Beach and Wildlife: The Classic
A two-week exploration of the Borneo ending with pure relaxation on beautiful Gaya Island.
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Accessible only by boat, Pulau Gaya is the largest island in the marine conservation area of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park. The Gaya Island Resort is hidden within the rainforest bordering Malohom Bay and is surrounded by marine beauty. You can easily slip in and out of the tropical water while staying in comfortable accommodation and spot plenty of wildlife while you're at it. You definitely don't want to miss out on visiting the resort's impressive marine and wildlife conservation centres and chatting with the resident naturalist and marine biologist, who both bring the surroundings to life.
The villas are scattered throughout the hillside and along the beachfront, with views of the dense jungle, mangroves, sparkling South China Sea, and, in some cases, even the distant Mt Kinabalu. The accommodation's design blends into the cinematic surroundings while keeping a certain level of luxury.
The two pools (one for children), library, and spa mean you have plenty to do. If you're feeling adventurous, you can go kayaking across the sea or head off on the island's nature trails accompanied by a great guide. Gaya Island Resort has four restaurants: from a casual beach bar to the fine-dining Fisherman’s Cove, which serves up seafood and excellent views from its elevated rooftop position (it's worth noting you have to be 16 years old and over to dine up here). You could also take a delicious picnic to a secret cove nearby – ideal if you're celebrating a special occasion – or to the resort's crackling barbecue pit.
This is undoubtedly one of the most luxurious beach hotels in Malaysian Borneo, with outstanding accommodation and beaches. However, Pulau Gaya’s location near the state capital of Kota Kinabalu means you might occasionally see ships heading into the port. This should be noted but does not spoil the overall beauty of the resort. Dining here is excellent value given the quality, but it's a little more expensive than other hotels in Borneo, which can only be expected.
Luxury - Luxury hotels would have a superb level of service, very comfortable and usually spacious bedrooms, excellent food, great design and character. For us, when we visited, these places all had the 'wow factor'. A luxury hotel should satisfy the criteria of the most discerning clients.
Include this hotel as part of your Experience Travel Holiday of a lifetime.
Here are some popular holidays including this hotel or we can create a tailor made holiday, crafted for you.
Borneo Encompassed
An in-depth, expertly guided three-week tour taking in a wide variety of Borneo’s many natural wonders.
Classic Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo
Wild Borneo and romantic Peninsular Malaysia including city sights, wildlife, jungles, cuisine and beaches.
Family Borneo Highlights
A two-week tour of Borneo's Sabah state taking in the culture, wildlife and beach life.
In Depth Borneo Adventure
The ultimate Borneo experience for couples or intrepid families. Incredible wildlife, adventure and a touch of luxury too.
Slow Paced Borneo
Borneo's wonderful wildlife and beaches at a slower pace with less overland travel and our specialist guides.
The Contrasts of Malaysia
An in-depth trip through mainland Malaysia and Borneo's wildlife, national parks, beaches and culturally vibrant destinations.
Map centered on Gaya Island Resort. Zoom out to view other hotels (H) and experiences (E) in the area.
