Horizon Hotel – Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Our flight was delayed for more than two hours, our tired bodies were screaming for stillness. After our two-hour flight, we touched down at Kota Kinabalu International Airport and headed straight to our home for one night, the Horizon Hotel.

We arranged an airport pick-up beforehand so we just had to look out for our names flashing on the arrival area. We were welcomed by Dino who, apparently, is a Filipino that was born and raised in Kota Kinabalu. His parents migrated in the city but you could feel his excitement upon learning that we were Filipinos as well. The 15-minute drive to our hotel was smooth and we were immediately assisted by the staff on our reservations.

The lush lobby welcomed the group and then went on with the check-in process. It was flawless and we were ushered to our rooms in no time.

Horizon Hotel features 180 rooms with either a city view or a sea view. We were assigned at two connecting Deluxe Rooms with sea view (check here for discounted room rates), one room had huge double bed while the other had twin beds. The connecting rooms were such an ease especially when we needed to plan on something or for those beer nights.

My huge bed

Connecting rooms = endless boozing up sessions

The 30 sq.m. rooms are equipped with 42” Plasma T.V. (with satellite channels), international power outlets, complimentary drinking water, coffee and tea-making facilities, mini-bar, electronic safety box and reliable WiFi internet connection.

The en suite toilet and bathroom has all the essential toiletries that are all provided for. It also has a magnified makeup mirror, bathroom scale and a rainshower head-type.

We dozed off easily and woke up the next day with the stunning view of the South China Sea from our windows. We immediately went to Deco Cafe & Grill located at the ground floor where the complimentary buffet breakfast was served. The spread was a fusion of Malay and International breakfast fares. I feasted on sausages and pancakes.

My happy breakfast plate

The hotel has a money exchange service which we utilized (it was such an ease rather than combing the city for foreign exchange centers). They also have a swimming pool located at the 6th floor where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the city. They also have laundry and dry cleaning services, baby sitting on request, secured lift equipped with guest card security and other exciting services.

The pool with  nice view of the city

Horizon Hotel is located right in the heart of Kota Kinabalu. Right outside the hotel is the Malaysia Monument (Tugu Peringatan Malaysia) which was erected to commemorate the inclusion of Sabah and Sarawak to the Federation of Malaya or Malaysia (September 16, 1963). In front of the monument is a sculpture of the city’s mascot – the Great Egret. A few strides more and we reached the Atkinson Clock Tower and the Gaya Street’s “Sunday Market”. Dino was always enthusiastic in assisting us in all of our queries and requests which was really great.

Malaysia Monument and the city's mascot- the Great Egret

After our afternoon stroll around town, we went back to the hotel for a late lunch at the Asian Restaurant. Situated at the lobby of the hotel, the restaurant features Nyonya, Thai and Chinese cuisines. The group decided to have some dim sum treats.

We gobbled on some Steamed Beef Ball (RM 8 | US$ 2.21), Steamed Lion Head with Sweet & Sour Sauce (RM 8 | US$ 2.21), Steamed Lamb Shoulder (RM 7 | US$ 1.94), Steamed Ox Tripe with Black Bean Sauce (RM 8 | US$ 2.21), Deep-fried Salad Prawn (RM 7 | US$ 1.94), Deep-fried Wantan (RM 7.50 | US$ 2.07), Siew Pak Choi (Steamed Chinese Cabbage) and Steamed Bean Curd Rolls with Oyster Sauce, my favorite (RM 7.50 | US$ 2.07).

Deep-fried Wantan

Steamed Beef Ball

Steamed Lamb Shoulder

Steamed Lion Head with Sweet & Sour Sauce

Steamed Ox Tripe with Black Bean Sauce

Siew Pak Choi (Steamed Chinese Cabbage)

Steamed Bean Curd Rolls with Oyster Sauce

What’s interesting to note is that the dipping sauces were different from what was commonly used in the Philippines (soy and lemon); we had Mustard sauce and Chili sauce as dips. The tangy taste of the Mustard Sauce perfectly complemented the dim sum fares.

Our one-day layover at Kota Kinabalu was great. The perfect choice of our hotel was the key factor. Horizon Hotel was perfectly located at the center of the city and we just needed to work out our leg muscles, the perfect way for the second day of our summer adventure.

Horizon Hotel (book online for discounted rates)

Jalan Pantai, Locked Bag 2084,

88999 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malysia

Contact Number: (+60) 88.518.000

Email Address: info@horizonhotelsabah.com

(check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Kota Kinabalu)