Stanton City Hotel

The rooms feel new, and they're comfortable and clean. Road-facing rooms can get a bit noisy at peak times. Some basic amenities are available only on request, though they do provide hair dryers, shampoo, and body wash. Parking is RM9 a night. It's near a mall, with dining options around as well.

I stayed two nights, from 02/12/2025 to 04/12/2025, in a Deluxe King Room at Stanton City Hotel, Harbour City, Kota Kinabalu. I had meant to book the 19th-century Colonial-style Stanton Hotel near Karamunsing, within walking distance of my event near Jalan Sang Kancil. I only found out at check-in that I'd booked Stanton City Hotel by mistake. It has a similar name but is at Harbour City next to Sutera Avenue, so I had to use Grab to get to the event. Finding the lobby was a challenge. I couldn't locate it, and staff at a nearby restaurant told me the elevator was at the back of the building and the lobby was on the 3rd floor. Better signs would make things easier for new guests. Once I got there, the reception area looked nice and smelled pleasant. The staff were welcoming, check-in took less than five minutes, and I headed to my room. I liked the room's design and balcony, where I could watch planes fly overhead and land. The bed was reasonably comfortable, and there was a TV, WiFi, and a work desk for my laptop. The little touches were appreciated: Santan x Saturnbird freeze-dried coffee for a coffee lover like me, a small fridge for milk and bottled iced coffee from the nearby 7-Eleven, plus indoor slippers and an umbrella. The bathroom design and amenities felt better than most 3-star hotels. The hotel faces Sutera Harbour and is close to both the airport and IMAGO Shopping Mall. A major highway separates the area, though, so you'll need to take a Grab or taxi. There are several Halal / Muslim-friendly restaurants nearby. I'd hoped to find Chinese food, but tried four restaurants over my two days and found the food quality quite impressive. Most focus on seafood, which is great for travellers looking for local flavours. For RM95 per night through Agoda, I thought it was excellent value. I rate it 4/5 (80%) and would consider staying again on my next trip to Kota Kinabalu.

We weren't sure about the hotel at first, but it turned out to be a decent stay. Families should find it suitable, and it's a good option for anyone wanting a nice place at a reasonable price. The room was clean, several restaurants were nearby, IMAGO Shopping Mall wasn't far away, and the airport was also fairly close. It's convenient even without your own transport, since Grab rides are easy to book. I'd recommend it.

The toilet had a weird smell, and I didn't like having to request a toothbrush, shaving kit, and shower cap. They should just put those in the room. The location is quite strategic, though it's outside the city centre.