The Best Hotels Closest to Kota Kinabalu Esplanade in Kota Kinabalu for 2026

A crowded riverside dining area with tables and chairs, string lights, and flags.

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Our top choices for Kota Kinabalu Esplanade hotels

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

A modern lobby with a reflective floor, a large abstract wall art, and a view of a staircase.

A modern hotel with multiple floors, large windows, and a prominent entrance.

A spacious lobby with a large chandelier, seating areas, and a patterned carpet.

1. Hilton Kota Kinabalu

Kampung Air, 0.6 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Ines

₩118,539

₩131,380 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 17 - Sep 18

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.

Two pairs of grey socks in plastic packaging on a tan leather surface.

A street with buildings, cars, and a sign for a health care laboratory.

A hallway with a wooden door, a white cabinet, and a wall-mounted light fixture.

2. CJ Residence

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.5 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Scott

₩37,465

₩43,820 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 9 - Sep 10

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

A modern bathroom with a toilet, sink, and mirror.

A compact minibar with a coffee maker, a glass, and a vase with flowers.

A hotel room with a large window, a clear view of the cityscape, a vase with flowers, and a table with a menu.

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

Kampung Air, 0.4 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Zhen

₩37,465

₩43,820 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 20 - Sep 21

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

A modern bar area with a long counter, bar stools, and a television mounted on the wall.

A buffet with various food options, a counter with plates, and a modern interior design.

A beach scene with a couple embracing, a clear sky, and calm sea.

4. Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre by IHG

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.7 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Genya

₩77,944

₩102,067 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 20 - Sep 21

A hotel room with a bed, a TV, a wardrobe, and a window with a city view.

A minibar setup with a selection of beverages, a coffee machine, and a small shelf with decorative flowers.

A multi-story building with various shops on the ground floor, including a restaurant and a café.

A hotel bathroom with a vanity, a mirror, a shower area, and a door.

5. ACJ Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.7 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Yuta

₩45,427

₩49,074 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 25 - Sep 26

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

A high-rise hotel with multiple floors and balconies, situated by a waterfront with a boat docked nearby.

A modern hotel room with a curved ceiling, a large window offering a view of the sea, two green armchairs, a wooden coffee table, and a chandelier.

A hotel room with a large bed, a desk, and a chair. There is a view of the sea through large windows.

6. Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.4 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Davide

₩134,322

₩148,426 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 17 - Sep 18

A living room with a beige sofa, a white coffee table, and a blue rug. There are three exercise balls on the rug.

A hallway with a white sink, mirror, and hanging plant.

A signboard with information about hotel check-in times, payment options, and cancellation policy.

A reception desk with a sign reading "SIGNÉL Hostel" and a modern interior design.

7. Signel Hostel

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.6 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Richard

₩21,128

₩26,176 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 4 - Oct 5

A terrace with tables and chairs overlooking a body of water and a distant island.

An indoor swimming pool with a clear view of the water, surrounded by a modern architectural design with vertical wooden slats and a glass barrier.

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a desk, and a balcony with a city view.

A modern living room with a large window overlooking a body of water and a forested hill. There is a sofa, a coffee table, and a small table with a plant.

8. Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.7 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Paul

₩163,873

₩180,341 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 17 - Sep 18

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a nightstand, a mirror, and a window with a view of the interior.

A street view with a building featuring a restaurant named 'Mint' and a pharmacy.

A compact kitchen with a built-in refrigerator, a microwave, and a small oven.

A hotel hallway with a marble floor, wooden doors, and a chandelier.

9. AJ Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group

Kampung Air, 0.6 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Ganesh

₩46,549

₩53,677 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 20 - Sep 21

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

A modern gym with treadmills, stationary bikes, and exercise equipment. Large windows provide natural light and views of the outdoors.

A modern hotel lobby with a large sofa, armchairs, a coffee table, and a view of the sunset over the water.

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a desk, and a view of the sunset through large windows.

10. Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.7 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Thomas

₩94,025

₩104,905 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 9 - Sep 10

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

A modern hotel lobby with a reception desk, several receptionists, and a large potted plant.

A window with sheer curtains, a view of a body of water, and a distant hill.

A hotel lobby with a red carpet, potted plants, and a glass storefront.

11. The Klagan Hotel

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.3 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

John

₩57,864

₩68,312 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 16 - Sep 17

A balcony with a table and chairs, offering a view of the sea and distant land.

A spacious lobby with a modern chandelier, a reception desk, and a decorative wall.

A modern hotel with a waterfront view, featuring a large building with multiple floors and a parking area adjacent to the water.

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a flat-screen TV, a sofa, and a view of the sea.

12. Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.1 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Savannah

₩146,018

₩161,103 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 18 - Sep 19

A modern bathroom with a large bathtub, a shower, and a view of the cityscape and sea.

A modern hotel pool area with a clear view of the sea, lounge chairs, and a large building in the background.

A modern hotel with a prominent 'Shore' sign, featuring a grid-like facade and a central entrance.

A modern living room with a sofa, a TV, a small table, and a dining area with chairs.

13. The Shore Kota Kinabalu by Five Senses

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.8 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Yan Ting

₩57,271

₩87,728 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 17 - Sep 18

A hotel room with a bed, a desk with a computer, a microwave, and a small refrigerator.

A modern hotel room with a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, a compact kitchenette with a microwave, a small refrigerator, and a built-in oven.

A modern hotel lobby with a white leather sofa, blue cushions, and framed artwork on the wall.

A modern hotel room with a sofa, a bed, a glass coffee table, and a ceiling light fixture.

14. HotSpot at City Centre by SSVC

Kampung Air, 0.6 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Zachary

₩41,714

₩48,410 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 3 - Oct 4

A modern hotel room with a bed, a desk with a chair, a mirror, and artwork on the wall.

A tray with a coffee maker, two white mugs, a glass, and a card holder with business cards.

A reception area with a white Christmas tree, a reception desk, and two staff members.

A multi-story hotel with a modern geometric facade, large windows, and a well-lit entrance.

15. Walk In Hotel

Kampung Air, 0.6 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Bahrinizam

₩42,738

₩46,170 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 25 - Sep 26

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

A buffet with various dishes and decorative lighting.

A modern hotel lobby with leather sofas, a flat-screen TV, a coffee table, and a reception desk.

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

16. Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.2 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Shih Chung

₩110,537

₩122,738 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 28 - Sep 29

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

A hotel room with a large bed, a desk with a chair, a mirror, and a small table with a lamp.

A conference room with a long table, red chairs, a projector screen, and speakers.

A conference room with rows of tables and chairs, a projector screen, and wooden cabinets.

17. Hotel DeLeeton

Kampung Air, 0.4 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Anonymous traveler

₩31,651

₩37,541 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 28 - Sep 29

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

A banquet hall with tables set for a formal event, a red carpet, and a city view.

A multi-story hotel with a rooftop bar, surrounded by a busy urban street at night.

A modern lobby with a seating area, a wall of framed items, and a decorative ceiling.

18. Howard Johnson by Wyndham Kota Kinabalu City Centre

Kampung Air, 0.8 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Sazali

₩44,800

₩48,394 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 17 - Sep 18

A hotel room with two beds, each with white bedding and red accents, a wooden floor, and a wall-mounted coffee machine.

A multi-story hotel with balconies, a ground floor entrance, and parked cars.

A multi-story hotel with balconies, a sign indicating it is Hotel 2, and a visible storefront below.

A hotel lobby with a wooden reception desk, a sofa, and a coffee table.

19. Hotel O Five 2

Kampung Air, 0.7 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

valerie

₩31,570

₩37,273 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 9 - Sep 10

A hotel room with a neatly made bed, a nightstand with a lamp, and a view of the city through the window.

A shower with a handheld showerhead and a wall-mounted control panel.

A set of English Soap Company products arranged on a marble surface with a large yellow flower and green ferns.

20. A Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group

Kampung Air, 0.6 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Imran

₩57,437

₩65,436 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 20 - Sep 21

View all properties

Compare popular hotels close to Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Property	Property class	Guest rating
Hilton Kota Kinabalu	9.2 Wonderful 999 reviews	View
CJ Residence	9.6 Exceptional 55 reviews	View
AC Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group	9.6 Exceptional 96 reviews	View
Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre by IHG	9.2 Wonderful 238 reviews	View
ACJ Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group	9.8 Exceptional 6 reviews	View

Top Kota Kinabalu Esplanade Hotel Reviews

Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

10/10 Excellent

"Great locations and tidy facilities"

Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"Staff members are so friendly and helpful! Beautiful rooms"

Hotel Capital

10/10 Excellent

"I LOVE TO STAY WITH THIS HOTEL. VERY CONVENIENCE. NEAR TO TAMU GAYA WHICH ME AND MY FAMILY LOVE TO GO THERE. SURROUNDING WITH NEAR SUPERMARKET AND MALL. . EVERY TIME TO KK, WE WILL STAY TO THIS HOTEL. 5 STAR TO STAY HERE"

The SIGAR Hotel at Sutera Bay

10/10 Excellent

"Great place to stay, staff very helpful and lots of amenities"

Grandis Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"위치적으로 매우 훌륭합니다. 가야스트릿과 DBKK선착장까지의 접근성이 좋고 주변에 식사가기도 좋고 관광지와의 거리도 매우 좋습니다."

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

10/10 Excellent

"Great location Amazing views Amazing. Breakfast"

Hilton Kota Kinabalu

10/10 Excellent

"Room was clean and cosy. Staff very friendly and helpful."

Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

8/10 Good

"Great location , rooms were spacious but very dated property needing updating . Carpets were stained . Buffet was very good with a good selection of local cuisine."

