Kota Kinabalu, Borneo
The Jesselton Hotel
Colonial beauty in the heart of the city
Nestled comfortably in the very heart of Kota Kinabalu, the Jesselton is just a leisurely five minute stroll from the city’s exquisite waterfront. This elegantly designed hotel benefits from its intimate size, allowing it to provide a truly warm and personalized service.
The hotel is regarded as a timeless piece of colonial beauty, designed to echo the dignity of a bygone era while putting the city on your doorstep. Each of the well-appointed 32 guest rooms feature air-conditioning throughout, classic marble bathrooms and well-lit siting areas. The restaurant serves a variety of Italian, Mediterranean and Malaysian favorites while the cosy bar provides guests with a relaxed and cosy setting in which to swap stories.
Ideally located for exploring Kota Kinabalu’s main attractions, the Jesselton is located near to the Sabah State Mosque, Wisma Merdeka and Signal Hill Observatory Platform. The hotel even provides the services of an authentic London cab to ferry guests around.
Highlights
Gaya Street fair
Visit the Sabah State Mosque, Wisma Merdeka and Signal Hill Observatory Platform
32 rooms
Restaurant and bar
WiFi
Trip Inspiration
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Places to combine The Jesselton Hotel with
Phuket
Tucked away on the fringes of Khao Sok National Park, one of Thailand’s most ancient and biodiverse rainforests, Thanyamundra Organic Resort offers an intimate sanctuary with nine guestrooms. The setting is mesmerising: a patchwork of cultivated organic farmland gently gives way to dense jungle, while mist drifts across rolling emerald hills in the early morning.
Two teakwood residences, built in traditional Thai style, house the guest rooms. Within, antique furnishings add a sense of heritage and handwoven textiles bring warmth and colour.
Begin with yoga at dawn or a leisurely walk among rice paddies and vegetable gardens, before setting out to discover the wonders of the rainforest. Back at the resort, the infinity pool seemingly spills into the surrounding hills. From here, the horizon becomes a living panorama of forest, farmland and sky, shifting in colour as the day passes from morning to the glow of sunset. The spa provides another form of retreat, where traditional Thai treatments restore balance after a day outdoors.
Food is at the heart of the Thanyamundra experience. The resort’s organic farm supplies the kitchen with fragrant herbs, just-picked vegetables, tropical fruit and locally produced cheese. Meals, whether enjoyed in the open-sided pavilion or al fresco under the stars, are thoughtfully prepared to highlight the freshest seasonal ingredients.
