Kota Kinabalu, Sabah’s state capital in Malaysia, is a must-visit destination for all backpackers and adventurers alike. Not only is the city home to natural beauty, but it’s also the perfect base for those looking to climb Mount Kinabalu.
With tons of hostels and accommodation options, Kota Kinabalu offers an excellent opportunity for travelers to explore Malaysia’s culture and environment at great prices. The majority of hostels are centralized, so you’ll never be too far from the action.
To help you find the best hostel that suits your needs, we’ve compiled a list of the best 3 hostels in Kota Kinabalu.
Our favorite hostels in Kota Kinabalu are:
- Homy Seafront Hostel - best for Couples
- Faloe Hostel - best for Social butterflies
- Akinabalu Youth Hostel - best for Backpackers
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
1. Homy Seafront Hostel
2. Faloe Hostel
3. Akinabalu Youth Hostel
If you’re planning on hopping around in Malaysia, we have other guides, like one on the best hostels in Kuala Lumpur, one on the best hostels in Penang, and the coolest hostels in Langkawi.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
What do we cover in this article?
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Kota Kinabalu
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Kota Kinabalu cost $4 – $9 per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room has an average of around $24 per night. This is a rough average, just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on the season and holidays. Please always check the exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.
Check-In and Check-Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3 pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11 am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
The 3 Best Hostels in Kota Kinabalu are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Kota Kinabalu.
- Homy Seafront Hostel – best for Couples
- Faloe Hostel – best for Social butterflies
- Akinabalu Youth Hostel – best for Backpackers
These are our favorite hostels in Kota Kinabalu. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.
1. Homy Seafront Hostel
2. Faloe Hostel
3. Akinabalu Youth Hostel
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 👩❤️👨 Couple Hostel: | Homy Seafront Hostel |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Homy Seafront Hostel |
| 👫 For Socializing: | Faloe Hostel |
| 🎒 for Backpacker: | Akinabalu Youth Hostel |
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Faloe Hostel |
1. Homy Seafront Hostel
Among the variety of hostels for you to browse through, Homy Seafront Hostel can give you one of the best experiences of staying in the city. It’s also our top hostel in Kota Kinabalu for couples.
It is situated in an excellent area close to the most popular points of interest in Kota Kinabalu. It offers wonderful accommodation and affordable pricing.
Here, beds are incredibly cozy – which is something we all need after walking around and exploring the city the entire day.
Their staff is friendly and can help you with anything you need. The rooms are more than comfortable – you have all the amenities you need, and best of all – the internet is incredibly fast!
If you stay here, you’ll get to enjoy a scenic view while you and your partner enjoy a lovely cup of coffee and biscuits in the morning.
The best choice in Kota Kinabalu for
- Couples
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. Faloe Hostel
Faloe Hostel is located in the city’s center, close to the waterfront: it is the perfect location for all those who want to feel like they are in the middle of everything Kota Kinabalu has to offer.
This hostel is known for having a great shuttle service and a rental service. They offer a shared lounge and a laundry service, and WiFi is available throughout the property.
This is a neat and organized accommodation where you can find plenty of activities and things to do. The atmosphere is always warm and welcoming, giving the feeling of always being at home.
It’s also very friendly and familiar, which makes it a great hostel to meet other travelers and potentially make new friends.
A great choice for
- Social butterflies
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. Akinabalu Youth Hostel
Clean, neat, and ready to accommodate you – this is the definition of Akinabalu Youth Hostel .
Located in one of the best parts of the city, you can choose whether you want to share a room or have a private one. Depending on your preferences and budget, you can enjoy variations in the cooling options for each room – you get a fan or AC.
All the greenery surrounding the hostel will make you feel like you are waking up in nature. Bars and restaurants overwhelm this area, so you will not have an issue going out at night and looking far for a place to dine.
It is an incredibly clean and comfortable space where you can rest before moving to your next destination.
This is one of the best hostels in Kota Kinabalu for
- Backpackers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Best Hostels in Kota Kinabalu for Solo Travelers?
We think that the best hostel in Kota Kinabalu is Faloe Hostel .
It has great facilities that will make you feel like you’re staying home rather than at an accommodation, and the atmosphere is sure to make you feel relaxed and comfortable.
Their location is also great for exploring Kota Kinabalu.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
More Hostels worth a mention
At the moment, we think you are all set with the hostels we just shared with you. We always try to keep our guides super fresh and up to date. We might add more hostels worth a mention here in the future if we feel that it could enrich your travel and hostel experience.
What about the cheapest hostels in Kota Kinabalu?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Kota Kinabalu.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Kota Kinabalu
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.
It is completely free to join!
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Kota Kinabalu best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Need an eSIM Card for Kota Kinabalu?
Get your eSIM Card with Airalo.com instantly online. It is easy to set up and cheap! Read our review of Airalo here.
No more searching for mobile stores. Get your eSIM Card for now and enjoy it instantly after landing in your new destination.
Our Favorite Hostels in Kota Kinabalu put on a map + sights
We’re listing all the three best Kota Kinabalu hostels on a map to give you an idea of the location and distances between them.
We also have a few suggestions for things to do in Kota Kinabalu:
The TARP islands: are an archipelago that comprises five islands. Their names are Gaya, Sulug, Sapi, Manukan, and Mamutik. Once you get to these islands, there are a variety of activities for you to choose from. Start by diving and snorkelling, and then continue with parasailing, jet skiing, and hiking!
A river cruise: If you love exploring and appreciate wildlife, going on a river cruise will open up many possibilities to spot some incredible animal species that you otherwise wouldn’t see anywhere else in the world!
Mount Kinabalu: Listed by UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the best sites in the world This is a mountain filled with flora and fauna, so if you are a person that loves experiencing the great outdoors, hike through it and allow yourself to be bewildered by nature.
Biking: is always a good way to get around, and if you are not very fond of walking, getting a bike and exploring the city is the best way to cover more ground.
Any questions about hostels in Kota Kinabalu? 🤔
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Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked question:
What is the best hostel in Kota Kinabalu for solo travelers?
The best hostels in Kota Kinabalu for solo travelers is:
What are the best hostels in Kota Kinabalu?
The best hostels in Kota Kinabalu are:
- Homy Seafront Hostel – best for Couples
- Faloe Hostel – best for Social butterflies
- Akinabalu Youth Hostel – best for Backpackers
What hostel in Kota Kinabalu have nice views?
One great hostel in Kota Kinabalu with a nice view is:
Akinabalu Youth Hostel
Any questions about hostels in Kota Kinabalu?
🤔Join our Facebook Group!
Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
Flights to Kota Kinabalu?
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
More handmade Guides for you
So this was your guide to the best hostels in Kota Kinabalu.
For more cool hostel guides around Malaysia and nearby countries, check out:
- best hostels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- best hostels in Penang, Malaysia
- best Hostels in Langkawi, Malaysia
- best hostels in Ubud, Bali
- 3 best hostels in Phuket, Thailand
- 3 best hostels in Bangkok, Thailand
- Best hostels in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
- Best Hostels in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
- 3 best hostels in Singapore
Find all our hostel guides around the world here.
Over to you
Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!
Your question will help us to improve this Kota Kinabalu guide.
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.
Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks
