The ninth Hilton Worldwide property in Malaysia, the 313-room Hilton Kota Kinabalu will also be the fifth Hilton Hotels & Resorts branded hotel in the country, scheduled to open in 2015.
 
"We are delighted to fly yet another Hilton Hotels & Resorts flag in Malaysia. With more than 550 hotels across six continents, we continue to build upon our legacy as the world's leading hotel brand by developing products and services to meet the needs of tomorrow's savvy global travelers while our team members shape experiences designed to make every guest feel cared for, valued and respected," said Rob Palleschi, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. "Given its prime location in the city center, Hilton Kota Kinabalu will welcome guests to this great city in Sabah with the world-class hospitality synonymous with the brand."
 
The 12-story Hilton Kota Kinabalu is strategically located in the central business district of Kota Kinabalu along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and boasts 313 spacious guestrooms, including 17 suites with views overlooking lush greenery and city views of Kota Kinabalu.
 
"We have been operating in Malaysia for over 30 years, and Hilton Kota Kinabalu will be our ninth property in this great country. As the capital city of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu acts as the main industrial and commercial center for the state. With a strong partner like Pekah Hotels Sdn. Bhd., we are confident that Hilton Kota Kinabalu will set the benchmark for quality hospitality experiences catering to both domestic and international travelers," said Andrew Clough, senior vice president, development, Middle East & Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.

"This signing marks our first partnership with Hilton Worldwide and combines the expertise of a truly global, award-winning hospitality company with strong local market expertise. Kota Kinabalu is a key leisure destination in Malaysia and we are confident that Hilton Kota Kinabalu is in a great position to take advantage of this growing market," said Dato' Steven Tan, chief executive officer, Pekah Hotels Sdn. Bhd.
 
Hilton Kota Kinabalu will offer an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty rooftop restaurant adjacent to the rooftop pool and a lounge bar. Offering a total of 2,500 square meters of event space including a 1,000-square meter ballroom, the hotel will have an 8-story car park which offers convenient parking for patrons. It will also have a business center, a health club and a spa.
 
Kota Kinabalu is a popular getaway destination as it offers a number of tourism attractions and Kota Kinabalu International Airport welcomed 2.9 million passengers in 2012. Kinabalu National Park, Malaysia's first World Heritage Site, is one of the main tourist attractions and is where the majestic Mount Kinabalu is located. One of the highest mountains in South East Asia standing at 4095.2 meters, it attracts thousands of climbers from around the world every year. Furthermore, the internationally famous island of Sipadan is in the world's top five dive sites. Apart from the tourist attractions, Kota Kinabalu is a key industrial and commercial hub for East Malaysia.