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In this article we will review and recommend the best hotel in Kota Kinabalu for 2026. We will look at a wide range of hotels. There is everything from Super budget hostels all the way up to luxurious five star hotels with outdoor swimming pools. In this article we will also give you some top tips to make sure you book the best room for you and make the most of your time in Kota Kinabalu.
By the way – don’t miss our Kota Kinabalu itinerary – all the BEST things to do in Kota Kinabalu step by step
In Kota Kinabalu you can pay anything from £5 per night all the way up to £500 per night. It is worth being aware that accommodation in Malaysia is more expensive than Thailand, Indonesia and other countries nearby. So if you have been backpacking around southeast Asia be aware that your money will not go as far in Malaysia. However, if you know where to look you can still snatch up some great deals for hotels in Kota Kinabalu.
Oh yeah, and to make your hotel hunting super easy we have arranged these hotels in order of increasing price for one night stay. Of course, prices will vary a little bit depending on the season and the hotel. However we have tried to give you a good idea of what you are likely to pay at each hotel per night.
Map of the best hotels in Kota Kinabalu
Summary – The Best Hotel in Kota Kinabalu
| Hotel | Summary | Price range | Reviews |
| H2 Backpacker | Super cheap dorm accommodation – excellent location | £5 | 8.1 |
| Escape Backpackers | Also very cheap dorm accommodation – slightly better facilities | £5 – £6 | 8.3 |
| Signel Hostel | Clean, stylish, comfortable and innovative dorm accommodation | £10 – £30 | 9.1 |
| The Palace Hotel | Excellent value for money. Clean, comfortable and spacious rooms and great facilities | £30 – £50 | 8.4 |
| Horizon Hotel | Roof top pool and very stylish hotel – excellent value for money for the cheaper rooms. Great facilities | £40 – £280 | 8.4 |
| Le Meridien | The best hotel in Kota Kinabalu for luxury. Innovative and impressive rooms and suites | £70 – £200 | 9.0 |
| Hilton Kota Kinabalu | Luxurious, decadent 5 star hotel with a wide range of rooms and suites and excellent facilities | £100 – £300 | 8.9 |
| Deco Home Imago | Vintage boutique apartment style accommodation – great for families | £120 – £300 | 8.9 |
1 H2 Backpacker
The H2 Backpacker is an excellent option for a Backpacker or Solo Traveler on a budget. The H2 Backpacker offers clean, simple dormitory accommodation. Dormitory beds have curtains for privacy and they also have individual lamps and charging sockets so that you can charge your phone overnight. Dorm rooms have air conditioning. The main disadvantage of H2 Backpacker hostel is that there are no lockers available to store valuables. Therefore, we recommend making sure you have a small valuable bag that you can sleep with in your dorm.
An advantage of the H2 Backpacker hostel is the excellent location it is located very Central and Kota Kinabalu close to many cafes, restaurants and convenience stores. The H2 Backpacker has a simple kitchen area and social seating area. H2 Backpacker offers the cheapest accommodation in Kota Kinabalu. Get a dorm bed (shared bathrooms) for around £5. Dorm rooms separated into male and female dorms.
Top tip: If you are traveling as a couple, consider the price of two dorm beds against the price of getting a private double or twin room. In many cases it is actually just as cheap to get a private room and you also have the additional privacy and security.
2 Escape Backpackers (The best hotel in Kota Kinabalu for budget travelers)
Escape Backpackers is the best hotel in Kota Kinabalu for budget travelers. Again only dorms available and super cheap. This hostel is very similar to H2 Backpackers. However, Escape Backpackers does offer a few advantages. There are simple lockers available outside of the rooms. Also Escape Backpackers have mixed dorms (whereas H2 Backpackers are separated). Both properties enjoy a great location.
At Escape Backpackers dormitories have curtains for privacy, individual lights and sockets for charging phones. Escape Backpackers is a stylish and trendy hostel with a common area. They also have coffee making facilities and offer a very simple breakfast of bread or toast.
3 Signel Hostel
Dormitory accommodation generally has a reputation for being pretty cheap and pretty rough. This hotel is a unique exception. The dormitories are slightly more expensive but they are extremely comfortable and well designed. At the Signel they have thought through all of these small details that make your stay comfortable and convenient.
Dormitory beds are wide with comfortable mattresses and clean bedding. You can even take a double bed for extra space (this is quite unique in the world of dorm accommodation). Dormitory rooms have a secure card Locking System, air conditioning. The Signel also has hair dryers, spacious lockers and toiletries and towels.
They also have a small kitchen area. Dorm beds cost around £10 – £20 per night at the Signel hostel. This hostel is in a very good location in Kota Kinabalu. This hostel is very close to plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes. If you are looking for a comfortable and relaxing stay in a clean low budget hostel this is the best option for you in Kota Kinabalu.
