Flying into the state’s capital – Kota Kinabalu – is the perfect way to find your feet before heading on to Sabah’s less trodden paths. It lowers you into the Malaysian mindset quite gently, compared to the frenzied jolt you get from Kuala Lumpur.

Though if you’re heading to Kuala Lumpur first, here’s our first-timer’s guide to getting the most out of KL.

Unlike Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu – or KK as its locals like to call it – is set on the coast. On its eastern side, the mysteries of the South China Sea lap at Sabah’s shores and stretch into the distance.

On the west side of KK, Mount Kinabalu – Southeast Asia’s tallest mountain – towers over the city. Its 4,095m peak looms out of the clouds just 30 miles from town and features on Sabah’s state flag.

Where to stay in Kota Kinabalu – Le Meridien KK

As you’d expect of a capital city, there are plenty of places to stay of varying levels of comfort and quality. However, Le Meridien’s KK location provides that perfect mix of western comfort, eastern hospitality and Sabahan culture and warmth.

The location

We were impressed with where the Le Meridien is located in KK. At first we were looking at the Shangri La, but it’s not nearly as central to the city and its western (and therefore sunset) views aren’t out over the water like the Le Meridien.

The Le Meridien is right opposite the night markets, there are bars and restaurants nearby and the port, where you can go to visit the islands like Pulau Gaya off shore, is just round the corner.

The rooms

Spacious, well appointed and comfortable, the rooms here are what you’d expect from a large Southeast Asian hotel. The beds are enormous and comfy, the décor is professional and luxurious, and the floor-to-ceiling windows give you amazing views out over the harbour.

At sunset, you get box office seats to the sky show, which is invariably stunning.

The hotel

As soon as you walk through the doors to Le Meridien KK, you know you’re in a quality hotel. The recent renovations, the huge, lofted ceilings, decorated to resemble the fish-filled ocean, and the sophisticated look of the reception welcome and reassure.

To the left are the check-in and concierge desks and to the right are the restaurants. Speaking to the staff, we got the impression that the recent renos have made a significant improvement to the general ambience of the eating areas.

The restaurants

There are three restaurants here on the ground floor – Latest Recipe, Latitude 05 and Favola. Latest Recipe offers a range of dishes native to Sabah. Think fresh seafood, Malay curries and perhaps some of the curious ambuyat – a local yam starch that’s used to dip into sauces. The food here is really worth trying.

It’s also here where you take breakfast. And oh! what a breakfast! One of the best spreads we’ve seen in hotels, you really get an understanding of what a top class hotel this is for the brekkie!

Latitude 05 – named after Sabah’s proximity to the equator – is the hotel bar. It’s the perfect spot to recline and sip a cocktail at the end of a long day’s exploring or grab a well-made coffee to keep you awake during the day. They also serve an unusual selection of ‘infused’ eclairs that you’ll only ever find in KK.

Favola is the most surprising restaurant to find here – mostly because unlike the other places at Le Meridien KK it serves Italian fare. This intimate little ristorante is tucked away and private – perfect for a special occasion dinner. The food is surprisingly authentic, which isn’t what you’d expect to find so far from this cuisine’s origins.

The pool

The real gem of Le Meridien KK is its open-air pool. Up above the busy noisy, streets of Kota Kinabalu, the blue shimmer of the pool and its friendly bar make you want to just stay here all day.

Grab a snack or a beer and hang out here looking out over the sea and the markets below. Then as sunset starts, the sky literally glows with beauty and you get to watch daylight dip below the level of the waves.

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens
Kota Kinabalu
Sabah, Borneo

W: starwoodhotels.com
Fb: @lemeridienkotakinabalu
Tw: @LeMeridienKK

For more details on our experiences in Sabah, Borneo, check out our guides and reviews:

– Into the wild – our Essential Guide to Sabah, Borneo

– Welcome to the jungle – Borneo rainforest revealed: Danum Valley, Sabah

– Our 7-day itinerary for Sabah, Borneo

Have you ever been to Sabah? What’s your favourite thing about a good hotel? Tell us in the comments below!

Images by Mrs Romance using an OM-D E-M5 mark II Olympus camera. We stayed at Le Meridien KK as guests of Sabah Tourism.

