Hotel Review: Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu (King Suite) - Good Location with Great Restaurants within Walking Distance
Kota Kinabalu may be an uncommon getaway destination for most Singaporeans, but it should definitely be on your list of places to check out if you enjoy great-tasting local food and slow walks along the beach (there are also plenty of outdoorsy stuff to do but I did not make plans for them this time). At the time of writing, Scoot and AirAsia are the only two airlines that operate direct flights between Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI). Some of the most popular hotels in Kota Kinabalu include the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, the Shangri-La Rasa Ria, as well as the Hyatt Regency Kota Kinabalu - all of them are pretty old but the Shangri-La properties are pretty well-known.
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Hotel Lobby
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
I noticed that the Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu (which just opened back in October 2022) was on the list of New Hotels Bonus Offer (which World of Hyatt updates from time to time) - this meant that an additional 500 bonus points will be awarded every eligible night, and the hotel actually had an opening offer that came with an airport pick-up service as well. I arrived at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) via TR 492 at approximately 7:00 PM and it took close to no time to clear immigration and pick up my bags. While I was expecting a hotel representative to pick me up from the airport, I met a local taxi driver (who was holding my name up) instead - the journey took approximately 20 minutes and it was an easy 10km drive which makes this city a lot more attractive than Kuala Lumpur for instance. While the front office staff did not mention anything about my Globalist status or any potential upgrades, I noticed that my room was upgraded to a Standard Suite - the King Suite - upon entering.
Living Room
King Suite - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
The King Suite is the Standard Suite here at this property - Globalist members will get upgraded to this pretty sizeable suite (at 97 sqm) if it is available for the whole duration of their stay. If a suite is not available, the Deluxe rooms (approx 61 sqm) are also pretty nice and they even come with views of the nearby hills since they are situated on higher floors. Do note that the King Suites here at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu are located from Levels 5 to 11 of the hotel and therefore, they do not come with any view (as you will see in the photos below) - the King Sea View Suite (located from level 12 onwards) is a premium suite so you may try requesting for it if they are available at check-in but obviously YMMV.
Living Room
King Suite - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
The King Suite that I was assigned to was located on Level 5 or 6 of the property and therefore, the only view I had was of the shopping mall across the road. With that being said, I did not really mind it as the suite was stunning, and honestly offered such great value in comparison to what I have paid for this stay. Measuring 97 sqm in size, the King Suite comes with a massive dining and living area, a powder room, a separate bathroom, a walk-in wardrobe, as well as a private balcony that spans across the length of the living area. This is my very first stay in a Hyatt Centric-branded property and I honestly did not know what to expect in terms of brand standards. According to Hyatt, Hyatt Centric properties are “full-service lifestyle hotels at the center of their destination” and I honestly think that it could not be phrased better.
Living Room
King Suite - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
One of the things that I love most about traveling is visiting local restaurants for food - eating an elevated version of a local dish at the hotel is great but nothing beats the real deal. The Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu is located in such a great spot with plenty of highly-recommended local restaurants within walking distance from the hotel - I made a list of restaurants to check out while in Kota Kinabalu and most of these places can be reached by foot. The huge dining room and living area are already fantastic if you are ordering food in (GrabFood works without a hitch) but just remember that you will have to collect them from the lobby directly as the hotel will not be able to accept them on your behalf.
Nespresso Coffee Machine
King Suite - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
I was also pleasantly surprised to find a Nespresso coffee machine in the King Suite - something that I did not expect - as this is one of those modern conveniences that I can barely live without these days. Complimentary tea bags from JING Tea are also provided and this is one of my favourites - I first encountered them while staying at The Westin Singapore many years ago, but they can also be found at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur.
Complimentary Drinking Water
King Suite - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu also provides plenty of drinking water which can be found in the living room (by the coffee machine), as well as in the bathroom by the sinks. While I typically do not drink from the tap in Malaysia, it is apparently potable and should therefore be safe enough for brushing of teeth and the washing of face. While the hotel has not moved away from single-use plastics, it is honestly more convenient to travel with a plastic bottle than a glass bottle when you are out and about. Something else that I do appreciate about this property is the provision of teapots and teacups which makes tea-making a whole lot more convenient.
Living Room
King Suite - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
While I honestly did not spend too much time in the living room or the dining room during my stay, it was great to have that much space to lounge about especially after a long day. As far as I know, all of the King Suites have a connecting room so families should definitely consider booking a suite as well as a connecting room if they are traveling with children. Since the bedroom is located pretty far away from the connecting door, I did not hear any noise at all (despite being a light sleeper) but it could also possibly be due to a lower occupancy rate while I was there.
Balcony
King Suite - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
The King Suite comes with a 13sqm private balcony with a small seating area at the end - the balcony is pretty narrow and does not have enough seating for two adults unfortunately - unless one of you is willing to stand. As mentioned previously, most if not all of the King Suites do not come with a view of the sea as the premium suites are located on higher floors (these suites are typically excluded from upgrades for Globalist members but you may try asking nicely for one).
