The pool was beautiful and they have the BEST beach chairs ever! Thank you to YTL Hotels for this wonderful experience. The balcony area we had was beautiful, we sat watching the sun rise over Mt Kinabalu, then the monkey's in the neighboring trees climbing over the canopy's and I even popped the question on our balcony before dinner. Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Such happy memories. Everyone was so friendly. 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. Paying those prices you do of course expect very high standards and the room, general facilities and friendliness of staff definitely delivered. The whole place feels relaxed but exclusive. Contributions should be appropriate for a global audience. There is a 40-metre lap pool with floating cabanas fronting the beach and a wading pool for the kids at Gaya Island Resort. 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. The rooftop Fisherman's Cove offers a seafood menu and gorgeous sunset views, but note that a dress code is required and children under 12 aren't allowed. 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. Your current language is English (UK). We check for naughty words and verify the authenticity of all guest reviews before adding them to our site. The hotel is reached by a 15-minute ferry ride from the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal in Kota Kinabalu. If we find any, we delete them and, if necessary, take action against whoever is responsible. 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. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. The check in process at the jetty, the staff, the resort itself, the room, the pool, the beach, the activities.. Booking.com will make an effort to obscure email addresses, telephone numbers, website addresses, social media accounts, and similar details. The resort's 120 spacious villas are outfitted with minibars and free Wi-Fi. A wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center open to visitors is a five-minute boat ride or a 45-minute guided trek from the resort. But let me save some money first! Taste Enclave Classic + Chapter Two @ Pavilion KL, Kembali Kitchen, Best Western Premier Dua Sentral, KL, Aunty Betty's + Stonehaven Beach, Scotland. Do remember to bring your sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Further uphill, protected mangroves lend privacy to the villas, though reaching these requires a steep climb. Gaya Island is owned by YTL Hotels. Board games are available at the library. Wouldnt stop me staying again though, Total relaxation a short hop from KK. Spend your days away from the spa down on the resort's peaceful beach front. Frozen Banana Ghost Pops + Happy Halloween! Woman & Home is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. If you buy something through our links, Oyster may earn an affiliate commission. An Accommodation may choose to reply to a review. 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. The opinions expressed in contributions are those of Booking.com customers and properties and not of Booking.com. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. Perhaps another thing would be the distance to the spa.. Perhaps they could consider providing some sort of shuttle service to go all the way to the end of the resort. Sign up and we'll send the best deals to you. The large pool is the centrepiece of the property, lavishly clad in thousands of blue tiles and surrounded by dozens of classy Royal green sun loungers. Enjoy a honey and avocado seed facial, or a Malay massage, or perhaps even indulge in the spa's amazing Tadau Kaamatan experience. Malohom Bay, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Breakfast is an impressive buffet served in the Feast Village restaurant. This resort stylishly combines sandy manmade tones with the natural greens of palm trees, lawns and vines. However, we wont display any review that includes or refers to (among other things): To make sure reviews are relevant, we may only accept reviews that are submitted within 3 months of checking out, and we may stop showing reviews once theyre 36 months old or if the Accommodation has a change of ownership. 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. Sink your toes into the sand whilst enjoying a good book, or take shade on a cushioned sun lounger under a perfectly placed parasol to enjoy a refreshing cocktail or well timed cup of afternoon tea. The sheltered bay is perfect for snorkelling and kayaking, and there are daily activities aimed at children such as nature walks. Beach is clean, but just water not as clear as other island that were further away.. Had an amazing stay here! Start your day in the 'Feast Village' with a breakfast buffet serving a fabulous array of food choices, from local Laskas to freshly made juices, cooked breakfast options and a continental selection too including freshly baked banana bread (a must try) and a mouthwatering selection of pastries. A little disorganised in certain areas. Nestled in the ancient rain forest withinTunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, the resort's design integrates the natural world with local architecture and materials. Room:
