What's it like in Downtown Kota Kinabalu?

Travellers love the Downtown Kota Kinabalu neighbourhood for its beautiful island views, top seafood restaurants and major shopping area. Are you looking for Downtown Kota Kinabalu travel tips? Make sure that you visit Centre Point and Kota Kinabalu Central Market while you're in the neighbourhood.

Where is the best hotel for a stay in Downtown Kota Kinabalu?

Based on our traveller data, Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu is one of the top choices for your stay in Downtown Kota Kinabalu. This hotel offers 2 bars and a restaurant. Other good choices for your stay in the neighbourhood include Hyatt Regency Kinabalu and Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu .

How many hotels will I be able to find in Downtown Kota Kinabalu?

Expedia has 326 hotels and other accommodation options in Downtown Kota Kinabalu to choose from, making this an ideal home base for exploring the greater Kota Kinabalu area.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Downtown Kota Kinabalu, will I receive a refund?

Yes, you'll find most hotel bookings are fully refundable provided that you cancel prior to the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which is usually within 24-48 hours of check in. If your reservation is non-refundable, it might still be possible to cancel it and be given a refund within 24 hours of your booking. Add your dates and click on "Search", then you can use the "fully refundable" filter to get top deals in Downtown Kota Kinabalu.

What is there to do around this Kota Kinabalu neighbourhood?

Planning to do some shopping while in Downtown Kota Kinabalu? Consider Centre Point, Kota Kinabalu Central Market and KK Plaza. You could also plan a visit to Imago Shopping Mall or Gaya Street Sunday Market while you're in the neighbourhood. A few places to visit in the area around Downtown Kota Kinabalu include Oceanus Waterfront Mall, Anjung Samudera and Warisan Square. While you're out sightseeing, Local Fruits Market and Anjung Kinabalu are a couple of additional sights to visit in Kota Kinabalu.

The Best Hotels in Downtown Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu - 2026 Updated Prices

A clock tower with a weather vane, surrounded by lush greenery and a white fence.

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Our top choices for Downtown Kota Kinabalu hotels

2 bars/lounges, cocktail bar, lobby lounge

1. Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Davide

฿3,314 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Sept - 19 Sept

Deluxe Double Room (CJ 1) | Desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

2. CJ Residence

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Scott

฿1,056 total

includes taxes & fees

21 Sept - 22 Sept

3. Mandarin Hotel

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Tamara

฿1,544 total

includes taxes & fees

17 Sept - 18 Sept

2 restaurants; breakfast, lunch and dinner served

4. Hilton Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Ines

฿3,165 total

includes taxes & fees

11 Sept - 12 Sept

5. The Klagan Hotel

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

John

฿1,697 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Sept - 2 Sept

6. Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre by IHG

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Genya

฿2,378 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Sept - 19 Sept

7. Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Paul

฿4,010 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Sept - 9 Sept

Superior Twin Room (With window) | Premium bedding, desk, iron/ironing board (on request), free WiFi

8. Hotel Gaia 95

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Brittany

฿955 total

includes taxes & fees

31 Aug - 1 Sept

Family Deluxe Room | Iron/ironing board (on request), free WiFi, bed sheets

9. Promenade Service Apartments

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Janet

฿733 total

includes taxes & fees

5 Sept - 6 Sept

Deluxe Suite | Minibar, in-room safe, desk, soundproofing

10. Horizon Hotel

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Michelle

฿2,709 total

includes taxes & fees

4 Sept - 5 Sept

Deluxe King | In-room safe, desk, iron/ironing board (on request), free WiFi

11. Qlio Hotel

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Myona

฿1,072 total

includes taxes & fees

25 Aug - 26 Aug

Deluxe Triple Room | In-room safe, desk, soundproofing, iron/ironing board (on request)

12. Dreamtel Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Anonymous traveller

฿1,246 total

includes taxes & fees

5 Sept - 6 Sept

13. Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

"I like this hotel very much. The room is spacious for the 2 of us. The beds, room and corridors are clean. The hotel is still being upgrading but we are not affected in anyway. The upgrading has improved the ambience. Buffet breakfast is also good. The location is so convenient for walking to Imago mall and the waterfront. But it’s really too hot for walking. So Grab is cooler!! Also the staff at front desk is so helpful and polite. Recommended 👍"

BeeBee

฿3,724 total

includes taxes & fees

16 Sept - 17 Sept

City Double Room (AC 9) | Desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

