips to longer week long adventures.

A gateway to nature

Beyond the city limits lie some of the finest nature in all of Malaysia and Kota Kinabalu acts as a gateway for the thousands of tourists heading further into the Bornean jungle. Kinabalu National Park lies ninety kilometres north east of the city and is focused around Malaysia’s highest peak; Mount Kinabalu. Visitors head to the park to explore the dense jungle and rugged nature which contains an array of hiking opportunities including the trail to the summit itself. Closer to the city, one of the most popular day trips is to Gaya Island just a short ferry ride away from downtown Kota Kinabalu. It is even possible to stay in a hotel on the island and take further advantage of the assortment of stunning beaches and fascinating hiking trails. Aside from nature, venturing out of the city also provides an increased chance to sample traditional lifestyles and architecture. There are multiple small villages which tour groups head to, in order to learn about the local culture, but some of the most authentic experiences can be had by renting a scooter and independently exploring.

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