Could’ve done with a bit more tea and coffee in the room.

All of the staff were absolutely fantastic at busy times the service was a little slow, but that wasn’t the fault of the staff. Did a couple of guided tours, the staff on those, again were fantastic informative, helpful and amusing. I would definitely recommend this resort and stay here again but three or four days is enough.

Stayed in August 2025

Thank you for all the great hospitality. The staffs were friendly and helpful. Special thanks to both Ms Joana & Mr Terence (guest receptions) and Mr Laster (omakase chef) who are kind & gave us a wonderful experience there 😁

Stayed in September 2025

Location; the only way to get there is using the hotel boat

Amazing facilities and service; luxurious rooms

Stayed in July 2025

Food and transport to resort are expensive. Room up on a hill requiring quite a climb. Food quality could be better.

In an island accessible from KK by boat only. Thus very remote and private. Suite is very spacious, well equipped. Beach area very nice, adequate off the beach snorkeling, coral not too colorful (though they are not dead), with plenty of fish visible by jettie. Sports snorkel rental area very helpful. Breakfast with plenty of choices included. Quality is average.

Stayed in August 2025

Nothing!

We loved it! Staff couldn’t have been more wonderful. Luxury from start to finish. Rooms beautiful, location beautiful, facilities fabulous, lots of things to do.

Stayed in August 2025

Probably due to all the humidity, not everything was always super clean.

The kind and helpful personnel. It was a real paradise of rest. The rooms are in the middle of the jungle, between the monkeys and varan lizzards. The rooms are very luxureous. At the pool, there are unlimited towels. There is a nice house reef in front of the hotel. You can get free snorkels and kayaks. There are nice fish and corals.

Stayed in August 2025

Seating at the bar area is lacking and uncomfortable. This was the only downside to an otherwise excellent resort.

Location is amazing, with stunning beaches and snorkelling at the resort. Villas are very spacious and private with excellent facilities. The clear commitment to conservation is very positive. The food in the buffet was fantastic, as was the Japanese restaurant we tried one night. Staff generally were really lovely.

Stayed in July 2025

A beautiful setting-the rooms were pure luxury with fantastic views. We saw hornbills and flying squirrels from our balcony. Great pool, with loads of space for kids to mess around and adults to relax/ sip drinks without being in each other’s way. The main restaurant served a huge range of delicious food. All the staff are wonderful- especially Rozilli who made sure our stay was special. We loved the jungle night walk and the private island/ marine centre. The guides were so engaging and knowledgeable. We also did the full-day snorkel safari with a brilliant guide-Ian-who found turtles and rays. (Book well in advance of arriving). There is also a fantastic house reef in front of the hotel- and we spent many hours snorkelling there.

Stayed in July 2025

Number of check out staff available More frequent boat crossings Bar food available all day and evening Sometimes hard to order drinks at bar

Breakfast was awesome People were friendly Views and water great

Stayed in July 2025

Everything was excellent, I just wished that we could get an early check in but the room was not available until 3pm. Also too much uphill walking and stairs.

The staff is super friendly. The food is so delicious and large varieties. Beach is nice. We had 3am private boat to the city because we had early morning flight, so they went with us until they made sure we got into the taxi safe. The spa was lovely experience

Stayed in July 2025

Nothing!

Honestly cannot fault this resort. Where do we even start! The rooms were absolutely gorgeous, beds were so comfy and the shower was incredible. The food was the best food we’ve had on the whole of our trip in Malaysia. But what made it the most special was the employees. Everyone went above and beyond and were so so friendly and helpful. We actually loved it so much we’ve booked to come for one more night before we fly home. Thank you so much for a lovely lush stay!

Stayed in July 2025

Not enough Snack and Bar space and snack menu ending at 5 wasn’t good would have like to have snack options later in the evening as other dining options were very limited and expensive. Also found everything food and drink to be very expensive especially for prices for that area which are generally very cheap.

Amazing outlook from our room. Breakfasts amazing. Staff super friendly. Free snorkels and canoes great. Coral reef beautiful. Sun beds great. The good outweighs the bad for sure!