14. AC Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Zhen

฿1,056 total

includes taxes & fees

20 Sept - 21 Sept

15. Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

John

฿2,527 total

includes taxes & fees

4 Sept - 5 Sept

16. Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Kingsley

฿3,390 total

includes taxes & fees

21 Sept - 22 Sept

17. Signel Poshtel, the Rare Gem of North Borneo

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Donna

฿1,273 total

includes taxes & fees

20 Sept - 21 Sept

18. Hotel DeLeeton

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Anonymous traveller

฿889 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Sept - 4 Sept

Deluxe King | Minibar, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace

19. Hotel Capital

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Sofía

฿1,144 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Sept - 2 Sept

Studio | Desk, iron/ironing board (on request), free WiFi, bed sheets

20. Hotel Eden54

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Anonymous traveller

฿1,007 total

includes taxes & fees

23 Aug - 24 Aug

View all properties

Compare popular hotels in Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Property	Property class	Guest rating
CJ Residence	2.5 star property	9.6 Exceptional 53 reviews	View
Ritz Residence - A Member of The Luxury Hotel Group	4.5 star property	9.8 Exceptional 37 reviews	View
AC Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group	3.0 star property	9.6 Exceptional 96 reviews	View
ACJ Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group	3.0 star property	9.8 Exceptional 6 reviews	View
Hilton Kota Kinabalu	5.0 star property	9.2 Wonderful 1,001 reviews	View

Where to stay in Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Find the best Downtown Kota Kinabalu areas for the activities you enjoy most.

A sunset over a calm sea with palm trees and a small island in the distance.

Tanjung Aru

Beaches and abundant dining options are well-reviewed features of Tanjung Aru. Make a stop by top sights like Tanjung Aru Perdana Park while you're exploring the area.

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A mosque with a large dome and three minarets by a body of water.

Kampung Air

Unique features of Kampung Air include the shopping and restaurants. Make a stop by Kompleks Asia City or Sedco Square while you're exploring the area.

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A coastal city with a marina, boats, and a large hotel.

Karambunai

Karambunai is popular for its pristine beaches, and you might make a stop by Nexus Golf Resort Karambunai, a top place to visit in the area.

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Alamesra

While Alamesra may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like 1Borneo Hypermall and Likas Stadium.

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A mosque with two minarets and a blue dome, reflecting in a calm body of water.

Likas

You'll appreciate the shopping during your time in Likas and you might want to plan a stop by Likas Stadium and Likas Sports Complex while you're in the area.

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Top Downtown Kota Kinabalu Hotel Reviews

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

10/10 Excellent

"Great location Amazing views Amazing. Breakfast"

Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

10/10 Excellent

"Great swimming pool with view of the sunset. The 24 hour gym is very nice. The restaurant on the 6th floor on the same floor as the gym and pool is very good too, though a bit expensive for what you get. They did allow substitutions, for example substituting a fried chicken sandwich for a grilled chicken sandwich, and having sauces on the side. You just have to ask them for this. The ground floor restaurant is more affordable, but most of the dishes serve fried meat, so it’s not a good choice for health conscious eaters. The bed was very comfortable, though not long enough for taller people, which resulted in my feet hanging off the end. All of the staff are very friendly and helpful. The location is excellent, with so many places within walking distance, be it outdoor fresh fish restaurants, night markets, during street, jetties for boat excursions, etc. What’s nice too is in the lobby there is kind of a small mall, with an Orange convenience store, a souvenir shop, and chocolate shop, a Burger King, and a terrific Cantonese style fish restaurant. It’s nice sometimes to not go out in the heat and have a nice meal. I found that the fish restaurant was the best place to eat in the hotel and mall complex. Nearby within walking distance are large shopping malls, including a place called Wisma Merdeka, which is the best place to change money. Be warned though , that this downtown area is dirty and maybe even scary to some, so take that into consideration."

Search Hotels in Downtown Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu

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Our top choices for Downtown Kota Kinabalu hotels

1. Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

2. CJ Residence

3. Mandarin Hotel

4. Hilton Kota Kinabalu

5. The Klagan Hotel

6. Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre by IHG

7. Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu

8. Hotel Gaia 95

9. Promenade Service Apartments

10. Horizon Hotel

11. Qlio Hotel

12. Dreamtel Kota Kinabalu

13. Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu

14. AC Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group

15. Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

16. Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

17. Signel Poshtel, the Rare Gem of North Borneo

18. Hotel DeLeeton

19. Hotel Capital

20. Hotel Eden54

Compare popular hotels in Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Where to stay in Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Tanjung Aru

Kampung Air

Karambunai

Alamesra

Likas

Top Downtown Kota Kinabalu Hotel Reviews

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

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