Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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The most efficient way to get into to wn from the airpor t is b y taxi using a coupon
system. You'll pay about RM15 ($4.35/£2.70) for a trip to to wn. Ignore the drivers that
try to lure you away from the coupon counter; they will always o vercharge you.
GETTING AROUND
In the downtown area, you can get ar ound quite easily on foot
between hotels, restaurants, tour operators, mar kets, and the tourism office. F or longer
trips, a taxi will be necessar y; in to wn, trips cost about RM12 ($3.50/£2.15). Taxis are
flagged down on the street or by your hotel's bellhop.
FAST FACTS
The
area code
for Sabah is
088.
While on the same time as KL, the sun
rises and sets earlier than the peninsula. You'll find
banks
with A TMs conv eniently
located in the do wntown ar ea ar ound J alan Limabelas, J alan G aya, and J alan Pantai.
While there are no large
Internet
cafes, you'll find access in small shopfronts around the
main parts of town.
Where to Stay
Hyatt Regency Kinabalu
One of the best international business-class hotels in
town, in some ways the Hyatt seems a little out of place in cozy Kota Kinabalu. Still, it's
located close to the waterfront, near major shopping and travel operators, and has a good
selection of restaurants. Even if you're staying elsewhere in town, you may appreciate one
of their dining options. As modern as y ou would expect the H yatt chain to be, r ooms
here are large and have up-to-date furnishing styles that are not so Western that they take
all the charm away from the room. Local tour and car-rental booking in the lobby makes
the place convenient for leisure travelers. One of the high points is Shenanigan's, a lively
bar, with live entertainment. It gets packed, mostly with locals and expatriates.
Jalan Datuk Salleh Sulong, 88994 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
&
800/233-1234
in the U.S. and Canada, 800/
131-234 in A ustralia, 800/441-234 in New Z ealand, or 088/221-234. F ax 088/218-909. w ww.kinabalu.
regency.hyatt.com. 288 units. RM368 ($107/£66) double; fr om RM713 ($207/£128) suit e. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
3 r estaurants; bar ; out door pool; health club; c oncierge; airpor t transf ers; r oom ser vice;
babysitting; smoke-free rooms; executive-level rooms.
In room:
A/C, TV w/satellite programming and in-
house movies, minibar, hair dryer.
The Jesselton Hotel
Listen to me rav e about the J esselton. It's such a nice
surprise to find this quaint boutique hotel in the center of Kota Kinabalu, just about the
last real reminder in this city of a colonial pr esence. Even more appealing is the lev el of
personalized service you receive and the comfort of the rooms, which, though completely
modern, retain their charm with lovely Audubon-style inks and attractive wallpapers and
fabrics
—
sort of a cr oss between a cozy guesthouse and a top-class hotel. D ue to lack of
space in the building, ther e's no pool, fitness center , or business center , but the staff at
the front desk can help y ou with tour information and transpor tation. The coffeehouse
serves local and Western food, which is quite good. B ella Italia Pizzeria Ristorante Café
serves Italian and local favorites.
69 Jalan Gaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
&
088/223-333.
Fax 088/240-401. www.jesseltonhotel.com.
32 units. RM247 ($72/£45) double; RM518 ($150/£93) suite. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar and
lounge; coffee shop; airpor t transfers; room ser vice; babysitting; smoke -free rooms.
In room:
A/C, TV
(movies available), minibar, hair dryer.
Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa
Kids
A short ride southw est of
Kota Kinabalu and you're at Tanjung Aru, a pleasant beachside district. The Shangri-La
here is located in a most impressive setting, surrounded on three sides by water. It serves
the finest local S abahan cuisine and fr eshest seafood y ou can get in the r egion. Book a
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