IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) has signed the second Kimpton hotel in Malaysia, announcing Kimpton Kota Kinabalu. Set along the iconic Tanjung Aru shoreline and slated to open in 2031, the 350-key, beachfront retreat will bring the brand’s signature human-first hospitality, bold design, and local curiosity to Sabah’s coast. It will offer beach access and breathtaking views of Mount Kinabalu, with public spaces and programming designed to celebrate local culture, music, and cuisine.
Known for making every stay feel personal, Kimpton will deliver lively social spaces, thoughtfully curated dining and bar destinations, wellness offerings, and onsite experiences that highlight Sabah’s natural and creative talents. Expect a local hub where guests and neighbours gather for sunset cocktails, artist showcases, and bespoke itineraries that connect to the island’s ecology and communities.
“We will triple our Luxury and Lifestyle portfolio in Malaysia within the next few years, and we’re proud to be part of Malaysia’s growth story,” Bryan Chan, Vice President, Development, South East Asia & Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts said. “Kimpton Kota Kinabalu marks our second Kimpton property in the country, following the highly anticipated opening of Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur at Tun Razak Exchange just a few months ago. It introduces this globally recognised brand – with its personal service and creative spaces – to bring more lifestyle-oriented experiences to the city’s beachfront offerings.”
“With its stunning coastal setting, Kimpton Kota Kinabalu is perfectly positioned to write the next chapter of IHG’s luxury & lifestyle growth story in Malaysia. This opening will further strengthen our presence as we expand our brands across the nation’s most sought-after destinations. Sabah, with Kota Kinabalu as its gateway, continues to grow and offers a lot of opportunities for the future.”
“Kimpton Kota Kinabalu will be the city’s first beachfront luxury lifestyle hotel at Tanjung Aru Beach,” Claire Tan, Director, Pekah Beach Resorts Sdn Bhd said. “Its focus on thoughtful hospitality, distinctive design, and authentic social connection, reflecting the destination.”
The hotel will feature several dining destinations including an all-day dining restaurant, a Beach Club, and a specialty dining venue. Leisure offerings will include a pool bar, swimming pools, fitness, and wellness facilities. For private and social events, there will be flexible function rooms, as well as a lounge designed for relaxed entertainment for all guests.
Globally, the Kimpton brand continues to expand with more than 80 hotels open and more than 60 hotels in the pipeline. In Southeast Asia, three Kimpton hotels are already welcoming guests and six more are set to launch in the coming years including Kimpton Suntaya Bali Ubud, IHG’s first Kimpton in Indonesia, opening this year.
