Gaya Island Resort Opens in Borneo on July 1, 2012

Located just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu and set on the shores of Pulau Gaya, the largest island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Gaya Island Resort offers the perfect launching pad to discover Borneo and all that it has to offer; idyllic golden sand beaches, diving sites of spectacular underwater havens and untouched tropical rainforests, offering a home to many rare species including the orangutan and the proboscis monkey.

Gaya Island Resort will incorporate elements of Sabahan architecture and contemporary design complete with modern amenities and WiFi capabilities. It will comprise 121 spacious stand-alone hill villas offering a spectacular view of the ocean and a majestic Mount Kinabalu view for most villas. The resort is easily accessible from Kota Kinabalu International Airport and is a short 30-minute combined car and speedboat ride from the airport.

There will be a vast array of activities to satisfy each adventure, nature and water enthusiast while experiencing Sabah's colourful culture. PURE, through its activity paths consisting of Discovery, Vigour, Creativity and Balance, integrates the local culture and its natural environment, offering an integral part of the guest experience. The Discovery path will take the curious through land and marine exploration such as scuba diving adventures, PADI open water courses, island hopping, snorkelling explorations with the Resident Marine Biologist, nature walks with the Resident Naturalist and private yacht charters. Vigour is designed to initiate movement and will include activities such as kayaking, paddle surfing and jogging.

The Creativity path will nurture the creative expressions of guests who can immerse themselves in intriguing activities such as handicraft classes, storytelling session of local tales and The Borneo Culinary Journey. Activities in Balance enable guests to focus on restoring peace to the psyche. They can choose to rejuvenate in a traditionally Borneo spa treatment, amidst the tranquillity of the ancient rainforest or meditate to the soothing sounds of the gentle lapping waves.

For those who prefer a more indulgent holistic experience, YTL Hotels’ award-winning Spa Village will offer treatments, therapies and healing practices specific to Borneo culture and is uniquely designed within a mangrove setting offering six treatment rooms with outdoor decks, a walk-in theatre and a yoga retreat space.

The luxury resort will offer a selection of dining options plus a Pool Bar & Lounge and a 40-metre infinity swimming pool which will provide the ideal place to relax while taking in the picturesque views of Mount Kinabalu from a unique upper deck. Escape to Tavajun Bay, a private enclave where guests will be able to luxuriate in the pristine aquamarine waters surrounded by the lush tropical rainforest.

Gaya Island Resort - the new luxury resort destination where the journey of self-discovery of personalised authentic Borneo experiences awaits all.