The Jesselton Hotel

The Jesselton Hotel is a fine example of post-World War II recovery, brought about by British leadership, Chinese insight, and Malaysian tenacity. The hotel's name is taken from Jesselton, the city's colonial name before it was changed to Kota Kinabalu.

Before the war, the property that stood here was known as the Government Rest House, a basic structure of wood and tin roofs. In 1954, Sir Herbert Ralph Hone, Colonial Governor of Jesselton, sought to revive the city by encouraging a consortium of Chinese businessmen and investors from Hong Kong. Seeing the potential of the region, the consortium brought over architects, builders, and craftsmen from Hong Kong over to Sabah. Together with the locals, they constructed some of the first concrete buildings in Sabah, one of which is the Jesselton Hotel.

The hotel changed ownership sometime later in 1971, when it was purchased by Datuk Khoo Siak Chew and his consortium of timber magnates. They contracted Datuk Wong Tze Fatt to manage the hotel, who by then was already widely successful with his Gardenia brand of bread products. Realizing he also had a knack for being a hotelier, Datuk Wong Tze Fatt purchased the hotel and its property in 1978. He commissioned WAY Chartered Architects later in 1989 to renovate the building, resulting in the eye-catching Colonial design and aesthetics we see today.

Although the Jesselton Hotel was built in 1954, it follows a distinct style heavily inspired by British Colonial Hong Kong. This specific aesthetic was because of its original owners, who were businessfolk from Hong Kong. When Datuk Wong Tze Fatt acquired full ownership of the hotel in 1978, he retained the Colonial Canton style and embellished it further in 1989, with the help of WAY Chartered Architects.

Notable aspects of this architecture include simple yet stylish façades, large windows, with some rooms featuring a balcony. While the design retains straightforward structural lines, it doesn't shy away from decorative detail, unlike the sharp and imposing aura of brutalism.

Breakfast Set

Begin your day with a delicious and healthy morning meal, served at the Jesselton Hotel's lounge. Make sure to avail of the breakfast voucher one day prior. You'll choose from a menu of appetizers, mains, desserts, and beverages, so you'll have a bit of freedom on what you'd like to have the next morning. Options include Borneo nasi lemak, bagel sandwiches, and a continental-style set.

Availability: 7 am - 11 am

Pate Grill House

The Jesselton Hotel's partner restaurant, the newly opened Pate Grill House, can be accessed from the lobby. Dine on scrumptious flame-cooked treats such as their signature ayam bakar sambal hijo, which is a marinated chicken prepared with three sambals and side dishes. Also available are sizzling seafood plates, pastas, and steaks.

Opening hours: 11 am - 10 pm

With Jesselton Hotel's prime location, you'll have easy access to many of the city's scenic landmarks and attractions.

Familiarize yourself with the local culture by visiting cultural centers like the Mari Mari Cultural Village, and the Sabah State Museum & Heritage Village. The City Mosque and the Sabah State Mosque also welcome visitors at select hours, letting you admire their striking architecture and expressions of faith. There's also the St. Michael’s Church in Penampang, which serves the Catholic community of Kota Kinabalu and its surrounding towns.

If you'd like to take advantage of leisure activities, the concierge can assist with nature tours and city tours. You can add Mount Kinabalu treks and Kiulu White Water Rafting to your outdoor itinerary. You can also take a shopping trip to Gaya Street Sunday Market to look for souvenirs, gifts, and items to add to your collection.