The fine dining style dinner option is adults-only and boasts fantastic views of the water at night, with the bright lights of Kota Kinabalu just visible twinkling in the distance. We really had good schedule thanks to her! We had to move twice because we were getting splashed and a ball hit one of our drinks, knocking it over. Wouldnt stop me staying again though, Total relaxation a short hop from KK. Would also like to highlight the individuals that made it all the more special. After climb the mountain, we truly need a good rest in resort. Your current currency is U.S. dollar, Choose your language. Carefully constructed and beautifully built wooden tree-house villas, your home from home for the duration of your stay, rise up from the island's jungle canopy to greet you as you approach the shore, and the clear blue water gently laps the sandy shore of the beach, which is carefully maintained by staff who will often rake beautiful designs into the sand for guests to appreciate and enjoy. There are also three restaurants on-site, though they receive mixed reviews. It was really pleasant and nice resort.. Taste Enclave Classic + Chapter Two @ Pavilion KL, Kembali Kitchen, Best Western Premier Dua Sentral, KL, Aunty Betty's + Stonehaven Beach, Scotland. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. This resort primarily attracts couples looking to explore the surrounding nature, thanks to its extensive list of free activities offered, but families are also common. Beautiful nature and lots of activities to choose from! We got engaged on the resort and these people could not have made us feel more special, we are eternally grateful for this memory that we will take to the grave. Recipe: Mee suah noodle soup with prawns, chick Indian Food @ Nazma Tandoori, Aberdeen, Scotland. Outside, wooden boardwalks and concrete walkways overhung with lush foliage encircle the hilly property, and rustic signposts point the way to resort destinations. Just remember to Reserve what you want to do and/or the place you want to eat early to avoid disappointment. We have people and automated systems that specialise in detecting fake reviews submitted to our Platform. Geeee!!!! First Impression:
When the boat approaches the private pier you can't help but be impressed by the crystal water approaching the clean white sands, the architectural decadence of the resort and obvious intent for it to blend in with the natural background. And staff Chloe was really kind to arrange all activitiesnfor us! The quick journey will see you speed past local villages built above the sea on neighboring islands, and fishing boats hard at work fetching the catch of the day that you may well be served up during your stay. Board games are available at the library. The wood-filled gym has cardio and weight-training equipment, as well as free weights. I want to tag along~~~! As a sabahan, i've never been there but heard about it so much from my friends. Location:
Perfect location on a very pretty island located only ten minutes from KK (Jesselton Point), if you are going to a resort like this my guessing is you wish to remain inside it and use all the amenities etc so in regards to location on the Island it doesn't really matter. There's also a library to check email on a computer or browse shelves with books for borrow. Apart from its stunning natural surroundings, a key feature of the resort is its location within the Coral Triangle, an underwater realm just off the shore offering more than 25 year-round dive spots. If you buy something through our links, Oyster may earn an affiliate commission. There's an all round feeling of barefoot ease, combined with an extremely high standard of food and drink, that tastes just as good under a parasol as it does in one of the resort's various restaurants. The room was very spacious with very modern and classy touches including double sink areas, a huge two person bath and an extremely large, comfortable bed with very fine cotton sheets. For a really special dining experience during your stay, make sure you reserve a place at the resorts 'Omakase' Japanese restaurant. Such happy memories. Loved the free yoga and meditation too. The resort also features a gift shop sellinglocal handicrafts, tea, and spices. A little disorganised in certain areas. There is also a Librarylocated between the Gymnasium and Feast Village and several relaxation chambers for those who want some quiet time. The only thing I felt I had to "deal" with were mosquitos. Please enter a valid email address, Thanks! Given the high prices of the rooms, food and drink at the resort, we also felt it a real shame that the ferry journeys and water sports equipment came at an additional cost (particularly when one of the paddle boards is missing its fin making it really hard to use!). Everything! So we stayed down in the main area alot! Food was delicious with a lot of variety but expensive. Not a peaceful spot if you want a quiet vacation and it stunk to not be able to use all the facilities we paid for. For those that want to embrace the wild side of Gaya Island and see what Borneo has to offer off shore in terms of nature and wildlife, nature tours are held seven times a week by the resident guide from the island Nature Centre, who will take you on a tour of the surrounding jungle to try and discover more of the island's animal inhabitants. Extremely nice and attentive staff! While an array of smaller islands and dive sites can be accessed from Jesselton Point in the state's capital, Kota Kinabalu, none are quite like the hidden gem of Gaya Island Resort - your private paradise and relaxing retreat just a 20 minute speedboat ride away from one of Borneo's most bustling cities. There are no adapted rooms for people with disabilities. Shabu-Yo: All-You-Can-Eat Shabu-Shabu and Sukiyaki from Japan! The Gaya Island Resort's 120 hillside villas are large yet intimate, combining traditional textiles and local materials with contemporary design. The hillside Omakase restaurant serves traditional Japanese specialties for dinner. Food & Travel Blog by Baby Sumo - Restaurant and hotel reviews, recipes, and more. It was the perfect end to a wonderful holiday in Borneo. :D. Wonderful and amazing experience for you and the kids. Breakfast is an impressive buffet served in the Feast Village restaurant. Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Amazing location, super attentive staff, great food. There is only space for 10 guests to enjoy this special dining experience at one time, and there are only two settings per evening. In the resort, there are a myriad of dining selections. Ideally, we would publish every review we receive, whether positive or negative. Like most Gaya Island resorts, there are uneven surfaces, patches of sand and hills to contend with. Not the best spot for a romantic get away, Beautiful, but definitely not a problem free stay, Gaya Island Resort - Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Reviews of Gaya Island Resort - Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Personal or sensitive information (e.g. Poolside snacks are consistently delectable and the Satay Pizza is a novel marriage of Malay and Italian cuisines. Check-in takes place in the open-air main building, which, like most structures on the property, features vaulted timber ceilings, teak furniture, and wooden floors. For the ultimate seafood experience, make sure you book to enjoy the 'Sinagang Steamboat' on one evening during your stay. Would be nice to have a kids pool somewhere away from the bar area so adults without kids can enjoy the pool/bar area. Woman & Home is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Paying those prices you do of course expect very high standards and the room, general facilities and friendliness of staff definitely delivered. I need a vacation! Looks like you guys had amazing trip. And not forgetting the flip-flops and raffia beach bag you'll find in your walk in wardrobe when you arrive, left for you to use as and when need throughout your stay. The resort is situated on Gaya Island, the largest of five islands that compriseTunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, locatedoff Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia. The whole place, the people, everything was beyond what I could have imagined. At one with the island's natural surroundings and tropical topography, the resort is discretely nestled amongst the jungle landscape, meaning that guests stay in harmony alongside the island's original inhabitants. Thank you so much for reading! A very stressful end to our trip. Tucked among protected mangroves and an excellent (though damaged) coral reef, the five-pearl Gaya Island Resort offers a high-end jungle-and-sea experience geared primarily toward active travelers. If we find any, we delete them and, if necessary, take action against whoever is responsible. Not sure if this is actually a problem the resort can solve?! Everyone was so friendly. Beach is clean, but just water not as clear as other island that were further away.. Had an amazing stay here! Nestled on an island thick with jungle, just off the coast of the Northern state of Sabah in Borneo, you will find Gaya Island. Obviously taking into account how natural our surroundings are, we were fine with this the majority of the time. Sleek wooden platform beds with Italian linens rest under vaulted timber ceilings, while locally handmade baskets and crafts decorate the spaces. As our bags were loaded into the speedboat at the end of our time at the resort, and we sped away from Gaya Island back towards the mainland, our hearts couldn't help but sink with the slowly fading sun as we bid this small slice of paradise goodbye. Choose your currency. Theres a nightly movie under the stars projected onto a screen on one of the resorts beachside lawns, and theres a fabulously located gym and library overlooking the beach and pool from the first floor. Sadly, we did experience a number of issues during our short stay. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct. The island provides great privacy and the view of Mt Kinabalu. Your current language is English (UK). It's a tropical island afterall. They are also applicable regardless of the sentiment of the comment. Theres also an open-plan approach, with spacious bathrooms adjoining to the bedroom via a corridor that doubles up as a walk-in closet and office space. Please avoid using profanity or attempts to approximate profanity with creative spelling, in any language. As you pull up to Gaya Island Resort's private jetty, a warm welcome awaits while you take in the stunning vista of the hotel for the first time. They even give us extra and exceptional services for some of the delays.. Loved having options for our evening meal besides a standard buffet (that got old after a month on Borneo). Gaya Island Resort is made up of a series of jungle villas, suites, three restaurants and a popular poolside bar - and not to mention a gorgeous spa offering an array of tempting treatments. Large bathrooms have big bathtubs, separate glass showers, and double sinks. I loved the nature of the hotel. This service may contain translations powered by Google. There are also fun activities in the hotel such as jungle walking, diving. There are Asian breakfast soups, eggs cooked to order and fresh pastries. I think in a 5 star resort there perhaps does need to be distinguished different areas for families and adults as they are clearly on two very different experiences. Visit our corporate site. Perfect small getaway from KK
