Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - an SLH Hotel
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All properties in Gaya Island
Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - an SLH Hotel
Malohom Bay, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Marine Park, Gaya Island, Sabah, 88000, Malaysia
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Highlights
Airport pick-up availableGreat views
Varied breakfast
Sparkling clean
Lots to doShow more
Amenities
Outdoor swimming pool
Private beach area
Diving
Snorkeling
Spa
Massage room
Gym
Priority airport pick-up
All amenities
Property Description
Within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park off the coast of Kota Kinabalu in Borneo, Gaya Island Resort Kota Kinabalu rests along the coast of Malohom Bay, a natural sanctuary nestled in the hillside of an ancient rainforest with a stunning outline of Mount Kinabalu on the horizon. The resort's architecture respects Sabahan elements; its 120 villas and two-bedroom suite use local materials and blend harmoniously with the natural environment while villa interiors are designed with a contemporary elegance.Yet this is more than just a beautiful beachfront resort in stunning surroundings; with its PURE activities, this is a place for the curious to actively engage or peacefully absorb all Borneo has to offer. Seamlessly integrated within the mangroves is Spa Village, offering a rich tapestry of spa programs that reflect the ancient healing practices of the region while restoring balance to alleviate modern stresses. Dining is a burst of freshness and flavor; exquisite, sensory and sublime. Discoveries, authentic experiences and a sense of intimacy with the natural world all prevail across the land and seascape of this resort, with its youthful vibe and sun-dappled moments, offering travelers and families an escape that is distinctively Borneo. Gaya Island Resort is committed to ecologically-sustainable practices to minimize the carbon footprint within its environment. Therefore, the resort is a walking resort and only minimal motorized vehicles are used for operational purposes.
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8.5/10
Amazing hotel and facilities, highly recommend! Staff is fantastic.
All 214 reviews
Surroundings
Train: Stesen Keretapi Papar
(34.3 km)
Landmarks: Marine Ecology Research Centre
(820m)
Landmarks: Gaya Island Resort Marine Center
(1.0 km)
Landmarks: Tavajun Bay
(1.0 km)
Landmarks: Gaya Island
(1.9 km)
Landmarks: Sapi Island Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia
(4.5 km)
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Overview
Rooms
Guest Reviews
Services & Amenities
Policies
7
Kinabalu Villa
1 King bed
47m² | Floor: 1-2
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air conditioning
Bathtub
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
5
Canopy Villa
1 King bed
47m² | Floor: 1-2
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air conditioning
Private bathroom
Bathtub
Refrigerator
Check Availability
5
Bayu Villa
1 King bed or 2 Single bed
47m² | Floor: 1-2
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air conditioning
Private bathroom
Bathtub
Refrigerator
Check Availability
5
Suria Suite
2 King bed
188m² | Floor: 1
Has window
Free Wi-Fi
Non-smoking
Air conditioning
Bathtub
Refrigerator
Minibar
Check Availability
Guest Reviews
8.5/10
Very Good
214 reviews
- Cleanliness8.7
- Amenities8.3
- Location8.8
- Service8.4
Average for similar properties in Gaya Island
Review summary
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Environment and Location: The resort is situated on a stunning island with lush surroundings, pristine beaches, and beautiful tropical wildlife. Guests appreciated the peaceful atmosphere, scenic views, and opportunities for snorkeling and kayaking.(based on 45 reviews)
Guest User
November 3, 2025
This resort is located in a spectacular position on the island. We were blown away by the views from our villa, and the whole experience felt luxury, thanks to all the helpful staff, the air-conditioned waiting room for the speedboat, and the beautiful finishings. It’s also a place to have a good balance of relaxation and activities - we took part in meditation, the nature walk, snorkeling and marine talk which were all at no additional cost. Angel and Dhiv, who hosted our nature walk and marine talk respectively, were friendly, knowledgeable and made their activities very enjoyable.
The dinner buffet was impressive with fresh spiced fried chicken and fresh juicy grilled prawns. I also had a banoffee cheesecake that changed my life, credits to the pastry team! We also appreciated the local Malaysian foods available in the breakfast buffet like roti jala and nasi lemak.
