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Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeTrip ReviewsHOTEL REVIEWSLe Meridien Kota Kinabalu vs. The Hyatt Regency

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu vs. The Hyatt Regency

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu Hotel Review is part of The Year of the Monkey Trip Report which covers the following places:


Getting There: Do not take a taxi from the Hyatt KK. The taxis have a minimum 10 ringgit charge. Uber is 3 ringgit. From the airport, go with Uber as well.


What’s a vacation without switching hotels every day? Looking to requalify for Hyatt Diamond, I switched to Le Meridien for one night and am glad that I did.

The Location 

You can walk from the Hyatt to Le Meridien with the former being closer to the port and the latter being closer to KK nightlife. Both are in great locations. If you want to get a head start on selfie stick island hopping, stay at the Hyatt.

Winner: Even

The Hotel Itself 

This might be a slight exaggeration, but from the outside, Le Meridien looks like it belongs on South Beach. The inside is massive and was nicely decorated for Christmas. The Hyatt looks a bit dated from the exterior.

Le Meridien
Le Meridien
Hyatt Regency Kota Kinabalu
Hyatt Regency Kota Kinabalu
Le Meridien
Le Meridien
Le Meridien
Le Meridien
Le Meridien: lobby
Le Meridien: lobby
Le Meridien: Lounge area
Le Meridien: Lounge area

Winner: Le Meridien 

The Room 

Le Meridien’s room was nice but the Hyatt was newer and more Park Hyatt-esque.

Hyatt Regency: Room
Hyatt Regency: Room
Hyatt Regency: Room
Hyatt Regency: Room
Hyatt Regency: Bathroom
Hyatt Regency: Bathroom
Le Meridien: Room
Le Meridien: Room
Le Meridien: Room
Le Meridien: Room
Le Meridien: Room
Le Meridien: Room
Le Meridien: Room
Le Meridien: Room
Le Meridien: Room
Le Meridien: Room
Le Meridien: Room
Le Meridien: Room
Le Meridien: Room
Le Meridien: Room
Le Meridien: Bathroom
Le Meridien: Bathroom
Le Meridien: Bathroom
Le Meridien: Bathroom
Le Meridien: Bathroom
Le Meridien: Bathroom
Le Meridien: Bathroom
Le Meridien: Bathroom
Le Meridien: Bathroom
Le Meridien: Bathroom

Winner: Hyatt Regency

The View

I was given a sea view room at Le Meridien but was not high enough to appreciate the view. The first night at Hyatt I had a city view. On my second stay, I had a sea view room but it was rainy that day. The winner in this category is based on the view from the lounge. The panoramic view from Le Meridien gives its the edge. See for yourself:

Le Meridien: View from room
Le Meridien: View from room
Le Meridien: Club lounge
Le Meridien: Club lounge view
Le Meridien: The view
Le Meridien: Club lounge view
Le Meridien: Lounge
Le Meridien: Club lounge view
Hyatt Regency: Club lounge view
Hyatt Regency: Club lounge view, not bad either.

Winner: Le Meridien 

The Pool 

Rooftop pool or ground level pool? Le Meridien’s pool was not on the roof but it was a few floors up which made for a great place to catch the sunset.

Hyatt Regency: Pool
Hyatt Regency: Pool
Le Meridien: Pool
Le Meridien: Pool
Le Meridien: Pool
Le Meridien: Pool
Le Meridien: Pool
Le Meridien: Pool
Le Meridien: Pool
Le Meridien: Pool
Le Meridien: Pool
Le Meridien: Pool

Winner: Le Meridien 

The Lounge

I only went to Le Meridien’s lounge to do some work so I cannot compare the happy hour. With great soup, drinks, and service, the Hyatt wins by default.

Le Meridien: Club lounge
Le Meridien: Club lounge
Regency Lounge
Hyatt Regency: Club lounge
I combined the chili with the soup, it was delicious.
Hyatt Regency: Club lounge

Winner: Hyatt 

The Breakfast

Le Meridien gave me the option of having breakfast in the lounge or in the main restaurant. Obviously, I chose the latter and am glad that I did. The selection was incredible as were the donuts.

Hyatt Regency: Breakfast
Hyatt Regency: Breakfast
Hyatt Regency: Breakfast
Hyatt Regency: Breakfast
Le Meridien: Breakfast
Le Meridien: Breakfast
Le Meridien: Breakfast
Le Meridien: Breakfast
Le Meridien: Breakfast
Le Meridien: Breakfast
Le Meridien: Breakfast
Le Meridien: Breakfast
Le Meridien: Pink guava
Le Meridien: Pink guava
Le Meridien: Western Family hot sauce in KK?
Le Meridien: Western Family hot sauce in KK?
Le Meridien: Breakfast
Le Meridien: Breakfast
Le Meridien: Breakfast
Le Meridien: Breakfast
Le Meridien: Breakfast
Le Meridien: Breakfast
Le Meridien: Breakfast
Le Meridien: Breakfast
Le Meridien: Breakfast
Le Meridien: Breakfast

Winner: Le Meridien 

The Price 

I paid $140 for Le Meridien because it made no sense to use 7,000 points. At Hyatt, I used 2500 points and paid $40 for a room that costs $175.

Winner: Hyatt 

The Service 

As a Hyatt diamond, I checked in on the club floor. As I wrote in the Hyatt review the staff was great and remembered my name when I returned for my second stay. They were nice at Le Meridien but not in the same way as Hyatt.

Winner: Hyatt

Overall

You can’t go wrong by staying at either hotel. If you love breakfast, stay at Le Meridien. If you want personal service, stay at Hyatt.

Winner: A Mike Wilbon, push. Sorry Tony. 

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