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Where to stay in Sabah?
Properties are selected based on real traveller reviews and popularity among guests who’ve booked a night in Sabah on Hotels.com. These Sabah Cheap Hotels consistently deliver on quality, location and traveller experience. Last updated on 12 September 2026.
Top Cheap Hotels in Kota Kinabalu
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (313 reviews)
8.4/10
Very good
(313 reviews)
8.0 out of 10, Very good, (201 reviews)
8.0/10
Very good
(201 reviews)
Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre by IHG
Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre by IHG4.0 star property
Downtown Kota Kinabalu
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (239 reviews)
9.2/10
Wonderful
(239 reviews)
AC Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group
AC Residence - A Member of The Luxury Stay Group3.0 star property
Downtown Kota Kinabalu
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (97 reviews)
9.6/10
Exceptional
(97 reviews)
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (55 reviews)
9.6/10
Exceptional
(55 reviews)
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (1 review)
10/10
Exceptional
(1 review)
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, (196 reviews)
8.8/10
Excellent
(196 reviews)
Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu
Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu4.0 star property
Downtown Kota Kinabalu
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (78 reviews)
9.0/10
Wonderful
(78 reviews)
7.8 out of 10, Good, (1,000 reviews)
7.8/10
Good
(1,000 reviews)
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (1,000 reviews)
9.0/10
Wonderful
(1,000 reviews)
6.6 out of 10, (460 reviews)
6.6/10
(460 reviews)
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (1,000 reviews)
8.4/10
Very good
(1,000 reviews)
7.2 out of 10, Good, (146 reviews)
7.2/10
Good
(146 reviews)
7.6 out of 10, Good, (10 reviews)
7.6/10
Good
(10 reviews)
Palette Kota Kinabalu Near by Imago Shopping Mall Formerly Zara's Boutique Hotel
Palette Kota Kinabalu Near by Imago Shopping Mall Formerly Zara's Boutique Hotel3.0 star property
Downtown Kota Kinabalu
7.0 out of 10, Good, (69 reviews)
7.0/10
Good
(69 reviews)
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (999 reviews)
9.2/10
Wonderful
(999 reviews)
Top Cheap Hotels in Sandakan
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (39 reviews)
9.6/10
Exceptional
(39 reviews)
7.6 out of 10, Good, (242 reviews)
7.6/10
Good
(242 reviews)
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (386 reviews)
8.6/10
Excellent
(386 reviews)
7.8 out of 10, Good, (167 reviews)
7.8/10
Good
(167 reviews)
8.0 out of 10, Very good, (13 reviews)
8.0/10
Very good
(13 reviews)
7.2 out of 10, Good, (81 reviews)
7.2/10
Good
(81 reviews)
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (100 reviews)
8.6/10
Excellent
(100 reviews)
Tanini Sepilok (Formerly Nature Lodge Sepilok)
Tanini Sepilok (Formerly Nature Lodge Sepilok)2.5 star property
Sandakan
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (81 reviews)
8.6/10
Excellent
(81 reviews)
8.0 out of 10, Very good, (3 reviews)
8.0/10
Very good
(3 reviews)
7.8 out of 10, Good, (67 reviews)
7.8/10
Good
(67 reviews)
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (1 review)
10/10
Exceptional
(1 review)
7.2 out of 10, Good, (40 reviews)
7.2/10
Good
(40 reviews)
7.2 out of 10, Good, (22 reviews)
7.2/10
Good
(22 reviews)
Gloria Swiss Hotel & Apartment Sandakan
Gloria Swiss Hotel & Apartment Sandakan3.0 star property
Sandakan
7.8 out of 10, Good, (19 reviews)
7.8/10
Good
(19 reviews)
7.6 out of 10, Good, (7 reviews)
7.6/10
Good
(7 reviews)
7.6 out of 10, Good, (37 reviews)
7.6/10
Good
(37 reviews)
Top Cheap Hotels in Semporna
6.8 out of 10, (6 reviews)
6.8/10
(6 reviews)
6.8 out of 10, (9 reviews)
6.8/10
(9 reviews)
6.6 out of 10, (27 reviews)
6.6/10
(27 reviews)
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (4 reviews)
8.6/10
Excellent
(4 reviews)
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (8 reviews)
9.6/10
Exceptional
(8 reviews)
5.4 out of 10, (12 reviews)
5.4/10
(12 reviews)
Sipadan Inn Service Apartments Semporna
Sipadan Inn Service Apartments Semporna3.5 star property
Semporna
7.0 out of 10, Good, (4 reviews)
7.0/10
Good
(4 reviews)
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (47 reviews)
8.6/10
Excellent
(47 reviews)
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (1 review)
10/10
Exceptional
(1 review)
Panglima Resort Bum Bum Island, Semporna
Panglima Resort Bum Bum Island, Semporna3.0 star property
Bum Bum Island
2.0 out of 10, (1 review)
2.0/10
(1 review)
Top Cheap Hotels in Gaya Island
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (196 reviews)
8.6/10
Excellent
(196 reviews)
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (517 reviews)
8.4/10
Very good
(517 reviews)
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, (450 reviews)
8.8/10
Excellent
(450 reviews)
Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu
Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu5.0 star property
Tanjung Aru
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (1,000 reviews)
