Following the devastation of Jesselton (present-day
Kota Kinabalu) after the
World War II, the
British Colonial governor of Jesselton, Sir Herbert
Ralph Hone encouraged
British Hong Kong Chinese businessmen to invest and rebuild Jesselton town. The hotel was built at the 69 Bond Street (present-day
Gaya Street) in 1954. The hotel was then sold to Sabah Chinese leader Khoo Siak Chew who then transferred the hotel management to Wong Tze Fatt, who is the founder of Southeast Asia Gardenia Bread brand. Under the management of Wong, the hotel undergoing a series of renovation. == Notable guests ==