We stayed for three nights in one of the Kinabalu Villas after a hard few days actually climbing Mount Kinabalu. Just remember to Reserve what you want to do and/or the place you want to eat early to avoid disappointment. Rooms and environment is very nice. The multilevel spa has a variety of traditional and local-inspired treatments available for both couples and individuals. Note that guests submit their subscores and their overall scores independently, so theres no direct link between them. Booking.com is part of Booking Holdings Inc., the world leader in online travel and related services. In the evening, book yourself a table at the 'Fishermans Cove' upstairs from the main restaurant. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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. Lo has loads to celebrate: not only did she recently get married to actor Ben Affleck but she just had her 53rd birthday as well, Folk icon Joni Mitchell led a surprise performance of Both Sides Now at a music festival in Newport. Heres why you can trust us. 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. I will definitely visit it one day :), Hi Yen,I will jump lots too if I'm having a holiday in this resort! 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.). Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct. Beautiful, well taken care of Resort. Service is friendly and efficient throughout, and personalised itineraries can easily be modified depending on the whims of guests. 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. Breakfast included. 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. After climb the mountain, we truly need a good rest in resort. Copyright 19962022 Food & Travel Blog by Baby Sumo - Restaurant and hotel reviews, recipes, and more. We also love waking up early in the mornings (before 6am!) 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. It's a tropical island afterall. Swimming pool and beach were fantastic and not that busy. Overlooking the beach is the 40-meter (132 feet) pool with daybeds just above the water and a swim-up bar. We chose to stay at the resort at the end of our trip around Sabah as a treat - it was by far our most expensive hotel of the whole holiday. If rest and relaxation is what you're after, there's no better place than the resort's tranquil spa. 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. Obviously taking into account how natural our surroundings are, we were fine with this the majority of the time. 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. if the writer is claiming to be someone else). Win a 3D2N trip to Macau Blogging Contest! Other than the main beach, there is also another private beach at. to catch the sunrise and on our last morning, we were rewarded with a view of Mount Kinabalu plus a beautiful sunrise. I loved the nature of the hotel. Only this spoilt sleep on the last night. Beautiful location, we saw monitor lizards right outside our room (they're much larger than I thought they'd be). Amazing location, super attentive staff, great food. Reviews are most valuable when they are original and unbiased. 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. Respect the privacy of others. The staff are friendly and dinner is gorgeous. Thank you so much for reading! The whole place, the people, everything was beyond what I could have imagined. Hehehe. It makes me want to get on a plane and stay there :D, Wow, I want to go! Villas from MYR 600 (112) in low season; and from MYR 1,099 (201) in high. Error: Recipe: Mee suah noodle soup with prawns, chick Indian Food @ Nazma Tandoori, Aberdeen, Scotland. Good staff, great food. Welcoming staff in particular the restaurants chefs. Not sure if this is actually a problem the resort can solve?! These include theSpa Village -- a two-story contemporary structure with serene koi ponds and open-air lounging and treatment pavilions -- the main dining room, and the well-equipped gym. There are also fun activities in the hotel such as jungle walking, diving. Malohom Bay, Pulau Gaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, 88000 Gaya Island, Malaysia. There was no buggy service from hotel. When guests stay at the property they check out how quiet the room is, how friendly the staff are and more. The most helpful contributions are detailed and help others make better decisions. As a sabahan, i've never been there but heard about it so much from my friends. The lovely crescent-shaped beach is a stretch of beige sand lined with cushioned loungers and parasols. In the restaurant areas the children would often run around the tables and this did make having a romantic meal a bit challenging at times. However, there is access via boat to a private beach (Tavajun bay) which is really pretty and tranquil. Kayaks, snorkels and stand-up paddleboards are readily available, and there are guided nature hikes into the islands interior. Couples looking for a more intimate, relax-minded getaway should consider Bunga Raya Island Resort. However, to look at the Island you wouldn't know it. Would be nice to have a kids pool somewhere away from the bar area so adults without kids can enjoy the pool/bar area. The coffee is fantastic, the choice is extensive and the morning views across Malahom Bay are delightful. That's how we know our reviews come from real guests who have stayed at the property. The Big Thick Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! 