by AFIQ HANIF
THE brand new Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu marks the debut of Hyatt Hyatt Hotels Corp’s rapidly growing lifestyle brand in Malaysia and South-East Asia.
The 222-room hotel is centrally located in the heart of the city’s lively dining and entertainment district, providing a convenient home-base for adventurous foreign explorers and locals alike to discover authentic experiences and hidden gems in Sabah.
Talking exclusively to The Malaysian Reserve, its GM Ruben Schrijver said domestic travellers are the hotel’s main target at the moment.
“Since we are a brand new hotel opening for the first time in Malaysia, at this point in time, we are not able to provide a targeted revenue. However, what I can say is that we will continue to depend largely on domestic travellers as this is something that will remain strong,” he said.
Schrijver believes the hotel has started to see international arrivals making a comeback, particularly from Korea and Singapore, eager to traverse the coastal capital of Sabah on the island of Borneo.
“Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu truly embraces the city’s flourishing cultural and culinary scenes, from our ON22 restaurant and ON23 rooftop bar serving Asian cuisines using home-grown ingredients and locally inspired craft cocktails respectively, to guided tours of the colourful street art in the neighbourhood, led by our hotel team.”
Savvy and Young Explorers
Schrijver said the guests will know that they can rely on an experience inside the hotel that will serve as a launching pad to explore the outside.
“For instance, one of the world’s best places to watch the sunset is Kota Kinabalu. This laidback coastal city in East Malaysia offers a range of tourist attractions, from island-hopping at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, bird-watching, golfing to relaxing coffee breaks at Gaya Street.
“We call our guests the savvy explorers, we define them as a group of travellers where the hotel is the hub of their experience, connecting them to unique experiences, the best of what the destination has to offer, experiences that lead to great stories,” he said.
He deemed sav v y explorers as a truly savvy, curious group who want to tap into what’s hot, fresh and exciting wherever they are. Their expectations are simple, but their standards are high. They want their experiences to be intuitive and smart. They are smart with their money and appreciate good value.
“They are the travel experts within their circles, who everyone looks to for travel advice and tips. Our travellers are people like yourself, the millennials and Gen Z who seek local adventure, culture and hipster spots shared by our passionate Sabahan team,” he told the writer.
Schrijver said many young people are concerned about prices when it comes to booking a hotel, yet they still want it to be exclusive.
“I believe everyone is looking for great service, clean rooms and an unforgettable experience, while making sure all these come at good value for money. Travellers to Sabah who stay with us at the Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu can expect just that, and even more,” he said.
The hotel has an opening offer of 15% off BAR rate, which includes breakfast, late check-out till 3pm and guided street art tour. Book by Dec 31, 2022, for stays till April 30, 2023.
World of Hyatt members can earn 500 Bonus Points for qualifying nights at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, from Oct 20, 2022, to Jan 31, 2023.
The Hotel
The 23-storey Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu features modern guest rooms with balconies. It has an infinity pool, a duplex restaurant and a bar on the rooftop, with sweeping views overlooking Signal Hill, the islands at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and the South China Sea.
The hotel is just steps away from shopping hotspots and the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, where guests can take a short 20-minute boat trip to surround-
ing islands to enjoy white sandy beaches and underwater activities. It is in close proximity to the Sabah International Convention Centre with Kota Kinabalu International Airport a 15-minute drive away.
Set against the lush backdrop of Signal Hill, the hotel’s contemporary, inviting architecture and interiors by globally renowned architect Kengo Kuma reflects the heritage of Sabah.
The interior design is inspired by the majestic jungles of Borneo, with bamboo found in the lobby representing the vegetation on the forest floor, while the greenery-accented rooftop creates the sense of being at the canopy overlooking the blue waters and verdant hills.
“In my opinion, Malaysia is a beautiful country as there is so much to showcase here, the country’s identity and uniqueness, along with its multiracial heritage, great variety of food, as well as unique destinations and places of interest too.
“This is the reason why Hyatt has six Hyatt-managed hotels (including the newly opened Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu) in Malaysia — Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, Hyatt House Kuala Lumpur Mont Kiara, Hyatt Regency Kuantan Resort, Hyatt Regency Kinabalu and Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur,” Schrijver said.
He also believes this is a true testament that Malaysia is an ideal destination to have representations of Hyatt hotels in the country.
“Malaysia is generally a relatively easy country to navigate, whether you are travelling as a family, on business or even solo. People generally speak English, so it is easy to communicate and to get around. In Sabah for instance, English is widely spoken,” he said.
“I am also very excited to introduce the use of mobile entry in the hotel, which allows our guests to enter their rooms using their mobile phones. Our guest rooms and suites also offer in-room cast- ing solutions, which allow our guests to stream their personal content on the TVs,” he added.
In addition to this, Hyatt uses a chatbot to assist with guest requests.
Just Chilling
Together, the ON22 restaurant and ON23 bar form Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu’s duplex dining destination, immersing guests in vibrant Asian flavours and creative beverages, alongside mesmerising views from day to night.
Featuring indoor and outdoor patio seating, complete with a live kitchen, ON22’s “Dining in the Gardens” theme features three distinct spaces: “Sea-Forest”, framed with sweeping sights of the sea and the lush hills; “Wood Garden”, where the décor and greenery is inspired by the tropical rainforest in Borneo; and “Dry Garden” with its large boulders, stone floors and cinnamon-coloured wooden panels which pay tribute to Malaysia’s mighty Mount Kinabalu. The latter has an exclusive section that can be used for intimate events.
Connecting ON22 restaurant to ON23 rooftop bar is a show-stopping curved centrepiece staircase leading guests to a light-filled ambiance with floor-to-ceiling windows. The lounge boasts modern furnishings with wood finishes and granite. A perfect spot for sundown, ON23 is ideal for after-work drinks as well as daytime relaxation, where guests can choose from craft cock- tails and ciders, as well as shared plates and snacks.
Adjacent to the bar is the double-edged infinity rooftop pool, which offers an incredible view of the hills connecting to the sea. Guests who wish to keep up with their wellness routine on the road can also make use of the 24-hour fitness centre.
Screened by bamboo and calming water from the street entrance, The Lounge in the lobby is an inviting social space for travellers and local guests to enjoy quick bites and beverages. It is also home to a pop-up artisan corner.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Sabah’s capital you might want to consider Hyatt-Centric Kota Kinabalu. The Land Below the Wind offers exceptional nature-based experiences and one of the oldest rainforests in the world.
Its Kinabalu Park is Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site designated by Unesco.
There are a variety of adventures on offer, including viewing Orangutans in the wild, diving at Sipadan and Mabul islands, climbing the iconic Mount Kinabalu, or going on a thrilling four-wheel drive adventure.
- This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition