⭐ Top 10 Hotels Near Kota Kinabalu Esplanade 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

1. CJ Residence

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.5 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Scott

S$40

includes taxes & fees

20 Sept - 21 Sept

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

Kampung Air, 0.4 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Zhen

S$40

includes taxes & fees

20 Sept - 21 Sept

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

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.7 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Yuta

S$45

includes taxes & fees

21 Sept - 22 Sept

4. Signel Hostel

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.6 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

S$22

includes taxes & fees

9 Sept - 10 Sept

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

Kampung Air, 0.6 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Ganesh

S$47

includes taxes & fees

20 Sept - 21 Sept

6. Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.4 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Davide

S$130

includes taxes & fees

18 Sept - 19 Sept

7. Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre by IHG

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.7 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Genya

S$95

includes taxes & fees

20 Sept - 21 Sept

8. Hilton Kota Kinabalu

Kampung Air, 0.6 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Ines

S$124

includes taxes & fees

9 Sept - 10 Sept

9. Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.7 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

John

S$99

includes taxes & fees

6 Sept - 7 Sept

10. Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.7 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Paul

S$209

includes taxes & fees

17 Sept - 18 Sept

11. The Klagan Hotel

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.3 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

John

S$77

includes taxes & fees

6 Sept - 7 Sept

12. Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.1 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Murray

S$157

includes taxes & fees

18 Sept - 19 Sept

13. The Shore Kota Kinabalu by Five Senses

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.8 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Yan Ting

S$127

includes taxes & fees

13 Sept - 14 Sept

14. HotSpot at City Centre by SSVC

Kampung Air, 0.6 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Zachary

S$46

includes taxes & fees

1 Sept - 2 Sept

15. Walk In Hotel

Kampung Air, 0.6 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Bahrinizam

S$46

includes taxes & fees

2 Sept - 3 Sept

16. Hotel DeLeeton

Kampung Air, 0.4 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Anonymous traveller

S$34

includes taxes & fees

30 Sept - 1 Oct

17. Hotel O Five 2

Kampung Air, 0.7 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

valerie

S$32

includes taxes & fees

14 Sept - 15 Sept

18. Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.2 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

"I like this hotel very much. The room is spacious for the 2 of us. The beds, room and corridors are clean. The hotel is still being upgrading but we are not affected in anyway. The upgrading has improved the ambience. Buffet breakfast is also good. The location is so convenient for walking to Imago mall and the waterfront. But it’s really too hot for walking. So Grab is cooler!! Also the staff at front desk is so helpful and polite. Recommended 👍"

BeeBee

S$131

includes taxes & fees

27 Sept - 28 Sept

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

Kampung Air, 0.6 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Imran

S$56

includes taxes & fees

21 Sept - 22 Sept

20. Howard Johnson by Wyndham Kota Kinabalu City Centre

Kampung Air, 0.8 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Sazali

S$43

includes taxes & fees

1 Sept - 2 Sept

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Compare popular hotels close to Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Property	Property class	Guest rating
CJ Residence	9.6 Exceptional 54 reviews	View
AC Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group	9.6 Exceptional 96 reviews	View
ACJ Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group	9.8 Exceptional 6 reviews	View
Signel Hostel	9.8 Exceptional 20 reviews	View
AJ Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group	9.6 Exceptional 10 reviews	View

Top Kota Kinabalu Esplanade Hotel Reviews

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"

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."

Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

10/10 Excellent

"Great swimming pool with view of the sunset. The 24 hour gym is very nice. The restaurant on the 6th floor on the same floor as the gym and pool is very good too, though a bit expensive for what you get. They did allow substitutions, for example substituting a fried chicken sandwich for a grilled chicken sandwich, and having sauces on the side. You just have to ask them for this. The ground floor restaurant is more affordable, but most of the dishes serve fried meat, so it’s not a good choice for health conscious eaters. The bed was very comfortable, though not long enough for taller people, which resulted in my feet hanging off the end. All of the staff are very friendly and helpful. The location is excellent, with so many places within walking distance, be it outdoor fresh fish restaurants, night markets, during street, jetties for boat excursions, etc. What’s nice too is in the lobby there is kind of a small mall, with an Orange convenience store, a souvenir shop, and chocolate shop, a Burger King, and a terrific Cantonese style fish restaurant. It’s nice sometimes to not go out in the heat and have a nice meal. I found that the fish restaurant was the best place to eat in the hotel and mall complex. Nearby within walking distance are large shopping malls, including a place called Wisma Merdeka, which is the best place to change money. Be warned though , that this downtown area is dirty and maybe even scary to some, so take that into consideration."

The Klagan Hotel

8/10 Good

"Room is clean and comfortable. Staff are friendly and attentive to requests. Walking distance to Centrepoint shopping mall and Handicraft market."

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."

The Magellan Sutera Resort

10/10 Excellent

"Gym was in a separate building which was a little bit of a pain and yoga sessions were further still which wasn’t great"

Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"Perfectly placed property overlooking the sea. Staff were all very accommodating and friendly."

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 do some window-shopping at Oceanus Waterfront Mall during your trip to Pusat Bandar. Visit 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 do some window-shopping 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 do some window-shopping 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 browse for the perfect souvenirs 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 trip to Sinsuran Kompleks. Visit 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 stay in 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 browse for the perfect souvenirs 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, take a look at the 354 hotels and other accommodation options you'll find within a mile.

Where is 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 traveller 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 should I expect to find close to Kota Kinabalu Esplanade?

Expedia has 354 hotels and other accommodation options 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! You'll find that most hotel room reservations are fully refundable as long as you cancel before the hotel's cancellation deadline, which is often 24 or 48 hours before check in. If you booked a non-refundable reservation, you might still have the option to cancel and get a refund within a 24-hour period of your booking. Enter your dates, click on "Search", then use the "fully refundable" filter to view top deals close to Kota Kinabalu Esplanade.

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 Tanjung Aru Perdana Park, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park or Kota Kinabalu Wetlands Centre. Create some family memories at Downbelow Adventure Centre and Aquascape Center.

Hotels near Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

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Treat yourself

Be picky

Check prices for these dates

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Our top choices for Kota Kinabalu Esplanade hotels

1. CJ Residence

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

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

4. Signel Hostel

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

6. Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

7. Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre by IHG

8. Hilton Kota Kinabalu

9. Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

10. Hyatt Centric 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. Hotel DeLeeton

17. Hotel O Five 2

18. Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu

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

20. Howard Johnson by Wyndham Kota Kinabalu City Centre

Compare popular hotels close to Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Top Kota Kinabalu Esplanade Hotel Reviews

Hotel Capital

The SIGAR Hotel at Sutera Bay

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

Hilton Kota Kinabalu

Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

The Klagan Hotel

Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

The Magellan Sutera Resort

Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel

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

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