Gaya Island Resort - Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

- July 28, 2018

It was an impromptu trip to Gaya Island Resort. We booked the Residents Package one day earlier and paid everything online. However upon arrival at the Resort, you need to pay a cash deposit of RM500. On the day itself we just packed a small backpack and off we go to Gaya Island! Love the thrill of a last minute trip. Gaya Island Resort is located in the Tunku Abdul Marine Park just 10 minutes speedboat ride from Jesselton Point, Kota Kinabalu. The weather wasn't really promising that day and it was drizzling when we took the 2pm speedboat to Gaya Island Resort.

Resort staff waited at the Gaya Island Resort private jetty with umbrellas and we were warmly greeted on arrival. While we waited to check in, we were given a popsicle as refreshment. Shortly after that, a friendly staff guided us around the resort and then brought us to our room. The villa was located quite a distance away from the beach and hotel lobby. So, you need a bit of walking here...

We stayed 3 days 2 nights in this Bayu Villa King situated on a hillside. Each room has a verandah overlooking the trees and bushland. You can opt for sea view but it will be a different package price. Our room comes with a king size bed, complimentary WiFi, coffee & tea making facilities, flat screen TV with limited Astro channels, minibar, mini fridge, in-room safe, in-room slippers, bathrobes, ceiling fan, individual air-conditioning with thermostat control, a large en-suite bathroom with an oversized bathtub and two vanity units.

Both room and bathroom were spacious and clean. However, in order to take a bath with hot water you need to on the room air-conditioning for 30 minutes. Apart from that, you can't fill the whole bathtub with hot water because their hot water storage tank wasn't big enough. Resort facilities includes swimming pool, gym and library. Basically it's just you, the resort and the beach. You are like somehow stranded on an island and the only way to get out of the island is through a speedboat :)

Residents Package:

a) 1st night - RM 1,114

b) 2nd night - RM 1,114

Residents Package includes:

a) daily buffet breakfast and dinner at Feast Village, two-course lunch at Feast Village or Pool Bar & Lounge or Tavajun Bay

b) guided nature walk with their Resident Naturalist (subject to availability)

c) minimum 2 nights stay is required

d) return scheduled speedboat transfers to and from Jesselton Point (journey time approximately 10 minutes) It is required for all passengers to arrive at the Jesselton Point 15 minutes before departure time.

Speedboat schedule:

i) from Jesselton Point to Gaya Island Resort - 8am, 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 9pm

ii) from Gaya Island Resort to Jesselton Point - 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 6.30pm and 9.30pm

A chartered boat can be pre-arranged RM472 per way between 7am to 9pm or RM660 per way between 9pm to 7am

Conservation fee of RM30 on the first night of stay and additional RM20 for each day thereof is applied to each guest including children for every night of stay by Sabah Parks. The conservation fee is contributed to Sabah Parks in support of their effort towards preserving the rich ecosystem of the region.

Check in time: 3pm

Checkout time: 11am