InterContinental Sabah Kota Kinabalu Resort in Papar slated to open December 2027
Papars first five-star hotel, the InterContinental Sabah Kota Kinabalu Resort, is expected to start operations in December 2027, creating around 700 jobs.
The InterContinental Sabah Kota Kinabalu Resort, Papar's inaugural five-star hotel, is planned to open its doors in December 2027, with the full resort expected to be finished by 2028. Developed by Taiwan-based Sinyi Group on a site exceeding 80 acres, the RM1 billion venture partners with IHG Hotels & Resorts for management. As of September 2026, overall construction stands at roughly 34 percent, while the main hotel building is about 48 percent complete. The resort will contain 418 rooms and related accommodation units, and officials anticipate it will generate roughly 700 new jobs and stimulate ancillary sectors such as food, transport, and tourism services in the district.
Why it matters
The new luxury resort will create jobs and enhance Papar's tourism appeal, driving economic growth in the region.
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