Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu
8.2 out of 10 from 963 reviewsKota Kinabalu
Full kitchen · 26–410 m² · Sleeps 3
from €79 night
Aparthotels & serviced apartments in Kota Kinabalu
22 stays · 6 aparthotels and 16 serviced apartments · from €23/night
Kota Kinabalu, usually shortened to KK, is the capital of Sabah on the island of Borneo and the main gateway to the state. Aparthotels and serviced apartments in Kota Kinabalu work well for people using the city as a base, whether for island trips, a climb on Mount Kinabalu or a longer work assignment, because a kitchen and a separate living area make a stay of several nights easier than a single room.
22 stays
Where to stay in Kota Kinabalu
City centre and Gaya Street
- first-time visitors
- island trips
- short stays
The city centre, much of it on reclaimed land and hemmed in by Signal Hill according to Wikivoyage, is where most hotels, travel agents and transport bases are found. The centre includes Gaya Street and Pantai Street, which hold a Sunday market, and Jesselton Point, from where speedboats run to the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. Wikivoyage says you can walk from one end of the centre to the other in under 30 minutes.
Stays in or near City centre and Gaya Street
- Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu · about 500 m away
- Marina Condominium Holiday Homestay · about 1.1 km away
- Promenade Service Apartment · about 1.2 km away
- HS Homestay Shore Pasar Besar dan KK Plaza · about 400 m away
Karamunsing and Sembulan
- business travel
- longer stays
Karamunsing and Sembulan are districts that Wikivoyage lists among the areas just outside the centre, towards the south and east. City bus route 2A runs along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman via Karamunsing to Likas, and Sembulan has a riverfront near the confluence of the Sembulan and Karamunsing rivers.
Stays in or near Karamunsing and Sembulan
- Homesuite' Home at Sutera Bay · about 500 m away
- Promenade Service Apartment · about 1.2 km away
- BORNEO Sutera Bay · about 500 m away
- Cozy Studio at SCSP Suites · about 600 m away
Tanjung Aru
- beach
- sunsets
- families
Tanjung Aru is a southern district about 8 km from the centre, according to Wikivoyage, and the site of what it calls the city's most popular public beach, busy with locals at weekends for picnics and sunset watching. Wikivoyage also places the airport around 8 km from the city centre, and the district has the railway station for the Sabah State Railway line to Beaufort and Tenom.
Likas
- quieter stays
- walking
- nature
Likas lies north of the centre and is partly occupied by mangrove wetlands. Wikivoyage describes a promenade of several kilometres along Likas Bay for joggers and cyclists, and the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre, a 24-hectare mangrove conservation area. Sabah Tourism says a 1.5 km boardwalk takes visitors into the mangrove.
Stays in or near Likas
- La.mer Butik Hotel · about 1.1 km away
- Homesuite' Home at Bay Suites · about 1.1 km away
- Liwan, Baysuite by Ayuhouz · about 1.1 km away
Getting around Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu International Airport is the second busiest in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur and one of the main gateways to Sabah and East Malaysia, according to Wikipedia. Wikivoyage places it around 8 km from the city centre. Grab operates in the city, and Wikivoyage also describes a taxi system where fares are negotiated, so agree the arrangement before setting off.
Around town, the green and yellow City Bus leaves from the Wawasan terminal on four routes (1A, 1B, 2A and 2B), and minibuses from the same area serve Tanjung Aru, Likas and other suburbs. Wikivoyage says the centre is small enough to walk. The islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park lie between 3 and 8 km off the coast, according to Wikipedia, and speedboats leave from Jesselton Point Jetty. Wikivoyage lists departures to Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi, Gaya and Sulug.
Living in Kota Kinabalu for longer
For longer stays, the Karamunsing and Sembulan area sits just outside the centre on city bus route 2A. Tanjung Aru gives you a beach and sunset walks, and Likas a long promenade and the wetland centre. The Gaya Street Sunday market is a regular local fixture, though Wikivoyage's listing is older, so check current times.
If you are moving to Sabah for work, our guide on serviced apartments for relocation explains what to check. For other Malaysian cities, see Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur and George Town.
When to visit Kota Kinabalu
Wikipedia describes a tropical rainforest climate with consistent warmth, with average temperatures of 26 to 28 degrees Celsius, April and May the hottest months, January the coolest, and about 2,400 mm of rain a year with October particularly wet. Wikivoyage gives average highs of 32 degrees and lows of 22, with lower rainfall from January to April, increasing from May to August, intensifying from September to November and easing in December.
That points to January to April as the drier window, though showers are short and heavy at any time. Mount Kinabalu, which gave the city its name, is about 50 km to the east-north-east according to Wikipedia.
The city is compact at its core and strung out along the coast beyond it. Wikivoyage says central Kota Kinabalu is on a narrow stretch of coast overlooking Gaya Island, with most hotels, travel agents and transport bases, while Tanjung Aru and Likas lie on either side. The areas below show the trade-offs. For background on the format, see what an aparthotel is.
Long-stay tips for Kota Kinabalu
Of the 22 properties here, 9 offer an in-apartment washing machine, 1 list a laptop-friendly workspace, 1 include some form of housekeeping and 4 have a 24-hour front desk. Each property page has a facts box, so you can compare apartments before you book.
15 properties list a full kitchen and 7 only a kitchenette, so check the room type if you plan to cook more than simple meals.
Where room sizes are published, the median apartment here is 42 m².
Moving for work? Our guide to serviced apartments for relocation explains what to look for.
Aparthotel prices in Kota Kinabalu
We checked prices for 8 properties on 7 October 2026 (2 adults, 2 nights, about two weeks ahead). The lowest "from" price was €23 per night, the median €52 and the highest €93. The cheapest at that time was Greenage MingSuite Kota Kinabalu. Prices change daily, so use the search box for your own dates.
Aparthotel brands in Kota Kinabalu
You will find these brands here: Citadines (1).
Other cities in Malaysia
Travelling further? See aparthotels in Kuala Lumpur, George Town, Johor Bahru, Genting Highlands, Petaling Jaya, Kuantan, Melaka and Nusajaya.
| Price per night (from) | Properties |
|---|---|
| €20–€39 | 3 |
| €40–€59 | 2 |
| €60–€79 | 2 |
| €80–€99 | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Kota Kinabalu?
The city centre is the most convenient for first-time visitors and island boats. Tanjung Aru suits a beach base near the airport, and Likas suits a quieter stay near the promenade and wetlands.
How do I get from Kota Kinabalu airport to the city?
The airport is around 8 km from the city centre, according to Wikivoyage. Grab operates in the city and taxis are also available.
How do I get to the islands from Kota Kinabalu?
Speedboats leave from Jesselton Point Jetty for the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. Wikivoyage lists departures to Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi, Gaya and Sulug.
When is the driest time of year in Kota Kinabalu?
Wikivoyage says rainfall is lowest from January to April and heaviest from September to November.
Is Kota Kinabalu walkable?
The centre is compact. Wikivoyage says you can walk from one end to the other in under 30 minutes, but outlying districts are better reached by bus, Grab or taxi.
How many aparthotels are there in Kota Kinabalu?
We currently list 22 aparthotel and serviced apartment properties in Kota Kinabalu.
How much does an aparthotel in Kota Kinabalu cost?
On 7 October 2026, "from" prices ranged from €23 to €93 per night, with a median of €52.
Do aparthotels in Kota Kinabalu have kitchens?
22 of the 22 properties we list have a kitchen or kitchenette in at least one apartment type.
Sources
Last updated