Kota Kinabalu: Guide, Hotels, Map & Photos
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MYR 116 - 144 Megah D´aru Hotel
 Just 3 minutes’ drive from Kota Kinabalu International Airport, this hotel offers air-conditioned rooms overlooking central Tanjung Aru. On site sp… MoreMYR 90 - 90 Maxim Hotel
 Centrally located in Kota Kinabalu, Maxim Hotel is a 10-minute walk from the Sunday Market, Centre Point Mall and Handicraft Market. It offers modern … MoreMYR 158 - 248 Myne Hotel Kota Kinabalu
 Myne Hotel is located directly above Warisan Square Shopping Mall in central Kota Kinabalu. The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, flat-screen cable T… MoreMYR 400 - 1,150 Nexus Resort & Spa Karambunai
 Featuring 3 outdoor pools and an award-winning golf course, Nexus Resort & Spa offers relaxing stays in spacious rooms. It provides free internet and … MoreMYR 75 - 110 Pantai Inn
 Pantai Inn offers free Wi-Fi, a restaurant and rooms with a cable TV. The hotel is located in the heart of Kota Kinabalu, a short stroll from local di… MoreMYR 119 - 145 Manja Hotel
 Manja Hotel is located in the Kota Kinabalu Times Square, a 15-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu International Airport. It offers affordable accommodati… MoreMYR 120 - 430 Likas Square Condotel
 Located in the quaint city of Sabah with a scenic backdrop of Likas Bay and Mount Kinabalu, Likas Square Condotel offers contemporary and spacious acc… MoreMYR 117 - 117 KK Times Square Hotel
 KK Times Square Hotel is located in Kota Kinabalu, a 2-minute drive from the city centre. Rooms come with free Wi-Fi. A free area shuttle and free par… MoreMYR 260 - 380 KK-SUITES @ Marina Court Resort Condominium
 Situated in Kota Kinabalu’s city centre, KK-suites @ Marina Court Resort Condominium offers apartments with well-equipped kitchens. It features an o… MoreMYR 122 - 234 Le Hotel Kota Kinabalu
 Located near the waterfront, Le Hotel Kota Kinabalu offers affordable rooms with free wireless internet access and a flat-screen TV with satellite cha… MoreMYR 198 - 440 Lembah Impian Country Homes Resort
 Lembah Impian Country Homes Resort is located in Kota Kinabalu, just 10 minutes’ drive from Giant Shopping Mall and Royal Sabah Turf Club. It offers… MoreMYR 110 - 290 Sabah Apartment @ 1Borneo
 Situated within 1Borneo Hypermall, Sabah Apartment´s offer a balcony, living area and kitchenette. A fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool and j… MoreMYR 135 - 135 Sarangnova Hotel
 Sarangnova Hotel is located in the heart of the Gaya Street, in Kota Kinabalu’s centre. It features air-conditioned rooms with satellite TV, and off… MoreMYR 420 - 904 The Pacific Sutera
 Part of the Sutera Harbour Resort, The Pacific Sutera offers contemporary rooms with beautiful views of the South China Sea and its 27-hole golf cours… MoreMYR 500 - 1,050 The Magellan Sutera
 Part of the luxurious Sutera Harbour Resort, The Magellan Sutera offers a 27-hole golf course, Olympic-sized and free-form pools, 14 dining options an… MoreMYR 200 - 200 The Palace Hotel Kota Kinabalu
 Just a 10-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu Airport, Palace Hotel features modern rooms with a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi. It offers free shuttle ser… MoreMYR 110 - 188 Winner Hotel
 A 10-minute walk from KK Plaza, Winner Hotel offers free Wi-Fi and rooms with a flat-screen TV. It has 2 dining options and a convenience store.