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 Gaya Island Resort's 120 hillside villas are large yet intimate, combining traditional textiles and local materials with contemporary design. Standard features include free Wi-Fi, large flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and safes. Staff were very friendly and helpful throughout our stay. Each jungle villa comes equipped with a king sized bed, essential air con for Borneo's tropical climate, a well stocked mini bar, huge bath tub that just begs to be used at least once during your stay and a selection of sumptuously smelling bath products. For the ultimate seafood experience, make sure you book to enjoy the 'Sinagang Steamboat' on one evening during your stay. We sometimes show external review scores from other well-known travel websites. On arrival at the mainland jetty, you'll have you're luggage quickly taken for you before being swept onto a waiting speedboat. Welcome to my blog, where you can find restaurant and hotel reviews, tried-and-tested recipes as well as gardening and parenting posts. Each review score is between 1-10. 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. Highly recommend it. 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. Absolutely incredible place. I want to go! The staff were absolutely fabulous they attended to everything. Outside, wooden boardwalks and concrete walkways overhung with lush foliage encircle the hilly property, and rustic signposts point the way to resort destinations. There is only space for 10 guests to enjoy this special dining experience at one time, and there are only two settings per evening. The resort markets itself in a way which I believe would really attract honeymooners and couples looking for a romantic Spa retreat/getaway/break. Substantial extra charges for pretty much all the activities. 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. Booking.com does not accept responsibility or liability for any reviews or responses. Hi Yen,Can tell that your kids enjoyed this place so much.Beautiful 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. The island provides great privacy and the view of Mt Kinabalu. 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. Anyone else who spots something suspicious can always report it to our Customer Service team, so our Fraud team can investigate. 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. This service may contain translations powered by Google. :D. Wonderful and amazing experience for you and the kids. Comfortable bed, huge bathtub. Could have been a little cleaner in bathrooms - bath tub had dead insects inside the basin which made us hesitant to use. Choose from a menu made up of delicious fresh fish choices, prepared to a high standard but for refreshingly reasonable prices. More expensive than other places we stayed in Sabah but 100% worth it. It was really pleasant and nice resort.. :). There is also a kids play room as well asKuRi-KuRi (meaning 'play' in the local Bajau language) Kids Club whereby half day programmes are available to keep young adventurers occupied with activities and games designed to nurture creativity and educate on the natural surroundings. Please avoid using profanity or attempts to approximate profanity with creative spelling, in any language. More of an experience than just a hotel or resort. Looks like you guys had amazing trip. There are also three restaurants on-site, though they receive mixed reviews. 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. It's a beautiful resort and the staff were all incredibly helpful, gorgeous water and setting. 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. Plenty of loungers and hammocks dot the white-sand beach, although many guests gravitate toward the infinity pool with swim-up bar. In addition, guests can give separate subscores in crucial areas, such as location, cleanliness, staff, comfort, facilities, value for money and free Wi-Fi. I need a vacation! In the resort, there are a myriad of dining selections. 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. There are also daily snorkeling trips which take you 30 minutes from the island to explore the area's breathtaking coral reef, and the resort also has a dive centre for PADI certified guests to take their exploration of Borneo's oceans to new depths. Loved having options for our evening meal besides a standard buffet (that got old after a month on Borneo). Little quirks like umbrellas, pool side sandals and bags made the experience that little bit more special. 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. We make it clear when weve done this. And staff Chloe was really kind to arrange all activitiesnfor us! England and Wales company registration number 2008885. So peaceful here! After a long day of exciting experiences, well deserved relaxation and gastronomical delights, wander back to your room for a wonderfully refreshing nights sleep. The staff was wonderful and never passed you without saying good morning, good afternoon or good evening. Hi everyone! We have more than 70 million property reviews, and they're all from real, verified guests. On the last night was kept up by the sound of a rat biting and scratching in the floorboards above. Robes and slippers, hairdryers, and luxury toiletries are also provided. It was the perfect end to a wonderful holiday in Borneo. Food was delicious with a lot of variety but expensive. We really enjoyed our stay! 