Avani Hotels & Resorts continues to expand the brand presence in Asia with an agreement with KTI Property to manage a hotel in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, Malaysia.

Kota Kinabalu, better known as “KK” among locals, is the vibrant capital of Malaysia’s Sabah state, blending old world charm with a cosmopolitan multi-ethnicity.

This unique mix of cultures resonates in KK’s sights, sounds, and, of course, flavours.

KK boasts beautiful landscapes such as the highest peak in south-east Asia - Mount Kinabalu, a UNESCO World Heritage site - as well as Kinabalu National Park that shelters such diverse native flora and fauna as the orangutan and sun bear.

Scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter of 2021, the newly built Avani Kota Kinabalu Hotel will be just a 20-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu International Airport, one of the busiest airports in Malaysia with international flights from Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, as well as China.

As part of a mixed-use development with retail, office, and condominium complex, guests will find a wide range of dining and entertainment options just steps away in the heart of Sabah’s capital on Jalan Lintas.

Avani Kota Kinabalu will open with 378 new keys.

Alejandro Bernabé, vice president of operations for Avani Hotels & Resorts said: “We are excited to expand our Malaysia portfolio with this second property, and especially to have it in Kota Kinabalu.

“KK is a well-known business and leisure destination, and AVANI Kota Kinabalu Hotel will put guests in the centre of everything.”

AVANI currently operates 23 hotels and resorts in 15 countries, including one in Malaysia.