Kota Kinabalu, MalaysiaGaya Island
Bungaraya Island Resort
Rainforest timber villas
Gaya Island Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Renovated
2018
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Resort LocalOutside the door
The house
ECHO ResortsRainforest timber villas
Traditional Bornean pavilions climb the forest slope, giving every guest a private patch of jungle above a sheltered coral reef.
What it’s good at
Notable
Bornean architectural pavilions terraced into the steep rainforest hillside above Polish Bay.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Bunga Raya lies tucked into a narrow bay with baby-soft sand in the middle and dense jungles ascending the hillside at both ends.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Marked jungle trails lead directly into the island's forest reserve. Kota Kinabalu sits twenty minutes away across the water.
The rooms
Timber villas open onto wide decks among the trees. Select categories add private plunge pools overlooking the bay.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The 30-meter infinity pool sits right along the sand, with sun loungers looking straight out across the bay.
The spa and gym
Open-air spa pavilions host treatments with indigenous Sabahan botanical oils, and the timber gym looks into the rainforest.
Pantai Restaurant
Set directly on the beach, this open-sided pavilion serves grilled seafood and drinks facing the bay and jetty.
At the table
An underground stone cellar holds over 4,000 bottles of wine, and the verandah bar looks out toward the pool.
How it began
The Tan family named the resort after the hibiscus, Malaysia's national flower, and named every villa after a distinct variety.
The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.