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 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.

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

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.

1. CJ Residence

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.5 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Kunthea

￥3,960

￥4,690 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 11 - Oct 12

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

A modern hotel lobby with a marble floor, a wooden bench, a glass railing, and a decorative wall piece.

2. Hilton Kota Kinabalu

Kampung Air, 0.6 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Michaela

￥13,423

￥14,884 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 9 - Oct 10

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

A modern building entrance with glass doors, a blue carpet, and two lion statues.

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.

3. Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre by IHG

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.7 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Genya

￥7,948

￥10,516 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 23 - Oct 24

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

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

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

Two white towels with embroidered text and decorative flowers.

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

Kampung Air, 0.4 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Zhen

￥4,304

￥5,034 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 11 - Oct 12

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

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

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 terrace with tables and chairs, overlooking a body of water with a sunset.

5. Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.4 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Davide

￥14,276

￥15,804 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 17 - Oct 18

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 hotel lobby with a large sofa, armchairs, a coffee table, 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 kitchen with a central island, stainless steel appliances, and wooden cabinetry.

6. Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.7 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Thomas

￥10,803

￥12,053 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 10 - Oct 11

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

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

A hallway with marble walls, wooden doors, and chandeliers.

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

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

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.7 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Yuta

￥5,200

￥6,002 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 12 - Oct 13

A modern interior with a spiral staircase, a kitchen area, and a dining space.

A person standing by a window with arms raised, overlooking a lush green landscape and distant mountains.

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.

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.

8. Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.7 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

MRS

￥16,557

￥18,269 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 2 - Nov 3

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 modern bathroom with a shower, a vanity with a mirror, and a small table with a vase.

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

￥4,908

￥5,716 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 12 - Oct 13

A calm water body with a paved walkway alongside.

A modern living room with a grey sofa, a coffee table, a TV mounted on the wall, and a ceiling fan.

A hotel room with a bed, a TV, and a balcony with a view of a building.

A hotel room with a large window, a bed, and a view of the cityscape.

10. Borneo Coastal Residence - IMAGO Mall

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.8 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Ong

￥7,305

￥8,334 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 5 - Oct 6

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

A person sitting in a clear blue infinity pool with a view of a distant island and a calm sea.

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

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

11. Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.1 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Savannah

￥15,781

￥17,429 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 10 - Oct 11

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 hotel room with a bed, a television, a desk with a computer, and a window with curtains.

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

12. The Klagan Hotel

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.3 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

John

￥7,651

￥9,414 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 10 - Oct 11

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 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

￥5,501

￥8,812 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 29 - Oct 30

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

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

A hotel with a swimming pool, surrounded by lush greenery and a clear blue sky.

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

14. Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.2 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Shih Chung

￥12,701

￥14,103 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 10 - Oct 11

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 hotel room with two beds, a desk, and a TV screen displaying a hotel name.

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

15. Howard Johnson by Wyndham Kota Kinabalu City Centre

Kampung Air, 0.8 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Joshua

￥5,222

￥6,027 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 6 - Oct 7

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

A hotel entrance with a 'No Smoking' sign, a 'Hotel deFeet' sign, and a 'Please make deliveries to side door' sign.

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

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

16. Hotel DeLeeton

Kampung Air, 0.4 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Anonymous traveler

￥3,512

￥4,203 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

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 hallway with a wooden floor, a series of framed pictures on the wall, and a mirror reflecting the hallway.

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

17. Hotel O Five 2

Kampung Air, 0.7 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

valerie

￥3,563

￥4,207 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 5 - Oct 6

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

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

18. HotSpot at City Centre by SSVC

Kampung Air, 0.6 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Zachary

￥4,793

￥5,562 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 3 - Oct 4

19. Space Cap Hotel

Downtown Kota Kinabalu, 0.3 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Ye-Seul

￥1,838

￥2,169 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 15 - Oct 16

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 modern, minimalist wall-mounted light fixture with a geometric design.

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

20. Walk In Hotel

Kampung Air, 0.6 km from Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Bahrinizam

￥4,845

￥5,668 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 5 - Oct 6

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Compare popular hotels close to Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Property	Star rating	Guest rating
CJ Residence	9.6 Exceptional 56 reviews	View
Hilton Kota Kinabalu	9.2 Wonderful 999 reviews	View
Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre by IHG	9.2 Wonderful 240 reviews	View
AC Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group	9.6 Exceptional 97 reviews	View
Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu	9.0 Wonderful 1,001 reviews	View

Top Kota Kinabalu Esplanade Hotel Reviews

Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu

10/10 Excellent

"VERY NICE"

Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

10/10 Excellent

"We stayed for one week and the room was very comfortable. The breakfast included was worth the extra fee. 24/7 Gym and laundry services available. Infinity pool was relaxing and has a great view of sea. Citadines is a popular meet up spot. We went on two tours and they picked us up right outside our hotel. There is a restaurant, massage spa, burger king, cafe and lemon tea shop in the same building."

Sheraton Kota Kinabalu

10/10 Excellent

"Good location, very alert staff who demonstrated initiative in many small ways."

Hilton Kota Kinabalu

10/10 Excellent

"Great location - close to all amenities and the waterfront Great roof top pool although very overpriced food in the restaurants. Great staff Would definitely recommend"

Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu

8/10 Good

"Very helpful staff good location"

Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre by IHG

10/10 Excellent

"Very comfortable and spacious room. Excellent breakfast. Friendly and helpful staff."

AC Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group

10/10 Excellent

"The room was spotlessly clean and well maintained. There was even a nice little common hallway with extra toiletries and coffee/tea packets. The host provided a waterproof beach pouch which was exactly what I needed that day. The location is unbeatable. It's literally upstairs from the most amazing grilled seafood night market. 10/10. I will definitely book here again"

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

10/10 Excellent

"The pool area was lovely and the rooftop bar was fabulous. Friendly and helpful staff. Food by the pool was great."

The SIGAR Hotel at Sutera Bay

10/10 Excellent

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

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 romantic 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 family-friendly 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 family-friendly 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 356 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 Regency Kinabalu and Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu.

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

Expedia has 356 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, Tanjung Aru Perdana Park, or Kota Kinabalu Wetlands Centre. Create some family memories at Downbelow Adventure Centre and Aquascape Center.

Find hotels near Kota Kinabalu Esplanade, Kota Kinabalu from ￥2,169

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Treat yourself

Be picky

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Our top choices for Kota Kinabalu Esplanade hotels

1. CJ Residence

2. Hilton Kota Kinabalu

3. Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre by IHG

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

5. Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

6. Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

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

8. Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu

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

10. Borneo Coastal Residence - IMAGO Mall

11. Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel

12. The Klagan Hotel

13. The Shore Kota Kinabalu by Five Senses

14. Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu

15. Howard Johnson by Wyndham Kota Kinabalu City Centre

16. Hotel DeLeeton

17. Hotel O Five 2

18. HotSpot at City Centre by SSVC

19. Space Cap Hotel

20. Walk In Hotel

Compare popular hotels close to Kota Kinabalu Esplanade

Top Kota Kinabalu Esplanade Hotel Reviews

Promenade Hotel Kota Kinabalu

Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu

Sheraton Kota Kinabalu

Hilton Kota Kinabalu

Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu

Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre by IHG

AC Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

The SIGAR Hotel at Sutera Bay

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