Gayana Marine Resort, Gaya Island - Reviews, Rooms Options & Prices 2025

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About the Resort

Malohom Bay, Gaya Island, Malaysia, 88000

Gayana Marine Resort is situated on the picturesque Gaya Island, Malaysia, boasting a commitment to environmental sustainability while offering luxurious accommodations. The resort features spacious overwater villas that blend seamlessly with the striking natural surroundings, creating a unique experience for guests seeking both relaxation and adventure. With its on-site Marine Ecology Research Centre, guests can engage with conservation efforts while enjoying upscale amenities. The overall design incorporates elegant Malay elements, making the resort a visual treat as well as a retreat.

Location

Located just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Kota Kinabalu, Gayana Marine Resort enjoys an ideal position on Gaya Island's Malohom Bay. The area is surrounded by a vibrant jungle rich in wildlife and offers easy access to attractions such as the Gaya Marine Ecology Research Centre. The serene environment enhances the resort's appeal, ensuring guests are truly immersed in nature.

Rooms

Gayana Marine Resort offers 52 stand-alone villas built on stilts over the water, with stunning views of the sea, mangrove, or jungle. Each villa includes amenities such as air-conditioning, LCD TVs, and free Wi-Fi. The Palm Villa features a private plunge pool and direct sea access, while the Ocean Villa boasts a large balcony and ocean views. All accommodations are designed to enhance the ambiance of nature surrounding them.

Eat & Drink

Dining at the resort is highlighted by the Macac Restaurant, which serves Western fusion cuisine and local seafood, with options available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy unique dishes such as wood-fired pizzas in a scenic setting overlooking the turquoise sea. The Latitude Bar provides a cozy spot for pre-dinner drinks and snacks while watching stunning sunsets.

Leisure & Business

The resort features a PADI Certified Dive Centre offering courses for divers of all skill levels, including the Discover Scuba Diving experience. Guests can participate in various activities, such as snorkeling, jungle trekking, and kayaking. The Solace Spa provides massages and body treatments, complementing the wide range of leisure offerings available at the resort.

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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

Villa

Max:

2 persons

95 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

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Ocean Villa

Max:

2 persons

75 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Sea view

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

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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 Center

Gaya Island 1.4 mi

Airports

Kota Kinabalu International (BKI) 6.2 mi

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Luxurious Villas

“Our stay in the Palm Villa was lovely, especially with the private plunge pool that made relaxing by the sea so convenient.” view full review

Excellent Snorkeling

“Snorkeling right off our villa was an very nice experience; we got to see a variety of marine life, including clownfish and giant clams.” view full review

Unique Breakfast!

“The breakfast delivered by boat was a good surprise; enjoying a Macac breakfast surrounded by nature made for a nice start to the day.” view full review

Refreshing Amenities

“The bathroom was equipped with all the essentials, and the outdoor spaces felt truly refreshing, enhancing our overall relaxation experience.” 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
Baggage storage
Private beach

Sports & Fitness

Diving
Snorkeling
Canoeing
Hiking
Pool 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 center
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

1200 ft

Harbor

Jesselton Point

2.6 mi

Jalan Bukit Bendera

Signal Hill Observatory Platform

2.8 mi

Tower

Atkinson Clock Tower

2.8 mi

Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen

I Love KK

2.6 mi

Square

Marlin Statue

2.6 mi

Market

Gaya Street Sunday Market

2.8 mi

Lorong Bank 3

Pillars of Sabah

2.7 mi

1 Sutera Harbour Boulevard Lot 16

Borneo Trading Post

2.6 mi

Island

Sapi Island

2.8 mi

Central road of Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu City Mosque

2.7 mi

Parks

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

2.8 mi

Jalan Gaya

Sunday Market

2.8 mi

Mall

Wisma Merdeka

2.6 mi

Island

Kalimantan

2.5 mi

Jalan Bukit Upper Bendera Likas

Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre

3.3 mi

88000 Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu Waterfront

2.6 mi

Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens

Local food market

2.6 mi

Counter 10

Island Hop Express

2.6 mi

Kaunter 2

Beach Bums Borneo

2.6 mi

Jalan Gaya

Coral Flyer

2.8 mi

Mall

Kk Plaza

2.6 mi

Market

Pasar Malam Sinsuran

2.7 mi

Jln Tun Fuad Stephens

Handicraft Market

2.7 mi

Parks

City Park

2.7 mi

Unit No 132

Mari Mari Destinations

2.6 mi

Jalan Bukit Bendera

Signal Hill Observatory Tower

2.8 mi

Street Art & Graffiti Gallery

2.7 mi

Sabah Tourism Board

2.7 mi

Nearby

Malohom Bay Gaya Island

Marine Ecology Research Centre

1500 ft

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.