Highly recommend the mangrove kayaking Expereice with Justin! Your contribution should be yours. All rights reserved. Choose from a menu made up of delicious fresh fish choices, prepared to a high standard but for refreshingly reasonable prices. Sign up and we'll send the best deals to you. Please dont include personal, political, ethical, or religious commentary. Jennifer Lopez poses nude on her 53rd birthday and says she "feels amazing", Joni Mitchell surprised fans while playing a set at a music festival after decades away from a stage: "I didnt sound too bad", Delve into real women's inspiring stories, Look great and feel fabulous with our expert advice, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. Frozen Banana Ghost Pops + Happy Halloween! Nestled in the ancient rain forest withinTunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, the resort's design integrates the natural world with local architecture and materials. There are troops of mischievous macaques that prowl the grounds, but this all adds to the adventurous nature of the island location, just 20 minutes by boat from the city of Kota Kinabalu. Heres why you can trust us. Your girl is big now, a real little lady, she is! When you see multiple reviews, the most recent ones will be at the top, subject to a few other factors (what language a review is in, whether its just a rating or contains comments as well, etc.). We check for naughty words and verify the authenticity of all guest reviews before adding them to our site. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. I'm sure parents were looking at us, with the odd swear word coming out accidentally, and thinking we were not fitting in with their resort ideal holiday also. In addition, guests can give separate subscores in crucial areas, such as location, cleanliness, staff, comfort, facilities, value for money and free Wi-Fi. We really enjoyed our stay! All content should be genuine and unique to the guest. Some guests even delightedly described how they'd spotted a wild boar rooting around in the jungle undergrowth whilst they were sinking sundowners in the poolside bar. Villas from MYR 600 (112) in low season; and from MYR 1,099 (201) in high. Built using local hardwood and sandstone, the resorts villas cling to the hillside and tower over the cobalt-hewed Malohom Bay, with views stretching out into the South China Sea. Rachael's published work covers a broad spectrum of topics and she has written about everything from the future of sustainable travel, to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the world we live in, to the psychology of colour. Other than the main beach, there is also another private beach at. We spent some time with other couples on the beach and ended up drinking in the bar with them until we were all quite inebriated but with the abundance of minors present we all felt a bit out of place having a dance to the local band or getting a bit silly. When guests stay at the property they check out how quiet the room is, how friendly the staff are and more. We make it clear when weve done this. However, the resort attracts a lot of families also, unfortunately I don't feel the resort is big enough to accommodate both sets of people who both hold very different holiday ideals. Booking.com. Only this spoilt sleep on the last night. Welcoming staff in particular the restaurants chefs. It makes me want to get on a plane and stay there :D, Wow, I want to go! Copyright 19962022 With its private beach, infinity pools and immaculate palms, this trendy resort oozes with exclusivity and barefoot sophistication. As Gaya Island Resort is committed to minimise the carbon footprint within its environment, it is therefore a walking resort. Substantial extra charges for pretty much all the activities. There are five restaurants and bars spread across the property, ranging from the buffet restaurant, Feast Village, to the Japanese eatery, Omaske. The PADI five-star dive center has programs for novices through seasoned explorers, including intensive scuba training, guided snorkeling, and dive tours. Our kids were very excited when they saw their beautiful room and the huge bathtub (which they spent hours in on rainy evenings!). Error: We're here for our honeymoon.. And it was a wanderful experience, the staff were super friendly and helpful.. Linda, Jenny, Dickson and the chef in the cooking class were fantastic and really added a lovely personal touch that made us feel so welcome during our time there. The food was also great. These guidelines and standards aim to keep the content on Booking.com relevant and family-friendly without limiting expression of strong opinions. Service is friendly and efficient throughout, and personalised itineraries can easily be modified depending on the whims of guests. In addition to a gym and a large spa, travelers can choose from a long list of daily activities, including diving, kayaking, and guided jungle treks (cooking classes, picnics, and offsite excursions are available for an added fee). Absolutely incredible place. More of an experience than just a hotel or resort. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. After a long day of exciting experiences, well deserved relaxation and gastronomical delights, wander back to your room for a wonderfully refreshing nights sleep. Rooms and environment is very nice. Couples looking for a more intimate, relax-minded getaway should consider Bunga Raya Island Resort. The hotel is reached by a 15-minute ferry ride from the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal in Kota Kinabalu. Beautiful, well taken care of Resort. To get the overall score that you see, we add up all the review scores weve received and divide that total by the number of review scores weve received. Really unforgettable, Over priced boat transfers, limited choice for vegetarians and vegans, guests reserving sun lounges, rubbish in the sea, Fabulous property, great staff, beautiful pool, nice villa. Service:
