Gaya Island Resort

Situated on the island of Pulau Gaya, in a marine conservation area, just a 15-minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu is the exclusive Gaya Island Resort

Why you'll love it here

  • Nestled in the hillside of an ancient rainforest with a stunning outline of Mount Kinabalu on the horizon
  • Keep an eye out for the rare proboscis monkey, along with the island's many other characterful inhabitants
  • Explore verdant rainforests and a fine sandy beach with a vibrant house reef
  • Take educational hiking trails through the surrounding wilderness
  • Set amidst lush mangroves, Spa Village Gaya Island is a tranquil hideaway and the treatments utilise only the finest fresh local ingredients.

Nick

Travel Specialist

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Full accommodation information

On the beautiful island of Pulau Gaya in Borneo, one of the five islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, with far-reaching views to the city of Kota Kinabalu.

Gaya Island Resort rests along the coast of Malohom Bay, a natural sanctuary nestled in the hillside of an ancient rainforest with a stunning outline of Mount Kinabalu on the horizon.

Built to beautifully merge with its protected natural environment, this Small Luxury Hotels of the World resort refuses to take centre stage giving way to the century-old jungle, pristine beaches and protected corals. It is luxurious yet understated. Accommodation offered includes hillside villas and a suite with simple décor and a range of modern facilities designed for true comfort offering either mangrove, rainforest or sea views.

You may have seen the Gaya Island resort and the positive environmental impact that the resort has on Judi Dench's Wild Borneo Adventure on ITV.

Privacy at Gaya Island

The resort offers total privacy where guests can relax in the idyllic beach, around the large pool complete with floating cabanas or in the cooling library with a good book. Should you prefer, choose an activity from water sports, snorkelling in the house reef, hiking through the jungle, to cooking lessons.

Following a day of exploration, there is no better way to unwind than with a treatment at the dedicated Spa Village, set amidst lush mangroves. Fresh local Malaysian ingredients are used in every treatment, and the spa programme includes rice scrubs and masks, and age-old practices of the Bajau sea nomads.

Dining at Gaya Island Resort

A celebration of flavours from around the world is what guests can expect from the dining scene, and each of the restaurants boasts a unique viewpoint within the resort.

Fisherman’s Cove presents fine dining, seafood-themed dishes and spectacular views of Mount Kinabalu, whilst Omakase is an intimate two-storey Japanese restaurant offering teppanyaki dining experiences, as well as shabu-shabu and nabe upon request.

For something really special, take a short boat ride to Tavajun Bay and enjoy a specially prepared picnic on a private Gaya Island beach.
 
Please Note: Gaya Island Resort in Malaysian Borneo is committed to ecologically-sustainable practices. As such the resort is a walking resort with minimal motorised vehicles used for operational purposes only.

Set deep in the resort’s lush rainforest the Gaya Island accommodation comprises of 120 elegantly designed hillside villas and a two-bedroom suite offering comfort, peace and warmth just a footstep away from a natural wonderland.

Bayu Villa

Bayu Villa

All of the Villas at Gaya Island Resort are set against the hillside and are the same in size (47 sqm), facilities and decor. Bayu Villas are situated on a hillside amidst rainforest, with views of the rainforest canopy or over the mangroves. Connecting villas are possible.
Canopy Villa

Canopy Villa

The Canopy Villas are set amongst the tropical mangroves, with a selection of rooms that are located closer to the resort's main facilities..
Suria Suite

Suria Suite

The Suria Suite occupies two levels: with a lounge, dining room, TV room and pantry downstairs; features two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms upstairs. Ocean views towards Mount Kinabalu can be enjoyed from the large outdoor veranda
Kinabalu Villa

Kinabalu Villa

The Kinabalu Villas are also situated hillside amidst the rainforest and enjoy views across the South China Sea towards Mount Kinabalu.
  • Feast like a local chieftain on skewered fresh local fish grilled campfire-style washed down with the famous Kadazan rice wine, at the weekly Borneo tribal-style beach barbecues.
  • Explore the depths of Sabahan cuisine with a cooking class hosted by the skilled chef. Guests will be offered the chance to visit the small market to buy their own produce too.
  • The sunsets here are simply mesmerising and there is no better way to see them than with a glass of wine onboard the resort’s own luxury yacht. Take a cruise as the sun sets on another day in paradise.

Want to know more?

Call our Travel Specialists for a chat with our Borneo experts. They'll share their first-hand insights so you can find your perfect holiday.

Monday - Friday: 9am - 7:30pm

Saturday: 9am - 5pm

Sunday: 10am - 4pm

 

Nick

Travel Specialist

Not sure where to stay in Borneo? I'm here to help. Give me a call and I'll share my first-hand insights to find your perfect spot.

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We have a full team of Travel Specialists with their own personal knowledge of Borneo. Give them a call today.

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Monday - Friday: 9am - 7:30pm

Saturday: 9am - 5pm

Sunday: 10am - 4pm

 

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