Romantic Hotels in Sabah, Malaysia

Service: The front desk service was great; they spoke a little Chinese and were very patient. I asked for a higher floor, and they gave me the top floor, 21st, which was a hidden gem, a room type you can't book online. Hygiene: Very clean, no strange smells, I was basically very satisfied with my stay. Environment: Very comfortable, I loved staying there. The warm wooden tones make it a hotel I'd consider staying at again. Amenities: The space was incredibly large, with two bathrooms. Both the master bedroom and the living room were spacious, and the balcony had a great view. Perhaps because it was a hidden room type, it even had a stovetop and a range hood. The tea bags were TWG, and there was also a large selection of coffee capsules.

Facilities: All amenities are available. Cleanliness: Spotless and tidy. Environment: Prime downtown location, with a street full of massage parlors downstairs. The bar street is a 5-minute walk, and Gaya Street is 15 minutes away. Service: Warm and friendly. My only complaint is the excessive noise! The sea view from the room is breathtaking, but the noise from the bar street across the way goes on until after 2 AM!

It was great to stay at the promenade apartment on the centre of api api centre. Nearby restaurant laundry and groceries very convenient. The deluxe twin just nice for couples short trip after tired climbing. The price reasonable and most important the environment not so busy.

Aside from the nice views, everything else was pretty mediocre. We stayed in room 7418, which was quite spacious and kid-friendly. It had both a bathtub and a shower. The TV had static, and the breakfast was the same every single day – at least for the 6 nights we stayed, it was the same few options. Surprisingly, there were no noodles at the club lounge restaurant. For any egg dishes, you had to specifically ask a waiter for the menu, otherwise, you wouldn't know they even had them. For 6 nights at the executive lounge, the alcohol wasn't self-serve; they only gave you a tiny bit each time. The service, from check-in to check-out, was pretty much non-existent. Housekeeping seemed to depend on the staff's mood; the first night the room was cleaned exceptionally well – I almost regretted not filming a full walkthrough. But the following days, the cleaning was very superficial.

The room was beautiful and spacious, giving off a super vacation vibe! The hotel staff provided excellent service. There's also a bar by the sea where you can enjoy a drink and dinner. The location is right by Sutera Harbour, and the famous 'Love at Ringgit Island' (which was popular online) has now moved to Sutera Harbour. It's also not far from the airport, making it very convenient for getting around.

This is our second time staying in 2 months. We had an upgraded room for our booking this time. Absolutely love the big room. It’s a one room studio with all the amenities. Only downside is the pillows are too big and hard for sleeping. Requested to change, and they managed to get a thinner one. Not perfect but better. Hope the management of this hotel look into the pillows provided. All of our friends had the same complaints about the pillow.

The hotel is located on a hillside, away from the busy surroundings, making it a great place for a quiet and comfortable night’s rest. It is equipped with a gym and swimming pool, offering a pleasant environment for guests to exercise during their free time. The room is cozy and spacious enough for a solo traveler like me, and it comes with all the necessary amenities. Breakfast is average to start the day, though the hotel could consider adding more main dish options. Overall, I enjoyed my stay at this hotel.

The security is good, and the check-in process is straightforward and efficient. However, the living room feels a bit cramped and small. When we checked in, we noticed an issue in the bathroom with a leaking hose and a blocked sink. Apparently, this was already known, but housekeeping didn’t report it and simply turned off the hose valve, which left us wondering why there was no water for the anal spray. We reported the issue to property management, and they responded promptly. The location is excellent, just a 5-minute walk to Imago shopping mall. Overall, it was a good stay, especially for families with young children.

Pros: The location is very strategic as the residence is situated in the heart of Kota Kinabalu. It offers a nice city view and overlooks the airport runway, where you can watch flights take off and land. The swimming pool is shared with Ming Garden Hotel, which is convenient. Cons: The room was extremely dusty, and my husband had to sweep it himself. Dust on the furniture was visible to the naked eye and there was even hair on the floor. The paint on the wall was peeling, leaving the floor dirty. The whole floor felt a bit creepy and gave the impression of an old, poorly maintained building. A security deposit of RM200 is required and the refund took two days after check-out. Communication with the manager is only through WhatsApp, which sometimes results in delayed responses. Parking is not complimentary, and guests need to pay for it (RM4/entry, RM8 for overnight).

This hotel was perfect for a completely relaxed trip. I was very satisfied with the room; the balcony was great and offered a good level of privacy. However, my initial idea of stepping right onto the beach didn't pan out. You can see the beach from afar, but that's as close as you get! You actually have to walk through a large area of greenery, so it’s quite a distance from the sand. The only upside is that on a day like this, you can sit outside all day without getting any sun, which was very comfortable. It’s absolutely ideal for just lying back and looking at your phone. Truly a perfect spot for men who just want to chill out. The Ocean Wing family room would be better for families with two children. For us, with just one child, it felt a bit wasteful as the top bunk was empty, haha. The Garden Wing pool is livelier and also a good spot for watching the sunset. If you like a more vibrant atmosphere, stay there. If you prefer quiet, choose the other side. Our family room, 1802, was actually about the same distance from the Garden Wing lobby as it was from the Ocean Wing front desk. Walking through the connecting corridor was fine, and it wasn't hot. At night, the path with the lawn lights was also very close. The so-called Ocean Wing is actually quite quiet, and the rooms have a large outdoor resting area. As for value for money, that’s up to you to decide. The ground floor of the Garden Wing only has two small outdoor stools and gets more sun. The room itself was quite cool, with strong air conditioning. I recommend wearing long sleeves when going to the restaurant for meals – definitely long sleeves! For dining, I’d suggest the Garden Wing buffet restaurant; they have more variety. Regarding booking activities, I recommend emailing the hotel in advance to confirm your booking number and the activities you want to do. Otherwise, don't expect to be able to book activities like the night animal viewing on the spot. There are only slots for 10 people per day, and usually, three families are enough to fill them. So, I couldn't book anything during my two-day stay, which was very disappointing. One friendly aspect might be for children who need childcare. Upon check-in, they give you a daily activity list in both English and Chinese, and children can be supervised. Daily drinks and food are replenished. You can actually order Grab food delivery, but there's an extra 10 RM delivery fee. It’s really far, over ten kilometers! So remote... There’s a restaurant nearby called Dongfang Tea Restaurant; you can search for it on Dazhong Dianping. Add the owner's phone number on WeChat, and he'll come pick you up! It can save you a lot; it's about 90 RMB per person. The hotel's buffet dinner isn't great, not as good as the breakfast buffet. That's what people who tried it said; I didn't, haha. Breakfast lasts from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM, and I usually went around 9:30 or 10:00 AM and stayed until after 10:30 AM. The shuttle bus schedule is also very useful in my pictures. For check-out, I left around 12:30 PM, and the front desk told me to be in the lobby 15 minutes early for the bus. The drop-off time is excellent, taking you to Imago Shopping Mall. However, they can't drop you off at the airport directly; there are only two airport shuttles, one in the morning and one in the evening. Finally, here's a tip: there's a QR code in the lobby to register as a Shangri-La member. Just scan it and register your membership number to receive a complimentary four-piece travel size shower gel set. There's also Chinese-speaking staff at the front desk (see picture). You can ask for her if needed. Summary: For older children, swimming before sunset is perfect, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM, watching the sunset all the way – it’s stunning. Cons: Far from the city, and activities are difficult to book. Food: They have all the usual stuff, so it's just okay. Overall, it's a hotel very suitable for a completely relaxed and laid-back stay.