5-Star Hotels in Sabah, Malaysia

I expected a great hotel stay and they delivered. All the staff were lovely. Thank you for that. My only issue is the lack of room information regarding what is available in the hotel. Normally I would expect marketing information and menus for restarunt and bar in the room. The TV does give room service menu but was not required. Fortunately we found Ben, the Concierge in the lobby who very kindly explained what we asked, and provided a map for the area. Very welcome. Thank you very much.

I booked the best sea-view room in the Tanjung Wing, specifically one facing the sunset. However, upon entering the room, I found that over half of the sunset view was obstructed by trees. I called guest services from the room to request a room change, and they told me to wait. After an hour, I heard nothing. I called again, and they told me to keep waiting. Roughly another hour passed, and when I called a third time, they said a change was impossible because the hotel was fully booked. They said it was impossible to change rooms right after I checked in that afternoon. I wasted two whole hours waiting in the room for nothing!!! My flight arrived in the middle of the night, so I was already tired that afternoon and wanted to rest. Because I was trying to change rooms, I felt uncomfortable even using the room. I was tired, exhausted, and furious. The hotel's phone customer service was incredibly unprofessional, impatient, and impolite. I ended up going directly to the front desk and spoke to the manager, making my complaint entirely in English, before finally getting some resolution. Other than that, though, the hotel's scenery, location, dining, and everything else were quite good, especially for Malaysia! Oh, and you absolutely must try the hotel's paddleboarding; it's worth every penny and an unforgettable experience!!!

This place seriously blew me away. Located above Imago mall and styled like a high-end hotel, the room felt ultra-luxurious from the moment I walked in. Yes, it’s on the pricier side — but you can see and feel where the money goes. Every detail screams premium: a Dyson hairdryer, thick and fluffy slippers, electronic blinds, touch-control lighting, and a stunning bathtub that instantly sets the mood for a relaxing stay. The design is sleek, modern, and Instagram-worthy in every corner. What truly sets this place apart is the generosity in amenities. Instead of the standard small bottled water, they provide 1500ml drinking water, plus free-flow drinking water and soft drinks to enjoy anytime. Even the Starbucks cups added a classy, thoughtful touch that made the stay feel extra special. On top of all that, parking is provided, making it incredibly convenient — especially with the mall right downstairs. This isn’t just a place to sleep — it’s an experience. If you love luxury, comfort, and those little details that make you say “wow”, this place absolutely delivers.

The hotel's location is excellent, right on Gaya Street, making it super convenient for food, drinks, and exploring the Gaya Street Sunday night market. It's also close to the waterfront market, though we didn't visit the seafood market. Getting to Jesselton Point for island hopping is very easy from here. The only downside is that Tanjung Aru Beach is a bit far and traffic can be an issue when taking a taxi. I paid an extra 100 to book a sea-view room, and it was totally worth it – I could watch the sunrise and morning glow from bed. The room was also very spacious, the bed was comfortable, and overall, it offers great value for money!

We had an excellent time at Magellan with our 7 year-old kid. 1. There were many facilities catered for children. There were 3 different pools to choose from, there was a small beach to snorkel and feed fish and also play some sand, there was a floatie prepared at the shallow pool and there was a bouncy castle slide for adults to enjoy as well. Snorkel and life jackets prepared for those wanting to try at the small beach. Perfect for those who are short on time to do island hopping. There were movie screenings every Fri-Sun. There's a playground. There's a kid's club with affordable prices and activities. There's bowling, pickleball, tennis and so much more for adults wanting to do some activities in the resort. 2. Service was excellent. We had a malfunction phone in our 1st room which became inconvenient. They manage to get us a room change with an upgrade! The manager on the case, Ms Mahera was very kind in handling our case. We changed our rooms the day after check-in and had accidentally left behind my kid's bag. And since we had the manager's number on hand, we contacted them and we got the item back safely within an hour of contacting them. Every encounter with a staff was met with a smile. We ordered room service twice since we got so tired and the food was delicious. 3. Location is great. We went island hopping via the Marina Jetty that was just next door, no need to commute to other locations. The hotel also had an amazing view of the sunset. There were multiple spots for photos and restaurants to enjoy the sunset. Also the location is a mere 15 mins away from the airport and city centre. Grab from hotel to city centre is less than RM15/ trip.

Stayed for 3 days and 2 nights. The unit is suitable for two couples, a small family, or a group of four. The location is near town, which is very convenient. The owner is easy to communicate with. There is no deposit required upon check-in, and the check-in process is simple—just follow the given instructions. Check-out is also easy; just leave the key in the mailbox. The unit has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a small living room with a TV, and a small kitchen. A refrigerator is provided. The water heater works well, and there are 3 air conditioners. The TV has Netflix available, but you need to use your own account. The lift is fast and not crowded. For reference: Parking is paid parking — approximately RM3 for the first 2 hours, then RM1 for subsequent hours, up to a maximum of RM15 per day. There is no washing machine in the unit, but a laundry is available on the ground floor. Guests have access to the swimming pool. For Muslim guests: no sejadah (prayer mat) is provided, so please bring your own. Note: Hopefully, the owner can continue maintaining the unit to be more Muslim-friendly, as we would love to stay here again in the future. Thank you.

The Hyatt Centric was a fantastic experience! We arrived at 9 AM and asked the front desk if we could check in early. To our surprise, they had an available room and arranged it right away! After dropping off our luggage, we headed across to Suria Sabah Mall for some 'Ah Yen' and exchanged some Malaysian Ringgit at B1 according to the Alipay exchange rate. It's only 200m from the popular Sutera Harbour, which we visited twice. Gaya Street is also very close, just a 200-300m walk. The environment and service were both excellent. The hotel breakfast was incredible value for money. For a room that cost 800 yuan a night, the breakfast was à la carte, and the service staff spoke Chinese, making communication very easy. The variety of dishes was extensive, including Chinese, Western, Korean, and Southeast Asian options. I highly recommend the Indian bread with curry and the Beef Laksa from the à la carte menu – they were absolutely delicious!

After an unhappy incident at another property(Mercure Kota Kinabalu), I impulsively booked a stay at Sheraton, honestly, best decision ever. From the moment we arrived, the vibe completely shifted. We were warmly welcomed by the friendly porter, and check-in was handled smoothly by Mr. Irfan at the front desk—super helpful, genuinely pleasant, and he even surprised us with an early check-in and a room upgrade (already winning) . The room? Spacious, comfortable, and blessed with both city and sea views, hard to beat that combo. I also have to say, I really loved the toiletries; such a small detail, but it made the stay feel extra thoughtful. Facilities-wise, the gym is well-equipped (no excuses to skip a workout), and the infinity pool is chef’s kiss—perfect for those Instagram shots. Location is another big win, super central and convenient for getting around. All in all, what started as a spontaneous escape turned into a genuinely wonderful stay. Definitely a place I’ll come back to next time I’m in town.

Location is good, just across the street from the Filipino Market (Anjung Kinabalu) and access to waterfront restaurants. Nice view of the waterfront from the 14th floor breakfast room. Breakfast was very nice. They also book last minute tours to the Mount Kinabalu National Park and Klias River proboscis monkey area.

The honest review about this homestay is superb! We stayed here only 1 night and this homestay can accommodate up to 12 pax (adult + kids). The owner really helpful and answer all my questions during check in. This homestay facing with the spectacular view (golf resort & beach). Located above the Imago shopping mall, easy to find food too. Near to the homestay (around 1KM), we can buy souvenirs at Pasar Filipina (Anjung Kinabalu) and also eat seafood at Anjung Senja. I would like recommend this homestay to the others who will travel to Kota Kinabalu.