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Situated on Pulau Gaya, part of a natural marine conservation area

Fringed by a golden beach and backed by lush rainforest, Gaya Island Resort is a welcoming and romantic retreat set on an exotic island in the midst of the South China Sea. Surrounded by a wealth of coral reefs for diving, indigenous flora and fauna for guided nature walks, and with an award-winning spa in a unique mangrove setting, four restaurants, and a lounge bar overlooking the pool, it has a real back-to-nature appeal.

With its exotic island ambiance, Gaya Island Resort is a magical blend of stylish comfort and natural beauty - totally conducive to utter relaxation. Nestled within the rainforest are 121 Hill Villas with a variety of views including mangrove, canopy, tropical rainforest and Mount Kinabalu in the distance.

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Settle into one of the spa’s six treatment rooms for a sleep inducing massage after a guided meditation session. Go diving and discover the tropical marine life in the coral reefs, learn about Gaya Island Resort Marine Centre's turtle and conservation efforts and dine at Fishermans Cove for the freshest seafood dishes on the rooftop under a starry sky.


Enjoy your stay!


121 Rooms |  2 Floors |  4 Restaurants | 

4.5 /5

906 reviews

Beach

Beach Resort

Family

Family Friendly

Spa

Spa

Pool

Pool

Gaya Island Resort

Speedboat Transfers

Guests must transfer to the property using a privately owned scheduled speedboat and should arrange the transfers by contacting the property before travelling. 

The transfer will cost MYR80 per way for each adult and MYR40 per way for each child.

Check-in to the Gaya Lounge at Jesselton Point Jetty is required at least 20 minutes prior to scheduled speedboat departure times.

Transfer times to the Resort:
10:00am | 12:00pm | 2:00pm | 4:00pm | 6:00pm | 9:00pm

Transfer times from the Resort:
07:00am | 09:00am | 11:00am | 1:00pm | 3:00pm | 5:00pm | 6:30pm

Alternately, a chartered private speedboat can be pre-arranged at MYR500 between 7:00am to 9:00pm or MYR700 between 9:00pm to 7:00am.

Our rooms

Bayu Villa


Sleeps 2
King
Please enter dates to check availability

Bayu Twin


Sleeps 2
Twin
Please enter dates to check availability

Canopy Villa


Sleeps 2
King
Please enter dates to check availability

Kinabalu Villa


Sleeps 2
King
Please enter dates to check availability

Kinabalu Twin


Sleeps 2
Twin
Please enter dates to check availability

Suria Suite


Sleeps 4
King
Please enter dates to check availability
show all

Ratings

Quality Assured

Mystery Inspected

Global Rating

4.5 /5

4.5

906 reviews

INVITED Rating

4.3 /5
4.5 /5
Tripadvisor score 4.5

4.5

2161 reviews

INVITED Reviews

100 %

of reviewers would recommend this hotel


4

Beautiful resort, loved the beach and pool

A beautiful resort in the middle of nature. Had a great time relaxing at the pool and beach and enjoyed the Mangrove forest tour

By Mikael May ’24 Trip Type Couple


4

The view is as spectacular as promised

We loved the private beach (Tavajun Bay) and the villas amid the lush surroundings gave us an amazing and otherwordly feel.

By Jolene May ’23 Trip Type Couple


5

Nice and beautiful place to escape

The hotel is great with the nice view and location. All the staff welcome me and glad to help.

By keke Feb ’20 Trip Type Family


Gaya Island Resort, Malaysia

4.3

(based on 3 reviews)

100 %

of reviewers would recommend this hotel


4

Beautiful resort, loved the beach and pool

A beautiful resort in the middle of nature. Had a great time relaxing at the pool and beach and enjoyed the Mangrove forest tour

By Mikael May ’24 Trip Type Couple


4

The view is as spectacular as promised

We loved the private beach (Tavajun Bay) and the villas amid the lush surroundings gave us an amazing and otherwordly feel.

By Jolene May ’23 Trip Type Couple


5

Nice and beautiful place to escape

The hotel is great with the nice view and location. All the staff welcome me and glad to help.

By keke Feb ’20 Trip Type Family


Key Features

Water
Water sports
Air
Air conditioning
Bar
Bar
Family
Family friendly
Restaurant
Restaurant

All Hotel Features and Services

  • Concierge desk
  • Turndown service
  • Wakeup service
  • Gym
  • Wedding services
  • Meeting rooms
  • 24-hour security
  • Air conditioning
  • Safe deposit box

All Hotel Features and Services

  • Concierge desk
  • Turndown service
  • Wakeup service
  • Gym
  • Wedding services
  • Meeting rooms
  • 24-hour security
  • Air conditioning
  • Safe deposit box
  • Bar
  • Family friendly
  • Full service housekeeping
  • 24-hour front desk
  • Security
  • Restaurant
  • Wi-Fi in public areas
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Massage services
  • Pets not allowed

Feast Village

Served Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Savour a vibrant- interactive all day dining experience that offers the diverse cuisine from the Asia-Pacific region. The location by the lap pool offers stunning views of Mount Kinabalu and the surrounding beach.

Omakase

Served Meals: Dinner A two-storey Japanese restaurant perched on a hillside with a stunning view of Malohom Bay and Mount Kinabalu on the horizon- surrounded by an ancient rainforest. Serving up three Japanese omakase-style dining experiences under one roof ranging from teppanyaki- shabu-shabu and nabe- these heart-warming dinners will delight guests of all ages.

Pool Bar and Lounge

Overlooking the infinity pool and floating cabanas- the Pool Bar and Lounge with its al fresco location and natural light is the perfect place to relax with sundowners and light refreshments as the sun sets over Mount Kinabalu.

Fisherman Cove

Served Meals: Dinner Situated on the rooftop- Fisherman Cove offers exquisitely fresh seafood with a breathtaking view of the sea and Mount Kinabalu. Fisherman Cove is a fine dining restaurant that serves only seafood cuisine. Children under the age of 12 are not allowed in this restaurant for the comfort of all our guests. A proper dress code is required with shirt- full-length trousers and shoes for gentlemen and smart casual wear for ladies.

Tavajun Bay

Served Meals: Lunch Set in an enclave at Tavajun Bay- a short 5-minute boat ride from the resort- this tranquil private beach is perfect for relaxing under the tropical sun- lulled by the gentle sea breeze. Reminiscent of the sun-blessed Mediterranean coastline where vibrant flavours and simple presentation predominate- earthenware skillets kept warm over charcoal embers await for lunch where single dish meals that change daily is infused with local and international influences.

Spa

Lantern-lit treatment pavilions, high up in the treetops. Foot baths with orchid petals. Rice rituals and therapies inspired by the centuries-old traditions of Bajau sea nomads and the legends of Sabah’s tribes. There’s nowhere quite like the spa at Gaya Island Resort. This is pure pampering, in paradise.

Location of your stay

Hotel Address

Gaya Island Resort

Malohom Bay Pulau Gaya

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

Kota Kinabalu

88000

Sabah

Malaysia

Check in:

1500

Check out:

1100

What3words location:

boarding.avid.holiday

Where is it?

8 kms to airport Kota Kinabalu

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