Situ… MoreMYR 25 - 95 X-Plorer Backpacker
 X-plorer Backpacker Hotel Sabah provides budget accommodation well-situated in Kota Kinabalu’s city centre. Offering tour services, it features free… MoreMYR 180 - 200 The Jesselton Hotel
 Set in the heart of Kota Kinabalu city, award-winning Jesselton Hotel offers a restaurant, tour desk and free Wi-Fi. Country-style rooms are equipped … MoreMYR 104 - 135 The Crown Borneo Hotel
 The Crown Borneo Hotel is located in central Tanjung Aru, a 10-minute drive from the city centre. The hotel offers a restaurant, free Wi-Fi and free a… MoreMYR 125 - 195 Seapark Condotel
 Seapark Condotel is favourably located a 10-minute walk from the Tanjung Aru Beach, a 3-minute drive from the Air Asia terminal and 10 minutes from th… MoreMYR 570 - 1,500 Shangri-La´s Rasa Ria Resort
 Situated on Kota Kinabalu’s Pantai Dalit Beach, Shangri-La´s Rasa Ria Resort offers an 18-hole golf course. Other facilities include 8 food an… MoreMYR 590 - 1,220 Shangri-La´s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa
 Winning multiple awards from top leisure magazines, Shangri-La Tanjung Aru offers 5-star luxury with world-class CHI Spa, 6 dining options and an outd… MoreMYR 71 - 80 Switz Paradise Hotel
 Switz Paradise Hotel is situated in Star City Shopping Mall, within Kota Kinabalu’s city centre. Centre Point Sabah Shopping Mall is a short 2-minut… MoreMYR 110 - 136 King Park Hotel Kota Kinabalu
 King Park Hotel Kota Kinabalu is a 5-minute drive to the city’s jetty - Jesselton Point. It provides free Wi-Fi and has a restaurant, bar and a 24-h… More | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kota Kinabalu: Guide
The capital of Sabah, Borneo, this Malaysian city is a growing resort destination due to is proximity to tropical islands, lush rainforest and Mount Kinabalu.
Get in
By plane
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (IATA code BKI, but also abbreviated KKIA) is the main gateway to Sabah. In addition to frequent domestic services from Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and various points on Malaysian Borneo on , and , internationally you can fly direct from Manila (Clark) ; from Bangkok with ; from Singapore with ; from Hong Kong with ; from Brunei with ; from Taipei with ; from Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Manila on , and other cities, too.
The airport is 7 km away from the city. Try and find the bus stop, which is not at the airport itself but down on the main road, or take a taxi (coupon available, 15 minutes).
The going rate for a taxi ride from the airport to the city is around RM20 (as of October 2006).
Caution: there are ATMs and a currency exchange at the airport but if you're arriving late it'll almost certainly be closed and the ATMs are not always working, so make sure you've got some Malaysian ringgit before you arrive as you'll need it for the taxi or the bus.
Get around
Taxi - Taxi fares around town would cost around RM20, at most.
Bus - RM1.50 from Kota Kinabalu International Airport(Petagas) to the city centre. While RM1.00 from Terminal 2 International Airport(Tg.Aru) to City Center.
See
Do
Mount Kinabalu - The tallest peak in South East Asia at 4,101 metres. The State Park is 80 km from the city.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park - The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park comprises of 5 Islands off the coast of Kota Kinabalu and are accessable from Kota Kinabula via a number of boat services.
bike, blade, and board - extreme sports community group in Kota Kinabalu
Buy
Central Market is next to the waterfront. Also known as "Pasar Pilipin", it's a collection of shops selling goods from many places (such as Bali and Thailand) and not necessarily native to Sabah. Prices are on most goods, but be sure to bargain. If you're not getting it for 1/2 the sticker price, you're not getting a good deal.
Yu Kee's Bak Kut Teh - Located along the famous Gaya Street, its a chinese operated restaurant that serves pork dishes. A small single dish cost about 4 ringgit, soup top up is free. All types of pork meat & organs serves with special chinese herb soup. A MUST TRY!
Man Thai restaurant - Located in Likas, Dah Yeh Villa. They are famous for their fried noodles. They serve chinese style ala carte dishes as well.
Jothy's Fish Head Curry and Banana Leaf Restaurant - Api Api Center. An eat-with-your-hands restaurant. A chicken dish 8 ringgit, a mango lassie 4 ringgit. (Also, try the fish head curry, fish cutlets, fried fish pieces, chicken nasi briyani, assam soup and dried bitter gourd - Price N/A) Not the best Banana Leaf restaurant in Malaysia, but not bad. They'll bring you a spoon and fork, which you should politely decline. Ask for a banana leaf (for additional 50 cents) and eat with your hands. English menu.
Little Italy restaurant - Authentic and very popular Italian restaurant located with the city center, a hit with both locals and visitors alike.
Seafood in Kota Kinabalu is very popular, so getting a dose of it is a must. Here are some places to try:
Ocean Seafood Restaurant - Right next to the Promenade Hotel and Parkson Grand. The restaurant faces the coastline. You can take a pick on your seafood orders by the fishtanks, or if you prefer, you can let the waiters recommend at your table.
