Kota Kinabalu (Feb 5) - Minor Hotels has strengthened its leadership team in Sabah with the appointment of Winston Gong as General Manager of Avani Kota Kinabalu, as preparations intensify for the hotel’s scheduled opening in the second quarter of 2026. The move is aimed at accelerating the property’s commercial readiness and shaping its service standards ahead of launch.
Winston brings wide-ranging international hospitality experience, having held senior leadership roles across Australia, Asia and the Middle East. His career includes overseeing new hotel openings, managing operational recovery programmes and driving performance-focused strategies in both urban and resort settings. He is known for delivering improvements in revenue, profitability and guest satisfaction, alongside effective stakeholder and owner engagement.
Prior to this appointment, Winston led Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay as General Manager, where he achieved consistent year-on-year growth and strengthened market positioning while reinforcing brand and operational alignment. His earlier roles include senior positions at Holiday Inn Sydney St Marys and Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, as well as involvement in several pre-opening and major renovation projects across the region.
At Avani Kota Kinabalu, Winston will be responsible for the full operations of the 352-room hotel, which includes 22 suites, a range of food and beverage concepts and dedicated meeting facilities. The hotel forms part of The Logg integrated development and is designed to cater to both leisure and business travellers, offering convenient access to retail outlets, dining options and efficient connectivity to Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
The property will feature a Chinese restaurant with an adjoining tea room highlighting regional flavours, an all-day dining outlet serving international cuisine, a lobby lounge and a SEEN Rooftop Bar. Guest facilities will also include a rooftop infinity pool, a 24-hour gym and four meeting rooms. Located in Luyang, the hotel is approximately 13 minutes from the airport, making it suitable for short stays as well as extended visits.
For Sabahans, the opening of Avani Kota Kinabalu represents more than just a new hotel. It is expected to create employment opportunities, support local suppliers and strengthen Kota Kinabalu’s position as a growing tourism and business hub. The addition of an internationally managed property also enhances the city’s hospitality offering, potentially attracting higher visitor traffic and contributing to broader economic activity in the state.
Minor Hotels, which operates over 640 hotels, resorts and branded residences across 59 countries, continues to expand its footprint through a diverse portfolio of well-known brands. The group is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance and participates in the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty ecosystem through its Minor DISCOVERY programme, connecting Sabah’s hospitality sector to a wider global travel network.