I stayed at Stanton City Hotel, Harbour City, Kota Kinabalu from 02/12/2025 to 04/12/2025 for 2 nights in a Deluxe King Room.
Originally, I intended to book the 19th-century Colonial-style Stanton Hotel near Karamunsing because it is within walking distance of the event I was attending (near Jalan Sang Kancil). Only when I arrived for check-in did I realise that I had mistakenly booked Stanton City Hotel, which has a similar name but is located at Harbour City next to Sutera Avenue. Because of this, I had to rely on Grab rides for my event.
My first challenge was finding the lobby — I simply couldn’t locate it. After asking staff from a nearby restaurant, I was told that the hotel elevator is at the back of the building, and the lobby is on the 3rd floor. This is definitely something the hotel should improve, as clearer signage would help new guests a lot.
However, once I reached the lobby, things got better. The reception area is nicely designed, has a pleasant scent, and the staff were welcoming. Check-in took less than 5 minutes, and I went straight to my room to freshen up.
The room itself is well-designed. The bed is reasonably comfortable, and I loved the balcony where I could watch planes fly overhead and land. The room includes a TV, WiFi, and a work desk — great for opening my laptop to get some work done. I truly appreciated the little details: Santan x Saturnbird freeze-dried coffee (perfect for a coffee lover like me), a small fridge where I could store milk and bottled iced coffee from the nearby 7-Eleven, as well as provided indoor slippers and an umbrella — very thoughtful touches. The bathroom design and amenities also feel better than most 3-star hotels.
As for the surrounding location, the hotel faces Sutera Harbour and is very close to the airport and IMAGO Shopping Mall. But because a major highway separates the area, you’ll still need to take a Grab or taxi.
There are several Halal / Muslim-friendly restaurants in this area. Although I originally hoped to find Chinese cuisine, I tried four restaurants during my two-day stay, and the food quality was quite impressive. Most places specialise in seafood dishes, which is great for travellers wanting to enjoy local flavours.
Overall, I rate this hotel 4/5 (80%).
For the price of RM95 per night (Agoda booking), this hotel is excellent value. I would definitely consider staying here again on my next trip to Kota Kinabalu.
