Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu is the first in Southeast Asia

Hyatt Hotels Corporation today announced the opening of Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, which marks the debut of Hyatt’s rapidly growing lifestyle brand in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

The 222-room hotel is centrally located in the heart of the city’s lively dining and entertainment district, providing a convenient home base for adventurous explorers and residents to discover authentic experiences and hidden gems in the coastal capital of Malaysia’s Sabah state on the island of Borneo.

We are delighted to introduce Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu as Hyatt’s first Hyatt Centric hotel in Southeast Asia, setting a new milestone for our rapidly expanding lifestyle brand,” said David Udell, group president, Asia-Pacific, Hyatt.

“Building on Hyatt’s brand presence in Malaysia for over 40 years, we are excited that this hotel will offer fresh experiences through this new launchpad from which savvy travellers can discover the natural beauty and local experiences around Kota Kinabalu and beyond.”

The 23-story hotel features modern guestrooms with balconies. It is crowned with an infinity pool, duplex restaurant and bar on the rooftop, offering sweeping views overlooking Signal Hill, the islands at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and the South China Sea.

Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu is steps away from shopping hotspots and the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, from which guests can take a short 20-minute boat trip to surround islands to enjoy white sandy beaches and underwater activities.

The hotel is conveniently located for business travellers with its proximity to Sabah International Convention Centre, a sports complex and a university. Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) is a 15-minute drive from the hotel. 

Set against the lush backdrop of Signal Hill, the hotel’s contemporary, inviting architecture and interiors by globally renowned architect Kengo Kuma reflects the heritage of Sabah.

The interior design is inspired by the majestic jungles of Borneo, with bamboo found in the lobby representing the vegetation on the forest floor, while the greenery-accented rooftop creates the sense of being under the canopy overlooking the blue waters and verdant hills.

“Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu truly embraces the city’s flourishing cultural and culinary scenes, from our ON22 restaurant and ON23 rooftop bar serving traditional family recipes with a modern twist and locally inspired craft cocktails, respectively, to guided tours of the colourful street art in the neighbourhood, led by our hotel team,” said Ruben Schrijver, general manager, Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu.

“Our passionate Sabahan team is excited to share their local knowledge and tips on local, under-the-radar attractions, ensuring travellers and locals alike never miss a moment of adventure.”