Gayana Marine Resort - Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

mohammad F. R.

😍😍😍

Mohammad F. R.

👍👍Bleh jga la

Trip.com M.

This is a second stay after the honey moon with my wife as 2 guests 12 years ago. We returned back as a family with kids and everything was still excellent. The resort had been changed from Gayana Eco Resort to Gayana Marine Resort, while there was no more Alu Alu Chinese Restaurant and remained Macac Restaurant and Latitude Bar.Different from staying Ocean Villa previously, we stayed in Palm Villa for 2 days this time as we targeted for direct access to water with bigger room. Palm Villa was very comfortable and spacious with individual small swimming pool and non-framed ocean view. We loved the room so much. But the water level of my room was much deeper than Ocean Villa which could not stand. However this was particular good for taking a rest if we played kayaking for long time. Some guests were playing kayaking passing the room when we were sunbathing. This was interesting.The sea was clear and transparent to the rocks, but occasionally saw plastic bag and small rubbish. But overall it was still good for kayaking and snorkeling during my stays.What made us memorable included the quality of food and drink too. We had meal in all 3 periods from breakfast to dinner for 2 days, the general standard was very high that we experienced from Malay, Western to Chinese dishes. Ragu Pappardelle, Pizza, Chinese fried noodle, Malay Satay, breakfast set were superb. Thumb up for their wide selections of squeezed juice that blended freshly at bar without adding water, I especially loved the rare green apple juice and my kids watermelon. Semi-buffet breakfast also offered self-served orange juicer complimentarily so we could see 3-4 fresh oranges to 1 glass of juice. This was not common during my past experience.A special highlight was given to staff courteous and patience. All staff crossing or serving us would greet and smile, it contributed a lot to my memorable stay.

Lewis B.

We had an amazing 2 night stay here for our honeymoon. We stayed in an ocean villa and the ability to be straight in the sea snorkeling was amazing. The water is crystal clear and there is a good range of tropical fish and some coral.

The service was amazing throughout, particularly in the restaurant where we were made to feel extra special due to our honeymoon.

The room is luxury and the bed incredibly comfortable.

This is an expensive hotel for anywhere, we stayed here as a treat and enjoyed it. The price of food was reasonable by the standard of expensive hotels (expensive for Malaysia). The food itself was outstanding. Over the two nights we had 2 dinners and a room service lunch coming to £200 total (including a splurge on an expensive £50 bottle of wine).

A few areas of improvement would be the check out. They have a strict 11am leave the island rule unless you pay for late check out (1600 at 50% room rate plus private boat transfer). We would have liked to have stayed even without access to our room for a spa treatment and lunch but this opportunity was not available.

We had an amazing stay and thank you to all the staff for making it so special.

Tim L.

Definitely not a 5 star experience. 3 star at best. Facilities are dated. Rooms ok but beds were short sheeted.

Pool table was so badly maintained the balls just roll into pockets.

Food good. Staff great but clearly they must know the resort is decaying.

They charge you to go back to the mainland on a boat that goes there anyway. For a resort that is $650 a night you would have thought this would be free.

269carmels

An idyllic location at Gaya Island off Kota Kinabalu. Arrive by ferry from "KK" and from then, if relaxing far from the maddening crowd is for you...then this IS the place. Clusters of overwater bungalows set the scene. We were in a "Palm Villa" right at the end of the pier in deeper water. The villa was split level - oversized - with a sitting room (TV) living room with glass flooring to view the sea life below (amazing), steps up to a king size bed, separate bathroom including a two person shower and spa bath. The highlight however is outside, a private deck for lounging, table and chairs for dining, plunge pool and jetty steps straight into the water. ||There is only one dining /restaurant, but it caters to all food and special needs - Eduardo is exceptional, service, manner and willingness to please while Spencer the head chef took on my food allergies as a challenge and won out spectacularly. Some memorable eating to be sure! There is also an upstairs bars and a relaxing spa catering to all needs.||Water activities are the main attraction - no fishing, it is a marine protected area and has a dedicated information center to explain about regeneration. Snorkeling, diving (equipment available) paddle boarding and kayaking. Bush walking is optional also. ||This tranquil resort is hard to beat if you want a chilled, relaxing holiday in a beautiful location with super attentive staff (shout out to Narmioah as well) who really only want to please and ensure you have everything you need, such a boating up breakfast to the villa's rear deck !||No rubbish in the water which is pristine, although we were advised that seasonally mainly in monsoon times, seaweed and flotsam can was in to the bay from the ocean - we saw none.

Trip.com M.

We spent two nights at this resort to celebrate my daughter’s two year old birthday. It was a beautiful place. The staff were amazing, especially Affendy, Eleanora at the restaurant and Lydia at the front desk.  We wished there was a private beach besides the one located in front of the restaurant so our family could enjoy the sand in a more private manner. The gift shop could also sell toiletries and over the counter meds as these are necessary items and there are no place to buy them.

Andrea R.

Un’esperienza meravigliosa! 🌿🏝️ La location è unica: mare cristallino, snorkeling direttamente dalla camera, colazione ottima e uno staff sempre gentile e disponibile.

La struttura è praticamente plastic free: tutto è riciclabile o riutilizzabile. Ho letto alcune lamentele sulla plastica, ma la realtà è che il personale è costantemente impegnato a rimuoverla e a mantenere pulito l’ambiente. Il problema non dipende dal resort, ma dal mare in generale (basta leggere quanto accade in Malesia e nel Sabah).

Apprezzabile anche il fatto che il resort sostenga progetti ambientali come il MERC, dedicato alla salvaguardia dei coralli e delle Giant Clam.

Un luogo dove natura e mare convivono in perfetta armonia: consigliatissimo!