AC Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group

10/10 Excellent

"I really enjoyed my stay here; The room and staff itself were amazing and also upgraded my room and catered to all my needs:) The only thing is that it's a bit further from the main area so you have to do a bit more walking but overall really nice"

Other attractions near Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

A sunset with a dramatic sky and silhouettes of trees.

Oceanus Waterfront Mall

7.6/10 (15 reviews)

You can search for that perfect souvenir at Oceanus Waterfront Mall during your stay in Pusat Bandar. Check out the shops and seafood restaurants in this family-friendly area.

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A table with various dishes including shrimp, soup, and a lobster.

Kompleks Asia City

7.4/10 (41 reviews)

During your visit to Pusat Bandar, you can enjoy retail therapy at Kompleks Asia City. Amble around the area's marina or seek out the local tours.

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Anjung Samudera

7.6/10 (408 reviews)

During your visit to Pusat Bandar, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Anjung Samudera. Amble around this romantic area's beautiful beaches, or seek out the local tours.

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Warisan Square

7.2/10 (44 reviews)

During your trip to Pusat Bandar, you can do some window-shopping at Warisan Square. Stroll along the marina or seek out the local tours.

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Centre Point

7.8/10 (402 reviews)

During your visit to Pusat Bandar, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Centre Point. Stroll along the marina or seek out the local tours.

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Local Fruits Market

8.4/10 (17 reviews)

You can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Local Fruits Market during your stay in Sinsuran Kompleks. Check out the shops and seafood restaurants in this romantic area.

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Anjung Kinabalu

You can do some window-shopping at Anjung Kinabalu during your visit to Pusat Bandar. Discover the beautiful sunsets and seafood restaurants in this romantic area.

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Plaza Wawasan

7.6/10 (4 reviews)

During your visit to Kota Kinabalu, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Plaza Wawasan. Stroll along the marina or seek out the local tours.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the area like around Kota Kinabalu Esplanade?

Kota Kinabalu Esplanade is located in Pusat Bandar. This family-friendly area is known for its beautiful island views and top seafood restaurants. If you're looking for a convenient place to stay, check out the 354 hotels and other accommodations you'll find within a mile.

What's the best place to stay near Kota Kinabalu Esplanade?

Adjacent to Kota Kinabalu Esplanade, Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu is one of the top choices for your stay based on our traveler data, and this hotel offers a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Other good options within a short distance include Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu and Hyatt Regency Kinabalu.

How many hotels will I be able to find close to Kota Kinabalu Esplanade?

Expedia has 354 hotels and other accommodations within a mile from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade.

If I need to cancel the hotel reservation for my stay near Kota Kinabalu Esplanade, will I receive a refund?

Yes, the majority of room reservations are fully refundable if cancelled prior to the hotel's cancellation deadline, which is often 24 or 48 hours before the scheduled arrival. If you have a reservation that's non-refundable, you might be able to cancel it and get a refund within 24 hours of your booking. Enter dates in and click on "Search", then you can use the "fully refundable" filter to get the top deals on offer near Kota Kinabalu Esplanade.

Where can I learn more about changing or cancelling my trip in the area near Kota Kinabalu Esplanade?

To access more information about picking new dates or cancelling your stay near Kota Kinabalu Esplanade, go to https://www.expedia.com/service/.

What can I see and do near Kota Kinabalu Esplanade?

Learn about local history at Atkinson Clock Tower and Koisaan Cultural Village. Enjoy the outdoors at Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Kota Kinabalu Wetlands Centre, or Tanjung Aru Perdana Park. Create some family memories at Downbelow Adventure Centre and Aquascape Center.

Find hotels near Kota Kinabalu Esplanade, Kota Kinabalu from ₩26,176

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Be picky

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Our top choices for Kota Kinabalu Esplanade hotels

1. Hilton Kota Kinabalu

2. CJ Residence

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

4. Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre by IHG

5. ACJ Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group

6. Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

7. Signel Hostel

8. Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu

9. AJ Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group

10. Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

11. The Klagan Hotel

12. Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel

13. The Shore Kota Kinabalu by Five Senses

14. HotSpot at City Centre by SSVC

15. Walk In Hotel

16. Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu

17. Hotel DeLeeton

18. Howard Johnson by Wyndham Kota Kinabalu City Centre

19. Hotel O Five 2

20. A Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group

Compare popular hotels close to Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Top Kota Kinabalu Esplanade Hotel Reviews

Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel

Hotel Capital

The SIGAR Hotel at Sutera Bay

Grandis Hotel

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

Hilton Kota Kinabalu

Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

AC Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group

Other attractions near Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Oceanus Waterfront Mall

Kompleks Asia City

Anjung Samudera

Warisan Square

Centre Point

Local Fruits Market

Anjung Kinabalu

Plaza Wawasan

Frequently asked questions