[2025 Kota Kinabalu Stay] Travel Guide for Horizon Hotel (Updated Jun)

Recent school holiday, we visited Kota Kinabalu for short getaway. We chosed Horizon Hotel due to its proximity to many tourist attraction in KK and value for money. Smooth check in and check out experience, decent breakfast, although the choices can be better. Used the swimming pool, the size was okay and you there were not many people at that point of time. Experience beautiful view from the rooftop especially at dusk, whereby you can see beautiful view of KK city at night. I wish to came back here someday but so many other hotels that I am keen to try. overall, it is recommended to stay in this hotel

Good staying😍😍😍, good location😍😍😍, for staying in Hotel Harizon Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Easy to to find local yummy food. Also walking🚶🚶‍♂️ distance to Gaya Street. Walking🚶🚶‍♂️ distance to market & shopping mall👍👍👍👍👍

Getting There - Attractions - Hotels - Food & Restaurants - Shopping -

Kota Kinabalu Travel Guide: ✅Must-Visit Attractions 1. Tanjung Aru Beach - One of the world's top three sunset spots, with stunning evening skies and food stalls and bars along the beach. - Tips: Arrive 1 hour before sunset and avoid weekend peak hours. 🍀 2. Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park - Consists of 5 islands (Gaya Island, Manukan Island, Sapi Island, etc.), perfect for snorkeling, diving, or beach relaxation. - Recommended activities: Snorkeling (rich coral at Sapi Island), parasailing (at Manukan Island). 🌼 3. Mount Kinabalu - The highest peak in Southeast Asia (4,095m), requires a 2-day-1-night climb with advance permit reservation. - Easy option: Visit Kundasang at the mountain base, featuring dairy farms, hot springs, and suspension bridges. 4. Mangrove Eco-Tour (Kawa / Klias / Weston) - Boat tours to see proboscis monkeys and fireflies (magical like stars at night), combined with beach sunset. 🌅 - Tips: Choose a half-day package that includes afternoon tea and dinner. 5. Floating Mosque (Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu) - Built on an artificial lake with beautiful reflections. Traditional clothing rental required for entry (5-10 RM). 😻 6. Sabah Museum - Learn about Sabah's history, indigenous cultures, and natural ecology ✅Food Recommendations 1. Seafood - Welcome Seafood Restaurant: Great value, try the creamy tiger prawns and aromatic crabs. - Grilled fish and lobster at night markets: Fresh grilled seafood at Central Market (Tanjung Aru Night Market). 😋 2. Local Snacks - Yee Fung Laksa: Sarawak laksa, beef noodles. - Fook Yuen: Pulled tea, toast, kaya spread. - Ngiu Chap: Local specialty pork noodle soup (recommend "Golden Sand Garden Ngiu Chap"). ☀️ 3. Fruit Markets - Filipino Market for durian, mangosteen, rambutan (best season: June-August) ✅Transportation Guide 1. Airport to City - Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) is about 7km from downtown, taxi (Grab costs about 15-20 RM), 15-minute ride. 2. City Transportation - Grab: Cheap and convenient, typically 5-10 RM within the city. - Bus 🚌: Limited routes, not recommended for primary transportation. - Car rental 🚗: Good for visiting Mount Kinabalu or island tours, international driver's license required. 3. Island/Surrounding Tours - Buy boat tickets at Jesselton Point for Marine Park islands (about 30-50 RM round trip). - For Mount Kinabalu and mangrove tours, recommended to book local day tours (with transfers included). ✅Accommodation Recommendations - Budget: Horizon Hotel (city center, near night markets), Dreamtel Kota Kinabalu. - Luxury: Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort (excellent sunset views), Magellan Sutera Resort. - Unique stays: Farm homestays in Kundasang (like Little Hut). ✅Important Notes 1. Visa: Malaysia requires an electronic visa (eVISA), apply in advance. 2. Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (RM), exchange rates in the city are better than at the airport. 3. Language: English and Malay are common, many Chinese residents speak Mandarin. 4. Sun protection: Strong UV rays, bring high SPF sunscreen and sun hats. 5. Environmental protection: Don't touch coral while snorkeling, protect marine ecology. ✅Suggested Itinerary (3-4 days) - Day 1: City tour (Floating Mosque + Sabah Museum) + Tanjung Aru sunset + seafood dinner. - Day 2: Island hopping at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. - Day 3: Half-day mangrove tour to see proboscis monkeys + fireflies. - Day 4: Day trip to Mount Kinabalu or leisure time at Kundasang farms. 📷🌼

Great location and great food. Near to Api-Api Night Market (every Friday & Saturday Night) & Gaya Street Market (every Sunday Morning).

