Gaya Island Resort

What an incredible place! My friend and I stayed for 3N4D and loved it. The accommodation itself was beautiful and built for your comfort, nestled into trees. There are plenty of interesting activities (although the sunset cruise is a total rip off, they use the same basic boat they pick you up in and it’s 50 euros), and the grounds of the resort are just gorgeous. Could have easily stayed 2 weeks, well worth the price. The coral garden snorkeling was particularly great, Safwan@One was really helpful and pointed out sharks and pods of different fish.

Coming back to this resort always makes me feel so nostalgic, and the staff always make me feel at home. I haven't been back in years and so much has changed, except for the customer service, which remains exceptional as usual! We tried out the new craftswork activity which was insightful and so much fun!!! They were even able to send up a few bottles of wine for us while we were doing it, which made things even more fun of course. The new cooking class was also very well conducted! I've lived in Sabah for so long but never knew how to make our local native dishes like Hinava, so it was nice to finally learn how to make this! AND it was DELICIOUS!!! a MUST TRY. The hotel even gives you your own apron engraved with your name, which was such a cute touch. The one thing that people must NOT MISS is the Gayan Boullabaise dinner at Fisherman's Cove. The broth served was AMAZING. I've never tasted anything like it before! I just wish I could have MORE. We had so much fun and leaving was depressing T.T I can't wait to be back again in the future.

Overall we enjoyed our 5 nights at Gaya Island and takeaway plenty of happy memories. We are a family of 6 with kids aged between 13-21. The reception at the KK jetty was a bit different in that you’re amongst market shops and it didn’t create the best first impression but was fine and the staff were friendly. We were on the short speed boat ride to GI at 12:30pm but then had to wait until exactly 3pm and 3:30pm for our Kinabalu Villa’s. I realise check in is at 3pm but it would have been nice to get at least one villa slightly earlier especially when you’re feeling exhausted. The Kinabalu villas were spacious and high up, great for views of Malohom Bay and Mount Kinabalu in the distance and working off extra holiday calories but I wouldn’t recommend if you struggle with your mobility. The appearance of the rooms and general resort areas was lovely, albeit showing signs of wear and tear - it’s a shame they have let it slip and need to bring it back up to a 5 star standard. We had an up close interaction (thankfully behind glass) with some Macaque monkeys on the first day but then didn’t really see them again except when they stole something at the breakfast buffet which was a bit of entertainment. We participated in lots of activities, mangrove kayaking, snorkelling, scuba diving, yoga, spa (could only get at 50 min time slot though) and sunset cruise - most at additional cost and pricey but we’re glad we did them. We ate at the main buffet, Japanese shabu-shabu, and the BBQ dinner, all of which we enjoyed. The private beach at Tavajun Bay was beautiful and we got to see the Asian water monitor. It was also good to see and hear about the positive work the marine centre is doing. The staff at Gaya Island were all welcoming, friendly and helpful. We left feeling rested and relaxed before our onward journey to the Borneo Rainforest Lodge in the Danum Valley Conservation Area.

This is a 5* resort for Gaya, not sure if it would be on the mainland - but hear me out! Transfers from JP are easy and efficient. The GIR looks super as you approach. The reception is open and welcoming. The Kinabalu villas are large and well appointed if a little tired, but totally understandable in a tropical climate. The brekkie and buffet meals are vast and delicious and all the staff are very happy, smiley and welcoming. But, everyone seems to be hemmed into a very small area either by the pool or on the beachfront and so doesn’t have the luxe feel. The bar doesn’t help either which is shoved at the back of the pool. There is plenty of space down the beach that is very under used - no beds, no bar, no nothing that should be used to give more space. The beautifully grassy area in front of reception would be great place for a sundowner….but the sun sets on the other side of the island, and can’t change that!! But, overall a very happy stay. Thanks. Ps private beach (5 mins away) is beautiful

I have never experienced such a beautiful place where the staff are so friendly and make your stay so very special. We were on honeymoon and as nature-lovers were obsessed with the marine and jungle life, all the nature guides and watersports staff would spend so much time with us, identifying fish we had seen, giving advice as to where to spot the best animals, they were very enthusiastic and answered questions and made time for us every day and made us feel like friends. The resort is stunning, food is sublime and just all in all the most fantastic place I have ever stayed. Would 100% recommend to anyone going to Borneo.

