Gaya Island Resort | Rainforest Villas & Private Beach

75 photos

Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World Exterior photo The photo shows a beautiful resort nestled along a tropical waterfront. The scene is bathed in bright daylight under a clear blue sky with scattered clouds.

The main focus is a long, narrow swimming pool that curves gracefully through the frame. Th

Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World Nearby photo The photo captures a serene beach scene at either sunrise or sunset. The warm golden light bathes the water and the sand, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

In the foreground, a hammock is strung between two trees, inviting relaxation. The hammock is

Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World Amenities photo The photo captures a stunning infinity pool at a luxurious resort, blending seamlessly with the ocean in the background. The foreground is dominated by the clear, turquoise water of the pool, with distinct shadow lines cast by the pool's framework ac

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Key details

About the Hotel

Malohom Bay, Pulau Gaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Gaya Island, Malaysia, 88000

Nestled in a sanctuary

Great

8.6

8.4

/10

4.7

4.3

5-star eco-conscious beachfront resort in Kota Kinabalu

Amenities

Gaya Island Resort offers a 40-metre lap pool with floating cabanas and a children's wading pool, providing recreational options in a serene environment. The Spa Village Gaya Island provides treatments utilizing local ingredients and traditional practices for rejuvenation. Guests can engage in eco-friendly activities such as guided nature walks, marine expeditions, and the 7 Wonders of Gaya exploration program.

Accommodation

The hotel features a variety of hillside villas, including Bayu Villas with forest views, Canopy Villas near the beach, and Kinabalu Villas with views of Mount Kinabalu. Each villa offers spacious interiors crafted with local materials, alongside an oversized bathtub, outdoor verandah, and modern amenities. The luxurious Suria Suite includes two bedrooms with en-suites and expansive lounge areas overlooking the sea.

Location

Situated in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Gaya Island Resort is surrounded by ancient rainforests and coral reefs, promoting a strong conservation ethos. The resort is accessible via a 10-minute speedboat ride from Jesselton Point, ensuring a quick transition to this natural sanctuary. Opportunities for turtle rehabilitation and coral restoration are integral to the location's ecological mission.

Dining

Guests can enjoy diverse culinary experiences at four dining venues, including Feast Village, which offers Asian and Western dishes with a view of Mount Kinabalu. Fisherman's Cove specializes in sustainable seafood, providing an ocean-inspired dining experience on the rooftop. Customized private dining options allow for meals in scenic locations, enhancing the culinary adventure.

Conservation and Education

The Gaya Island Resort Marine Centre promotes conservation through initiatives like turtle rescue and coral reef restoration, making it the first of its kind in Malaysia. Educational programs led by a Resident Marine Biologist, alongside opportunities for guest participation in conservation activities, enhance awareness of marine life protection. The resort's commitment to sustainability is also reflected in its eco-friendly practices, including energy-efficient operations.

Highlights

Location: Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

Rooms: Bayu and Kinabalu Villas

Dining: Feast Village and Fisherman's Cove

Wellness: Spa Village Gaya Island treatments

Conservation: turtle rescue and coral restoration

Experience: 7 Wonders of Gaya exploration

Must-do experiences

Snorkel at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park for vibrant marine life.
Savor fresh seafood at Welcome Seafood Restaurant in Kota Kinabalu.
Visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village to learn about local traditions.
Explore the local markets for unique handicrafts and souvenirs.
Take a day trip to Mount Kinabalu for breathtaking views and trekking.

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Select your room type

Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Kinabalu Villa Speedboat Transfer

2 persons

510 sq. feet

1 Double bed

Shower

Bathtub

room details

Canopy Villa Speedboat Transfer & Resort Credit

2 persons

510 sq. feet

1 Double bed

Shower

Bathtub

room details

Kinabalu Villa Speedboat Transfer & Resort Credit

2 persons

510 sq. feet

1 Double bed

Shower

Bathtub

room details

Bayu Villa

2 persons

510 sq. feet

1 Double bed

Shower

Bathtub

room details

Click button to see more rooms

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Facilities

Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Facilities: Great

8.6/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
No pets allowed
Private beach

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre
Diving
Snorkelling
Yoga class
Fishing

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Paid airport shuttle
Housekeeping
Laundry
Dry cleaning
Tours/Ticket assistance

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots
Babysitting/Child services

Spa & Leisure

Outdoor swimming pool
Beach access
Sun loungers
Sun terrace
Garden area
Spa & wellness centre
Full body massage

Room features

Air conditioning
Mini-bar
Terrace
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Dining Onsite

Gaya Island Resort offers a delightful array of dining options that immerse guests in the rich flavors of local and Asian cuisines, all set against the picturesque backdrop of nature. Each venue presents a unique culinary experience, from fresh seafood to innovative fusion dishes, ensuring a memorable feast for the senses.

Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World Restaurant photo The photo shows an outdoor restaurant at dusk or night, with a beautiful view of a calm body of water, likely a bay or ocean, and distant mountains under a twilight sky.

