Escape The Hustle
At about half past six every evening, one of the best places to head for a drink in the city of Kota Kinabalu is Stylo, the rooftop bar of the Kota Kinabalu Marriott. Here, you can nurse giant martinis made with lihing – a rice wine which originates from Sabah. The bar’s buzzy nature is ably abetted by its bartenders, who are happy to entertain off-menu drink requests. It is during these moments when the magical Kota Kinabalu sunsets occur, slowly at first before the kaleidoscopic rush of colours engulf your entire panorama. From the bar’s vantage point, you are afforded a view of the outlying islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman marine park and the brilliant fiery spectrum before the sun sinks into the water. This million-dollar sensation is a great way for guests of the Kota Kinabalu Marriott to acquaint themselves with the city’s relaxed vibe, where dramatic mountains and emerald seas juxtapose for stunning vistas.
With its light-filled interiors and unobtrusive soft colour palette, the hotel embodies the city’s gentle nature, leaving one’s inner metronome blissfully lulled. At ease and ready for a good meal, one will find that the hotel doesn’t disappoint with its Teppan Table restaurant a faithful recreation of the teppanyaki number. Big Fish, on the same floor as Stylo, is where one can savour Sabah’s famed seafood coupled with a view. And to work it off, there is a 24-hour gym as well as an infinity pool where proper laps can be had.
A total of 332 spacious guest rooms and suites at the Kota Kinabalu Marriott is a great addition to the city, offering modern comforts of plush beds, intuitive room controls and generously sized bathrooms for travellers. Its easy amenities and a great location make it a strategic point to being discovering all Kota Kinabalu has to offer. Opt for a seaview room to enjoy technicolour sunrises and sunsets, or consider the capacious charms of the Ocean and Presidential Suite – the latter sprawled across 217 square metres of living space. Meanwhile, the hotel’s well-appointed M Club provides a quiet space to unwind or for business, fringed by views of the city and the endless sea.
What is undeniable is the city’s languid personality, one which permeates the hotel’s spaces. Guests are truly at their leisure, and they quickly discover the city’s many delights are within walking distance; from the rollicking food and beverage scene of The Oceanfront, to retail therapy at the nearby shopping destinations of Imago and Oceanus. What awaits them upon their return is the Kota Kinabalu Marriott’s soothing embrace, calming views, and a promise of the rest and relaxation yet to come.