The private beach’s highlight is the marine center and the coral and turtles it houses - we didn’t have the set lunch there but we’re okay to give it a miss.
Our one gripe was unfortunately spotting lizard faeces near the bathroom which was a bit of a mood killer, but the room was otherwise spotless.
Would definitely come back here again!
Guest User
October 3, 2025
Amazing stay at the Gaya island resort. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The room was very clean, comfortable with amazing views on the sea. Perfect place to recharge your batteries and relax.
Kara Tai
May 4, 2025
The resort is very easy to get to from Kota Kinabalu airport. Using the Grab app makes it convenient to call a car to take you to the Jesselton Point to catch the boat to the resort.
The resort is quite beautiful and clean. Reading other reviews, I wasn’t quite sure why several had complaints about the price and food. The food was all excellent - fresh and reasonably priced. We ate at both specialty restaurants as well - Fisherman’s Cove and Omakase - and both were excellent. The breakfast and dinner buffets had a lot of variety to choose from and all the staff were friendly and helpful.
The bed was incredibly comfortable and we loved the sea view from our terrace. The bathroom was well-equipped and spacious. The pool was very clean and there were plenty of sun chairs to choose from. The gift shop had many cute items.
The spa is beautiful and the massage was amazing!
What needs improvement - the bathtub in our villa was a bit dirty with some dead bugs.
It’s fantastic that they offer a complimentary boat shuttle to the other bay near the marine center but it’s extremely littered with plastic. I asked the staff for a garbage bag and ended up collecting about 5 kg worth of garbage from the beach and sea. This should be the government policy or authorities responsibility - they need to clean it up and charge fines for littering.
Overall, we loved this resort and wanted to stay longer. We definitely recommend staying here. I would like to specifically mention Aileen, Rozana, Nathaniel and Shadar for making our stay memorable and comfortable.
Guest User
July 6, 2025
Amazing hotel and facilities, highly recommend! Staff is fantastic.
Alwie89
September 15, 2025
good for family beach trip
Guest User
April 6, 2025
We had the best time in Gaya Island Resort, it was my anniversary staycation with the kids. This place is so clean and beautiful like a paradise. The staff all are so friendly. We even get free upgrade room. The breakfast have a lot of choices. The kids has so much fun in the pool. We will definitely be back. Highly recommend if you want to bring your kids for vacation here.
Keshav
February 17, 2025
Incredible location, very peaceful. Villas are huge and very clean & comfortable. Hotel staff is super helpful and the food is quite nice. Great weekend getaway spot. Will definitely visit again.
Guest User
March 16, 2025
Amazing location, fantastic staff. The house coral reef is great with a lot of fishes.
Services & Amenities
Most popular business facilities
Outdoor swimming pool
Private beach area
Diving
Snorkeling
Spa
Massage room
Gym
Priority airport pick-up
Additional charge
Bar
Restaurant
Priority airport drop-off
Station pick-up service
Additional charge
Conference room
Additional charge
Multi-function room
Tour and ticket booking service
24-hour front desk
Wi-Fi in public areas
Free
Laundry room
Outdoor swimming pool
Private beach area
Spa
Gym
Bar
Restaurant
Conference room
Multi-function room
Restaurant
Restaurant
No additional info available
More Amenities
Internet
Wi-Fi in public areas
Free
Outdoor swimming pool
Parking
Parking
Transportation
Station pick-up service
Additional charge
Station drop-off service
Priority airport pick-up
Additional charge
Priority airport drop-off
Business services
Multi-function room
Conference room
Additional charge
Fax/copying service
Wedding service
Front desk services
24-hour front desk
Concierge service
Safe at front desk
Wake-up call
Tour and ticket booking service
Languages spoken
Chinese (Mandarin)
Food & drink
Bar
Health & wellness
Spa
Massage room
Diving
Snorkeling
Gym
Activities
Private beach area
Fishing
Cleaning services
Laundry room
Dry cleaning
Additional charge
Laundry service (on-site)
Additional charge
Ironing service
Additional charge
Property Policies
Check-in and Check-out Times
Check-in: 15:00–21:00
Check-out: Before 11:00
Front desk hours: 24/7
Check-in is at a different address. Details will be provided after booking.
