Gaya Island Resort
In the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, lies the island of Pulau Gaya. Covered in dense tropical forest, this picturesque isle has been protected as a reserve since the early 1920s. Here, you will find Gaya Island Resort. The resort is close to some spectacular wildlife-spotting areas, so take advantage of the in-house guiding and information available and keep an eye out for the rare proboscis monkey, along with the island's many other characterful inhabitants.
Set between verdant rainforest and a fine sandy beach with a house reef on the edge of a 40-acre estate, this hotel has a lap pool, fantastic spa programmes at the Spa Village and a great collection of restaurants. The interactive buffet venue Feast Village serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and diverse cuisine from all over the Asia-Pacific region. Fine dining, adults-only Fisherman’s Cove restaurant has a dinner menu full of freshly-caught seafood dishes. For a taste of Japan, head to Omakase, where your choice of teppanyaki is prepared by the talented chef. Shabu-shabu or nabe dishes are also available on request. You can enjoy a refreshing cocktail or light lunch at the casual Pool Bar and Lounge, or have lunch at the private Tavajun Bay, which is reached by a five minute boat ride.
Nestled within the rainforest and mangroves, the resort is made up of 120 modern villas that have been built using the finest locally-sourced materials. The Canopy Villas sit on a gentle hillside just a short walk from the beach, whilst the Bayu Villas are set higher up in the forest with views of the rainforest canopy or tropical mangroves. A stay in the Kinabalu Villas means a bit of extra climbing, but they have stunning views of the glittering South China Sea. The extremely spacious two-level Suria Suite is perfect for families or groups.