Stayed in July 2025

More poolside / beachside loungers would have been good. The resort was so full when we stayed that we couldn't find any loungers to chill by the pool.

The Gayan Boullaibaise dinner was exceptionallll. The broth was out of this world!!! Chef Kimmy, who led our cooking class, was super friendly and knowledgeable about his work. The hinava that we made was also delicious. Aileen from the front desk, who went out of her way to help me prebook my massages and meals before I arrived - thank you!!! And Bata who helped us plan all our activies & keep my mom entertained! And of course, thank you Terrence for welcoming us back like we were family, and for extending so much help even though he wasn't at the resort physically. I've missed GIR so much, and being back almost brought me to tears. Hope I'll get to come back again <3

Stayed in July 2025

We do not even have words to describe our stay at Gaya Resort. It was simply excellent! Beautiful landscape, an intimate resort, great pool, a lot of amenities like snorkeling (which was absolutely worth it — our guide took great care of us, making sure everyone saw the fish, sharks, and more) The staff is very qualified and helpful, we could ask them anything anytime. But a real star of the Resort is Kitchen Chef! He was so friendly, talkative, stopping by every table each evening to describe the day’s menu. Moreover he Cooks excellent, we have been all over the world but have never tried such delicious food. We honestly recommend Gaya Resort, it is truly a gem among hotels.

Stayed in June 2025

Quite expensive, but we stayed during peak season Lots of additional costs at check out- boat and about 25% extra in charges Better communication needed about the boat times and the costs - only leave every 2 hours or so.

Gorgeous setting- the view is beautiful Food very good, lots of options- a bit pricey. Buffet dinner and breakfast very good Rooms are huge and well looked after- bath ginormous! Boat service and luggage service to rooms is efficient

Stayed in July 2025

Pretty much the perfect resort

Stayed in July 2025

Beautiful place, helpful staff, very good value.

Stayed in July 2025

They have a brilliant conservation centre BUT they allow people to snorkel the reef with no warning on how to swim in a reef. We had to tell a huge family not to stand on on the corals but because they couldn’t understand us they just kept standing and kicking the reef. People shouldn’t be allowed to snorkel or swim without prior warning. I suggest when you do the walk around you say to them you will kill our reef if you kick or stand on the reef. I also believe you should allow snorkelling after 3pm when the tide is low. If you want to truly commit to reef conservation- then educate ALL guests as soon as they arrive. It was very upsetting to watch families kick and stand on the reef.

The staff! Amazing people, so kind and attentive. They are so hard working. The head chef would work until 11pm and then be back in again at 7am. Such hard workers. Great facilities and amazing rooms, the food is exceptional

Stayed in July 2025

Nothing

Super nice place, beautiful snorkelling

Stayed in July 2025

Looking at the size of the resort, the bar area seemed very small. This resulted in people turning away while they wanted to sit down for a drink in the evening.

It's like reaching Fantasy Island. Suprt friendly staff awaits you on attival. The big luxurious villas are laid out against the lush green backdrop. With the strip of beach beds along the waterfront, the broad shallow sea entrance and diverse reef, housing numerous fish, it's an ideal place to wind down. Various restaurants offer a multitude of food opportunities.

Stayed in July 2025

It’s expensive - meals expensive and not really cheap options. The main restaurant is not air conditioned and very hot.

Loved the room. Spacious and gorgeous. Loved the beach and restaurant area - just a beautiful island.

Stayed in June 2025

No draft beer..

Excellent location nice garden pool

Stayed in June 2025

The place was a touch of luxury and staff were great. Most importantly Rozilli was the best host and most lovely friendly helpful person I met in the whole of Borneo. Nothing was too much trouble and my stay would have just simply not been the same without her. Truly incredible and she deserves to be praised and rewarded for her obvious star quality.

Stayed in June 2025

N/A

Gaya Island Resort is absolutely stunning - peaceful, secluded, and surrounded by incredible natural beauty. The villas are huge and the views are just amazing. The staff were some of the most helpful and knowledgeable we’ve ever come across. We’ve honestly never been anywhere like it, and we’ll be recommending it to anyone heading to Sabah.

Stayed in June 2025