The restaurant features several dining tables arranged on a patio, each set wi

Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World Restaurant photo The photo shows an elegant outdoor dining area, likely part of a resort or high-end restaurant, at dusk or twilight. The scene is bathed in a soft, warm light emanating from candles on the tables and some subtle overhead lighting.

The dining area i

Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World Restaurant photo The photo shows an indoor lounge area with a stunning view of a tropical beach and ocean. The space is characterized by high, vaulted ceilings made of warm-toned wood, supported by large, cylindrical columns that are also made of wood. The ceiling is

Feast Village

Local, Asian

Ambiance

Casual and inviting

Key Offerings

Features Asian breakfast soups, eggs cooked to order, and an innovative Satay Pizza that fuses Malay and Italian flavors.

Reservation

Not needed

Breakfast, Dinner

Fisherman's Cove

Seafood

Ambiance

Romantic and intimate

Key Offerings

Dine on the finest seafood while enjoying a serene, candlelit setting, perfect for a cozy dinner experience.

Reservation

Recommended

Dinner

Omakase

Japanese

Ambiance

Elegantly minimalist

Key Offerings

A bespoke dining experience that showcases traditional Japanese culinary techniques and flavors.

Reservation

Recommended

Dinner

Pool Bar & Lounge

Casual lounge fare

Ambiance

Relaxed with stunning Mount Kinabalu views

Key Offerings

Enjoy cocktail hour with a variety of refreshing drinks, lounge on comfy hammocks, or sip cocktails by the swim-up bar at the infinity pool.

Reservation

Not needed

Cocktail hour

Tavajun Bay

Thai, Local

Ambiance

Lively beachside

Key Offerings

Ideal for a satisfying lunch, this venue offers Thai and local dishes amid a vibrant atmosphere.

Reservation

Not needed

Lunch

Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World Location

Malohom Bay, Pulau Gaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Gaya Island, Malaysia, 88000

Map view

Malohom Bay, Pulau Gaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Gaya Island, Malaysia, 88000

City landmarks

Landmark

Marine Ecology Research Centre

2100 ft

Island

Sapi Island

2.0 mi

Landmark

Highest Point

3000 ft

Landmark

Coral Flyer

1.9 mi

Beach

Tunku Abdul Rahman Park

1.8 mi

Park

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

1.9 mi

Beach

Tavajun Bay

1900 ft

Landmark

Canopy walk and zip lines

1.6 mi

Landmark

zipling between islands

1.9 mi

Landmark

Zip line

1.9 mi

Landmark

Borneo Sea Walking

2.0 mi

Landmark

TYH Borneo Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd

2.0 mi

Landmark

Seasport

2.0 mi

Landmark

Coral Flyer Zipline

2.0 mi

Island

Pulau Sapi

2.1 mi

Landmark

Hidden beach

2.0 mi

Landmark

Point B

2.1 mi

Island

Pulau Sinjataan

2.2 mi

Landmark

Small beach

2.1 mi

Beach

Pulau Sapi Beach

2.2 mi

Landmark

Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park

2.2 mi

Landmark

Signal Hill Observatory Platform

3.8 mi

Tower

Atkinson Clock Tower

3.9 mi

Market

Gaya Street Sunday Market

3.8 mi

Landmark

Kota Kinabalu Harbor

3.6 mi

Landmark

Borneo Trading Post

3.4 mi

Landmark

KK Esplanade

3.6 mi

Landmark

I Love KK

3.6 mi

Square

Marlin Statue

3.6 mi

Nearby

Malohom Bay Gaya Island

Marine Ecology Research Centre

2600 ft

Beach

Tavajun Bay

3800 ft

Explore Gaya Island

Explore Malohom Bay

Marine Ecology Research Centre

8 minutes walking

Marine research hub showcasing local biodiversity; ideal for families with educational tours and activities.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Park

10 minutes driving

A national park featuring stunning beaches and rich marine life; perfect for snorkeling and sunbathing.

Tavajun Bay

7 minutes walking

Secluded beach area great for swimming and relaxing, surrounded by nature's beauty; ideal for serene escapes.

Borneo Sea Walking

10 minutes driving

Unique underwater experience walking on the seabed; suitable for thrill-seekers with provided equipment.

Yoga Sessions

10 minutes driving

Relaxing yoga near the beach; available through local studios offering tranquil environments for stress relief.

Kampung Nelayan Seafood Restaurant

10 minutes driving

Authentic Malaysian seafood; spacious and family-friendly with signature grilled fish and cosy ambiance.

Tamarind Restaurant

10 minutes driving

Southeast Asian cuisine with stunning sunset views; ideal for couples with a fusion of flavors and romantic setting.

Shangri-La's live music nights

10 minutes driving

Live music events featuring local artists; casual setting perfect for unwinding after a day of activities.

Kota Kinabalu Waterfront Bars

10 minutes driving

Vibrant nightlife with seaside bars; suitable for all ages, offering cocktails and live performances.

Getting around

City Centre

Gaya Island9 min · 2300 ft

Airports

Kota Kinabalu International (BKI)11 min · 4.5 mi

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-23:59

Check-out

until 11 am

Guest Parking

No parking available.