The service from the people that work here, is in our opinion, above and beyond expectation. Promotional content will be removed and issues concerning Booking.coms services should be routed to our Customer Service or Accommodation Service teams. The resort's 120 spacious villas are outfitted with minibars and free Wi-Fi. There was no buggy service from hotel. All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. Love all your beautiful clicks and your two awesome models.I must go there one day since I am staying next door ..Sarawak.Thanks for sharing !mui, I have been meaning to say via IG that your children have grown up so much! This looks wonderful!Zoe, Looks amazing! By default, reviews are sorted based on the date of the review and on additional criteria to display the most relevant reviews, including but not limited to: your language, reviews with text, and non-anonymous reviews. Every morning after breakfast, our kids would go down to the beach by the Feast Village and play in the sand or just run at the beach. J. But the view was still worth it, The view was fantastic! If you like, you can sort and/or filter them (by time of year, review score, etc.). Overlooking the resort's infinity pool and floating cabanas, the all-day Pool Bar & Lounge serves casual fare and cocktails. Gaya Island Resort, Gaya Island, Malaysian Borneo, Malaysia. The staff are friendly and dinner is gorgeous. It's almost impossible not to immerse yourself in Gaya Island's natural beauty and tropical surroundings, whether enjoying the stunning view of Kota Kinabalu framed by the famous Mt Kinabalu in the distance whilst relaxing on the beach, or simply walking through the shady paths as you navigate the resort, discovering the many things it has to offer during your stay. This is undoubtedly one of Malaysian Borneo's most impressive hotels, with water sports, energetic activities and educational excursions in abundance. Comfortable bed, huge bathtub. I honestly didnt have anything I dislike. The only way to leave a review is to first make a booking. Most of these were down to poor communication / booking systems at the hotel - this included our yoga booking not existing when we arrived at class (despite booking 2 days earlier at reception), the hotel mis-communicating diver numbers to Borneo Dream Travel for a diving day resulting in over an hours delay to the trip, our paddleboard booking also not existing when we went to pick up our boards (despite booking over 24 hours earlier), duplicate charges on our final bill at checkout which I luckily spotted and got refunded, and finally our luggage ending up at the police station at the airport (!) 2022 Mooncakes: Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur x Melinda Looi, Malaysian online fashionistas celebrated endemicity in Boho-inspired style, Restaurant Fishing Village , DK Senza, Bandar Sunway. Whether you're fresh from the challenging climb of Mt Kinabalu and in need of some serious R&R, or simply seeking some sun, sea and sand surrounded by serious luxury in an exciting setting, Gaya Island is a perfect pick for a memorable getaway in Malaysia. So beautiful. Surrounded on four sides by dense mangroves, coral reefs, sandy beaches and humming jungle, Gaya Island Resort feels like a true tropical hideout. However, to look at the Island you wouldn't know it. The villas are modern, clean and elegant, with dark wood furnishings, marble floors and cream walls. We sometimes show external review scores from other well-known travel websites. This resort stylishly combines sandy manmade tones with the natural greens of palm trees, lawns and vines. Beautiful location, we saw monitor lizards right outside our room (they're much larger than I thought they'd be). Staff are lined to aid you across to the reception area and then you are greeted with smile, fabulous fruit ices and cold towels, this is a really nice and often highly appreciated touch. We booked nice view and the location was very high and had to hike up every time we went up. Personel is very friendly and helpful. A wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center open to visitors is a five-minute boat ride or a 45-minute guided trek from the resort. Booking.com is a distributor (without any obligation to verify) and not a publisher of these comments and responses. Extra perks include butler service and outdoor verandas with daybeds, though cushions may be dirty. Hotel kept on insisting to charge us for the taxi transfer from the airport even though we had cancelled it days before. So peaceful here! Great activities during the day. A second-story conference room in the main complex holds up to 100 people and weddings can be held on the beach. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout. From Layla in the bar to Ramash in Feast Village, Xia in the reception managing her staff and then the highly amusing Head Chef Lao (might have his name wrong here) they couldn't do more to accommodate. We have more than 70 million property reviews, and they're all from real, verified guests. Attempts to bring down the rating of a competitor by submitting a negative review will not be tolerated. Booking.com does not accept responsibility or liability for any reviews or responses. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, express or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. Take a dip in the pool whilst enjoying the view over the bay, or get comfortable in one of the many hammocks, hanging invitingly between the palm trees that are scattered along the sandy edge of the beach. In the evening, book yourself a table at the 'Fishermans Cove' upstairs from the main restaurant. Kota KinabaluInternational Airport, Malaysia's second busiest, is a two-hour drive from the ferry terminal. Breakfast included. The staffs are really friendly especially Eli and Damien! From yoga to mangrove kayaking, and guided meditation to watching movies under the stars, there are no end of activities and experiences that you can take part in during your stay. The whole place feels relaxed but exclusive. On the last night was kept up by the sound of a rat biting and scratching in the floorboards above. The coffee is fantastic, the choice is extensive and the morning views across Malahom Bay are delightful.