Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu: Borneo’s Smartest Base Camp
Monica Tindall
Kota Kinabalu is no longer just a jumping-off point to climb Mount Kinabalu or island-hop the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. With the arrival of Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, it’s a destination in its own right, particularly for travellers who like their Bornean adventures flanked by sleek design, sharp service, and a craft cocktail at sunset.
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
Location: The City at Your Sandals
The address is 18 Jalan Haji Saman, which means you’re squarely in Kota Kinabalu’s compact and walkable core. Want to browse Gaya Street’s Sunday market? Five minutes. Need a boat to the islands? Jesselton Point Jetty is just around the corner. Fancy some mall therapy? Suria Sabah is your neighbour. The airport is a smooth 20-minute ride, and just a few streets back from the hotel is Lorong Dewan, where you’ll find the city’s hippest boutiques, cafes and drinking spots.
Design: Where the Jungle Meets the City
This is no cookie-cutter chain hotel. Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma—the same brain behind Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium—Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu is part sculpture, part sanctuary. Its louvred timber façade is a nod to the trees of the Bornean jungle, yet the lines are as crisp as a pressed shirt.
Inside, it’s tropical modernism done right. Selangan batu hardwood lines the lobby, and textures inspired by Sabah’s Kadazan-Dusun culture thread through the rooms. There’s a sense of calm, but not quiet—a visual energy that rewards a second glance.
Rooms: All About the Outlook
The 222 rooms and 16 suites are uniformly modern and comfortably sized (from 39 sqm), but what makes them memorable is the view. The hotel is just high enough to command sweeping vistas of either the forested hills behind the city or the shimmering South China Sea.
Ask for a west-facing, high-floor room to catch Sabah’s legendary sunsets without leaving your bathrobe. Each room has a private balcony, a 55-inch TV, a Nespresso machine, a rain shower, and sustainably sourced amenities. The Wi-Fi is free and fast—essential for uploading your rooftop pool shots in real-time.
I’m in a Hill View Deluxe Room—60 square metres of space with a 7-square-metre balcony, generous enough to pace off a few “laps” should the gym feel too far. The sense of space is real, and smart touches abound: the lighting controls are clearly labelled (hallelujah), the hot water is immediate and pleasingly high-pressure, and the bed walks that fine line between cloud-soft and orthopaedic.
My first night is a late check-in, which I ease into with room service (very good), a mineral salt soak, and a dash of Netflix. By the time I sink into the heavenly mattress—dressed in both firm and soft pillows, my own air con setting, blackout curtains drawn, and not a peep from the outside world—I’m out cold in minutes.
Facilities: Rooftop Goals
In highlighting Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu’s facilities, it would be rude not to begin with the rooftop. The 23rd-floor infinity-edge pool may be one of KK’s best photo ops, not just for its elevation but for the way the city and sea converge on the horizon. Morning swims are tranquil; sunset dips are where the magic (and Instagram envy) happens to the gentle hum of cocktail clinks from ON23 next door.
Sharing the rooftop is the fitness centre, because why not put the treadmills where the views are? And what views: clear mornings reward early risers with a straight shot of Mount Kinabalu’s jagged silhouette in the distance—a dramatic nudge to move because there’s something about seeing Borneo’s tallest mountain that makes your excuses feel… small. The gym has premium Technogym equipment, including free weights, cardio machines, and a stretch zone. It’s open 24/7, blissfully uncrowded, and air-conditioned just enough to keep that post-laksa guilt session efficient but civilised.
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu: Dining
There are three main F&B outlets, and thankfully, each feels considered, not just perfunctory add-ons.
ON22 Restaurant: The main dining room, ON22, leans into local flavours with finesse, led by chefs Elroy and Jonathan. The seafood is notably fresh (try anything with giant-sized Sabahan prawns), and the menu nods to Bornean ingredients without lapsing into tokenism (must try the lamb shank curry!). There are some fab buffet prices, too, that are sure to leave KLites with envy. The setting is enclosed with double-story glass framing verdant views of the hills on one side or the changing blues of the sea on the other – take your pick. Service strikes a fine balance between warm and professional, with staff who know their way around both the menu and the wine list.
ON23 Rooftop Bar: One level up is where the after-dark mood takes shape. Stylish without the starch, this rooftop perch is where guests gather for sundowners infused with native botanicals—think torch ginger mojitos or lemongrass gin spritzes. Arrive by 6 pm to claim a table along the glass balustrade; the sun usually puts on a show around 6:30 pm. Bartenders Steve, Razlee, and Alvin are masters of both the classics and inventive local twists, and their skills have earned them multiple accolades, including several golds on the international bartending circuit.
The Lounge: The ground floor is a grab-and-go by day and a casual drink spot by night. It’s handy for a flat white on your way to island-hopping or a cheeky wine while answering those “urgent” emails.
Pro Tips: The Stuff You’ll Wish You Knew
Best Sunset Spot: ON23 Rooftop Bar, obviously. But if you prefer your panoramas without a playlist, your west-facing room balcony offers the same golden-hour drama, minus the soundtrack and dress code.
Breakfast Strategy: ON22 offers both indoor and al fresco seating, but by 8 am, it starts to hum. If you like your eggs with a side of serenity, aim for the 7–8 am slot. Early birds not only beat the crowd but also nab the cooler terrace tables—ideal for sipping coffee with uninterrupted views of the sea and islands before the tropical heat kicks in. Rainy morning? Head indoors to the butterfly room at the back. It’s a quiet nook showcasing some of the property’s most striking natural material art pieces. The spread includes local favourites like nasi lemak alongside international staples. Insider tip: ask for the off-menu Borneo wake-up shot—pineapple, calamansi, assam boi and ginger – nearly as energising as coffee.
Room Requests: High floor, west-facing is the gold standard for sea and sunset views. However, if you’re more of a mountain person, request a room facing the forested hills for the opportunity to catch Mount Kinabalu at sunrise.
Late Night Arrivals: No stress if you’re checking in after hours. Order in (room service is well-executed and arrives swiftly), draw a mineral salt bath and line up a little Netflix. With blackout curtains, proper soundproofing, and climate control that actually works, restorative sleep is practically guaranteed.
Gaya Street Market: Sundays only, and best experienced early. Aim to arrive before 9 am to avoid the crowds (and the sunburn). Expect everything from tribal handicrafts and tropical fruit to souvenirs with suspicious spelling. Alternatively, head to Lorong Dewan where you’ll find a more curated selection of high-quality pieces by local artisans.
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu Review
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu gets something crucially right: it doesn’t pretend to be a resort in the rainforest nor a stiff business hotel. It’s something in between—contemporary, rooted in place, and effortlessly liveable.
For well-travelled guests who demand a sense of design, a sense of place, and (let’s be honest) a strong cocktail at golden hour, this is your address in Borneo. Think of it not as where your adventure begins, but where it winds down in style.
Reasons to stay at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu: central location; views, views, views; comfortable, uncluttered rooms; great bedding; instant high-pressure showers and baths; labelled lights; attractive breakfast selection; great value-for-money buffets; look out for frequent collaborations with bartenders and chefs keeping the vibe lively and fresh.
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
18, Jalan Haji Saman, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu
88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Link to Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu on Google Maps
+6 0154-874 1234
www.hyattcentrickotakinabalu.com, email
[email protected]
@hyattcentrickotakinabalu
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