Gayana Marine Resort, Gaya Island ~ Reviews, Room Choices & Prices 2025

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About the Resort

Malohom Bay, Gaya Island, Malaysia, 88000

Gayana Marine Resort, located on Gaya Island, Malaysia, combines ecology and luxury within a stunning tropical environment. With accommodations designed using traditional Malay architecture, the resort boasts overwater villas that enable guests to experience the essence of nature. The on-site Marine Ecology Research Centre is dedicated to protecting and regenerating the island's marine ecosystem, making it a unique destination for eco-conscious travelers.

Location

Situated in Malohom Bay, Gayana Marine Resort is just a 20-minute speedboat ride away from Kota Kinabalu. The resort’s location allows easy access to nearby attractions while offering a peaceful jungle setting abundant with wildlife. Guests can explore landmarks such as Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, ensuring a blend of relaxation and adventure.

Rooms

The resort offers a total of 52 stand-alone villas, designed for comfort and luxury. Types of villas include Rainforest Villas, Ocean Villas, and the prestigious Palm Villa, all featuring air conditioning and high-end finishes. Each villa provides either mangrove, jungle, or direct sea views, along with amenities like an in-room safe and LCD TVs.

Eat & Drink

Dining at Gayana Marine Resort is a treat, featuring the Macac Restaurant, which offers Western fusion cuisine with unique Malaysian influences. The poolside venue serves a range of dishes including salads, pizzas, and delicious seafood options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Latitude Bar is available for drinks and snacks, offering picturesque sunset views.

Leisure & Business

Guests can partake in various recreational activities, including scuba diving, kayaking, and jungle trekking. The dive centre provides equipment for all levels, while the Solace Spa offers massages, facial and body treatments. Interactive experiences at the Marine Ecology Research Centre educate visitors about local sea life and ecosystem conservation.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Rainforest Villa

Max:

2 persons

95 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

Check Prices

Ocean Villa

Max:

2 persons

75 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Sea view

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

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Staycation [Malaysian Citizens & Residents only] Ocean Villa

Max:

2 persons

75 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Sea view

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

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Getting around

Explore available ways to reach your dream destination

City Centre

Gaya Island 2.3 km

Airports

Kota Kinabalu International (BKI) 9.9 km

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Delicious Breakfasts!

“The breakfast spread was fantastic, especially the pancakes with fresh mango and perfectly poached eggs, keeping us energized for the day.” view full review

Spacious Comfort

“Our room was spacious and well-appointed, with a huge balcony overlooking the jungle, perfect for morning relaxation.” view full review

Invigorating Pool

“The pool offered a serene escape with stunning sea views, making it a joy to cool off during the sun-soaked afternoons.” view full review

Convenient Amenities

“The free reusable water bottles were a great touch, allowing us to stay hydrated and reduce plastic waste during our stay.” view full review

General

Non-smoking rooms
Free Wi-Fi in public areas
No parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Luggage storage
Private beach

Sports & Fitness

Diving
Snorkelling
Canoeing
Hiking
Billiard tables
Fishing

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Paid airport shuttle
Room service
Laundry

Dining

In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Outdoor dining area

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities

Children

Kids club

Spa & Leisure

Outdoor swimming pool
Beach access
Spa & wellness centre
Jacuzzi
Massage

Room features

Air conditioning
Mini-bar
Sitting area
Dressing area
Patio
Terrace
Tea and coffee facilities
Dining table
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Bathtub
Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV
CD player
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Parquet floor

Location

Malohom Bay, Gaya Island, Malaysia, 88000

Map view

Malohom Bay, Gaya Island, Malaysia, 88000

City landmarks

Beach

Tavajun Bay

340 m

Harbour

Jesselton Point

4.1 km

Jalan Bukit Bendera

Signal Hill Observatory Platform

4.5 km

Tower

Atkinson Clock Tower

4.6 km

Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen

I Love KK

4.1 km

Square

Marlin Statue

4.2 km

Market

Gaya Street Sunday Market

4.4 km

Lorong Bank 3

Pillars of Sabah

4.3 km

1 Sutera Harbour Boulevard Lot 16

Borneo Trading Post

4.2 km

Island

Sapi Island

4.5 km

Central road of Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu City Mosque

4.4 km

Park

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

4.4 km

Jalan Gaya

Sunday Market

4.5 km

Mall

Wisma Merdeka

4.2 km

Island

Kalimantan

4.1 km

Jalan Bukit Upper Bendera Likas

Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre

5.2 km

88000 Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu Waterfront

4.1 km

Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens

Local food market

4.2 km

Counter 10

Island Hop Express

4.2 km

Kaunter 2

Beach Bums Borneo

4.2 km

Jalan Gaya

Coral Flyer

4.4 km

Mall

Kk Plaza

4.2 km

Market

Pasar Malam Sinsuran

4.4 km

Jln Tun Fuad Stephens

Handicraft Market

4.3 km

Park

City Park

4.4 km

Unit No 132

Mari Mari Destinations

4.2 km

Jalan Bukit Bendera

Signal Hill Observatory Tower

4.5 km

Street Art & Graffiti Gallery

4.3 km

Sabah Tourism Board

4.4 km

Nearby

Malohom Bay Gaya Island

Marine Ecology Research Centre

430 m

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience

70%

liked the resort and would come back again

7.0/10

Very good

Rooms

7.0

Location

7.5

Service

7.5

Dining

7.0

Theodore

United Kingdom, March 2025

9.0/10

Our stay at the resort was fantastic overall. We enjoyed the clean and comfortable rooms, the amazing dining options, and the beautiful ocean views. However, we noticed some debris in the water, which can be disappointing. The service was excellent, but there were a few maintenance items that could use attention.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were spacious, clean, and very comfortable with a kingsize bed, and the ocean view from our room was stunning.

