Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah State in Malaysia. The city is situated on the northwest end of Borneo Island and faces the South China Sea. It is the gateway to the world-famous Kinabalu National Park and a well-known travel destination for tourists. If you are planning your vacation in the city and are worrying about where to stay, there are a lot of hotels and vacation rentals that you can choose from. Check out these best places to stay in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, that ooze great luxury and warm hospitality to make your stay a memorable one forever.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 04, 2024.
1. Cozy homestay in a two-bedroom loft (from USD 46)
Enjoy a cozy homestay in this two-bedroom loft. The space is in the same building as the most popular shopping destination in Kota Kinabalu. It has three queen-size beds and can sleep six people comfortably. There is a kitchenette with basic kitchen tools for your quick meals.
Drink a cup of your morning coffee as you enjoy the beautiful views of the garden. Guests are also provided with access to the swimming pool, so you can take a relaxing dip or just sit by the pool and unwind.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
great place clean and comfortablethe place was sparking clean strategic place to stayclean tidy and good ownerit’s a really nice apartment clean comfortable and well equipped with everything you neednice place simple clean and friendly hostHost:
owner gives very good serviceshost is very kind and patientoperator and host was nice :)owner and staff very friendly and helpfulnice and responsive hostRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is superbeasy to get around as its located in the kk center and just above imago shopping mallunit is so clean and the location is just above imago shopping mallgood location good host will come back againnice and perfect place to stay if you're in kk
Superhost
2. Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu (from USD 76)
Welcome to a 4-star luxury property in Kota Kinabalu called Promenade Hotel, that overlooks the charming South China Sea. Guests in the hotel can reach the Kota Kinabalu International Hotel within a driving time of only 10 minutes. They can also avail the shuttle services at a special surcharge. Reaching Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal from the hotel is convenient too as it is only a 10 minute drive.
Enjoy your well-furnished AC rooms with a host of amenities like an en suite bathroom, tea/coffee maker, a seating area, free WiFi and a flat-screen TV with satellite connectivity. The hotel also provides facilities like a fitness center, a sauna, an outdoor swimming pool, traditional massage services, a large ballroom, 24-hour room service and round the clock reception desk. Relish a delectable international buffet it the hotel’s cafe while lip-smacking Chinese cuisines can be savored at Dynasty Restaurant.
Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu
Address: No. 4 Lorong Api-Api 3, Api-Api Centre
3.98 km (2.5 mi) from Tanjung Aru Beach
3. Cititel Express Kota Kinabalu (from USD 38)
Cititel Express Hotel is only 10 minutes from the city’s International Airport in a car. It is situated at a convenient location close to the Central Market, and the Sunday Market at Gaya Street is a stone’s throw away. You can enjoy delicious food in the different eateries nearby while taking a stroll.
The property boasts of elegantly furnished AC rooms, with a flat-screen television set with Chinese and other international channels, a wooden floor, private bathrooms, a safe deposit box and WiFi facilities, that can be accessed all over the property. Some of the key hotel amenities include a boutique, a cafe, a luggage storage facility, free parking lot, and a 24-hour friendly front desk.
Cititel Express Kota Kinabalu
Address: No. 1 Jalan Singgah Mata 1, Asia City,
4.37 km (2.8 mi) from Tanjung Aru Beach
4. Dreamtel Kota Kinabalu (from USD 35)
This modern property is only 6 km (3.7 miles) from Kota Kinabalu International Airport and less than 2 km (1.2 mi) from the popular Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. The bustling Gaya Street Market is hardly 200 meters (656 feet) away. Hotel Dreamtel also enjoys proximity to Atkinson Clock Tower.
The property boasts of stylishly furnished air-conditioned rooms with flat-screen TV sets, carpeted floors, a tea/coffee maker, en suite bathrooms, a personal safe and free WiFi services. The hotel offers a host of world-class facilities including an in-house restaurant, round the clock front desk, banquet hall/conference facilities, public parking space and luggage storing services.
Dreamtel Kota Kinabalu
Address: 5, Jalan Padang
4.97 km (3.1 mi) from Tanjung Aru Beach
5. The Palace Hotel Kota Kinabalu (from USD 58)
Imagine staying in a property that is barely 1 km (0.6 mi) from a major tourist attraction, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. The Palace Hotel enjoys a complimentary shuttle service that will take you to the famous Gaya Street at 8 am every Sunday. The hotel also offers scheduled and free shuttle services to tourist attractions like Suria Sabah, Centre Point, and Imago KK Times Square. It is barely a 10 minute drive to the International Airport of the city. Popular attractions like Central Market and Gaya Street are within walking distances from the Palace Hotel.
Its rooms are furnished elegantly and with a contemporary touch, with amenities like en-suite bathrooms and toiletries, a minibar, a flat-screen television set with plenty of international channels including Chinese, and charming hardwood flooring. The hotel offers an array of facilities like a spa, 2 dining halls, a currency exchange service, fitness center and a swimming pool. Spend some quality time at Glamorous Lounge or the Tangerine Restaurant.
The Palace Hotel Kota Kinabalu
Address: No. 1, Jalan Tangki, Karamunsing
4.14 km (2.6 mi) from Tanjung Aru Beach
6. Horizon Hotel (from USD 56)
You can now enjoy your stay at a property with contemporary architecture. Horizon Hotel is located within a two minute walking distance from Central Market. There are a host of guest-friendly facilities offered by the hotel, including free parking spaces, a prayer room for Muslims, Deco Cafe that serves delectable Italian dishes, and the main restaurant where you can enjoy both Peranakan and Asian cuisines. If you feel thirsty, you can spend some time at the bar on the poolside or at the lobby lounge.
