Monday, January 18, 2016

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu: The Key to Unlocking the City


Many dismiss Kota Kinabalu as a transit point in exploring the wonders of Sabah. But I find the multifaceted city, set against a backdrop of both the legendary Mount Kinabalu and the expanse of the South China Sea, in more ways than one, intriguing, especially with what similarities we share with its people.

In hopes to discover more of Sabah’s capital, I stayed at the centrally-located Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu, which served as my key to unlocking the city.

LOCATION

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu has a most enviable address, for it fronts the South China Sea in the center of the city.

From the airport, the hotel is accessible by taxi within 10-15 minutes and by a more affordable airport bus, which stops nearby.

Most of the action is right within the hotel’s vicinity or within a few minutes’ walk, making it one of the best hotels to discovering Kota Kinabalu.

Pasar Filipina (Philippine market), which sells piles of Sabahan delicacies is just in front, and Jalan Gaya, one of the most popular thoroughfares in the city for its food and Sunday market, is a few minutes away by foot.

And for shopaholics, there’s no need to take a cab to get to the Night Market, Centre Point Mall, Imago Mall, and Suria Sabah.

STYLE/CHARACTER

Le Meridien is part of the renowned Starwood Hotels and Resorts portfolio, alongside esteemed brands like the W, St. Regis, Westin, and Sheraton.

The style of its luxury and upscale properties worldwide is a blend of contemporary culture and European heritage that “creates a culturally refined, meaningful, and stimulating atmosphere.”

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu is undertaking a massive rejuvenation program in phases.

Its porte-cochere, entrance, and lobby have already been completed, and the result is a harmonious marriage of European flair and Sabahan culture.

The hotel had just completed the reinvention of its Le Meridien Hub, a modern take on the traditional hotel lobby that “offers an array of opportunities for guests to gather, connect, inspire and be inspired.”

The hub is a delight to the senses, as it features high-impact art that reflects Kota Kinabalu as a coastal city, the signature Le Meridien scent, candle-lit lamps in the evenings, and a sexy French pop playlist called New Wave by Nouvelle Vague.

Further, the section showcases the awe-inspiring Curiosity Table and Shelf of Discovery.

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