New Luxury Eco Retreat opens in Borneo Malaysia

A new luxury resort, the Gayana Eco Resort, has opened on Gaya Island just 10 minutes off the Borneo Coast and the city of Kota Kinabalu.

Borneo is South East Asia's biggest Island and is collectively made up of the two East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, which sandwich the Kingdom of Brunei on its western shores, and Indonesia which they border to the south and east.

The buzzing Malaysian state capital of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, is situated to the North West of Borneo and looks out over the blue waters of the South China Sea. The Gayana Eco Resort is located on Gaya island, the largest of the 5 coral reef islands that make up the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, named after the first Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Because of its pristine location a Marine Ecology Research Centre has been setup, where the resort's Marine Biologist team works on the propagation of endangered Giant Clams as well as Coral Reef rehabilitation programs. The Marine Centre aquarium features displays of sea life from around Malaysia.

Gayana Eco Resort has 44 luxury rooms all located over water and feature balconies, large bathroom with Harnn luxury amenities, in villa private bar, king or twin beds with luxury linens, feather pillows and duvet, LCD televisions and DVD players. The resort's Ocean View and Mangrove View villas also have steps directly from their balconies into the lagoon, ideal for an afternoon swim.

But it is not just swimming which is made easier, the resort also offers guests a very special breakfast service. “We offer our guests in our Mangrove and Ocean View Villas our breakfast boat service where your breakfast can be delivered directly to you balcony, by our specially designed breakfast boat” said Scot Toon the resorts General Manager.

The resort offers plenty of activities based around the island and local area; Jungle treks through the untouched jungle of the island where guests can see monkeys, wild boar, monitors lizards, snakes, Hornbill birds or try and spot the shy proboscis monkey and much more. Guided kayak trips get guests out on the water to take in the sea and island life from a different angle. Excellent diving is also just minutes away. 

With the city of Kota Kinabalu only ten minutes away by speed boat guests are easily whisked away to the famous Sunday Gaya street markets, fish market or a city tour. “A visit to the Signal Hill Observation Deck, the highest point in the city, gives visitors a spectacular view of Kota Kinabalu and is a highlight of the city tour” said Terence the resorts Operations Manager. If after the shopping tour guests are still in need of retail therapy the resort boutique should offer something special to take home.

For those wishing to relax, rejuvenate and be pampered the resort's international therapists offer treatments derived from local techniques handed down from generation to generation using Pevonia Botanica products. The Spa at Gayana Eco Resort features; two double treatment suites with Jacuzzi, two sea view treatment rooms and two Pedicure, Manicure and Reflexology rooms along with a relaxation lounge. The Spa sits on the edge of our beach overlooking the lagoon, allowing the sea vistas into every treatment room.

The resort's infinity pool looks out over Malohom Bay, guests are refreshed throughout the day poolside with cool lemongrass scented towels and even a sunglass cleaning service. Gayana Eco's all-day dining restaurant “Macac” sits beside the pool and offers cocktails, cool drinks and lunch specialties including a sumptuous array of pizza’s from the wood fired pizza oven.

Live sea food is the main feature of Alu Alu Restaurant, the resort's overwater restaurant, which features over 15 display tanks of live seafood from spectacularly bright coral trout to giant lobsters, prawns and snapper. Chefs can cook the chosen delight in a variety of styles from Steamed Cantonese style to fried with Alu Alu’s Special Chilli Sauce.

The Bar at the Gayana Eco looks out over the bay and has a colonial lounge feel with large wood reclining chairs and polished wood floors.

See other recent news regarding: Travel News Asia, Promotions, New Hotels, Gayana Eco Resort, Kota Kinabalu