Joining the 5-star luxury hotel list in the state capital of Sabah is the Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu. Sits perfectly right in the heart of the city center where cities sights and shopping opportunities are within easy-peasy reach, this is hotel is definitely the perfect choice both leisure and business travellers.
#1: Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu - cities sights and shopping opportunities are within easy reach
Type of Room: Vista Sea View King Sized Bedroom
Room Rate: RM286.65 per night (Booked via Trip.com)
Breakfast: Included
Though Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu has been operating for more than 10 years (opened since 2005), fret not as they have been constantly renovating, upgrading and refurbishing the whole property, which including the room as well. So once we stepped into the hotel lobby, both of us were absolutely fascinated with the new looking sophisticated ceiling. It was gorgeous and mesmerizing. Without wasting any time, immediately we headed to the reception counter on the right side and the check-in process was kinda breeze and smooth.
#2: New sophisticated looking ceiling at the hotel lobby
#3: Hotel's directory
#4
Gracefully decorated with soothing soft colour and exquisite ornate natural fabric decoration, the room is relatively spacious and larger than the one we stayed in Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel. Although there is no balcony within the room, but it is well equipped with all the basic room amenities such as:
- Comfy king sized bed
- 68cm LCD TV
- Desk and chair - ideally for the business traveller
- Sofa
- Minibar including mini fridge and tea and coffee facilities
- High-speed wireless internet access and Internet data port
- Wardrobe/closet with ironing facilities
- Safety deposit box
#5: Vista Sea View King Sized Bedroom
Most importantly is the unobstructed generous South China Sea magnificent panoramic view as well as Gaya Island one can expect right from this Vista Sea View type of room. Not just that, you will be rewarded with stunning and gorgeous golden sunset view on a clear and fine day. Unfortunately for us, we went out for dinner and didn't get to enjoy the sunset view from our room.
#6: Unobstructed South China Sea magnificent panoramic view as well as Gaya Island right from the window
7: Minibar facilities
Somehow for the room we booked, there's no bathtub available within the room but it wasn't a big fuss for us. The entire bathroom is furnished with marble tiles making it looking so grand and luxury. One thing that caught my attention is the brand of the toiletries provided which I have never came across before - Malin + Goetz. What more interesting is that they even provided mouth wash, where majority of the hotels including the big one don't provide this for the hotel guest.
#8: Spacious and clean bathroom. Just too bad there's no bathtub within the room
#9: A complete set of toiletries and can you spot the mouth wash?
THE BREAKFAST
Normally, the breakfast was served at the main restaurant "Latest Recipe" which is situated on the same floor as the hotel lobby but due to the pandemic, the breakfast was shifted to the Club Lounge located on the 14th floor, the highest floor of this property during our stay. I've been to this club lounge quite a few times to have discussion/meeting with my foreign client and I have to say that I'm quite impressive with their newly refurbished on this floor. However, I was slightly disappointed with the breakfast buffet served on this floor as the spread was pretty limited and not much choices, unlike the one I had before at Latest Recipe.
#10: Breakfast was served at the Club Lounge on 14th floor during our stay
Thankfully once again for its breathtaking view overlooking the South China Sea, both of us were kinda enjoying the breakfast despite the limited choice. I guess both of us came to a consensus where view win over the food instead.
#11: Breakfast spread was pretty limited but we enjoyed with this kind of breathtaking view
#12: Even orang utan is practising social distance. How about you?
FACILITIES
Facilities wise, both outdoor swimming pool and gymnasium are located on the 2nd floor of the property. Though you can't get any perfect seaview from the pool side as it is blocked by the markets but still, you can enjoy the incredibly stunning sunset here. You can even grab snacks and drinks from the Pool Bar & Cafe while admiring the sky show.
#13: Outdoor swimming pool
#14: Pool Bar & Cafe just next to the pool where you can easily grab snacks and drinks
In case you are searching for 5-star hotel located just right in the heart of Kota Kinabalu that offer amazing seaview and sweet romantic sunset view, an easy access and free car park, surrounding by countless of markets, shops, restaurants and bars that are within short walking distance, I can conclude this is the one you're looking for. No wonder my foreign client is constantly staying here whenever he was in the town.
Distance From Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu:
- Filipino Market (Seafood and Handicraft Market) - Just right opposite of the hotel
- Waterfront and night markets - Less than 2 minutes of walking
- Gaya Street - 4 minutes of drive / 10 minutes of walking
- Imago Shopping Mall - 4 minutes of drive / 15 minutes of walking
- Suria Sabah Shopping Mall - 4-5 minutes of drive
- Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal - 5 minutes of drive
- Tanjung Aru Beach - 10 minutes of drive
- Kota Kinabalu International Airport - 15 minutes of drive