The property will provide check-in details after booking
Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome at this property.
Additional fees may be charged for children using existing beds. Add the number of children to get a more accurate price.
Cribs and Extra Beds
For all room types, cribs and extra beds cannot be added.
Breakfast
CuisineChinese
StyleBuffet
Opening hours[Mon - Sun] 07:00-10:30 Open
| Age | Fee |
|---|---|
Children 11 years old and under | MYR 46.40 (approx. PHP 658.39) per person |
Children 12–17 years old | MYR 92.80 (approx. PHP 1,316.78) per person |
Adult | Buffet:MYR 92.80 (approx. PHP 1,316.78) per person |
Additional breakfast fees are not included in the total and need to be paid at the property.
Deposit Policy
DepositDeposit required
Deposit Collection MethodsThe deposit is determined based on the number of rooms you book. The charge is MYR 300.00 (approx. PHP 4,256.82) per room.
Deposit Payment MethodsThis property accepts cash, credit cards and debit cards
Deposit RefundOn the day of check-out
Pets
Pets are not allowed
Age Requirements
The main guest checking in must be at least 18 years old
Paying at the hotel
Property Description
- Opened: 2012
- Number of Rooms: 122
Phone:+60-327831000
Email:ytc.travelcentreagent.central@ytlhotels.com
Within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park off the coast of Kota Kinabalu in Borneo, Gaya Island Resort Kota Kinabalu rests along the coast of Malohom Bay, a natural sanctuary nestled in the hillside of an ancient rainforest with a stunning outline of Mount Kinabalu on the horizon. The resort's architecture respects Sabahan elements; its 120 villas and two-bedroom suite use local materials and blend harmoniously with the natural environment while villa interiors are designed with a contemporary elegance.Yet this is more than just a beautiful beachfront resort in stunning surroundings; with its PURE activities, this is a place for the curious to actively engage or peacefully absorb all Borneo has to offer. Seamlessly integrated within the mangroves is Spa Village, offering a rich tapestry of spa programs that reflect the ancient healing practices of the region while restoring balance to alleviate modern stresses. Dining is a burst of freshness and flavor; exquisite, sensory and sublime. Discoveries, authentic experiences and a sense of intimacy with the natural world all prevail across the land and seascape of this resort, with its youthful vibe and sun-dappled moments, offering travelers and families an escape that is distinctively Borneo. Gaya Island Resort is committed to ecologically-sustainable practices to minimize the carbon footprint within its environment. Therefore, the resort is a walking resort and only minimal motorized vehicles are used for operational purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the cancellation policy at Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - an SLH Hotel?
The cancellation policy at Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - an SLH Hotel depends on your room type and booking terms.What’s the cancellation policy at Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - an SLH Hotel?
What are the check-in and check-out times at Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - an SLH Hotel?
Check-in at Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - an SLH Hotel starts from 15:00-21:00, and the standard check-out time is by 11:00.What are the check-in and check-out times at Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - an SLH Hotel?
Is breakfast available at Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - an SLH Hotel?
Yes, Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - an SLH Hotel provides breakfast. Options include Chinese. Is breakfast available at Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - an SLH Hotel?
Are pets allowed at Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - an SLH Hotel?
No, pets are not allowed at Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - an SLH Hotel.Are pets allowed at Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - an SLH Hotel?
Does Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - an SLH Hotel offer airport transfer services?
Yes, Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - an SLH Hotel offers airport transfer services. Contact the hotel in advance to confirm availability and fees.Does Gaya Island Resort, Kota Kinabalu - an SLH Hotel offer airport transfer services?
About This Property
| Nearest Train Station | Stesen Keretapi Papar |
|---|---|
| Distance to Train Station | 34.3KM |
| Average Price From | PHP19677 |
| Hotel Star Rating | 5 |