Kota Kinabula

Old Mar 2nd 2018, 11:48 am
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Default Kota Kinabula

Greetings!

I intend to visit here this month with my fiancée for a few days.

I currently live in the Philippines and have to undertake the 3 yr visa run and basically looking for recommendations on where to stay etc and general advice. Looking for somewhere not too expensive, maybe with a pool, close to the beach and amenities.

Never been to Malaysia before but obviously familiar with Asian culture.

Places to visit would be helpful.

What is the beach like?

Things to avoid plus useful tips etc would be useful.

Many thanks!
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Old Mar 2nd 2018, 2:30 pm
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Default Re: Kota Kinabula

KK is a good place. You will enjoy a vibrant city with good (sea)food.

But forget about the beach and the snorkelling options, all corals long time dead.

Best thing to do is climb Gunung Kinabalu. But also very expensive now, permits, huts to stay the night, guides, if you are not lucky with the weather you will be very disappointed.
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Old Mar 2nd 2018, 2:56 pm
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Default Re: Kota Kinabula

Kota Kinabalu is a nice city with a wide range of accomodations. There are several fairly inexpensive hotels quite near the airport on the beach in Kinarut. Seaside Travellers Inn and the Langkah Syabas Beach Resort. Both have pools. And a small beach front. It's a bit of a trip to Kota Kinabalu proper. You can taxi or Uber/Grab into town.

Most people stay in KK, though and then travel to the Tuanku Rahman Park and islands of the coast. Plenty of Backpackers on Jl. Gaya, as well as lots of mid-range hotels (Mandarin, City Inn, Angs) etc. Only the bigger hotels and resorts in the city have swimming pools (Promenade, Hyatt Regency, Hilton). The islands are the big tourism draw, but if you want to relax there is a little mangrove bird watching Kota Kinabalu Wetlands Nature Reserve just to the North side of town (near Likas) with boardwalks, spotting towers, shelters, and a small museum. Best birdwatching before 10 and after 4. Bring water!

If you have a full free day and want some cooler temperature you can go up to Mt. Kinabalu by bus or share taxi and just hike around the lower trails, then return in the late afternoon. Or stay the night in one of the many small chalets just outside the park entrance. Bayu Guest House and Restaurant is about 250m just before the National Park entrance and is reasonably cheap.
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Old Mar 2nd 2018, 8:39 pm
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Default Re: Kota Kinabula

We've stayed here a few times. Very nice hotel and very central. Kota Kinabalu is a great city!
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Old Mar 3rd 2018, 6:03 am
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Default Re: Kota Kinabula

Originally Posted by eCdD
KK is a good place. You will enjoy a vibrant city with good (sea)food.

But forget about the beach and the snorkelling options, all corals long time dead.

Best thing to do is climb Gunung Kinabalu. But also very expensive now, permits, huts to stay the night, guides, if you are not lucky with the weather you will be very disappointed.
What? With respect, have you snorkelled/dived in TARP (marine park) just off KK recently? There are many sites with live corals and lots of marine life. The statement "all corals long time dead" is most definitely incorrect!
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Old Mar 4th 2018, 4:57 am
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Default Re: Kota Kinabula

Originally Posted by Scuba Tyke
What? With respect, have you snorkelled/dived in TARP (marine park) just off KK recently? There are many sites with live corals and lots of marine life. The statement "all corals long time dead" is most definitely incorrect!
I have snorkelled there maybe 10 years before and EVERYTHING was dead. Like a coral and sealife graveyard. If the marine life has recovered I am very happy to hear, because I would never have expected this.
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Old Mar 4th 2018, 12:58 pm
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Default Re: Kota Kinabula

Kinabula or Kinabalu ? I am confused.
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Old Mar 4th 2018, 11:47 pm
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Default Re: Kota Kinabula

Depends on what you are looking for.
https://mingle2.com/online-dating/sa...a/single-women
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Old Mar 5th 2018, 1:58 am
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Default Re: Kota Kinabula

It is Kinabalu - my home, though we live about 20 mins from the centre.

Langkah Syabas Beach Resort is a lovely place. We have had lunch there - they make the best Caesar salad in Sabah. It is run (owned?) by an Expat Aussie - friendly guy.
If you fancy a short day trip out of KK, the Mari Mari Village is definitely worth a visit. You do not state which part of the Philippines you will be travelling from but I think the RORO ferry is now in operation from Palawan to Kudat. Another place for quiet sandy beaches is the tip of Borneo, not far from Kudat.
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Old Mar 5th 2018, 7:33 am
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Default Re: Kota Kinabula

Originally Posted by Gunnar45
Depends on what you are looking for.
https://mingle2.com/online-dating/sa...a/single-women
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Old Mar 12th 2018, 8:03 am
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Default Re: Kota Kinabula

Ki = To
Nebula = an interstellar cloud of dust, hydrogen, helium and other ionized gases.

Sounds appropriate to what a lot of what those dating sites offer.

Alternatively Kini- Bulé
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Old Mar 24th 2018, 1:16 pm
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Default Re: Kota Kinabula

Greetings All!

Returned last night from KK and what a wonderful place it is!

We stayed at the Chaya Hotel with its rooftop pool not far from the airport and not an expensive ride into town.

We visited various places including the Mari Mari Village, floating Mosque and the Chinese Temple. Took in the Chocolate Factory (waste of time), had a tour around the city by taxi and spent time at the Waterfront. Went to the Wild life park also. Packed a lot in for the few days we were there.

My fiancée is a Filipina and it was just typical she wanted to see the Filipina Market!

In all....a great place to visit. Friendly people and beautiful weather. Very clean city and very modern. Compared to the Philippines that is!

So....many thanks for those who offered advice. Will certainly go again!

Regards
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