Travellers to Malaysia will have the option of a new venue in Borneo, when the new Gaya Island Resort opens on July 1, 2012.
The luxurious resort will be adding to the increasing number of lavish resorts in the Asian continent. Owned by Malaysia-based YTL Hotels, the resort is located off the coast of Kota Kinabalu on Pulau Gaya Island. The island is a part of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, offering golden sandy beaches, an impressive underwater environment and tropical rainforests that are the original habitat of the orang-utan and the proboscis monkey.
The Gaya Island Resort has 121 villas on a hill, offering a panoramic view of the ocean and Mount Kinabalu. The resort is accessible from Kota Kinabalu International Airport via car and speedboat.
The resort offers various activities for adventure and nature enthusiasts, including land and marine explorations with resident marine biologists, scuba diving adventures and snorkelling, PADI open water courses, nature walks, fishing expeditions, island hopping, golf and private yacht charters. Other resort activities include the Borneo Culinery Journey, handcraft classes, storytelling sessions, and caricature classes.
The resort activities are divided into Discovery, Vigour, Creativity and Balance, all of which amalgamate the local culture and natural environment.
The resort also hosts a Spa Village, which offers a full range of treatments and therapies specific to the Indonesian culture.
The resort includes a number of dining options, a Pool Bar and Lounge, and an infinity swimming pool and a private enclave, Tavajun Bay.