Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa
Rustic jungle-luxury. Bornean timber architecture that feels deliberately low-key, not manicured. Wildlife roams freely — monitor lizards, wild boars, silvered leaf monkeys, hornbills. More remote-cove fantasy than polished resort.
Rooms 21 and 23 reportedly have the best views; room 23 has a troop of silver leaf monkeys living in the adjacent tree.
Why It Matters
One of the most credibly eco-minded luxury resorts in Malaysian Borneo: Travelife Gold and Beyond Green certified, award-winning wine cellar (Wine Spectator 2 Glass), and PADI dive centre on-site. The Tree House Villas — partially hidden by canopy, accessed by jungle walkway — are genuinely hard to find anywhere else in Southeast Asia.
Forty-eight timber villas hand-crafted by local artisans, terraced into the hillside of a crescent-shaped bay on Gaya Island, Borneo. The whole place is wrapped in centuries-old rainforest on one side and a white-sand private beach on the other. You get here by boat only — about 25 minutes from Jesselton Point in Kota Kinabalu — and that short ride does a lot to shake off the city.
Where You'll Stay
6 room types available
Deluxe Villa
At 108m², this hillside villa adds a separate living room to the Superior formula. That living area can take an extra bed, making it workable for small families or a group of friends. Sweeping views of both jungle and sea from the balcony. Good middle-ground option.
108 sqmPlunge Pool Villa
The 87m² Plunge Pool Villa comes with a large open-deck balcony and a private plunge pool overlooking the beach and sea. Add an in-room espresso machine and a spacious bathroom with bathtub, and this is the sweet spot for couples who want privacy with a sea view.
87 sqmSuperior Villa
The entry-level option, and still generous. At 70m², this one-bedroom hillside villa sits dotted across the slope with views of either lush tropical jungle or the ocean — each unit has a different vantage point. Simple Bornean timber architecture, private balcony, luxurious linens. No plunge pool at this tier.
70 sqmThree-Bedroom Villa
The only three-bedroom unit on the property, sitting at the highest point of the resort. At 229m² across two storeys, it features a master bedroom with whirlpool bath upstairs, two bedrooms below, a wrap-around deck, and a private plunge pool. Views all the way out to sea. Essentially a private hilltop compound.
229 sqmTree House Villa
Only 2 units. Accessed via a jungle walkway that winds up into the canopy, this 90m² villa is partially hidden by trees. An outdoor deck, bathtub, and in-room espresso machine. Designed for honeymooners and couples who genuinely want to disappear. One of the most distinctive room types in Malaysian Borneo.
90 sqmTwo-Bedroom Villa
A proper family or friends option at 177m². Surrounded by jungle with turquoise sea views, this suite packs a king bedroom plus a twin-sized bedroom, and a large balcony fully kitted out as an outdoor living space. One of 8 units available.
King + Twin · 177 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
A treetop canopy walk that circles around four large dipterocarp hardwood trees. Complimentary for all guests.
Multiple jungle trails of varying lengths across Gaya Island. One trail crosses the island all the way to sister resort Gayana Marine Resort — a 4-hour trek. Wildlife spotting (hornbills, monitor lizards, macaques, wild boars) en route.
Marine conservation activity — guests can participate in coral planting sessions.
Free speedboat connects Bungaraya to sister property Gayana Marine Resort, which has a Giant Clam marine conservation research centre.
Gym housed in a separate timber structure surrounded by jungle. Personal trainer/fitness instructor available with advance notice.
Hobie Cat catamaran available for rent.
Motorized water sport available at the resort.
Non-motorized watercraft (kayaks, paddle boards) are complimentary for guests.
PADI-certified dive centre on-site. The reef around Gaya Island is one of the South China Sea's liveliest, with sea turtles, clownfish, coral fish, and occasional whale shark sightings.
Snorkeling gear is complimentary. A small coral reef is right off the resort's beach.
Boat-based sunset cruise around the island waters.
A zip line located near the canopy walk area on the island.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Crescent-shaped white sand beach on Polish Bay. Free beach cabanas, sun loungers, and umbrellas for guests.
The Gayana, Malohom, and Jesselton meeting rooms on the upper level of The Koi venue — suitable for business meetings, conferences, weddings, and events.
Complimentary in-room and property-wide Wi-Fi.
A complimentary basket of juices and muffins delivered to your villa at 6:30am before the main breakfast service opens.
Round-the-clock room service available to all villas.
Supervised children's activities and daily programs for kids.
Complimentary daily manager's reception — a social event included in the stay.
Minibar stocked with soft drinks included in the room rate (wine and alcohol excluded).
Outdoor infinity pool with unimpeded horizon views. Tipples and snacks can be ordered from the nearby restaurant.
Certified sustainable tourism property under Travelife and Beyond Green programs.
Private jetty/marina for boat transfers and water activities.
On-property buggy service to transport guests between villas and resort facilities.
BUILD YOUR BUNGA RAYA ISLAND RESORT & SPA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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