View from Balcony
King Suite - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
Located directly across the road from Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu is Suria Sabah Shopping Mall where you will find a wide range of casual dining restaurants, as well as a supermarket where you can stock up on snacks and other consumables. Even the famous 發記 Fatt Kee Seafood Restaurant has an outlet here in the shopping mall and even though it is nothing quite like the real outlet (which is honestly not too far away from the hotel), you will be able to try the famed tomato and tom yam soup without venturing too far. Popular fast food chains like McDonald’s and Starbucks can also be found here if your craving hits. if you are looking for a fancy premium shopping experience, check out Imago Shopping Mall which is possible to get to on foot, but you are probably better off hopping on a car using Grab.
Living Room
King Suite - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
I really like the overall design of the King Suite with its earthly tones and use of wood throughout the living spaces - the small pops of colours are also tastefully done and the suite has a residential look and feel to it. There are two TVs in the suite and you will find one in the living room, and the other in the bedroom.
Bedroom and Bathroom
King Suite - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
In the King Suite, the bedroom is located between the main bathroom (not the powder room that is found near the entrance of the dining area) and the living area. With the help of the sliding doors, you can easily close off and partition the bedroom away from those aforementioned areas - this also ensures that the room remains in pitch-dark conditions for you to sleep at night (something that is actually quite important to me personally). With that being said, the sliding door between the bedroom and the living area was not really well designed as your finger could potentially get caught in the gap due to the way it is designed. I am not certain whether this is pertinent to just my room only, or does it affect all King Suites on the property.
Bedside Controls
King Suite - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
As you would expect, most of the room lighting can be controlled from the panel located next to the bed and I definitely appreciate the USB charging ports as well as the universal power outlet which can be found here too. It is great that the hotel is well-designed for not only domestic travellers, but International travellers too as little details like that can make a huge difference. The beds at the Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu are on the firmer side but I did get really good sleep throughout my stay - there were no issues with soundproofing, the air-conditioning works great, and the room was dark enough for me to fall asleep easily.
Bedroom and Bathroom
King Suite - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
As mentioned earlier, the bedroom also comes with a smaller TV which is mounted on the wall directly in front of the bed. The Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu officially opened in 2022 and therefore, the technology is actually quite current as you are able to stream your favourite programs from your mobile devices onto the television. As far as I know, most of the properties (like the Andaz Singapore) in the region utilises the same platform for hotel guests to stream their content easily on these larger screens.
Bathroom with Bathtub
King Suite - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
The main bathroom of the King Suite is pretty large (with a wide empty space in the middle) and it comes with a wet area that is complete with a bathtub, as well as a standing shower area. It also comes with double vanity sinks and a toilet (that is separate from the one outside in the powder room).
Walk-in Wardrobe
King Suite - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
The main bathroom can be accessed via the bedroom, as well as a smaller door that leads to the walk-in wardrobe of the suite. While I do not really understand the need for space in the middle of the bathroom, I do like that it is connected directly to a walk-in wardrobe which makes a lot of sense.
Shower Area
King Suite - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
The shower area also comes fully-equipped with a rainshower head with great water pressure - something that you will learn to appreciate after spending your afternoons outside walking in the heat.
Bath Amenities from BeeKind
King Suite - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
Bath amenities at the Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu are provided by BeeKind which I am personally not familiar with but it smells rather pleasant and apparently, it comes with honey and organic extracts from red clover, calendula, and lemongrass. As mentioned at the start of this article, this property is my first ever stay in a Hyatt Centric-branded hotel, and therefore, I am not particularly sure whether BeeKind is a brand standard (if there is one in terms of bath amenities?).
Fitness Centre
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
If you are planning to get a workout in while staying at the Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, you should be thrilled to know that the property has a really well-equipped fitness centre with a wide range of modern equipment. Located on the highest floor of the hotel, the fitness centre also comes with impressive views of the nearby mountains which is a pleasure to run to. Honestly, the space is also quite large for a property this size and during my stay, it never got too busy and I never had to wait for any equipment.
Fitness Centre
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
I really appreciate it when properties like the Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu invest in a proper fitness centre (and not just one to satisfy some kind of checklist) - apart from the usual treadmills, you will also find elliptical trainers, exercise bikes, and a few specific machines that target major muscle groups. The fitness centre, as well as the outdoor swimming pool, are both located on the same floor as the ON23 Sky Bar so you might find it slightly amusing to walk past people with drinks in their hand while you are making your way to the gym in the evening.
ON23 Sky Bar
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
There are a handful of bars around the Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu but I have to say that the ON23 Sky Bar is definitely one to visit regardless of whether you are staying in the property or not. It goes without saying that the drink prices here are on the higher side but honestly, I visited a handful of independent bars and restaurants outside of the hotel during my stay and they were largely forgettable. ON23 Sky Bar has a reasonable wine list and cocktail menu but what stands out the most for me is the space and the view from the bar.
