City centre · 4-star · Sutera Avenue, Sembulan — a Design Hotels / Marriott Bonvoy member
The LUMA Hotel
A 115-room design hotel in Sutera Avenue with a lobby that doubles as one of the city's better cafés and four restaurants downstairs — for people who care more about the room and the coffee than a pool. Near Imago, not near Gaya Street.
Checked against the hotel's own information and cross-referenced listings. Last checked August 2026.
Image obtained from thelumahotel.com
To the airport (KKIA)
12 min7 km by road
Pool
No pool
Breakfast
Not included
Airport shuttle
NoneGrab or taxi, or ask us for a pickup
Walk to Jesselton Point
NoShort drive
Booking
Ask usWe check the rate with the hotel
What it is
The LUMA opened in January 2022 in Sutera Avenue on the Sembulan side of town, near Imago mall and Sutera Harbour, and is the only Design Hotels member in Borneo. It has 115 Japanese-influenced rooms, a boutique gym, Flow Coffee in the lobby and several restaurants under the same roof. There's no pool and breakfast is charged separately. It's about 12 minutes from the airport, and Gaya Street is a short Grab ride rather than a walk. Being on the flight path, some rooms hear aircraft.
Rooms
Palm Marvellous rooms (32 to 34 sq m) for two, Eden Deluxe and Green Luxury rooms (40 sq m) with two queen beds for families of four.
Does The LUMA Hotel have a pool?
No. The LUMA Hotel does not have a pool. That's typical of Kota Kinabalu's city-centre 3-stars; see the hotels with a pool if it matters to you.
Facilities we could confirm
Fitness centre
Anything not listed here is unconfirmed rather than absent. We'd rather leave a gap than guess.
Eating
Flow Coffee by Crack Inc. in the lobby, JoJo Gastrobar, Hinode Japanese and a Chinese hotpot restaurant on site; breakfast is at La Veranda in the same block.
About 12 minutes by car (7 km), depending on traffic. Grab and taxis are easy at KKIA, or ask us to arrange a pickup.
Does The LUMA have a pool?
No. It's a design hotel built around its lobby and restaurants. For a pool nearby look at Ming Garden or Sabah Oriental.
Can I book The LUMA Hotel through this site?
Yes. Send your dates by WhatsApp or the form and our licensed Sabah tours agency confirms availability and rate with the hotel. There's no booking fee, and you can add island trips, a Kinabalu climb or airport transfers to the same enquiry.
