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Reviews of Gaya Island Resort - Small Luxury Hotels of the World This rating is a reflection of how the property compares to the industry standard when it comes to price, facilities and services available. It's based on a self-evaluation by the property. Use this rating to help choose your stay!

Malohom Bay, Pulau Gaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, 88000 Gaya Island, Malaysia

#3 of 3 hotels in Gaya Island

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 153 hotel reviews

8.4

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.0

  • Comfort

    8.9

  • Location

    8.7

  • Facilities

    8.8

  • Staff

    9.3

  • Value for money

    7.2

  • Free WiFi

    8.4

Verified guest reviews from real Bookers

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Showing 1 - 25

  • Reviewed: March 2, 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Bayu Villa
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The food wasnt very good

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: February 24, 2024

    7.0
    Overpriced resort with a very beautifull location
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Kinabalu Villa
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The beds are mediocre and quite hard, the buffet food is 2 star worthy and really disgusting. Breakfast is mehh. The restaurant food is quite good, but the portion sizes are way to small for the price you pay (250+ MYR/pp). The gym is worthless. Hygiene in the rooms is not perfect (something you would expect from a 5 star resort and the price you pay). Boat transfers are also very high and easy money for the resort (85 MYR one way / person). All in all the resort is closer to a 3 star resort with 5 star prices.

    You really pay for the location. Everything else is way overpriced for what you get. The pool is very nice, even being in the sun until 3PM. Beautiful coral reef just in front of the resort where you can snorkel for free and the jungle is right behind the resort where you can spot several wildlife

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: February 22, 2024

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Canopy Villa
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    There was no shuttle ferry out and the food was not the best at Gaya so it limited our options. The food at fisherman's cove was good though

    Spacious rooms and friendly staff

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: February 7, 2024

    9.0
    Will definitely recommend to any tourists looking for a luxurious stay in Sabah.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Kinabalu Villa
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Comfortable room. Great foods. Best service by the staffs.

    5 star accommodation.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: January 17, 2024

    9.0
    Amazing
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Kinabalu Villa
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    At the pool area they have a public toilet with glass walls, not very private. They serve Carlsberg instead of nice tiger beer.

    It was a dream holiday, really enjoyed it to the fullest

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: January 6, 2024

    9.0
    Excellent luxury stay with welcoming staff and sufficient activities.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Bayu Villa
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Village over water nearby causing plastic waste to was up on shore. The garbage from this village is evident at the mainland wharf.

    Facilities, luxury rooms, water sports, buffet spread, excellent staff, conservation focus, safety first operation

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: December 21, 2023

    8.0
    Food and transportation cost too high !
    • Leisure trip
    • Travelers with friends
    • Bayu Villa
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Good service of the staff

    Environment & Facilities

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: December 10, 2023

    8.0
    Wonderful for a couple
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Kinabalu Villa
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Rooms are rather far, property is definitely not infant friendly. Then again i guess their target is more honeymoon couples than families with children.

    Wonderful staycation, food and rooms! Truly relaxing and bliss. Shoutout to the resort for doing a lot to preserve and refurbish the environment, corals and beaches around the island! The hotel staff were also super accomodating of us being vegetarians and made effort to add extra options to the buffet breakfast which was a very kind gesture!

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: November 7, 2023

    7.0
    Beautiful resort but overpriced .
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Kinabalu Villa
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    We were there during the low season and it was not too crowded. During the high season I suspect that because it is a small resort with not a lot of grounds it may feel crowded.

    Small beautiful resort with comfortable accommodation

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: November 4, 2023

    8.0
    Nice stay in a very good beach resort
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Kinabalu Villa with Speedboat Transfer & Resort Credit
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    A few things: - the island is very close to the city so the surrounding nature is definitely not the best in east Borneo. - staff is nice but often their English is not good and overall quality of service not up to standard you’d expect - food options can become repetitive and not great value for money - when the hotel is full, not enough sun beds by the pool - we never stayed at the pool because it was too crowded - after dinner, there are usually no activities.. it can become slightly boring being confined on an island with no other resorts or pass times - overall, the resort is really nice but there is a general feeling of being “trapped” as there are very strict schedules for boats (even to the resort private beach), to the city, no access to the nature in the island, etc. I didn’t dislike my stay, I would have probably spent less than 4 nights, but also in hindsight I would probably go somewhere else.

    The resort is located in an exclusive spot surrounded by nature and the villas are very comfortable and with great views. Staff are welcoming and try to be helpful. Food is good quality and there is a range of activities offered by the hotel. Private beach is the best spot for relaxing and snorkeling. Special thanks to Jovara from the reception staff who was the most helpful, nice, friendly of all staff. She made our stay much better!

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: November 2, 2023

    9.0
    Excellent hotel and luxury just off KK.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Bayu Villa
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    There were some communication errors at the beginning as we were shown restaurants and activities but not told they were fully booked until we went to book them. This seemed avoidable or perhaps informing us before we arrived might have helped. However, staff did work to make things happen for us.