Portview Seafood Restaurant- There are 2 branches of this in K.K. One of them is right opposite Centrepoint Shopping Centre, called The Waterfront. This one is quite new, a very popular place for tourists and orders can be taken either way similar to Ocean Restaurant. This restaurant is nestled amongst other popular nightlife hangouts, mostly bars and clubs, but also cafes like CoffeeBean. The other older one, is nicely set in front of a pier, within walking distance to banks such as HSBC and Standard Chartered, and some supermarkets stocking imported goods.
Shenanigan Fun Pub - Located at ground floor of the Kinabalu Hyatt Regency.
Shamrock Irish Bar - The Waterfront Lot 6. Pint of Tiger or Guinness 20 ringgit ++. The usual Irish fare, with outdoor seating. Add 16% tax.
Cocoon - One of KK's most notable nightspots. It is a relaxed bar in the day and a lively bar/club by night, with the action carrying on into the small hours.
Bee Kim KTV - Located at Sadong Jaya around Karamunsing area.
Strawberry KTV - Located near segama and central market.
Akinabalu Youth Hostel - Best place for Backpacker & Budget.
Hotel Holiday - One of the best budget hotel in the city centre.
Step-in Lodge, Tel: 6088 - 233519, - Painted in a zany combination of purple and bright green, this is a cosy little hostel in the middle of the city, with very friendly staff. Toilets and shower stalls are immaculate. Rates start from RM25 per person for a dorm, aircon double RM80, including a simple continental breakfast.
Jesselton Hotel, Jesselton was the initial name for Kota Kinabalu during the British colony. And this boutique hotel should not be missed. Built in the early 1920s, it has been one of the longest remaining quality hotels in Kota Kinabalu. Set right in the middle of Gaya Street, a street thriving with local shops and cafes, and walking distance to the local cinemas - sets off the charms of the local atmosphere. The Pasar Malam ('night market') and Sundays on Gaya Streets are a must-see. Many hawkers will set up shops along Gaya Street to sell their wares - food, toys or pets. Lots of vibrant colors and scrumptious smells along the strip. This hotel is within the city centre district. Hotel has their own limousine, which is a British cab imported from the UK.
Hyatt Hotel, A 3 - 4 star International hotel but still has that exclusive feeling once you walk through the doors. Right in the heart of the city centre, a perfect choice for business men who just want to eat, sleep and work. This hotel boasts an impressive choice of restaurants, from their coffeeshop serving Malaysian food, a Chinese restaurant with 'dimsum' or 'yum cha', a Japanese restaurant with Teppanyaki and a fresh bakery. Close to shopping centres, fast food outlets, and cafes.
The Pan Pacific Sutera Hotel, Sutera Harbour Blvd (60-88); tel. 318 888 . This hotel is part of Sutera Harbour, which also has a golf course, another hotel and a marina. About a 15 ringgit taxi ride to town, or a 20 minute walk. The facilities are top notch with either a sea view or golf course/ Mount Kinabalu view. You can easily book trips to the islands, starting at 45 ringgit. The hotel has a free shuttle bus going to town every hour until 21:00. There is also the more 'upmarket' Magellan Hotel right at the end of the Sutera Harbour Boulevard. Facilities include the ones as mentioned above.
The Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort ; tel. +60-88-225800. This is one of the oldest, grandest but possibly the most comfortable hotels in Kota Kinabalu. A 5 star hotel, the rooms in the old wing are confined inside the building and looks out to the golf course. A tiny jungle is built in the middle of the corridor leading towards the hotel rooms of the old wing. Although as old as it may sound, the rooms are impressively larger than the new wing. The new wing, on the other hand, overlooks the sea or the swimming pool and is a bit more secluded for those who enjoy lazing out in the sun. A taxi ride from the airport is just about $10, but to the city centre may slightly be more costly. Shuttle from the airport to the hotel is available upon request.
This "Travel Guide" section is drawn from the Wikitravel article "Kota Kinabalu". We hope you will edit and improve it. It is available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 license. Eat
For meals, head to the outdoor food stalls fronting the sea or coffee shops along the streets. The less adventurous could make a beeline for fast food outlets in the Centrepoint shopping centre while those with deeper pockets could try the pierside restaurants just after the open air fish market. Drink
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range / Splurge
Get out