Sheraton · Premium
Kampung Air, central Kota Kinabalu waterfront
Guest score
Sheraton hotel in central Kota Kinabalu occupying one of Borneo's tallest towers, steps from Gaya Street and the waterfront, with a rooftop infinity pool and rooftop bar over the South China Sea.
Last updated August 6, 2026
Sheraton Kota Kinabalu is a 307-room city hotel that opened in late December 2025 inside a 24-storey tower billed as one of the tallest in Borneo, on Jalan Albert Kwok in the Kampung Air waterfront district of Sabah's capital. It is a design-forward flagship for the reimagined Sheraton brand, built around a large communal lobby with a Community Table, wireless charging and work booths meant to double as a social hub. Independent launch coverage and early guest feedback consistently spotlight the rooftop, where an infinity pool and a rooftop bar sit roughly 100 metres above sea level with sweeping views of the South China Sea and, on clear days, the Mount Kinabalu range. Rooms are new, spacious and well soundproofed, with extra-large windows and sea or city views, and Sheraton Club and elite guests get lounge access. Dining spans the all-day Daily Social, the &More by Sheraton cafe-bar, The Burger Box and the rooftop bar, with early reviewers rating the breakfast spread among the best in the city. A 703 sqm grand ballroom, wedding pavilion, spa and 24-hour fitness centre round out the offer. Honest watch-outs: the hotel is only months old, so service and operations are still settling and long-term independent reviews are limited; it sits about 8 km from the airport and is a high-rise city hotel rather than a beach resort, with island beaches reached by ferry.
| Address | Jalan Albert Kwok, Kampung Air, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Brand Sub Brand | Sheraton |
| Neighborhood | Kampung Air, central Kota Kinabalu waterfront |
| Distance From Airport Km | 8 |
| Elite Benefits | Room upgrades for Platinum Elite and above, subject to availability, Complimentary breakfast or bonus points for Platinum Elite and above, per Marriott Bonvoy program terms, Guaranteed room availability with 24-hour notice for Titanium and Ambassador Elite |
| Landmark Distances | [object Object], [object Object] |
The research view
Themes that came up again and again across independent reviews — not a single opinion, but the patterns that repeat.
Consistently praised
Worth knowing before you book
Verified elsewhere
Independent coverage from real reviewers and travel channels, published in the last year or two -- not written or commissioned by us. Each links back to the original.
Written reviews
The Arts Shelf · Dec 2025
Feature on the newly opened tower hotel, spotlighting the communal lobby with Community Table, rooftop infinity pool, Sheraton Club lounge and four dining venues from all-day dining to a sunset rooftop bar.
Asian Journeys · Dec 2025
Opening report on the 307-room property on Jalan Albert Kwok, covering its communal lobby, elite Club Lounge, rooftop infinity pool, wedding pavilion and dining line-up including a bar about 100m above sea level.
Varnam Malaysia · Shangkari · Jan 2026
Malaysian outlet's opening coverage describing Sabah-inspired guestrooms, the social communal lobby, 703 sqm grand ballroom, rooftop infinity pool and multiple dining outlets at the new Marriott Bonvoy tower.
The Grid Asia · Aufa Eslah
Lifestyle magazine's look at the new hotel's sea-view rooms and suites, rooftop bar and infinity pool, spa, 24/7 fitness centre and varied dining, framing it as a headline 2026 luxury opening for Kota Kinabalu.
Video reviews
Behind this page
This page pulls from the hotel’s own information alongside independent guest reviews. These are the primary sources we checked — last refreshed Aug 6, 2026.
Find out more about Sheraton Kota Kinabalu
Yes. The hotel opened on 29 December 2025 as a 307-room Marriott Bonvoy property in central Kota Kinabalu. Because it is only months old, guest experiences are strong but the operation is still new, and long-term independent reviews remain limited compared with established city hotels.
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) sits roughly 8 km from the hotel, about a 15 to 20 minute drive depending on traffic. The property is on Jalan Albert Kwok in the Kampung Air waterfront area, within easy reach of the city centre by taxi or ride-hailing.
The headline draw is the rooftop, with an infinity pool and rooftop bar around 100 metres above sea level overlooking the South China Sea. Guests also praise the breakfast, spacious sea-view rooms, a social communal lobby, Sheraton Club lounge, spa and a 703 sqm grand ballroom for events.
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