This is a toplist with the best hipster hotels in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. You can help to make this list better by voting for your favourite places!
1 Stanton Hotel
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New design of hotel...
The only one that I feel it is a bit complicated due to located at light industry area.
Overall is good...
2 Toojou Kota Kinabalu
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Thanks to Tea and his very helpful team. They delivered whatever was requested flawlessly. If you are looking to host any event, do check out this hidden gem. You will have a different but meaningful experience something in KK.
3 Homy Seafront Hostel
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Nice view from the room. Walking distance to shopping mall, Gaya Street, Waterfront. Clean facilities. Parking is available next building over, though it cost RM 6 for 3 hours from 7 AM to 10 PM. Recommended ? Definitely.
4 The Atelier
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The location is strategic and nearby airport. Staff also very friendly and helpful! I stayed at Bakery Room and it was so cute!
5 Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Sdn Bhd (Reservations & Administrative Office)
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Went there with my wife last week. Atmosphere was really wonderful. Welcoming staff is generous. Breakfast is amazing as well. Restaurant staffs are excellent, i personally love the music played during dinner. Regards to the musicians especially the one playing cello. Its my first time enjoying dinner accompanied by a group of musicians. I will definitely comeback with friends someday later. Keep up the good works. All the best to the management and staffs. Thank you.
6 Kokol Heights
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Its a beautiful view when the night comes...and you guys will see our beautiful city views... The weather here is also very comfortable and fresh and suitable for calming the mind
7 Zara's Boutique Hotel
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the rooms were very comfortable. it felt very homely and cosy. every issue i had was immediately resolved by customer service 10/10 would visit again
8 Courtyard Hotel
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The room was ok..better than it's next door :) the cafe has nice deco n scenery..the staff was friendly too
9 Harper Suite at Sutera Avenue
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From the booking to checking out, every personnel was attentive and kind. We just felt like staying out fr a night and decided to try this place out. Aesthetically pleasing room. Plus point it had Netflix. Good job to Ian and Chrissy. Even extended my checkout time with no extra charges. Awan bistro is right above this place.
10 Borneo Tree House
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Surrounded with greenery area, a place where you can let your mind wonders and let your heart stay in peace.
We only went to the restaurant and not staying. But from my observation outside of the tree houses, they look quite fun to stay in especially for someone who likes to try something new and adventurous!
For the restaurant, the food was satisfying. It's just that the restaurant was quite warm as we can't really feel the fan, and also because of the weather and the surroundings. However, the nature wind will help to cool a little bit
11 Hilltop Hotel
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Excellent location in luyang area and plenty of car park. Formerly a seafood restaurant
12 AJ Residence
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Irene is awesome. She was very accomodating and very quick to respond with our queries. Even before our arrival in her place, she would send us suggestions for the top attractions and famous restaurants around the area.
She is also flexible with check-in time. We were supposed to check out by 12nn but she let us extend until 2pm with free of charge.
The place was very clean and comfortable. Place is near to almost everything (mall, restaurants, market, etc.).
We would absolutely recommend this place!
13 Leju Cosy Suite 2 Imago Loft
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Located in the middle of city (perfect location), the homestay is clean and provides you great hospitality.The homestay owner Mrs. Ellis is very helpful and will guide you throughout your stay. Overall experience was awesome.I will recommend this homestay to every couple, friends and families. You will not regret just be there ❤️
14 Seaview Capsule Hotel
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Nice environment and bed, aircond inside the bed can be improve, and the toilet can be improve as well, overall is good, very convenient location and friendly staff
15 Hotel 7 Suria
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Great experience for the whole time being there. Staff are friendly and helpful. In our case, we needed to check in early to catch some time before rushing in to work, and they were happy to help us with that. Also the hotel is connected to Suria Sabah mall. Very convenient to look for stuff around.
16 Aloha AirPad
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I would rate Aloha suite as one of the nicest, best located, and real value of all the places I have stayed. Their place was very clean, modern, had everything I needed to feel at home, and was an easy walk to all the places I need to go. Also close to a big mall which was handy, and few steps to dozens of restaurants and cafes. Communication was great too. We would highly recommend this Airbnb!
19 Laxzone Suite Aeropod SOVO
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This place is decent for its rooms with a large car parking area but WiFi is slow.
20 Nexus Resort & Spa Karambunai
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Nexus resort is really cozy and relax place to go during this RMCO.. very quiet and huge golf course with nice scenery. Recommend tourist to ride bicycle around to enjoy the scenery... Although many toilet was close down due to save electricity but overall still good experience. Dont expect much on breakfast with the money you pay :)
I do my best to keep this list as up-to-date as possible. I last updated it in January 2026. If you know of a hipster hotel that should be on the list, let me know. Click here to contact me. Thanks!