nice food in Sabah...seafood...bakuteh..nice

great hotel hall for weddings!! #travel #weddings #kotakinabalu

Attractions • Tanjung Aru Beach: The third most beautiful beach in the world, and a great place to watch the sunset. At sunset, the blue sea and sky are dyed golden red, and the clouds are like fire. It is recommended to go there on a sunny evening. You can locate the Shangri-La Hotel, and its bar is also a good place to watch the sunset. • Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park: Composed of several islands, such as Mamudi Island, Sapi Island, etc., the sea is clear, the beach is delicate, and the underwater creatures are rich. You can do snorkeling, diving and other water activities, and you can also experience exciting projects such as banana boats and parasailing. • Kinabalu Park: 83 kilometers away from Kota Kinabalu, covering an area of 754 square kilometers, the park has a good ecology, with a variety of plants from tropical to frigid zones. Mount Kinabalu is the highest peak in Southeast Asia, with rough lines and easy climbing trails. The best season for climbing is from February to April. • Floating Mosque: Located on an artificial lake, the building is unique and a great place for photography. You need to take off your shoes and dress appropriately to enter, and you can enjoy its reflection in the water around it. • Gaya Street: The main street in Kota Kinabalu, with traditional buildings with shops downstairs and residences upstairs, where you can taste local delicacies and buy specialties. There is a market every Sunday morning, where you can experience local customs. Food • Bak Kut Teh: Such as You Kee Bak Kut Teh, Sin Kee Bak Kut Teh, etc., the ribs are fragrant with Chinese medicine flavor, and can also be paired with tofu, fried dough sticks, etc. • Seafood feast: At the local seafood market, East Star Spot, mantis shrimp, crabs, etc. are affordable and fresh, and you can taste butter lobster, salted egg yolk soft shell crab, etc. • Satay: Marinated meat skewers, dipped in special sauce and grilled, with a strong aroma. • Nasi Lemak: Rice cooked with coconut milk, served with fried chicken, cucumber, etc., with a rich taste. Accommodation • Luxury: Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa, with sea views and sunsets, first-class service; Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel, with infinity pool and Chinese service. • Mid-range: Horizon Hotel, with a superior location, close to Gaya Street and Durian Night Market, offering a variety of water activities, with high cost performance. • Budget: Oceania Hotel, offering comfortable rooms and free Wi-Fi, outdoor pool and other facilities. Transportation • External transportation: You can take a plane to Kota Kinabalu International Airport, and there are direct flights from Shenzhen, China and other places. • Internal transportation: There is limited public transportation in the city, you can rent a car or motorcycle to travel freely, or you can use Grab and other ride-hailing apps.

Horizon Hotel in Kota Kinabalu offers a fantastic experience for anyone balancing work and travel in the city center. The room was cozy, and having a bathtub was a big plus! It was so nice to soak and relax after a long day of touring or work. The hotel also has great amenities, including a swimming pool and gym room for staying active. A tip: don’t miss the lounge on the fifth floor – it’s a perfect spot to relax with a view. Located right in the city center, Horizon is close to Gaya Street, with easy access to shops, eateries, and local attractions. Highly recommend it for a comfortable and convenient stay in KK! - #HorizonHotelKK - #KotaKinabaluStay - #CityCenterComfort - #GayaStreet - #BathtubRelaxation - #KKHotels - #TravelSabah - #PoolAndGym - #KKViews

#couplestrip

#wheretogo Horizon hotel is location in the central of Kota Kinabalu . walking distance to famous Gaga street. there is a rooftop swimming pool over looking the sea and the city . if you are first time in Kota Kinabalu this will be your good choice . every room has own amenities and also a flat TV as well as hair dryer is available too. the bed was comfortable and spacious room. Breakfast was okay serving at Deco cafe & grill. #freehotelstay #kotakinabalu #sabah #malaysia Address - Jalan Pantai, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88999 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Ambiance/Facilities - 4/5 Highlights - roof top swimming pool / location Avg. Price per Person - 300 Rating - 4/5

as I enter the room , my family and I sneezing all the time , due to so many dust . they didn’t clean the room properly . and upon check-in they asking for deposit 100 and it’s compulsory for them but I don’t have any cash but they cannot consider . Even when at 11am the next day ,they call for reminder to checking out at 12pm . I think that’s no need to call just to tell for check out bcs we already aware of it !!!! The most terrible is the cleanliness!!!!

Address - Nearby Gaya street Ambiance/Facilities - 5 Highlights - 5 Avg. Price per Person - 1xx Rating - 5

Amazing place to stay in town. #staycation #awesomepic

Everything was great at this hotel.. amazing staff that is friendly and makes customers feel welcome. #weddingdays #staycation #awesomepic #couplestrip

#staycation #awesomepic #couplestrip

#couplestrip