Kota Kinabalu Hotel Tips by Wild_Orchid Top 5 Page for this destination

Promenade Hotel: Value-for-money hotel in the business district Promenade Hotel (No 4 Lorong Api Api Api Api Centre Sabah) Review

Good, value for money hotel in the heart of Kota Kinabalu's business district. This hotel attracts local & regional tourists and business people as well. For longer stay, check-out the Promenade Apartments.

Room and bathroom was clean, tidy & comfortable, no complaints (see 2nd pic).

The lobby lounge has happy hours from 12 noon to 9pm and attracts a healthy crowd from 8pm onwards. Its live band (currently a Filipino group) plays every day except on Sundays and it is a nice place to unwind on the weekends, and do some people watching.

The Cafe Promenade, its 24-hour coffee house is popular with locals who are keen on its value-for-money buffet, for lunch and for dinner. The food at this coffee house was pretty good and the selection changes daily.

There is a fitness centre and a health centre, both of which I did not visit.

The pool is just next to the main street (!), but with the artfully & strategically located shrubs, you would be able to swim with some degree of privacy. However, those dining at the Coffee House may be able to get an eyeful of you! :-)

Unique Qualities: If your room faces the sea and is high enough, you will have good views of the Sutera Harbour Resort and the South China Sea as well as the nearby Tunku Abdul Rahman Park & Islands. ( picture of the view I got is in 3rd pic)

Good location, at the centre of town, and is only a 10 mins taxi ride from the airport. Within walking distance to the KK Waterfront/Esplanade.

Malaysians, Singaporeans and Bruneians enjoy special rates. Price quoted below is the rate for local residents, and on a twin share basis.

Address: No 4. Lorong Api Api 3, Api-Api Centre

Comparison: about average

Directions: Facing Kota Kinabalu's famous Waterfront/Esplanade.

Phone: +603-9132 8255

Price: US$20-40

Theme: Hotel

Perkasa Hotel, Kinabalu National Park: Best Mountain View (Part II) Perkasa Mt. Kinabalu Review

Unique Qualities: Best views, lovely gardens.
Mini canopy walkway for you and the kids.

Comparison: about average

Price: US$20-40

Theme: Hotel

Perkasa Hotel, Kinabalu National Park: Best Mountain View Perkasa Mt. Kinabalu Review

Look at the photo. Isn't it beautiful?

I stayed only one night at the Perkasa Hotel, Kundasang, (which claims to be the hotel nearest to Mount Kinabalu) and took some photos from my suite window (try to get a room from the 5th floor onwards).

Okay, so it is a rather average hotel (run by the state government), but for the price, it is certainly value-for-money.

This is because when you awaken at 5.30 am, (because it gets bright really early!), you will have the most gorgeous view of the Crocker Range (towards your right) and the mist and cloud (sorry, it is not snow!) covered-tips of Mount Kinabalu from the window of your suite.

You're at 5,000 feet above sea level. The air is crisp and fresh, the sun shines brightly, and it feels like Sydney on a beautiful spring morning.

Have your breakfast outside at the garden of the hotel, and enjoy the lovely unpoluted air.

Unique Qualities: Wonderful view of Mount Kinabalu and the Crocker Range, worth upgrading to a suite for better views!

Also the suite is larger than the normal room and this will be more comfortable for 2 kids and 2 adults. If you need an additional mattress on the floor, this can be arranged by the hotel staff.

Friendly staff.

Many photo taking opportunities.

Smell the fresh, unpolluted air and give a word of thanks to God!

Tips for Supermums: The kids will love to play in the gardens, where there is a mini canopy walkway.

Downside: Hot water is a scarce resource. Make sure the kids don't use it all up before you get a chance to bathe!

Sorry, it is not easy to find this hotel on any internet website.

Address: Kundasang, Kinabalu National Park

Comparison: about average

Directions: It is about two hours drive from KK town.

Phone: +6088-889511

Price: US$20-40

Theme: Hotel

Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort: Luxurious & Child Friendly Getaway Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort Review

Beautiful surroundings, many photo opportunities for you and the children.
Sweeping views of the sea and nearby islands.

The rooms are well appointed & newly refurbished. You can request for an extra bed for the kids at a small charge or they might enjoy sleeping on the well-carpeted floor using the existing bedding.

The kids (and you!) will enjoy the big bathtub and nice range of shampoos & conditioners & bath foams (Lavender...yummy)

Just for Mums:
You can relax at the gardens or by the poolside with a drink at hand or under the shade, with a good book while the kids enjoy themselves at the playground (Starfish area) or at the Kids Club. There are ample deck-chairs on the beach and also on the lawn.
You can also have a soothing massage or warm spa at the fitness centre.

Shopping Tips: The hotel gift shop is pleasant and prices were actually quite reasonable (even the jewelery and clothings were not too expensive - RM200/US$50 for a string of salt-water pearls). There is also a very upscale Jim Thomson Silk boutique at the hotel, and a travel agent too.

There is a nice fish-pond with golden, red and silver Japanese Koi (carp) and the kids will enjoy gazing at the fish.

The marina has a chain railing and pathway that is child friendly, so you will not have to worry about your little ones accidentally falling into the sea.

Unique Qualities: Great views from the higher floors. The hotel is close to everything and also near the airports.

Price stated below is on a per person basis for Malaysian residents (twin-share) and came with breakfast for two people (Breakfast is quite expensive if you pay for it on an ala carte basis). Nevertheless, I felt that it was worth every penny!

If you prefer not to eat at the hotel, you can take a slow 15 minute walk along the public beach to the nearby hawker centre (opens till midnight). There is a good range of fast food and local hawker fare. Perfect for you and your kids!

Or if you have more time, visit SEDCO for some fresh seafood (RM12 by taxi into town, just mention SEDCO and the taxi will know the place.)

Address: Locked Bag 174, , Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: 5 mins by taxi from both airports (there are 2 terminals in KK, one for Ais Asia, and the other for MAS flights)

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Hotel

Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort: Rediscover Romance at the Shangri-la Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort Review

Luxurious & well-appointed room, bathroom and a large balcony. The gardens are mature and lush, and from the 3rd Floor onwards you'll have sweeping views of the sea and nearby islands.

The swimming pools were perfect for a midnight swim, warm even at 2 am...and towels are still available!

In the evenings and at sunset, the mood is unbearably romantic. Stroll along the marina with your loved one, and stop for a lingering drink at the Sunset Bar.

At the charming & intimate Italian restaurant, Peppino's, choose a table outside on the balcony, in order to enjoy the balmy tropical nights. The food and house wine are good value, and service is polite and pleasantly unobtrusive.

If you are not in love already, you will be!

Unique Qualities: A fantastic resort hotel with full amenities, and the best thing is that it is only a short taxi ride from KK town (RM10-12 per taxi ride).

The other option is to take a short 15 minute stroll along the public beach and you will find some food stalls. Why not sample a variety of local fare (satay, noodles, local drinks) late into the night.

When we stayed, the price was around RM250-280+++ (twin share) per room. Sorry, I am not sure if this is available to foreigners. It is certainly well-worth paying extra to stay here, rather than at the hotels in KK town. I absolutely loved this hotel!

Address: Locked Bag 174, , Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: A stone's throw from both airports (one for Air Asia and one for MAS), so there's no need to rush to the airport. You can spend more time at the resort!

Walking distance to hawker stalls at the public beach.

Only 10 minutes from KK town (RM12 by taxi)

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Hotel