I came to Gaya Island Resort ( following a professional trip to the area ) hoping for some cool snorkeling opportunities, and the resort — and especially the water sports folks including Safwan@One, Scott, and Bata — really delivered. On the boat trip away from Gaya, they made sure we saw sharks (some good sized ones at that) clown fish, and other cool creatures. And in the coral garden area right at the resort was a treat in itself. These staffers were all genuinely interested in ensuring that we got to see the beauty under the water (and in the mangrove). Also really appreciate that they shared pics from excursions with the guests so we could remember all the wild stuff we saw even if we didn’t have our own underwater cameras. ( Thanks Safwan @ ONE !!) Bonus points that the fees for water-sports these excursions go directly to the nature-conservation work Scott and his colleagues are doing, such as rehabbing sea turtles, regenerating the coral sites and the mangrove The resort is lovely, but for me, the snorkeling ( and the friendly water-sports staff ) was what made it special. I’

We had the most uncomfortable & rude welcome to Gaya Island Resort on the afternoon of Tuesday the 8th of July. We have traveled thousands of miles around the world and have had such wonderful warm welcomes, however the 4 staff that were there when we approached the jetty from our boat were so awful & hostile. We are sailors, sailing our catamaran yacht & we contribute to local economies of each country we visit, attractions, meet local communities & also enjoy the resort lifestyle as well. As we approached the jetty on our tender we were yelled at 'YOU CANT COME HERE" shocked, my husband came a little closer to ask if it was possible to possibly stay at the resort or to book in for meals, again the man yelled, 'YOU CANT COME HERE, its only for our guests'. On that note we felt very insulted. There was no 'Hello, how are you? or good afternoon how is your afternoon & then share the Resort Policy of 'Only booked guests can utilise the restaurant Sir' which of course we completly understand, it was the harsh initial unfriendly welcome that shocked us. Unfortunately i can only imaging what the hospitality is like while staying at the property. From our experience, we would not recommend this property to anyone & to our fellow sailors on the many yachts passing buy that may anchor in the Bay.

Our stay at Gaya Island Resort came after 5 days in Sepilok and Kinabatangen, so some rest was much needed. The office at Jesselton Ferry Point was a great introduction to the experience - our luggage was taken care of and we didn't see it again until it was in our rooms. Everything was first class - the food (so much choice!), the rooms, the views and especially the staff. We snorkelled on the house reef and took the Coral Garden snorkelling trip, cooled off in the pool, ate in the buffet, at Fisherman's Cove and at the private beach (spot the monitor lizards!), had 2 fantastic massages and tried many of the happy hour drinks! The level of service was amazing. Just watch out for the cheeky macaques!

The resort was lovely apart from the scary monkeys and being unable to book a visit to the spa as it was fully booked. Make sure you book in advance if you want to visit the spa! Highlight was the snorkelling trip to Coral Island and the home reef with Safwan. He was amazing. I am not a confident swimmer and he made sure I was fine. We saw a shark, turtles, sting rays and lots of beautiful fish.

Most 5 star hotels will have the beautiful location, the fabulous food, an amazing range of activities, luxurious rooms etc etc. We would include Gaya Island resort in this but what really makes this place so special are the people. The kindness and warm hospitality of everyone at the resort has been exceptional with standouts of Chef Dolis working the room as a pro, organising and preparing bespoke and unexpected dishes for guests including ourselves, beaming from the egg station in the mornings and looking a little dejected when a guest doesn't want eggs for breakfast; Chris and Safwan in the watersports centre supporting guests on snorkel trips, encouraging the not-so-confident swimmers and sharing photos with each group member so they have memories of their own trip; Scott and Dhiv in the Marine Centre who are so generous with their time and knowledge about the marine life around Gaya Island and sharing uplifting stories of turtle rescues; Justin, the resident naturalist whose passion, knowledge and love for the wildlife is infectious. Long may these people continue with their great work and a huge thank you to the rest of the Gaya Island Resort team for their care, their service and their smiles!