Martinis at ON23 Sky Bar
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
During my visit back in January 2023, the bar was running a promotion on weekday evenings where guests can enjoy free-flowing martinis at MYR 100+ per person for two hours. I had obviously taken advantage of this during my stay - the drinks are on the sweet side, they are not boozy enough, and they take a while to come (the bar also would not let you order your next drink until you are done with your current drink). It is a good deal and I would still recommend it if the offer is still running, but do not expect to have a great time for that price.
View from ON23 Sky Bar
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
I ended up ordering wine by the bottle (since it' is the surest way to ensure that a minimum level of ABV is achieved in my beverages) and I can’t remember exactly how much I paid but it was approximately MYR 300 a bottle. While I do enjoy the view and the atmosphere of the bar quite a bit, it is important to note that in-house guests (including family with children) can hang at the bar without having to order a drink so your peace and quiet might be disrupted.
Sunset View from ON23 Sky Bar
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
The weather was pretty gloomy throughout my stay in Kota Kinabalu but I was fortunate enough to witness some kind of sunset on one of my last days there. Tanjung Aru is probably one of the most famous places to watch a sunset but honestly, the view from the bar with a drink in hand was pretty decent as well.
ON22 Restaurant
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
Hotel guests staying on a breakfast-inclusive rate will be able to enjoy a full buffet breakfast experience at ON22 Restaurant. The reason why the name of the restaurant is called ON22 is that… the restaurant is located on Level 22 of the hotel (no points for guessing which floor the ON23 Sky Bar is located on). The restaurant is stunning with an abundance of natural daylight - this is honestly something that I did not expect from a property of this price point. Not only is there a decent selection from the buffet spread, guests dining at the restaurant may also choose to order from an a la carte menu (included as part of the entire buffet experience) to savour made-to-order dishes.
Breakfast Spread
ON22 Restaurant - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
One of the things that I love most about the breakfast buffet is the selection of local desserts which rotate on a daily basis. While a couple of items appear to be daily, I appreciate the fact that most of the other items change daily to provide guests with some variety - this is especially important for longer-staying guests as there is nothing more depressing than eating the same food every morning. I also took this opportunity to discover some snacks and local kuehs that I am personally not familiar with.
Alfresco Seating Area
ON22 Restaurant - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
The ON22 Restaurant comes with both indoor and outdoor seating areas - it was rather gloomy during my entire stay and it was also drizzling on some mornings, but I can imagine the al fresco areas to be largely popular amongst guests should the weather be fine. The restaurant looks out to the South China Sea and the view is honestly something to behold on a good day.
Most, if not all the dishes that I have sampled at the ON22 Restaurant are pretty good - I especially enjoyed the Roti Kahwin from the a la carte menu which literally translates to ‘bread marriage’ - it is served with kaya and butter, and the topped with crushed peanuts. If you have a more Western palate, you may also order dishes like waffles, French toast, as well as eggs that are made-to-order but you know what they say, When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do (or eat as the Sabahans do).
View of Ocean
ON22 Restaurant - Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
There are plenty of things to do in Kota Kinabalu that extend beyond just eating (but you should definitely spend a good amount of time checking out some of the best local restaurants in Kota Kinabalu while you are there). Manukan Island and Sapi Island are both really popular spots for snorkeling an island-hopping if you are planning to spend sometime out in the sun.
Best Street Food
in Kota Kinabalu
Seafood, Satay, Beef Noodles, Laksa, and Desserts!
While most of the local restaurants that I have recommended are within walking distance from the Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, I highly recommend that you put Yii Siang Ngiu Chap (香海南牛杂) and Welcome Seafood (大茄來海鮮餐廳) on your list of places to check out as well - both restaurants are in the list but they will probably be too adventurous for you to visit on foot - just book a Grab ride and it should not cost more than MYR 12 each way.
Hotel Lobby
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
The Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu is centrally located in Kota Kinabalu with plenty of restaurants and modern conveniences located within walking distance from the hotel. Personally, I did not feel like the streets were dangerous - all of the locals that I encountered during my stay were really nice - and you can definitely walk everywhere if that is something you like. Alternatively, you can easily get a ride on Grab which should take you to nearby places for MYR 6 to MYR 10 per trip. In all honesty, I came to Kota Kinabalu for the Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, and I did not expect to enjoy the city as much as I did but I am definitely planning to come back again soon (perhaps once a non-budget carrier resumes service between SIN and BKI).
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
18 Jalan Haji Saman, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, 88000
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The JW Marriott Auckland is still refurbishing its guest rooms and suites (with an expected completion date in November 2024). I stayed in a Deluxe Room (non-refurbished) and have found the experience to be lacking of a typical JW Marriott property.