Downtown Kota Kinabalu Travel Guide

Kota Kinabalu

love the air there!
love the air there!
This was taken after a quick walk from the Philippine market 6km away around 7am. #kotakinabalu #sunrise #waterfront #imagoKK #KK #Sabah
The downtown area of this ocean-side city is clean, pretty, and unique. It takes less than an hour to explore this neat historic area!
Watching the sun set over the South China Sea during cocktail hour in the club lounge back in 2012 #waterlust #goldenhour

Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

5 out of 5
Jalan Datuk Salleh Sulong Kota Kinabalu Sabah
The price is ฿2,520 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
฿2,520
฿2,801 total
16 Mar - 17 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Kota Kinabalu. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
The hotel was comfortable, but a bit tired.

Reviewed on 9 Feb 2026

Hyatt Regency Kinabalu
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu

Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu

5 out of 5
NO. 18 JALAN HAJI SAMAN Kota Kinabalu
The price is ฿3,594 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
฿3,594
฿3,962 total
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Kota Kinabalu. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (198 reviews)
Everything is good

Reviewed on 12 Dec 2025

Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

5 out of 5
Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens Kota Kinabalu Sabah
The price is ฿2,872 per night from 14 Mar to 15 Mar
฿2,872
฿3,182 total
14 Mar - 15 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Kota Kinabalu. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
Clean , comfortable , spacious room. Staff was pleasant and nice to talk to

Reviewed on 13 Feb 2026

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu
The Magellan Sutera Resort

The Magellan Sutera Resort

5 out of 5
1 Sutera Harbour Boulevard Kota Kinabalu Sabah
The price is ฿4,713 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
฿4,713
฿5,170 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury resort in Kota Kinabalu. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
For the rate that this hotel charge (walk in rate was RM800) the hotel could do better in the following areas: 1. Wifi connection kept cutting off 2. Limited TV channel options. Poor TV resolution 3. Algae in the perimeter drain of the lap pool 4. Leaking plumbing fixtures in bathtub and at the valve ...

Reviewed on 19 Nov 2025

The Magellan Sutera Resort
Hilton Kota Kinabalu

Hilton Kota Kinabalu

5 out of 5
Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Asia City Kota Kinabalu Sabah
The price is ฿2,920 per night from 9 Mar to 10 Mar
฿2,920
฿3,234 total
9 Mar - 10 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Kota Kinabalu. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (993 reviews)
Clean and spacious.

Reviewed on 13 Feb 2026

Hilton Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel

Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel

5 out of 5
Lot G-23A, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens Kota Kinabalu Sabah
The price is ฿3,192 per night from 21 Mar to 22 Mar
฿3,192
฿3,527 total
21 Mar - 22 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Kota Kinabalu. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (603 reviews)
Close to everything

Reviewed on 3 Feb 2026

Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Aerial drone image of beautiful rural town of Menggatal Town, Sabah, Malaysia

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.

Kampung Air
A mosque facing sea with clear blue sky

Luyang

Shopping and restaurants are notable features of Luyang. You might consider stopping by Tabin Wildlife Reserve while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Luyang
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia – June 15, 2022: The Tanjung Aru Beach, Fisherman Village and Shangri-La Hotel

Tanjung Aru

3.5/5(5 area reviews)

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.

Tanjung Aru
Mosque, Masjid Bandaraya in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo. Blue hour and a very rainy night. Mosquito hell but so nice to see.

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.

Likas
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Kepayan

When in Kepayan, you can plan a visit to Sutera Harbour and Imago Shopping Mall, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Kepayan
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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.

Alamesra


Downtown Kota Kinabalu Travel Guide