9.2/10
Wonderful
(1,000 reviews)
Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu
Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu4.0 star property
Downtown Kota Kinabalu
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (78 reviews)
9.0/10
Wonderful
(78 reviews)
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (1,000 reviews)
9.0/10
Wonderful
(1,000 reviews)
8.0 out of 10, Very good, (1 review)
8.0/10
Very good
(1 review)
Ritz Residence - A Member of The Luxury Hotel Group
Ritz Residence - A Member of The Luxury Hotel Group4.5 star property
Downtown Kota Kinabalu
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (37 reviews)
9.8/10
Exceptional
(37 reviews)
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (1,000 reviews)
8.4/10
Very good
(1,000 reviews)
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (313 reviews)
8.4/10
Very good
(313 reviews)
The LUMA Hotel - A Member of Design Hotels
The LUMA Hotel - A Member of Design Hotels3.5 star property
Downtown Kota Kinabalu
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (157 reviews)
9.4/10
Exceptional
(157 reviews)
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (999 reviews)
9.2/10
Wonderful
(999 reviews)
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, (483 reviews)
8.8/10
Excellent
(483 reviews)
Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre by IHG
Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu City Centre by IHG4.0 star property
Downtown Kota Kinabalu
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (239 reviews)
9.2/10
Wonderful
(239 reviews)
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (1,002 reviews)
8.4/10
Very good
(1,002 reviews)
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (25 reviews)
8.4/10
Very good
(25 reviews)
8.0 out of 10, Very good, (28 reviews)
8.0/10
Very good
(28 reviews)
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (999 reviews)
8.4/10
Very good
(999 reviews)
Top cities in Sabah
Kota Kinabalu
The romantic city of Kota Kinabalu is full of attractions, such as Centre Point and KK Plaza, and is loved for its swimming spots and shopping.
Sandakan
Sandakan is known for its temples, and offers lots of attractions, such as Sandakan Harbour Mall and Sandakan Rainforest Park.
Gaya Island
The romantic city of Gaya Island is perfect for visiting Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, and is loved for its beaches and spas.
Tuaran
Tuaran is known for its beaches and restaurants, and entices visitors with its popular attractions, including Shangri-la Rasa Ria Nature Reserve and Dalit Beach.
Kota Kinabatangan
Kota Kinabatangan has lots of attractions such as Bukit Batangan and Bukit Belanda.
Top landmarks in Sabah
Photo by Iqbal Selamat
Open Photo by Iqbal Selamat
Imago Shopping Mall
8.6/10 (662 reviews)
If you want to give your credit card some exercise, head out to Imago Shopping Mall in Downtown Kota Kinabalu. Why not take a stroll along the marina and watch the sunset while you're here? Splash some more cash at Centre Point, Kota Kinabalu Central Market and KK Plaza.
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
9.2/10 (91 reviews)
It's feeding time at the zoo! If you want to be reminded of some of the great animals our world is home to, you might want to pay a visit to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, located 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from central Sepilok. If you have fun at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, you'll love Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre, just a short walk away.
Photo by Jim Teo
Open Photo by Jim Teo
Suria Sabah Shopping Mall
8.4/10 (503 reviews)
If you want to give your credit card some exercise, head out to Suria Sabah Shopping Mall in Downtown Kota Kinabalu. Why not take a stroll along the marina and watch the sunset while you're here? Splash some more cash at Gaya Street Sunday Market, KK Plaza and Kota Kinabalu Central Market.
Gaya Street Sunday Market
8.2/10 (478 reviews)
If you like strolling among the stalls, you might want to head out to Gaya Street Sunday Market in Downtown Kota Kinabalu and take in the atmosphere. Why not take a stroll along the marina and watch the sunset while you're here? Splash some more cash at KK Plaza, Suria Sabah Shopping Mall and Kota Kinabalu Central Market.
Check out reviews of Sabah hotels guests love
Hotel Gaia 95
Hotel Gaia 95Downtown Kota Kinabalu
10/10 Exceptional
friendly and kind staff and near by night market as well. really awesome location and reasonable price. thanks and I will visit again!
friendly and kind staff and near by night market as well. really awesome location and reasonable price. thanks and I will visit again!
Anonymous traveller
Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat
Paganakan Dii Tropical RetreatSandakan
10/10 Exceptional
Super cute and tranquil place; staff are so warm and welcoming, views are unmatched, and food is amazing. They run a free shuttle bus to everything around the area 3 times a day and also easy to walk. Nice spot to go on runs - I ran to the market in the morning that has some amazing vintage shopping there. Would highly recommend!