Service

9.0

The staff were not only friendly but very organized, making our check-in smooth and hassle-free. They also provided daily cleaning and helpful advice for snorkeling.

Location

10.0

Nestled among lush forest with beautiful ocean views, the resort is a wonderful retreat on an island, providing a peaceful and relaxing environment.

Dining

9.0

The dining experience was delightful, with a great selection and delicious meals. Breakfast was impressive with fresh fruits and tasty dishes.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities were enjoyable, with plenty of options for activities like snorkeling and diving, although some maintenance could be improved.

Stella

United Kingdom, March 2025

5.4/10

I had mixed feelings about my stay. On one hand, the staff was genuinely caring, especially when my husband was unwell, which made a difference. However, the mix-up with our room booking left a sour taste, and the overall cleanliness, especially around the beach area, was disheartening. While there were some nice amenities, there were also significant issues with maintenance and location.

Rooms

5.0

We were initially assigned a rain forest villa instead of the Palm Villa we booked, and I was disappointed that the view was obstructed and the access to the water was poor.

Service

7.0

The staff, especially Carl the manager and the masseuse Connie, went above and beyond to help us, but clarity was lacking across the board.

Location

5.0

The resort is amidst lush forest and has beautiful ocean views, but the rubbish in the water and surrounding areas was quite upsetting.

Dining

6.0

Dining was a bit hit or miss; while the food was decent, it lacked variety, and service was slow.

Facilities

5.0

The facilities need some serious TLC, as the pool closure at 6 PM was surprising and the paddleboards were mostly broken.

Anthony

United Kingdom, January 2025

7.2/10

I had a lovely stay at the resort with its friendly staff and beautiful ocean views. The resort offers some fun activities like snorkeling and kayaking, which I enjoyed thoroughly. However, the rooms could use some maintenance, and I noticed some litter in the water, detracting slightly from the overall experience.

Rooms

6.0

The rooms need maintenance; the furniture felt aged and the shower wasn’t functioning properly.

Service

8.0

The staff were incredibly helpful and passionate about marine conservation.

Location

7.0

The location by the sea provides beautiful views, but there was noticeable plastic waste in the water.

Dining

8.0

The resort has two restaurants with a nice selection of food, which was enjoyable.

Facilities

7.0

The resort has a good range of activities, but the pool could use some cleaning, especially at the bottom.

Alec

United Kingdom, December 2024

7.0/10

This resort offers a stunning location with breathtaking views and various water activities right at your doorstep, making it an ideal spot for those looking to connect with nature. The rooms, especially the overwater bungalows, are quite remarkable. However, the resort has some significant drawbacks, including litter issues and inconsistent facilities that diminish the overall experience.

Rooms

I absolutely loved staying in the overwater bungalow. It was comfortable and gave me direct access to the water, allowing me to jump in and enjoy various free activities right outside my room. Rating: 9/10

Service

While some staff members were lovely and helpful, like the intern who took us on a trek, overall the service felt lacking, especially since we felt abandoned during our time picking up trash on the beach. Rating: 5/10

Location

The resort is located in a beautiful area surrounded by lush forest and ocean views, providing an amazing backdrop for relaxation and exploration. However, the plastic waste in the water from the mainland was disheartening and took away from the experience. Rating: 7/10

Dining

Dining was decent, but I expected a bit more given the price. The restaurant was overpriced, and while the breakfast service was delivered uniquely by boat, it did not stand out as exceptional. Rating: 6/10

Facilities

The resort had great water sport facilities, but unfortunately, many of them were broken, which limited our options significantly. The pool's early closing time was also disappointing. Rating: 5/10

Oliver

United Kingdom, November 2024

7.0/10

Gayana Marine Resort offers a beautiful escape with its cute chalets and relaxing sounds of nature. The wildlife adds character, but the high prices for services and some issues with customer service bring down the overall experience. While the setting is calm and serene, the lack of room Wi-Fi and the potential long waits at the restaurant are drawbacks that need attention.

Rooms

8.0

The chalets are charming and comfortable, but they could use some updates.

Service

6.0

While the staff were polite, the customer service could be improved, particularly in the restaurant.

Location

9.0

The resort is nestled in a lush setting, surrounded by beautiful wildlife and marine life.

Dining

5.0

Dining options were quite limited, and the service was slow during our visit, which impacted our experience.