An Urban Business Hotel in Kota Kinabalu . Borneo

Hilton Kota Kinabalu

Step into a lobby lounge inspired by tropical reefs, azure waters and tropical rainforests.

The challenge:

Borneo is one of those mythical names that symbolize natural wilderness and adventure. Kota Kinabalu is known for its crystal clear waters and coast line, where all the competitive hotels are located. This hotel is a business hotel away from the coast line, in the city center. The challenge was to create a hotel experience that will entice both business and leisure travelers and still deliver the essence of the Saba State. An existing structure had been deserted for years with extremely low ceilings in the prefunction areas and poor circulation.

The solution:

The hotel interiors are envisioned as an urban business hotel inspired by the unique bio-diversity of Borneo. The interiors take clues from the astounding ecological richness by distilling the essence of the lush tropical rainforests, juxtaposed by the serenity of the coral island reefs and crystal-clear azure waters, to create a calm, reflective and authentic guest experience for both the business and resort traveler.

The tall volume of the lobby lounge is the first WOW impression, with a large suspended crystal ceiling feature creating the sensation of a cooling tropical rain forest at Mount Kota Kinabalu, while the carpets are inspired by coral reefs.

The low ceilings in the prefunction areas were overcome by adding reflective mirror sections in the ceilings

The low ceilings in the prefunction areas were overcome by adding reflective mirror sections in the ceilings and walls, creating the illusion of much larger volumes. The large roof top swimming pool and roof top café add to create a resort ambiance.

The Ballroom offers a warm ambiance for weddings and business conferences.

The guestrooms are large, with bay windows, and designed for the comfort of business travelers.

2-bay suite