Hotels in Kota Kinabalu (Sabah, Malaysia)

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  1. TD Plaza Hotel

    3 Stars
    7.2(1,402 ratings)

    Halal-Certified Local Cuisine, Underground Car Park

    0.1 miles to City center
    from  $19
    See prices from 4 sites
    • Popular choice

    Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu

    5 Stars
    8.9Excellent (24,506 ratings)

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

    0.5 miles away from the beach
    from  $168
    See prices from 16 sites
    • Popular choice

    Borneo Beach Villa & Suite

    4 Stars
    7.8Good (7,073 ratings)

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

    11.2 miles to City center
    from  $35
    See prices from 11 sites

  4. Gaya Island Resort

    5 Stars
    8.8Excellent (5,003 ratings)

    Exceptional culinary experiences, Panoramic South China Sea views

    0.4 miles away from the beach
    from  $193
    See prices from 10 sites

  5. Tune Hotel - 1Borneo Kota Kinabalu

    3 Stars
    8.2Very good (8,076 ratings)

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

    6.1 miles to City center
    from  $16
    See prices from 15 sites

  6. Ming Garden

    4 Stars
    7.6Good (12,604 ratings)

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

    0.1 miles to City center
    from  $26
    See prices from 15 sites

  7. Hotel Shangri-La Kota Kinabalu

    3 Stars
    8.1Very good (7,807 ratings)

    Panoramic city and island views, Diverse dining with halal options

    0.6 miles to City center
    from  $26
    See prices from 15 sites

  8. The Magellan Sutera Resort

    5 Stars
    8.9Excellent (14,454 ratings)

    Multiple pools with family fun, Panoramic sunset and sea views

    0.7 miles to City center
    from  $96
    See prices from 8 sites
    • Popular choice

    Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu

    5 Stars
    8.9Excellent (12,620 ratings)

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

    0.6 miles to City center
    from  $90
    See prices from 15 sites

  10. The Klagan Hotel

    3 Stars
    8.3Very good (12,218 ratings)

    Convenient airport access, Halal dining options

    0.5 miles to City center
    from  $41
    See prices from 17 sites

  11. Sky Hotel

    3 Stars
    7.8Good (3,665 ratings)

    Dedicated vegetarian restaurant, Spacious rooms with city or sea views

    0.2 miles to City center
    from  $23
    See prices from 17 sites

  12. The Shore Kota Kinabalu City Centre by LW Suites

    5 Stars
    7.2(1,855 ratings)

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

    0.8 miles to City center
    from  $33
    See prices from 3 sites

  13. Hotel 7 Suria

    3 Stars
    8.6Excellent (4,230 ratings)

    Rooms with captivating sea views, High ceilings in guest rooms

    1.2 miles to City center
    from  $38
    See prices from 13 sites
    • Popular choice

    Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu

    4 Stars
    8.1Very good (14,367 ratings)

    Stunning South China Sea views, Renowned Dynasty Chinese Restaurant

    0.2 miles to City center
    from  $45
    See prices from 11 sites

  15. The Pacific Sutera Hotel

    5 Stars
    8.5Excellent (19,933 ratings)

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

    0.9 miles to City center
    from  $64
    See prices from 18 sites
    • Popular choice

    Promenade Service Apartments

    2 Stars
    7.8Good (9,138 ratings)

    Kitchenette-equipped studio units, Spacious family room accommodations

    0.3 miles to City center
    from  $14
    See prices from 10 sites

  17. The Klagan Regency

    4 Stars
    8.0Very good (7,392 ratings)

    Rooms with city or mountain views, Halal dining options

    6.0 miles to City center
    from  $35
    See prices from 11 sites

  18. Sabah Beach Villas & Suites

    3 Stars
    7.7Good (3,367 ratings)

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

    11.2 miles to City center
    from  $39
    See prices from 3 sites

  19. Sheraton Kota Kinabalu

    5 Stars
    8.8Excellent (144 ratings)
    0.6 miles to City center
    from  $122
    See prices from 7 sites

  20. FLYPOD Hotel

    3 Stars
    7.8Good (1,987 ratings)

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

    1.7 miles to City center
    from  $18
    See prices from 4 sites

  21. Gayana Marine Resort

    5 Stars
    8.3Very good (3,280 ratings)

    Overwater villas with ocean views, Direct ocean access from villas

    0.1 miles away from the beach
    from  $212
    See prices from 20 sites

  22. Pan Borneo Hotel Kota Kinabalu

    4 Stars
    8.1Very good (4,052 ratings)

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

    5.7 miles to City center
    from  $27
    See prices from 14 sites

  23. Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

    5 Stars
    8.6Excellent (12,381 ratings)

    Prime waterfront location, Halal-certified local and western cuisine

    1.0 miles to City center
    from  $80
    See prices from 15 sites
    • Popular choice

    Gaya Centre Hotel

    3 Stars
    7.7Good (20,644 ratings)

    Prime city center location, Diverse halal dining options

    1.2 miles to City center
    from  $25
    See prices from 15 sites

  25. K Avenue by Pinstay

    5 Stars
    6.6(468 ratings)

    Modern apartment-style accommodations, Sauna for ultimate relaxation

    4.1 miles to City center
    from  $25
    See prices from 3 sites

  26. Hilton Kota Kinabalu

    5 Stars
    9.1Excellent (10,772 ratings)

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

    0.4 miles to City center
    from  $86
    See prices from 13 sites

  27. Raia Hotel Kota Kinabalu

    3 Stars
    8.2Very good (6,633 ratings)

    Views of passing airplanes, Extensive event and meeting facilities

    0.5 miles to City center
    from  $30
    See prices from 13 sites

  28. Hotel Grandis

    4 Stars
    8.6Excellent (8,701 ratings)

    Direct access to Suria Sabah Mall, Rooftop pool with South China Sea views

    1.3 miles to City center
    from  $67
    See prices from 19 sites

  29. Zara's Boutique Hotel

    3 Stars
    7.5Good (2,764 ratings)

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

    0.4 miles to City center
    from  $16
    See prices from 10 sites
    • Popular choice

    Concrete Jungle Cabin

    4 Stars
    8.9Excellent (82 ratings)

    Industrial-chic urban jungle design, Engaging common room with billiards

    1.1 miles to City center
    from  $12
    See prices from 4 sites
    • Popular choice

    COZY Studio at Ming Garden Residence

    3 Stars
    8.4Very good (155 ratings)

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

    0.1 miles to City center
    from  $23
    See prices from 2 sites

  32. Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre By Ihg

    4 Stars
    9.1Excellent (4,618 ratings)

    Personalized pillow menu, Flexible breakfast options

    0.5 miles to City center
    from  $52
    See prices from 11 sites

  33. Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

    4 Stars
    8.5Excellent (1,356 ratings)

    Infinity pool with sunset views, Modern and clean room design

    0.8 miles to City center
    from  $56
    See prices from 14 sites

  34. The Klagan Riverson Hotel & Residence

    3 Stars
    8.0Very good (2,101 ratings)

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

    0.3 miles to City center
    from  $30
    See prices from 11 sites

  35. The SIGAR Hotel at Sutera Bay

    4 Stars
    8.2Very good (142 ratings)

    Riverside city views, Kadazandusun cultural inspiration

    0.3 miles to City center
    from  $41
    See prices from 10 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.

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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.

Price range

Hotels in Kota Kinabalu - Price range from ‎$12 to ‎$212 (price per night)

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Hotels in Kota Kinabalu

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