The LUMA Hotel
Urban creative design hotel — warm earthy tones, local art rotating through the lobby, Sabahan music playlists, jewel-toned sofas. Not a beach resort. Not a jungle lodge. This is a city hotel for people who care about interiors and good coffee.
Book a higher floor for partial sea views through the green-tiled bathroom's pivoting panels
Why It Matters
Kota Kinabalu's first Design Hotels member and first Michelin-listed hotel in North Borneo. Award-winner for Best Luxury Design Hotel and Best Architecture Design Hotel (International Travel Awards 2023) and Best Design Hotel in Malaysia (Haute Grandeur 2023). Architect Seshan Design, who transformed a recycled office building, embedded local materials throughout — from the Sabahan wood staircase to marble-inlaid steps symbolizing the world meeting Sabah.
The LUMA Hotel opened in January 2022 inside a converted office building on Kota Kinabalu's main strip — and it's done something genuinely interesting with the space. Local design firm Seshan Design transformed the shell into a creative, locally rooted hotel with a signature spiral staircase of Sabahan wood in the lobby, artist-polished concrete floors, and a western facade that catches the Sabah sunset in rose gold. The name comes from the Bajau word for 'home,' and the hotel actually earns it: guestrooms follow Japanese-inspired lines with Sarsi wood wardrobes, green-tiled bathrooms with pivoting skyline panels, and oakwood floors. The ground floor pulls in the wider city with four distinct restaurant and café concepts, all with local pricing.
Where You'll Stay
7 room types available
Eden Deluxe
The first room type designed for four guests. At 40+ sqm with two Queen beds and a rocking chair, it's the go-to for families or friend groups. Elegant design, comfortable for longer stays.
2 Queen · 40 sqm
Emerald Original
The mid-tier pick for couples who want real space. At 38+ sqm it's a comfortable size for two, with the same design language — Japanese lines, Sarsi wood wardrobes, oakwood floors. Higher floors offer glimpses of the South China Sea through those pivoting bathroom panels.
Super King or Hollywood Twin · 38 sqm
Family Extraordinary
The biggest room in the house at 51+ sqm. Two Queen beds, four-person occupancy, and enough space to actually feel like you're not sharing a box. The name is a bit of marketing hyperbole, but the size is genuinely exceptional for KK city-center hotels.
2 Queen · 51 sqmFern Cosy
The entry-level room, and at 23 sqm it's honest about its size — compact but well-designed. Olive green and white palette, curving wood-paneled walls, earthy color scheme. The Fern Cosy is also disability-accessible, making it the most inclusive option in the lineup.
King or Hollywood Twin · 23 sqmGrass Standard
A step up in size — 30+ sqm gives you noticeably more breathing room. Japanese-inspired lines, light oakwood floors, bespoke Sarsi wood wardrobe. Green-tiled bathroom with the signature pivoting panel.
Super King or Hollywood Twin · 30 sqmGreen Luxury Family
The largest two-Queen option at 47+ sqm, with a proper sitting area. Jewel-toned green palette stays consistent with the hotel's design language. Good for a family that wants to actually spread out — or a group of four that doesn't want to be tripping over luggage.
2 Queen · 47 sqm
Palm Marvellous
This one has a standalone bathtub — which makes a real difference — plus large glass brick windows for a distinct sense of light and privacy. Disabled accessible. If you want a special-occasion room for two, this is the pick. Design Hotels singles it out as the venue for the hotel's photoshoot package.
King or Hollywood Twin · 34 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
4 venues on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Specialty coffee from Crack Inc. roastery with handcrafted espresso-based drinks and creative coffee mocktails inspired by Sabah's nature. A good low-key activity for a morning in the city.
Happy hour cocktail and drinks specials at the JOJO Gastrobar, open to hotel guests and the public. A popular evening hangout for locals and travelers alike.
The hotel facilitates tailor-made corporate meetings, board sessions, workshops, and private gatherings in dedicated event spaces.
Personal training sessions available at Absolute Fitness gym at a special rate. InBody body composition scanning also available.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Tailor-made meeting and event spaces for mid-sized workshops, board meetings, conferences, or gatherings.
Free high-speed WiFi throughout the hotel in public areas and all guestrooms. Marriott Bonvoy members booking direct get complimentary in-room internet access.
The lobby hosts a rotating collection of local Sabahan artwork, part of the hotel's commitment to supporting local creative talent.
The hotel lobby plays curated playlists by Sabahan musicians, including a collaboration with local sound artist MKNK.
A boutique gym branded 'Absolute Fitness' with a premier and personalized fitness offering. Includes treadmills, ellipticals, rowing machines, free weights, dumbbells/barbells, weight machines, and strength equipment. Also offers InBody scanning and personal training at a special rate. Lockers provided.
Complimentary water dispensers located on each guest floor. Note: they're easy to miss as signage is minimal — look outside your room door.
An on-site surau (Muslim prayer room) available for guests.
Round-the-clock front desk assistance with concierge services and luggage storage.
Laundry and dry cleaning services available for guests.
On-site private parking garage available for guests.
BUILD YOUR THE LUMA HOTEL PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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