Gaya Island Resort by YTL

Gaya Island Resort by YLT located at Gaya Island's Malohom Bay, just 10 minutes away by boat from Kota Kinabalu City. A Beautiful Resort nestled in the nature.

Checked in at Jesselton Point Jetty. Helpful staff, bags were taken care by the concierge as soon as we get there. Smooth check in without any hick ups.

Gaya Island Resort Jesselton Point Concierge

Gaya Island Resort Jesselton Point Check In Office (Interior)

Gaya Island Resort Jesselton Point Check In Office (Exterior)

Bag taken care by Concierge before boarding on schedule boat

It takes about 10mins to get to Gaya Island Resort from Jesselton Point pier.

Boat used to transfer guest in and out from the resort

Gaya Island Resort assisting guests on board

We have arrived Gaya Island Resort, the boat ride was smooth..Passing through Kampung Gaya on the way in..

Beautiful resort nestled in the nature! Sun, sea, sands, trees.. This is what Paradise is made from! :))

Warm welcome by Gaya Island Resort staff..

Gaya Island Resort Jetty

On the way to  Front Office

Cold Towel & Welcome Drink provided

Gaya Island Resort Lobby

Gaya Island Resort Lobby

We were led by Guest Service Relations to our room, on the way, we were given some useful info on the resort. i.e. the restaurant's location, swimming pool

Now here comes the hidden gem, the room! Photos below are from Bayu Villa. I was told all the rooms looks similar except for the view. There are actually 3 Deluxe categories here, Bayu, Canopy and Kinabalu (Full Sea Facing). Last but not least, there is 1 Suite named Suria Suites which is larger than the rest, can accommodates 4 persons per villa.

Kinabalu Villa located a little high up, so it takes a little hike to get to your villa. Hence we  would suggest to those who does not like walking, checking into Bayu Villa instead.

Just a note, this Resort does not provide extra bed, therefore for those who bring kids, please note that only 1 child below the age of 12 years is allowed. The resort will set up a day bed for him/her. There is photo below.

Bayu Villa Private Balcony

Bayu Villa Writting Table

Bayu Villa Bathroom

Bayu Villa Bed

Internet Hurdle with Unlimited 4G provided for each room

Very Comfortable Bed that provides good sleeps. Frankly, i have been to many good hotels in and out of Malaysia, could hardly have a good night sleep due to uncomfortable bedding or pillow, sometimes even the bad air quality makes a difference. The air quality in room feels so clean and refreshing. All rooms here are non-smoking, there is a pretty heavy fine of RM300 for those who violates this.

Good water pressure coming from all water taps. What impress me most is, there provides 2 washing basins with ample of towels in the bathroom. Makes it very convenient for those who travel with companion. Very nice bathroom amenities provided as well,  by the brand of Mangoosteen by YTL. I was told that these products are made from natural ingredients. Tried the shampoo and body gel, love it!

4 bottles of Drinking Water Provided in Room, this resort actually provides unlimited drinking water. Should you not get enough, kindly ask the Front Office for more. This was told by the Check in Counter at Jesselton Point.

Tavajun Beach

                            


Here Comes the Surprise, do you know? Gaya Island Resort has its very own Private Beach?? And it has a little restaurant on it? They are Open for Lunch. Please make your reservation for boat and Lunch at the Front Office or Simply call "0" from your room before you go. The Private Beach is named Tavajun Bay and they serve Set Lunch. Nice food. Don't be surprise seeing some "friends" from the nature coming to see you here. There are actually Wild Boars, Macac Monkeys, Monitor Lizards around. But they do not come too close if you do not feel comfortable. As Gaya Island Resort Staff will ensure they keep a distance.

Monitor Lizard roaming around

Tavajun Beach Restaurant

Set Lunch of the Day RM110Nett Per Person

Set Lunch of The Day

Tavajun Bay is a very nice place to come for lunch (good quality food served!), beautiful view too! Or coming here just for drinks and the beach is well-worth it. The BEST Part? Its absolutely private!

Here are some photos we took for Gaya Island Resort Swimming Pool. Beautiful Infinity Pool with kids pool on side.

Gaya Island Resort Swimming Pool

Gaya Island Resort Swimming Pool

Gaya Island Resort Swimming Pool

Other than swimming pool, this resort offers Gym Room and Library as well. Guests can spend some leisure time here.

Here comes dinner time! There are 3 Restaurants that served Dinner. Main Restaurant namely Feast Village, Japanese Restaurant & YLT Signature Fisherman Cove. Fisherman Cove is a Fine Dining Restaurant where children below 16 years of age is not allowed. A smart casual dress code is required for ladies and shirt, full-length trousers and shoes for gentlemen. Dinner is available from 7.30am-10.30pm.

Feast Village serves Breakfast (7am-10.30am), Lunch (12noon - 3pm) & Dinner (7pm-10.30pm). This restaurant offers diverse cuisine and beyond. We choose Feast Village for tonight's dinner. We were given a menu to choose 1 Starter, 1 Soup and 1 Main Course.

I would recommend the Sweet Corn Soup, Fish Soup, Ceaser Salad, Tenderloin, Korean Bulgogi Beef (Does not taste like Korean Food but this dish is very tasty, you can actually taste the sweet juice as you chew on!)

Feast Village has a nice ambiance, you can choose to either sit indoor or outdoor.

Ceaser Salad - Well Recommended

Tenderloin - Highly Recommended

Starter- Sorry do not remember the name, its something like 3 taste ""

Korean Bulgogi Beef - High Recommended

Feast Village

Here are some menus to give you some rough idea on the food and beverage prices at Feast Village.

Feast Village Beverage Menu

Feast Village Lunch Menu

Feast Village Dinner Menu

Feast Village Dinner Menu

After Dinner, do not forget to join Movie Under The Stars! Gaya Island Resort provide this special movie time every day at 9pm. Just head to their Front Office for this.  They provide bean bag at their front patio with a pulled out screen to showcase the movie.

Movie Under The Stars

The magic of this isn't in the movie, but the feeling of sitting under the sky with millions of stars watching you. You can always check out the movie of the day at the Recreations Counter.

A very good night sleep.. Good quality mattress and pillows provided.

Here comes the morning! :))

Breakfast is served at Feast Village, Buffet Style. It has a Pastry Station, an egg station, a noodle station, a Fresh Juice Station (you actually select the fruits right there and they will juice it out for you!), some local fried rice, bacon, etc.

There some special treats for the kids too! There is a fish pond located right behind the Front Office, The Guest Relation Officer actually provides fish food to the kids for fish feeding. Trust me, how the kids love it!

It's almost check out time, 30mins before check out, Gaya Island Resort staff came knocking on my door offering help transporting our bags to the Front Office, Great Service isn't it? Bags was also transportation to the jetty and onto the boat we are scheduled for.

It's time to go.. With a heavy heart.. Will i ever return? Yes, most definitely!

Signing off for now.. Sabah_Girl