Gayana Marine Resort

Absolutely amazing 2 night stay here for myself and my 2 daughters (23, 20) in an Ocean Villa at the tail end of our Borneo Adventure and to celebrate my birthday. All the staff were lovely, starting from the very first greeting off the boat. They looked after me on my birthday too. Breakfasts were very good and great variety / options and dinners were just delicious. Our room was perfect for the 3 of us and very spacious bathroom. Snorkeling straight off the deck was the best thing ever. Such a special place, I'd recommend an over the water villa if your budget allows it.

The service, location, sea view, food are wonderful experience ever.

I had a very relaxing and enjoyable stay at Gayana Marine Resort. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the room was clean and comfortable. The food at the restaurant was great, and I really enjoyed all meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The mocktails were also very tasty. There were fun activities like snorkelling, kayaking, and scuba diving. It was amazing to see fishes swimming around the resort, a white turtle, and even monkeys nearby. Overall, a peaceful and beautiful place that I would definitely recommend.

Gayana Marine Resort on Gaya Island, near Kota Kinabalu, is a hidden treasure. Nestled in a stunning location, the guest lodges and villas are directly on the water, adding charm and a sense of uniqueness with the sea just outside your door. Resort manager Karl looks after his staff and guarantees top-quality service, ensuring every detail of your holiday is covered. Upon arrival, we received a warm greeting from the receptionist, Lidya, and the duty manager, Ahnaf. They were very helpful, making our check-in quick and smoothly transferring our bags to the Villa. Ahnaf also provided an overview of the resort and guided us to our accommodation. The view from the villa was stunning, truly "blowing us away." The villa was well-prepared, spacious, clean, and fully equipped. The glass floor in the living room, offering a view of the sea filled with many fish, was breathtaking. We had no shortage of things to do, spending hours snorkelling around and beneath the resort, discovering a wide variety of marine life. There were so many creatures we hadn’t seen before, including lionfish, moray eels, lobsters, giant sea clams, green turtles, beautiful corals, and much more. You can easily get dizzy from the mix of colours and shapes. If needed, the very friendly activity centre team was always happy to help with renting water sports equipment, such as kayaks, snorkelling gear, paddle boards, and more, all for free. They also offer snorkelling excursions to nearby islands and scuba diving lessons for a reasonable fee. What made our holiday truly special was the delicious food and drinks served at Macac, the resort's restaurant. The wide variety of delicious dishes allowed us to try something new each time we visited for lunch or dinner. The breakfast, delivered to our villa by boat, made us feel like royalty. The highlight was the restaurant team - Eduardo, Kristy, Bronsons, and others - who provided exceptional care. Each time we arrived, they greeted us with beautifully decorated tables and professional service. Their warm smile and kind words left a lasting impression. I could probably keep going and write a book, but since this is just a review, I think it's best to stop here. Thank you, Gayana Resort team, for making our holiday unforgettable!

Great short vacation on a tropical island. We were picked up from Kota Kinabalu harbor, without additional charge, and - in 20 minutes - taken to this exotic resort. The villas are very spacious and the staff is very friendly. We renjoyed the spectacular sea views and the good (and fairly priced) food. In some reviews I saw complaints about the price of the food, but knowing that everything needs to be delivered to this resort it is only logical that the prices are slightly higher than on the mainland.