The post Where to stay in Sabah’s Capital – Le Meridian Kota Kinabalu, Borneo appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Borneo is a real traveller’s paradise. So many cultures and so much wildlife exist here it’s almost overwhelming. You could spend your whole life exploring this culturally replete equatorial island.

The Malaysian state of Sabah in Borneo’s north is the most inhabited and developed part of the island, which makes it the most accessible part of the island. Sabah is home to incredible world-class reef dive sites, Southeast Asia’s tallest mountain and one of the most diverse jungle habitats on the planet. It’s also where you can find pigmy elephants and orang-utans in the wild.

We explored this stunning tropical region from west to east, from the capital to central jungles, and blissful islands and reefs – here’s our essential guide to Sabah, Borneo.

But this all takes time. So if you’re time poor and want to get the most out of your time on the world’s third largest island, here’s what you need to do.

How to explore Sabah, Borneo in a week

Kota Kinabalu – 2 days

Sandwiched between the sea and Southeast Asia’s tallest mountain Mount Kinabalu – Sabah’s capital city has a fascinating personality. It’s a blend of fishing village quaintness, wild outpost ruggedness and the exotic yet cosmopolitan air of a developed, post-colonial city.

Kota Kinabalu – or KK as the locals call it – still gives off the feeling of being in a Malaysian city. In fact it’s a bit like someone took a cutting from Kuala Lumpur and replanted it here in Borneo.

Spend your time here exploring the busy markets, trying your hand at batik painting at the Sabah Foundation and learning about the tribes of Sabah at the Mari Mari Cultural Village.

Stay at Le Meridien KK – closest to the markets, the port and the nightlife of KK. The hotel also looks west for some amazing sunsets over the ocean.

Gaya Island – 2 days

From the busy port, take a short 10-minute boat ride to Gaya Island. This is the biggest island of the small offshore archipelago on the west coast.

If the dash and bustle of KK has you wanting somewhere to relax, this is the place to do it. Everything slows down here. Relax in the beautiful Gaya Island Resort with its spectacular pools or down at the private beach.

Or if you’re feeling energetic, take a guided hike through the mini rainforest with the resort’s own naturalist and conservationist Justin Juhun. Over the last 10 years, Justin has toiled away to create the trails that roam through the island’s jungle. He’s also certain that he has spotted a new species of mammal here on Gaya!

The conservation centre he has built on Gaya Island Resort is a true asset to the hotel and to Borneo as a whole, and well worth checking out.

Extra activities

Depending on what you enjoy doing and how active you want to be, here are two ideas for you to add on to your trip.

Climb Mount Kinabulu – 1-2 days

Mount Kinabalu – the highest peak in Borneo – towers over KK and features on the state flag of Sabah. For the adventurous, the climb to its summit is a must, though it takes at least a day to complete.

For more information, check out Sabah Tourism’s information guide here.

Meet orang-utans – 2+ days

Seeing these amazing primates, the largest in Asia, is an amazing experience. You can see them in the wild, but it’s tricky and the likelihood is low as they roam the vast, dense jungles nomadically. This will take more time.

However, there are sanctuaries in Sabah where you can experience these incredible creatures close up. They’re well cared for and in these sanctuaries, and their living conditions are closely monitored.

The only problem is these sanctuaries and their natural habitats are in the north or the east of Sabah, so more travel – away from KK and the east – is your only option.

Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center in Sandakan is connected to the state Wildlife Department, which part of the Tourism Ministry.

Rehabilitated orang utans are release in both Danum Valley and also Tabin Wildlife – both places have accommodation and guides.

The Lower Kinabatangan River is also where you can go for wildlife sightings.

Whatever you choose to do while you’re here, whether it’s hiking through the jungle, climbing mountains, diving with turtles or just relaxing on the beach, you’re guaranteed a unique experience.

Diversity is the word of the day here in Borneo. Three different nations have stakes in this island. Indonesia holds claim to most of Borneo, while in the west is the principality of Brunei and Malaysia has two large states in the northwest. With the many indigenous tribes also found throughout the island.

There’s great diversity in wildlife and landscapes here too. From the peak of Borneo’s tallest mountain to its deep ocean reefs there’s so much to see.

What would you choose to do in Borneo? Tell us in the comments!

Images by Mr and Mrs Romance using an OM-D E-M 5 mark II Olympus and a Hero4 GoPro camera. We visited Borneo as guests of Sabah Tourism

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