Gaya Island Resort sits on a stunning tropical island just off the coast of Borneo. The resort is surrounded by jungle and leads down to beautiful white sand beaches. Modern, tropical, and very stylish in design, the hotel consists of several buildings on stilts that reach up into the rainforest canopy.
Service is friendly and efficient, with staff willing to go the extra mile to ensure that you have a fantastic time at their resort. With 121 rooms, there is a buzzing atmosphere here, as people enjoy their surroundings and swap tales of their adventures, but the resort also maintains a calm and peaceful environment.
who's been there
Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our Borneo specialists at 1-855-838-2120
Rooms
The spacious rooms have a smart, modern decor that also makes use of local materials and elements in their design. Each offers an outdoor verandah with day beds and amenities such as a flat screen TV, minibar, coffee and tea making facilities and a safe.
Location
Gaya Island Resort is located on Pulau Gaya, the largest of a cluster of five islands that form the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. It overlooks the white sand beach, backed by lush rainforest, while the two house coral reefs lie just offshore. The hilly landscape is covered with an abundance of plants and is home much of the island's unique wildlife, while the stunning outline of Mount Kinabalu is visible in the distance. The resort's private beach at Tavajun Bay is five minutes away by speed boat.
Food and Drink
Feast Village, located by the lap pool, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu has a range of diverse dishes from the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, with three kitchens and a wine cellar.
Fisherman's Cove is on the resort's rooftop and has far reaching views out over the sea, serving fresh seafood. A fine dining option, it caters for guests aged 16 and over.
Omakase is a two-story Japanese restaurant perched on the hillside, with a fantastic view of Malohom Bay and Mount Kinabalu on the horizon. It serves three types of Japanese omakase-style cuisines, including teppanyaki, shabu-shabu and nabe.
Tavajun Bay is a short five minute boat ride from the resort, set on a tranquil private beach. Here they serve up single dishes in skillets that are cooked on charcoal fires, with menus changing daily. Another alternative is to order a personalized gourmet picnic and spend the afternoon relaxing with a few of your favorite snacks.
Pool Bar Lounge has a contemporary and casual setting, with a floating upper deck platform overlooking the lap pool - perfect for enjoying a light lunch or cocktails.
Families
Families are welcome at the resort, which offers a kids club. Babysitting can be arranged for a fee and there's a good choice of family rooms.
Facilities and Activities
The hotel's 40 meter pool overlooks the beach, but if you can tear yourself away from your lounger there's plenty to do, from guided jungle walks to exploring the coral gardens with a marine biologist. There's a range of non-motorized watersports available, and a sunset cruise on a luxury yacht is a lovely way to end the day.
Accessibility
Some of the rooms can be around ten minutes from the resort's main facilities, and the walkway is steep in parts. If you have any concerns with the walking involved, please do speak to your specialist.
Our opinion
A really pretty resort with great facilities, this is a great choice for combining with seeing the wildlife in Borneo or climbing Mount Kinabalu.
Suggested itineraries featuring Gaya Island Resort
Orangutans & islands of Borneo
A great way to explore the Sarawak and Sabah regions of Borneo, taking in the best areas to experience colonial culture, jungle wildlife, tribal villages and a tropical island.
Discovering the indigenous cultures of Sarawak
A 14 day itinerary exploring the diversity of the many indigenous cultures in Sarawak. Experience life with the Bidayuh and Iban communities in Kuching with time on the beach to relax at the end of your trip.
Gaya Island itinerary suggestions
Nearby accommodation
Places & hotels on the map
Alternative places to stay nearby
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.
Bunga Raya Island Resort
Bunga Raya is one of Borneo’s leading and most exclusive island hideaways, offering great snorkeling and pristine beaches. Only a short speedboat journey from Kota Kinabalu, it's the perfect retreat for honeymooners or those looking to truly unwind.
Gayana Marine Resort
The most modern island accommodation currently available in Borneo and the location close to Kota Kinabalu makes it ideal to start or end your trip.