Internet

Wireless internet is available in for free.

Breakfast

You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs MYR 80 per person per day.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Languages

Malay

Year renovated:

2012

Number of rooms:

125

Former name

gaya island resort, kota kinabalu - an slh hotel

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World from previous guests about their experience.

Review score

Based on 585 verified reviews

8.7/10

Great

85%

Recommend

Breakfast

9.9/10

Cleanliness

8.9/10

Comfort

9.0/10

Facilities

8.6/10

Free Wi-Fi

7.5/10

Location

8.9/10

Paid Wi-Fi

7.4/10

Staff

9.3/10

Value for money

7.4/10

noemi from italy

Family with children

kinabalu villa

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 23, 2026

6/10

good stay, but with issues

varied breakfasttasty breakfastmonkey sightingluxury amenitiesoverpriced fooddamp smellmonkey intrusion

the breakfast was very varied and tasty. there was something for everyone. i saw monkeys sometimes on the premises, which i liked. the rooms had everything i needed, including luxurious amenities.

the food was quite overpriced. my room smelled a bit damp. monkeys got into my room at night, even though the window was locked and secured.

0 Helpful

kevin from Ireland

Family with children

Kinabalu Villa

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: November 20, 2025

6/10

excessive dinner pricesbooked diving center

i wasnt happy about a few things. the dinner prices felt excessive, even by european standards and quality was not there. also, the diving center was fully booked my entire stay. this was annoying as it's a remote place, they should handle more demand during high season. even the transfer to the mainland cost way more than a local taxi boat would charge, it seemed like i was constantly paying extra for everything.

0 Helpful

Eva from Germany

Couple

kinabalu villa

4 nights in August 2025

Reviewed: November 16, 2025

7/10

decent stay

friendly staffnice breakfastprivate beachpublic areapool closurelimited entertainment

the staff were friendly and helpful. the breakfast was nice. i liked the nasi lemak. the resort offers a private beach accessible by boat.

the public areas felt in need of refurbishment (especially the pool area). the pool was closed for four days due to heavy rainfall. the in-room entertainment was limited as there was no netflix. the boat transfer to kota kinabalu was expensive.

0 Helpful

Eva from Germany

Couple

Bayu Villa

3 nights in October 2025

Reviewed: November 11, 2025

9/10

nice getaway

attentive staffwonderful diningfresh ingredients

the staff was very attentive. i especially thank ms joana and mr terence at guest reception. mr laster (the omakase chef) provided a wonderful dining experience (i really enjoyed the freshness of the ingredients).

0 Helpful

Noemi from Italy

Family with children

Kinabalu Villa

4 nights in October 2025

Reviewed: October 30, 2025

7/10

spacious villaclean roomfriendly staffpool closureunclean poolsideunpleasant odour

The villas were spacious. My villa was clean and nestled within the rainforest. The scenery was like something from a movie (i loved it!). The island is covered in rainforest with wildlife. I saw monkeys and birds. The beaches are excellent, and I recommend Tavajun Beach. The staff was friendly and met my needs.

The main swimming pool was closed for four days, reportedly due to heavy rainfall. This significantly limited relaxation options. The poolside area was unclean and the public toilets had an unpleasant odour. I think this is not a very good experience for the value of the hotel.

0 Helpful

Noelle from France

Family with children

Kinabalu Villa

3 nights in August 2025

Reviewed: August 25, 2025

7/10

acceptable stay, some issues reported

spacious roombig bathrude staffmissing snacks

our room was a kinabalu villa. the rooms felt spacious. a large bathroom had two sinks, a shower, and a big bath.

the pool bar staff weren't friendly. some were often rude. the mini bar didn't had a good range, i mean snacks were missing.

0 Helpful

FAQs

About Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World

Should we expect an airport shuttle to bring us to the elegant 5-star Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World?

Airport shuttle is one of the services offered by the elegant 5-star Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World. Please inform the hotel staff about your estimated arrival time.

What are the booking prices at the Gaya Island resort?

The prices at the Gaya Island resort start from $223.

What payment methods are available in the elegant 5-star Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World?

At the elegant 5-star Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World, you can pay using American Express, Visa, and JCB.

Are there any business facilities featured at the elegant 5-star Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World?

Yes, for business travellers the elegant 5-star Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World provides a photocopy machine and a desk.

Which facilities are provided in the elegant 5-star Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World?

Top locations of the elegant 5-star Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World include baggage storage and a restaurant, whereas guests' safety will be ensured with 24-hour security service and luggage storage.

Does the 5-star Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World feature any spa facilities?

Guests of the 5-star Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World can relax with a head massage, a couples massage, and a hot stone massage or facial treatments offered at a spa salon.

Do you have a pool at the elegant 5-star Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World?

Yes, the elegant 5-star Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World features a year-round outdoor pool.

What children services does the elegant 5-star Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World offer?

Such services as child care services will be very useful for guests staying at the elegant 5-star Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - A Small Luxury Hotels Of The World with their children.

Is beach close to the resort?

Yes, the own beach is located 350 m from the resort.