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Visiting Kota Kinabalu

Couples looking to get away will find a romantic atmosphere in Kota Kinabalu, and visitors give high marks for the bustling marina and shopping. This city also attracts tourists with its parks. Top sights in the city include Imago Shopping Mall, Sabah State Mosque and Likas Stadium.

There are 416 hotels and other accommodation options in Kota Kinabalu
The closest major airport is in Kota Kinabalu (BKI-Kota Kinabalu Intl.), 4.1 mi (6.6 km) from the city centre

Sightseeing and Staying in Kota Kinabalu

Cultural venues in the city include Sabah State Museum, Mari Mari Cultural Village and Museum of Islamic Civilisation. Attractions like Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, Sedco Square and Water World Theme Park are fun for kids of all ages. The city is notable for landmarks like Sabah State Mosque, Kota Kinabalu City Mosque and Mount Kinabalu Park Entrance.

In Kinarut, there are 416 hotels and other accommodation options so you can easily plan your perfect holiday retreat at an affordable rate. Below are highly ranked ones based on our user reviews:

Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort & Spa - This 5-star resort features 2 outdoor pools, a private beach and 6 restaurants. It's a favourite with Expedia travellers for its family-friendly amenities and clean, comfortable rooms.
Gaya Island Resort - Our customers like the beach locale and helpful staff at this resort. With a stay at this 5-star resort, guests can enjoy access to a full-service spa and free breakfast, along with a private balcony.
SKYPOD Hostel - With a stay at this 2-star hostel, guests can enjoy access to free breakfast and a restaurant, along with free WiFi. Expedia customers like its breakfast and quiet location.

Other favourite sights in Kota Kinabalu include Imago Shopping Mall, Likas Stadium and 1Borneo Hypermall.

Getting around Kota Kinabalu

With so many ways to get around, exploring all of Kota Kinabalu is a breeze. To see more of the larger area, hop aboard a train at Tanjung Aru Station. You can find out about your water travel options at the local marina.

Dressing for Kota Kinabalu

Between January and March, daytime temperatures average 31°C, whilst night-time temperatures stay around 24°C
From April to June, the average is 32°C during the day and 24°C at night
July to September sees average temperatures of 31°C during the day and 24°C at night
Between October and December, you can expect 31°C as the daytime average and 24°C as the night-time average
Kota Kinabalu gets about 93 millimetres of rain per year
April and May are usually the hottest months averaging 31°C, while June and January are usually the coldest with an average temperature of 24°C

Frequently asked questions

What's the best place to stay in Kota Kinabalu?

Signel Hostel is ranked highly by Expedia customers. This property is a short 3-minute walk from Centre Point, and it offers free breakfast and free WiFi. Other favourite options based on traveller reviews include Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa and Shangri La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa.

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

Yes! You’ll find that most hotel bookings are fully refundable as long as you cancel prior to the accommodation’s cancellation deadline, which is often 24 or 48 hours before your arrival date. If you have a reservation that’s non-refundable, it may still be possible to cancel it and get a refund within a 24-hour period of your booking. Enter dates and click on “Search”, then you can filter by “free cancellation” to get the top deals on offer in Kota Kinabalu.

What's the best budget-friendly accommodation in Kota Kinabalu?

Based on reviews, Hotel Five 2 is a popular 2-star hotel for our travellers looking for an economical choice, and features free WiFi and air conditioning. Other choices to stay on the cheap include De Galleria Hotel and KK Waterfront Hotel.

What's the best place to stay for families in Kota Kinabalu?

Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa is a top 5-star resort on Expedia for families, and features 2 outdoor pools and a private beach. Other choices for your child-friendly holiday include The Pacific Sutera Hotel and Ming Garden Hotel and Residences. Also, attractions such as Anjung Samudera and Lok Kawi Wildlife Park are fun for children of all ages.

What's the best place to stay for a romantic getaway to Kota Kinabalu?

Nexus Resort & Spa Karambunai is a favourite 4.5-star resort for couples, and features 24-hour room service and a full-service spa. Other good options for your romantic getaway include Gayana Marine Resort and Celyn Resort Kinabalu.

What's the best pet-friendly accommodation option in Kota Kinabalu?

Balada Hostel is a top property for people travelling with their pets, and offers a rooftop terrace and free WiFi for its human guests.

What's the best place to stay for a beach holiday in Kota Kinabalu?

Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa is a top 5-star beachfront resort with 2 outdoor pools and 6 restaurants. Other good options to stay near the beach include Borneo Beach Villas and Nexus Resort & Spa Karambunai. Head to Dalit Beach or Pantai Pulau Mamutik for some quality time by the water.

What's the best luxury accommodation option in Kota Kinabalu?

The Pacific Sutera Hotel is a 5-star resort with a private beach and 2 restaurants, and it’s a popular choice for Expedia travellers looking for a pampered stay. Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu and Shangri La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa are other upscale choices for your holiday.

What's the best boutique hotel in Kota Kinabalu?

Gayana Marine Resort is a favourite 5-star resort with Expedia travellers looking for stylish accommodation, and features 2 restaurants and a poolside bar. Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa and Gaya Island Resort are a couple of other boutique hotels.

What's the best place to stay if I'm looking to play golf in Kota Kinabalu?

The Pacific Sutera Hotel is a top 5-star resort that has a golf course and features a marina. Other good options to stay near a golf course include Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa and The Magellan Sutera Resort. You can tee off at Borneo Golf and Country Club during your trip.

What are some hotels with pools in Kota Kinabalu?

The Pacific Sutera Hotel is a popular 5-star resort featuring 3 outdoor swimming pools, a children’s pool and a private beach. Other choices that offer an on-site pool include Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa and Shangri La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa.