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 Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu and Hyatt Regency 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

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a TV mounted on the wall, a desk with a chair, and a window with a view of buildings.

1. CJ Residence

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Scott

₹2,971 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Sept - 9 Sept

A modern hotel lobby with a reception desk, large chandeliers, and a seating area.

2. Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre by IHG

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Genya

₹8,255 total

includes taxes & fees

20 Sept - 21 Sept

A modern hotel building with a prominent sign reading "MANDARIN HOTEL".

3. Mandarin Hotel

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Kanai

₹4,198 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Sept - 14 Sept

A hotel room with a large bed, a desk with a chair, a TV, and a minibar.

4. Hotel Capital

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Sofía

₹3,143 total

includes taxes & fees

26 Sept - 27 Sept

A spacious restaurant with multiple tables and chairs, a buffet area, and large windows providing natural light.

5. The Klagan Hotel

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

John

₹5,117 total

includes taxes & fees

21 Sept - 22 Sept

A modern restaurant with a central island, dining tables, and chairs.

6. Howard Johnson by Wyndham Kota Kinabalu City Centre

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Sazali

₹3,175 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Sept - 14 Sept

A swimming pool with lounge chairs and umbrellas, surrounded by a modern building with large windows.

7. Hilton Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Ines

₹9,141 total

includes taxes & fees

17 Sept - 18 Sept

A hotel room with a bed, a window with a view of a cityscape, a wooden door, and a wall-mounted coat rack.

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

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Zhen

₹3,049 total

includes taxes & fees

20 Sept - 21 Sept

A buffet with various food items and a view of the sea.

9. Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Davide

₹9,570 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Sept - 19 Sept

A spacious lobby with high ceilings, large columns, and a polished marble floor.

10. Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Shih Chung

₹7,924 total

includes taxes & fees

26 Sept - 27 Sept

A hotel room with two beds, a large window with curtains, and two framed pictures on the wall.

11. Dreamtel Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Anonymous traveller

₹2,705 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Sept - 9 Sept

A modern lounge with a city view, multiple seating areas, and a large screen displaying a presentation.

12. Cititel Express Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

scott

₹3,750 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Sept - 14 Sept

A hotel room with two beds, a desk with a chair, a TV, and a lamp.

13. Hotel Gaia 95

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Brittany

₹2,543 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Sept - 9 Sept

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a sitting area with a bathtub, a large window with a view, and a wooden interior.

14. Horizon Hotel

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Michelle

₹6,651 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Sept - 14 Sept

A swimming pool with lounge chairs and palm trees, surrounded by wooden structures.

15. Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Cilla

₹9,789 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

16. Signel Poshtel, the Rare Gem of North Borneo

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Donna

₹3,651 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Sept - 14 Sept

A reception desk at Hotel de Leeton with a sign indicating the reception area.

17. Hotel DeLeeton

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Anonymous traveller

₹2,545 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Oct - 8 Oct

A modern building with a glass facade, a pool area with a curved edge, and a view of the sunset over the water.

18. Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Thomas

₹7,299 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

A spacious lobby with a grand piano, a curved sofa, and a reception desk.

19. The Jesselton Hotel

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Henn Kiew

₹5,427 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Sept - 14 Sept

A modern hotel corridor with a marble floor, dark wooden walls, and a large abstract artwork on the left.

20. Grandis Hotel

Downtown Kota Kinabalu

lana

₹9,053 total

includes taxes & fees

11 Sept - 12 Sept

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Compare popular hotels in Downtown Kota Kinabalu

Property	Property class	Guest rating
CJ Residence	2.5 star property	9.6 Exceptional 55 reviews	View
Ritz Residence - A Member of The Luxury Hotel Group	4.5 star property	9.8 Exceptional 37 reviews	View
ACJ Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group	3.0 star property	9.8 Exceptional 6 reviews	View
AC Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group	3.0 star property	9.6 Exceptional 96 reviews	View
Hilton Kota Kinabalu	5.0 star property	9.2 Wonderful 1,000 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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