BORNEO, MALAYSIA
Gaya Island Resort is located on a tropical island within the protected Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Nestled amidst protected mangroves and sheltered coral reefs, Gaya Resort lies just 15-minute by speedboat from Kota Kinabulu. This beachfront resort features a collection of hillside villas on stilts, backed by tropical rainforest and opening onto a lovely sandy beach with wide vistas of Mount Kinabalu in the distance.
Set within the rainforest and mangroves, Gaya Island Resort’s 120 villas have been built using the finest locally-sourced materials. Recently refurbished, the resort’s stylish furnishings combine sandy tones with natural greens of the surrounding palm trees and forest vines. Contemporary and elegant in design, it’s eco-luxury remains respectful of Sabahan elements. Bayu and Canopy Villas are in tropical mangrove or lush rainforest, while Kinabalu Villas at a height, provide panoramic views of Mt Kinabalu.
Dining options at the Gaya Island Resort, range from the buffet restaurant, Feast Village, to the Japanese eatery, Omaske. There’s a nightly ‘movie under the stars’, projected onto a screen on one of the resort’s beachside lawns and there is a large pool clad in deep blue tiles. A short 5-minute boat ride from the resort, is a tranquil private beach perfect for a romantic getaway. Kayaks, snorkels and paddleboards are readily available or take nature hikes into the island’s interior.
Amenities
Bar/PubConciergeFamily RoomGardenRestaurantSpa/SaunaWater SportsWi-Fi AvailableGaya Island Resort BORNEO, MALAYSIA
Stay Gaya Island Resort has 121 luxury villas available in three categories. All the villas are similarly designed but vary on location and views from the balcony. The Bayu villas are set amongst a tropical mangrove on a gently sloping hillside and have garden views. The Canopy Villas are on a hillside amidst lush rainforest and have partial sea views and the Kinabulu Villas have views stretching across the South China Sea. The luxurious two-bedroom suite lies on the hillside with stunning ocean views.
ChildCare Children are welcome to stay at the Gaya Island Resort, but there are no specific facilities available. Families can opt for Bayu and Kinabalu Villas which has interconnecting rooms. The resort also conducts children's activity programme.
Dine Gaya Island Resort has three restaurants with a wide range of cuisine. The resort’s main restaurant is Feast Village that serves a lavish breakfast and is open for lunch and dinner. Situated on the rooftop with a breathtaking view of Mount Kinabalu, Fisherman's Cove is great for fresh seafood. The new Japanese Omakase serves teppanyaki, shabu-shabu and nabe, all under one roof. Afternoon, enjoy a delicious Malay lunch at Tavajun Bay or at Pool Bar & Lounge by the infinity pool.
Relax Set amidst lush mangroves, the Spa Village at Gaya Island is surrounded by distinctive island flora and fauna. Spa programmes reflect cultural healing traditions of Sabah's many indigenous people. From the specialised rice scrubs and masques to the age-old practices of the Bajau sea nomads, they use only the finest fresh local ingredients.
Experience Visit the Marine Centre, and learn from resident marine biologist about Gaya Island Resort’s turtle and conservation efforts. Go diving and discover the tropical marine life in the coral reefs, take one of the PADI snorkelling & dive programmes. Charter a boat for deep sea fishing or leisure. Alternatively, take guided nature walks to discover diverse wildlife dipterocarp forest, found only on this island within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.
Location Gaya Island Resort is located on Gaya Island, a pristine coral reef island off the coast of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Borneo.
Getting There International flights arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport. A 15 minutes’ drive from the airport will take you to Kota Kinabalu’s Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal and from there, it's a 30-minute boat out to Gaya Island Resort. The boat schedules are fixed during the day to ensure that your flight fits well with the departure time.
When to go A good time to travel to Borneo is between March and September/October, even though Southwest monsoon brings in short burst of showers between May to July. Showers usually occur on the upper slopes in the afternoon while Mount Kinabalu has its own climate. The driest season runs from April to October but even during this season, a good raincoat is a must. The heaviest rainfall generally occurs between October and January and the lowest in between February and April.
Destination
Western, Borneo
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