Extra Photo Gallery: Room | Restaurant

LOCATION:
At Jalan Datuk Salleh Sulong, in downtown Kota Kinabalu, or 20 minutes from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI).

DESCRIPTION:
An old building houses this Hyatt Regency chain, which boast 288 rooms. It is centrally located in downtown Kota Kinabalu, with only a few minutes walk to the city's main attractions such as the Tamu Market, Pasar Filipina, the fish market, shopping malls and various eating joints. Also the boat jetty to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is only a short walk away at Sabah Port Authority.

I stayed in a Superior Twin Room for almost a month. The room was plush with two comfortable beds, excellent interior fittings and came with all the amenities you would expect from a Hyatt hotel chain.

There is also a small swimming pool overlooking the ocean, a well-equipped gym, sauna and steam rooms. During my stay, I've tried the dim-sum buffet spread at the Chinese Restaurant. There is also a bar-cum-lounge called The Shenanigan's Fun Club downstairs, a popular watering holes for locals and the expatriate community. Other F&B outlets in the hotel include Tanjung Ria Café and Nagisa Japanese Restaurant.

The hotel interior has been extensively refurbished. The result is a modern and chic hotel which offers a panoramic view of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and a daily shot of amazing sunsets.

Corporate rate ranges RM180-RM250. Walk-in rates should be more expensive, especially during the peak travel season in April-July 2005 (the "drier" season for climbing Mt Kinabalu and calmer sea condition for island diving). The hotel is usually overbooked by Malaysia Airlines personnel as well as other multinational companies.

REVIEWED ON:
April 2004

MY VERDICT:
A surprisingly good city hotel. Would love to stay here again.

MY RATING: