Where to stay in Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu is small, but where you sleep decides whether the islands, the markets and the airport are a walk or a taxi. The areas, in plain terms.
City centre 33 hotels
Image obtained from amazingborneo.com
The CBD and waterfront, where Gaya Street, the markets and the Jesselton Point ferry are all walkable. Most hotels are here.
Karamunsing 3 hotels
Image obtained from mapcarta.com
Just south of the CBD, a short drive from Gaya Street. Cheaper, with better parking.
Lintas and Putatan 2 hotels
Image obtained from tripadvisor.com
Suburban areas south-east of the centre, close to the airport by car.
1Borneo 1 hotel
Image obtained from en.wikipedia.org
The hypermall in the north of the city, far from both the centre and the airport.
Sutera Harbour 2 hotels
Image obtained from amazingborneo.com
A self-contained resort with a marina, golf and its own island boats, between the airport and the city.
Karambunai 1 hotel
Image obtained from thegolfasia.com
A remote beach peninsula 30 to 45 minutes north of the city.
Tanjung Aru 3 hotels
Image obtained from sabahtourism.com
The beach suburb next to the airport. Good for a flight night and sunsets, a drive to the city.
Inanam 1 hotel
Image obtained from scpproperty.com.my
The industrial north of Kota Kinabalu. Business stays rather than holidays.
Tuaran 3 hotels
Image obtained from en.wikipedia.org
Not Kota Kinabalu at all, but 35 km north. Listed because Rasa Ria is booked as a KK resort. A long drive to everything except the beach it sits on.
Islands 3 hotels
Image obtained from smartertravel.com
Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, ten minutes by boat from Jesselton Point. You stay on the island; the city is a scheduled boat ride away.
Kepayan and Penampang 1 hotel
Image obtained from en.wikipedia.org
The suburbs along the Penampang bypass south of the city, close to the airport and the hospitals. Cheap, car-oriented, and a Grab ride from everything.
Kinarut and Papar 2 hotels
Image obtained from en.wikipedia.org
The quiet coast south of the airport, 20 to 35 minutes from the city. Small beach resorts, Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, and not much else, which is the point.