    Excellent facilities, location, service and rooms. I thought the eco nature of the resort was excellent especially the outstanding private beach, turtle sanctuary and coral growing. Loved being away from the day trippers too, but with all of the activities!

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: October 25, 2023

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Kinabalu Villa with Speedboat Transfer & Resort Credit
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The journey to the pool area from the room was very long, lots of hills. I would only stay here again if I had a villa next to the pool area. Perhaps the resort could invest in some eco friendly buggies to take guests back to their villas if they stay at the top?

    The location was amazing and the views were lovely. The food at the bar and in the restaurants was exceptional. All the staff were so friendly and accommodating.

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: October 8, 2023

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Kinabalu Villa
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    No room service that I could see

    The nicest staff and the most beautiful location

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: August 28, 2023

    9.0
    Amazing stay in a very beautiful place
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Kinabalu Villa
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    More regular boat transfers to Kota Kinabalu would be great

    We loved our stay on Gaya Island. The rooms are massive with beautiful bathrooms, ours had an amazing view. Nice toiletries and robe and other little touches in the room. The food was excellent, the buffet and both the restaurants had a great selection which was all delicious. We really enjoyed the private beach and the snorkelling, it was gorgeous with lots of fish. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. We loved it!

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: August 7, 2023

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Kinabalu Villa
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Loud neighbors (should improve bungalow wall soundproofing) preventing good sleep, overcrowded swimming pool area.

    Access to private beach, very nice bungalow, food variety (though lacking in vegetables).

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: July 31, 2023

    9.0
    Lovely relaxing break - recommended
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Bayu Villa
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Shame that the outdoor seating areas at the villas were not undercover as the cushions weee constantly wet. More sun loungers needed at pool area - get there early!!

    Great villas, super helpful staff, good food. Great spot for snorkelling and enjoyed the private beach.

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: July 28, 2023

    7.0
    Great place to be for a few days.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Kinabalu Villa
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Not enough sun beds for the guests. Limited spots in the restaurants which makes it difficult to get one.

    Great location and very friendly staff. Wide selection of food at the breakfast buffet.

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: July 26, 2023

    9.0
    Very enjoyable Villa
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Kinabalu Villa
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The restaurant food service could be more delicate. If there was a menu of all activities and restaurant menu will be very helpful, because the room to the front desk is a little bit far.

    Very nice resort, the environment was amazing beautiful. All staff were very friendly and helpful. The room was very clean and large.

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: July 25, 2023

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Bayu Villa
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Not enough sun beds, we never managed to get one for even just putting our towels when going to the pool

    Staff, dive centre, turtle rescue talk was amazing, spa was also great

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: July 13, 2023

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Kinabalu Villa
    • Stayed 3 nights

    The walk to the room is so far and uphill, the beachfront is a bit dirty,

    The food was delicious, the Mount Kinabalu and Sunrise view from our room is amazing. The staff were great, and they all treated us like king and queen. a perfect place for honeymoon getaway and many activities you can do at the island.

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: July 12, 2023

    9.0
    Amazing 2 night stay at GIR
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Canopy Villa
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Walking distance to the villa is a bit long and uphill. Food & beverage are a bit overpriced

    Splendid resort, easy access to the beach and plenty of activities to fill your day. Very cordial staff!

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: July 10, 2023

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Kinabalu Villa with Speedboat Transfer & Resort Credit
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Was unable to communicate via booking.com (no response to questions), food menus/buffet a bit limited

    Beautiful resort, friendly staff, plenty activities to do complimentary or at additional charge

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: July 7, 2023

    8.0
    Beautiful location, rooms and food. However, experience was dampened due to frustration caused by lack of customer servi
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Kinabalu Villa
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Lack of customer service and support before arrival. After weeks of emails and phone calls neither was answered to help arrange boat transfers or prebook activities (some of which we missed out on because of this). Also the hidden charges

    Importance placed on sustainability and the secluded and beautiful environment

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: June 21, 2023

    9.0
    Paradise comes at a price
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Kinabalu Villa
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The cost of our stay was a fair bit higher than we had expected. The hotel’s charging system is not very transparent and the following information should be given before booking. Everything (speed boat ride to and from the resort, room rate, food, drinks, chargeable activities) has 6% tax and 10% service added when you get your final bill. You also have to pay 10RM per room per night tourist tax and a conservation fee of 35RM per person for the first night plus 25RM per person for any subsequent nights. We paid this in cash otherwise I think they may have added taxes to these prices. The food prices were twice as high as the most expensive resort elsewhere on our two week trip. We had a lovely time whilst we were at the resort, but left feeling a bit disappointed over the bill.

    Location was great- loved the view from our top floor Kinabalu Villa. Our villa was huge and very comfortable. The staff were incredibly polite and well trained. Minor issues were addressed very quickly (for example the WiFi was reconnected before we had walked back to our villa). The breakfast, which was included in our room rate, was fantastic. The free visit to the hotel’s turtle rescue centre was excellent. A variety of other paid activities available.

    Stayed in June 2023

Showing 1 - 25

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