Kota Kinabalu New Year Trip: Hotel Experience
We stayed at the Borneo Aloha Airport Hotel on the first night. It was a lifesaver for us, as we arrived in the early morning with a child. The hotel offers airport transfer service, which saved us the trouble of waiting for a taxi with our tired bodies and luggage. It was also convenient for my husband to meet us the next day. The hotel was average, but the front desk staff spoke Chinese, so communication was not a problem. The breakfast was average, but the airport transfer staff were very attentive. They helped us carry our luggage and held umbrellas for us when it rained, which was very heartwarming.
We stayed at The Shore for the next two nights. We booked a one-bedroom apartment with a living room, kitchen, and bathroom. It was spacious and felt like home. The landlord spoke Chinese and could communicate via WeChat, but they were a bit slow to respond after we checked in. The location was excellent. The central market was across the street, which was very convenient for buying and processing seafood. It was a 5-minute walk to Durian Street, the Filipino Market, and various food spots, allowing us to enjoy the local food feast. However, the elevator was very slow, the pool was a bit dirty, and our room on the 20th floor was a bit damp.
We stayed at the Pacific Sutera Hotel for the last two nights. We stayed in a golf view room with a wide view. The Pacific Sutera Hotel and the Magellan Sutera Resort share facilities, and there is a shuttle bus between them. It is also easy to walk between them. Watching the sunset at the Sky Bar on the 12th floor of the Pacific Sutera Hotel was amazing. Guests over 18 can enter without ordering anything and just take photos. The snorkeling experience at the Magellan Sutera Resort's small beach was great. We saw small fish, sea urchins, and fish on the seaside boardwalk. The Magellan Sutera Resort's pool was fun, with slides, water basketball, and a standard swimming lane. The Pacific Sutera Hotel's pool had an inflatable slide. Although the beaches at both hotels were not large, they were enough for children to play. As for dining, there was a buffet on the 2nd floor of the Pacific Sutera Hotel, and guests could order food on the 1st floor. There was also food near the Magellan Sutera Resort's pool. The food we ordered at the Magellan Sutera Resort was good. However, we did not encounter any discrimination against Chinese people, as mentioned online. The staff were not very proactive, so we had to ask more questions.
Overall, the hotels we stayed at during our New Year trip to Kota Kinabalu had their pros and cons, but they all gave us a unique experience. I hope my sharing can help you have a happy stay and a fun time in Kota Kinabalu!