The only international business-clas• hotel in town, in some ways the Hyatt seems a little out of place in cozy Kota Kinabalu. Still, its located close to the waterfront, near all major shopping ana travel operators, and has a fantastic assortment of restaurants to choose from. Even if you're staying elsewhere in town, you may appreciate one of their dining options. As modern as you would expect the Hyatr chain to be, rooms here are large, and are presented in up-to-date furnishing styles that are not so Western that they take all the charm away, from the room. Local tour and car-rental booking in the lobby make the place convenient for leisure travelers. One of the high points is Shenanigan's, the best bar in Kota Kinabalu, with live entertain¬ment. It gets packed, mostly with locals and expatriates out for a sip.

Listen to me rave about The Jesselton. It's such a nice surprise to find this quaint boutique hotel in the center of Kota Kinabalu, just about the last real reminder in this city of a colonial presence. Even more lovely is the level of personalized service you receive, and the comfort of the rooms, which, though completely modern, retain their charm with lovely Audubon-style inks and attractive wallpapers and fabrics-sort of a cross between a cozy guesthouse and a top-class hotel. Due to lack of space in the building, there's no pool, fitness center, or business center, but the staff at the front desk can help you with tour information and transportation. The coffee house serves local and Western food, which is quite good. The Gardenia Restau¬rant looks more upmarket than it really is.

basically,here in sabah there's enough to keep you busy for about 6 moths solid.Every time I leave,I Have a list of about 50 million things I'ms dying to do when I return.

Borneo Action Adventure Center also puts together great mountain-biking trips.The Kinabalu and borneo 6-day/5 night trip takes you to the deepest interior village in sabah and to many sights along the way.If you're up to it,their Hardcore Mountain BIke Adventure will really kick your butt with 14 days of biking all over the territory,interspersed with a climb up Mount Kinabalu and white-water rafting on the Padas River.