Other facilities include a gym, spa services, an outdoor swimming pool, complimentary WiFi and a concierge desk that can arrange car rentals or local tours. The rooms have picturesque views of the sea or the city and boast of wooden flooring, a minibar, flatscreen TVs, and a spacious private bathroom with all the essential toiletries.
Horizon Hotel
Address: Jalan Pantai, Locked Bag 2084
5.06 km (3.2 mi) from Tanjung Aru Beach
7. Luxury Suite@Riverson SOHO, City Centre (from USD 39)
This one-bedroom luxury suite is situated right in the heart of Kota Kinabalu. It is conveniently situated in SOHO, City Centre and enjoys proximity to major tourist attractions like Imago Shopping Mall and the Gleneagles Hospital is also located nearby. There are many good restaurants in the neighborhood where you can enjoy a fine dining experience. It is a perfect property for both leisure and corporate travelers. Enjoy a comfortable stay with a host of amenities like a well-equipped kitchen, wireless Internet, a TV with cable channels, a laptop friendly workspace, and AC, along with an elevator that’s also in the building.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
well furnished with modern ambient good view along with a nice poolnice apartment with all the basic amenitiesnice view of the pool and part of the golf course across the roadnice experience in this apartment all the same with photoesthe room is equipped with all the appliances you need and the beddings are comfortableCleanliness:
the apartment is clean and comfortablethe room very clean and comfortablegood stay clean and cozyunit is very clean and cozythe house was very clean as i expectedHost:
david and kim were great hostskim is a very nice host and her response was quickthe host was also extremely helpfulthe hosts gave me useful advice for staying and enjoying in kota kinabaluthe host is helpful and provided many local tipsRead more reviewsLocation:
great location nice place close to main attractionswonderful place near imago shopping areanice environment nice location it’s convenient from the airport to the apartmentlocation is good as well since it is near a mallthe location was super nice close to lots of restaurants and mall
8. Modern & Luxury Suite @ Riverson SOHO, City Centre (from USD 46)
This is a one bedroom contemporary and luxury suite near The SOHO, City Centre and close to the Coastal Highway. You can reach Imago Shopping Mall and KK Times Square within a few minutes while the property is also located near the famous Gleneagles Medical Centre. The suite provides accommodation for 4 people and has one bedroom and bathroom each. The suite is stylishly furnished with luxurious and contemporary facilities with an open kitchen, a balcony that overlooks a beautiful swimming pool and a living room.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
we enjoyed the amenities provided eg washing machine iron kitchen utensils fridge iron+board tvthe pool had an ok view of the sunset (not full sunset though)the facilities are really nice and completenice place to stay and comfortableCleanliness:
room was clean and cozyroom is clean and cozythe house is clean and comfortableroom is clean and comfortablespecial thanks to vivian for hosting such clean cozy and tastefully decorated condo for usHost:
host was helpful with questionsowner provides a very good customer servicefriendly and helpful ownerhost is kind and freindlyand the host was very kindRead more reviewsLocation:
great location of the apartmentthe location of this condo is amazinggood location and cozy unitbrilliant location handy to everythingand the location is excellent as well
9. Gaya Centre Hotel (from USD 28)
This hotel enjoys close proximity to shopping malls like Wisma Merdeka and Suria Sabah in the city of Kota Kinabalu. The property faces the famous South China Sea and is only about a 20-minute drive from the city’s International Airport. Hotel Gaya Centre has a well-equipped travel desk you can contact for arranging trips to visit the various places of interests in and around Sabah. Gaya Centre offers tastefully furnished rooms with complimentary WiFi. You can book rooms that either face the sea or the city. Room amenities include a personal safe, tea/coffee maker, a flat screen television set with satellite TV and a work desk.
Gaya Centre Hotel
Address: Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens
5.53 km (3.5 mi) from Tanjung Aru Beach
10. Lovely apartment with sea views
Are you looking for a place to spend a weekend staycation in Kota Kinabalu? You might want to check this out. A fully furnished homestay apartment, this place offers you comfort and relaxation. It is beautifully designed with vibrant interiors and cozy furniture to make you feel at home.
There is a kitchenette where you can cook light meals and the living area has a flat-screen TV if you want to watch some movies. The flat has two bedrooms and can sleep six people. Enjoy beautiful sea views from the balcony as you drink a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
3.02 km (1.9 mi) from Tanjung Aru BeachAccommodates: 6
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
everything is clean and valuedeverything is clean and tidyliving place is clean and nice tidy upclean bath towels provided are definitely a plusthe place is clean and the deco of the house is niceHost:
great host very patience and helpfulfrom check-in until check-out smile was communicative and on hand to answer any questions or requestsshe responded very quickly even before we made a booking and was very helpful throughout our staygreat check in quick and host explained what to see and do in the areagreat location and very responsive host suitable for family travelling with kidzRead more reviewsLocation:
location is not badits great location sine close to main areathe location is also very goodexcellent location and only 10 minutes from airportwe can go to shopping very easily
Cherish your stay at Kota Kinabalu
So now that we have listed these seven luxurious and modern properties for you, it will be easier to pick one for your stay at this seaside city and gift your dear ones a dream vacation at Kota Kinabalu.
Frequently asked questions about places to stay in Kota Kinabalu
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