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. 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. Highly recommended! From the resort lobby/beach front to our villa is a 10-minute leisurely walk. If you booked through us and want to leave a review, please sign in first. Attempts to bring down the rating of a competitor by submitting a negative review will not be tolerated. The only thing I felt I had to "deal" with were mosquitos. There are three on-site restaurants, plus private dining can be arranged. All rights reserved. Great activities during the day. Personel is very friendly and helpful. The room is awesome as well.. We really enjoy ourselves.. We wish to come back again, our stay for 1 nigy is too short! For a really special dining experience during your stay, make sure you reserve a place at the resorts 'Omakase' Japanese restaurant. Here I feel like they are much bigger again! It would have been nice for these to be free of charge - as they are at many other resorts. We really had good schedule thanks to her! Expensive food and activities, some activities were already fully booked. Booking.com. An internationally published digital journalist and editor who specialises in SEO strategy and content production, Rachael has worked as a writer and editor for both news and lifestyle websites in the UK and abroad. 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. The hillside Omakase restaurant serves traditional Japanese specialties for dinner. Hotel kept on insisting to charge us for the taxi transfer from the airport even though we had cancelled it days before. Your contribution should be yours. You can review an Accommodation that you booked through our Platform if you stayed there or if you arrived at the property but didnt actually stay there. The croissants are particularly delicious. Gaya Island Resort, Gaya Island, Malaysian Borneo, Malaysia. Pulau Gaya, Kota Kinabalu District, West Coast Division, Sabah, Malaysia, Five-pearl beach resort surrounded by jungle flora and fauna, Loads of free family-friendly activities, including guided nature walks, kayaking, and movies, PADI-certified dive shop offers beginner classes, snorkeling, and water sports, Spectacular mountain and ocean views from hilltop villas, Elegant rooms have huge bathrooms and comfy beds with luxury linens, Four a la carte restaurants with meal plans, private dining, and special event options, Swim-up pool bar serving fresh coconuts and cocktails, Large spa with open-air treatment pavilions, Resort is committed to ecologically sustainable practices, It can be a long, steep climb to reach some hilltop rooms, Complaints of pricey restaurants with hit-or-miss food quality, Coral reef around hotel has noticeable damage, Children under 12 not allowed in Fisherman's Cove restaurant. 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. Everything! The resort also features a gift shop sellinglocal handicrafts, tea, and spices. Make sure you leave plenty of room before sitting down for dinner if you pick this option, you won't want to pass up the chance to try every delicacy on offer and sample all of the freshly caught fish from salmon and scallops to muscles and monkfish. We booked nice view and the location was very high and had to hike up every time we went up. Beautiful nature and lots of activities to choose from! I want to tag along~~~! Love love love it :-D. Just returned from Gaya yesterday. Large bathrooms have big bathtubs, separate glass showers, and double sinks. Food:
Excellent everywhere! Extremely nice and attentive staff! All rights reserved. Overlooking the resort's infinity pool and floating cabanas, the all-day Pool Bar & Lounge serves casual fare and cocktails. 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. 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. The PURE activity center organizes a daily list of organized programs, including deep sea fishing excursions, free beachside exercise classes, free guided nature walks, free visits to the marine rescue center, and local craft classes. Visit our corporate site. Swimming pool can be a bit better maintained. Could do with AC room as no AC in communal areas. 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). A little bit pricey, unexpected cost for transfer. The showers are vast and stylish, and the bathtubs are large marble affairs. There's also a separate children's wading pool, and green cushioned loungers are set up for guests. So clean and untouchedwould love to go there some day:D, gorgeous shots capturing the beautiful, idyllic tranquillity of the island and baby d and c both look like they're having a whale of a time with so many different and interesting activities :), Wow everyone looks like they're having an amazing time!
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