Gaya Island Resort

Gaya Island Resort sits off the coast of Kota Kinabalu in Malaysian Borneo.

The hillside villas and two-bedroom suite are made from locally-sourced materials and have gorgeous verandas for taking in the stunning views of mangroves, rainforests, the South China Sea and Mount Kinabalu.

The two-level Suria Suite comes with a private outdoor bath and a butler service, while some of the Bayu and Kinabalu Villas can be connected together - making them ideal for families.

A range of fine dining options await you at Gaya Island Resort. Feast Village serves a fusion of Asian and European cuisine, the intimate Omakase offers Japanese delicacies for dinner, while the exclusive rooftop Fisherman’s Cove serves up delicious fresh seafood. The resort even has its own private beach, Tavajun Bay, only a five-minute boat ride away, where lunch is a single dish meal made over charcoal embers.

If you get bored of swimming in the sea, take a dip in the 40-metre lap pool, while there’s also a wading pool for children. For a bit of extra pampering, make time for the Spa Village, where treatments such as rice scrubs draw on the healing traditions of the indigenous populations - or you can chill out with a relaxing massage. 

Whether you simply want to spend your time relaxing and enjoying the year-round sunshine or be a little more active, Gaya Island Resort offers something for everyone. Learn how to prepare traditional Borneo dishes with the hotel’s cooking course, enjoy the bright blue waters with snorkelling at the house reef and diving excursions, or explore the local flora and fauna through the in-house marine and wildlife centres.