Super cute and tranquil place; staff are so warm and welcoming, views are unmatched, and food is amazing. They run a free shuttle bus to everything around the area 3 times a day and also easy to walk. Nice spot to go on runs - I ran to the market in the morning that has some amazing vintage shopping there. Would highly recommend!
Michael
Hotel Capital
Hotel CapitalDowntown Kota Kinabalu
10/10 Exceptional
I LOVE TO STAY WITH THIS HOTEL. VERY CONVENIENCE. NEAR TO TAMU GAYA WHICH ME AND MY FAMILY LOVE TO GO THERE. SURROUNDING WITH NEAR SUPERMARKET AND MALL. .
EVERY TIME TO KK, WE WILL STAY TO THIS HOTEL. 5 STAR TO STAY HERE
I LOVE TO STAY WITH THIS HOTEL. VERY CONVENIENCE. NEAR TO TAMU GAYA WHICH ME AND MY FAMILY LOVE TO GO THERE. SURROUNDING WITH NEAR SUPERMARKET AND MALL. .
EVERY TIME TO KK, WE WILL STAY TO THIS HOTEL. 5 STAR TO STAY HERE
CICYLIA
Hotel Eden54
Hotel Eden54Downtown Kota Kinabalu
10/10 Exceptional
Walking distance to shops and restaurants
Very helpful and kind manager
Slept like a log here!
Very happy with the value for money and comfort
Walking distance to shops and restaurants
Very helpful and kind manager
Slept like a log here!
Very happy with the value for money and comfort
Marie
Hotel DeLeeton
Hotel DeLeetonDowntown Kota Kinabalu
8/10 Very good
Rooms are very noisy and are in desperate need of refurbishing, value for money wise ok though.
There was some broken glass in the carpet I stepped in and when I informed the receptionist he handled the matter incredibly professionally and empathetically, the manager ultimately apologized also and offered me a free nights stay, valid for a year. Now that’s what I’d call customer oriented service. Would stay again.
Rooms are very noisy and are in desperate need of refurbishing, value for money wise ok though.
There was some broken glass in the carpet I stepped in and when I informed the receptionist he handled the matter incredibly professionally and empathetically, the manager ultimately apologized also and offered me a free nights stay, valid for a year. Now that’s what I’d call customer oriented service. Would stay again.
Anonymous traveller
Jsia Hotel
Jsia HotelDowntown Kota Kinabalu
8/10 Very good
Everything is good but lights in the room always wink away. Not far from the sea.. mall..night chill out place.
Everything is good but lights in the room always wink away. Not far from the sea.. mall..night chill out place.
Anonymous traveller
Seaside Travellers Inn
Seaside Travellers InnKinarut
10/10 Exceptional
This is the second time I've stayed here, once in 2008 and now in 2016, both times I've left thinking what a special place this is, first of all there's the incredible view of Dinawan and several other islands including in the distance Manatuk and Gaya islands of the local marine park, then there's the friendly staff who genuinely seem happy to see you and the family history that is woven into the place, oh and an awesome pool to boot, oh and amazingly friendly cats, the list goes on.
This is...
This is the second time I've stayed here, once in 2008 and now in 2016, both times I've left thinking what a special place this is, first of all there's the incredible view of Dinawan and several other islands including in the distance Manatuk and Gaya islands of the local marine park, then there's the friendly staff who genuinely seem happy to see you and the family history that is woven into the place, oh and an awesome pool to boot, oh and amazingly friendly cats, the list goes on.
This is...
Jamie
Hotel O Storytel
Hotel O StorytelDowntown Kota Kinabalu
10/10 Exceptional
Difficult to find - in shopping centre 3rd level, carpark, access by catgo lift. No useable WiFi even in lobby. Free flow drinking water top up. Good cable TV. Friendly staff. Centrally located, walkable to most places
Difficult to find - in shopping centre 3rd level, carpark, access by catgo lift. No useable WiFi even in lobby. Free flow drinking water top up. Good cable TV. Friendly staff. Centrally located, walkable to most places
Ngung Chia
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a cheap hotel in Sabah?
You'll find 27 budget hotels to choose from in Sabah. Remember to sort your results by "Price: low to high" when searching for the cheapest Sabah hotels.
- Take a look at the lowest price per night from £8
Are there cheap hotels in Sabah that offer free breakfast?
If you stay at a budget hotel in Sabah, that doesn't mean you have to miss out on a good meal to start your day. Escape Backpackers KK includes a free local cuisine breakfast. Kinabatangan Wildlife Lodge - Hostel also offers a complimentary buffet breakfast. Find more Sabah hotels with free breakfast when you select our "Breakfast included" filter.