4 The Palace Hotel Kota Kinabalu
This mid-range hotel offers high quality and great value for money. This lovely hotel is surrounded by trees giving the area a nice natural ambiance. Rooms are clean, well furnished, spacious and comfortable. It is worth being aware that the cheapest room option at The Palace Hotel does not have a window (the standard twin room).
Some of the rooms at the Palace Hotel also have a very good breakfast included and an excellent free cancellation policy. Always check these things when you make your booking. The Palace also has an outdoor swimming pool, fitness suite, spa and on-site restaurant.
All this for around £20 – £50 per night is excellent value for money in Malaysia. The Palace Hotel in Kota Kinabalu is located a couple of kilometers from the center of Kota Kinabalu.
5 Horizon Hotel
The Horizon Hotel is an impressive four-star hotel. This beautiful hotel offers some of the best value for money in Kota kinabalu. We are particularly impressed with the superior double room with City view. Typically you can find this room for around £40 to £50 per night, which is excellent value for money for a hotel of this quality and caliber.
Rooms have stylish Asian Interiors with laminate, marble and Asia Zen artwork. At the Horizon hotel rooms also have large windows for the excellent city views and plenty of natural light. The Horizon Hotel has an excellent range of facilities and amenities.
They have a rooftop pool, fitness center and onsite restaurant. For such an impressive Hotel it also enjoys an excellent location right in the city center close to many shops, restaurants and the Kota Kinabalu shopping mall.
6 Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu (The Best hotel in Kota Kinabalu for luxury)
Le Meridien is a luxurious Innovative and beautiful hotel in kinabalu. If you are looking to Splash out this is the best hotel in Kota Kinabalu. Le Meridien is situated in a very large and ground building with excellent views of the city and the Beautiful ocean.
It is located right in the center of Kota Kinabalu close to plenty of cafes, restaurants and convenience stores. We are particularly impressed with the one bedroom bi level King suite. This room is designed on two levels with a comfortable living area, a desk and a bed upstairs. It also has an impressive balcony with a sea view and outdoor bathtub.
For such a beautiful and impressive suite, this is excellent value for money. This is genuinely one of the most unique and creative hotels we have come across in Malaysia. We love the fact that Le Meridien uses large windows to give you excellent views of the ocean and city and allows plenty of natural light.
Le Meridien also has excellent facilities and amenities including an outdoor swimming pool, on site restaurant, bar, fitness center and a club lounge. Not all rooms come with Club Lounge access so check when you’re booking if this is important to you.
It is hard to capture how epic this place is. THERE ARE LOADS OF REASONS that this is THE BEST hotel in Kota Kinabalu.
7 Hilton Kota Kinabalu
The Hilton Kota Kinabalu offers luxurious and decadent 5 star accommodation in Kota Kinabalu. The rooms and suites at the Hilton Kota Kinabalu are stylish, comfortable and spacious. There are not many options if you are looking for one of the big brands in Kota Kinabalu but Hilton, doing its thing, has made its way here. Let’s be honest, it always feels good having a peace of mind of a brand that you trust.
The family room at the Hilton can accommodate up to four guests with one large double bed and one single bed. The best value for money at the Hilton Kota Kinabalu is the executive twin room which typically costs between £120 and £170 per night, depending on the occupancy and whether you want free cancellation and breakfast included with the room.
We particularly like the fact that the Hilton Hotel offers a wide range of options for occupancy, cancellation and breakfast so you can select the package that best suits you. The Hilton Kota Kinabalu also has two swimming pools, a fitness center, a bar and an on site restaurant.
8 Deco Home Imago (The best hotel in Kota Kinabalu for family)
Deco Home offers clean, boutique, luxurious apartments with an outdoor swimming pool and sea views. This is the best option if you are looking for the comfort and convenience of your home with the style and luxury of a four-star hotel in Malaysia. We absolutely love the Vintage Boutique interior styles combining comfortable stylish furniture with feel good artwork.
The private apartments are fully furnished and offer several bedrooms. They have fans and air conditioning, towels, and bedding. Apartments also offer private kitchenettes including refrigerator, kettle, kitchenware, microwave, washing machines and a stove.
The largest apartment can accommodate up to 10 guests with three separate bedrooms and a combination of double and single beds. Apartments enjoy beautiful sea views and large windows affording plenty of natural light. This is the best hotel in Kota Kinabalu for families.
The only disadvantage of this hotel is that it is a few kilometers from the center of Kota Kinabalu town. However taxis are relatively cheap and convenient and it is also not too far to walk.
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