A short boat ride from the bustling and steamy town of Kota Kinabalu, Gaya Island Resort in many instances, is the luxury refuge for tourists after being on a jungle-bashing adventure in Borneo. From the verdant forest to expanses of azure water above and below the South China Sea within the protected Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Gaya Island is in stark contrast. Upon arrival by speedboat from the mainland, the initial vision of the resort is captivating. The striking features are its hillside retreats that perch in ancient rainforest with views over the water to Kota Kinabalu and the surreal vision of Mount Kinabalu, often with its head in the clouds. While at your feet, the deep blue water morphs into shades of emerald green and a fringe of golden sand wrapping itself around the sheltered Malohom Bay.
Your villa may be high in the sky with a strenuous walk to get to or on the lower levels that are more friendly to old or fragile knees. Wherever the villa is, you can be assured it will have a view with an expansive balcony and daybeds for relaxing moments, especially at sunset when the sky blazes in various shades of red. Sophisticated, elegant, and styled for the elements, it's eco-luxury at its best. A large comfy bed, massive walk-in wardrobe, a bathroom where you don't have to fight your partner to use the hand basin—there are two—and a separate shower plus toilet. The oversized bath is big enough to party in if the fancy takes you in that direction. Other room attributes include a dedicated desk area, an in-room safe for your precious items, and a massive television with satellite channels available. There are plenty of power points to plug your gadgets into, air-conditioning if you don't wish to leave the panoramic glass doors open, and a mini-bar to quench your thirst. Whirling ceiling fans and the soft furnishings give the décor a distinctive Bornean vibe. If you want to splash some cash or there are a number of you, book a Suria Suite with an indulgent outdoor bath and separate dining and lounge areas.
With 121 villas, Gaya Island Resort is by no means a 'boutique retreat,' especially during school holidays, as it has long been a hangout for Malaysia's upmarket locals and expats. There are good and bad points when staying at a large resort, but in this case, the positives outweigh the negatives. Positives include having a selection of dining venues that smaller resorts cannot feature, there are a lot of extra activities and excursions available, and it's easy to make new besties over a drink at the bar. The negatives are for the no-kids-in-tow tourists, as there are plenty of kids running amok during school holidays. Claiming one of the sunbeds by the swimming pool is akin to 'bagging' it—literally—before breakfast, or you will miss out. And, children on holidays are not known for their quiet behavior in a swimming pool.
Food is no afterthought at Gaya Island Resort; you could cruise through your whole day focused on devouring delights, sipping cocktails, sculling beers, or savoring wine. Feast Village, open all day, is a world of glorious food showcasing Western, Asian, and Japanese/Korean dishes—buffet style as well as a la carte. The chic Fisherman’s Cove is perched high with magical views and a venue to escape rowdy kids—children must be over 12 to dine here. It's a world of seafood dishes carefully curated to satisfy the most jaded palate, featuring fresh ingredients and locally sourced seafood. The exquisite food art on a plate equals the restaurant's intimate setting. Omakase gives another dimension to dining while on Gaya Island. A Japanese restaurant nestled into the hillside with far-reaching views, it offers teppanyaki (iron plate grilling), nabe (hot pot dish), and shabu-shabu (cook yourself at the table) dining experiences. The lounge and pool bar beside the swimming pool is an al fresco affair for casual eating and drinking, especially during happy hour when the sun falls into the sea in a fiery ball. Private dining experiences can be arranged in your villa, with your feet in the sand on the beach, or a romantic picnic-dining interlude in a cozy nook.
If you miss out on a sunbed in the morning, head to Tavajun Bay by one of the resort's boats. A private beach belonging to Gaya Island Resort, it's only a 5-minute ride to a stunning bay of golden sand, deck chairs, a restaurant, and a Marine Centre where rescued turtles, Covid and Barbara, are well looked after in their own private swimming pool (aka recovery tank). This was my favorite getaway spot. Lolling on a lounge under a swaying palm tree and taking a long leisurely swim in the sea was the epitome of chilling out without the crowds.
Gaya Island Resort has all of the usual hoo-ha to create a luxury holiday destination—a gorgeous swimming pool with water daybeds, a fantastic gym, a library, a gift shop for any holiday gifts on your list, and a spa that will leave you swooning in delight after a treatment.
Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.
