Polish Bay, Pulau Gaya, Malaysia | (251) 219-4428
Tropical resort with secluded rooms overlooking jungle and private beach
On a serene island, a half-hour boat ride from
city of Kota Kinabalu
Timbered villas with wraparound balconies
Some villas have pools and/or ocean views
All rooms have Bose soundsystems and free minibars
Abundant wildlife, including monkeys and wild boars plus offshore reefs
Gorgeous infinity pool next to the beach
PADI-certified dive center with classes, snorkeling, and water-sports equipment
Two restaurants using local seafood plus wine cave and beach bar
Hilltop spa with open-air treatment pavilions, sauna, and outdoor
shower
Open-air gym with modern cardio equipment, weights, and ocean views
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Only accessible by boat
Wi-Fi and phone reception is inconsistent
Food gets mixed reviews
Beach can sometimes collect litter
Nestled between the
beach and jungle, the luxury Bunga Raya consists of 48 traditional timber villas with
wraparound balconies, each tucked away into lush tropical foliage. Each villa is outfitted with colorful local textiles and some have private plunge pools. The resort -- which shares the island with only two other resorts -- is a
good option for guests who love being in or underwater, thanks to the turquoise sea, a gorgeous infinity pool, and the resort's dive and snorkel center. This boutique
property has two a la carte restaurants, a well-stocked wine cave, and a large beachside bar. A multilevel spa offers Asian and Western treatments, and a modern, open-air gym catches breezes from the beach. Looking for overwater bungalows? Consider this resort's sister property, Gayana Eco Resort, which is a bit cheaper.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Wilderness island resort designed for relaxation and privacy, suited to couples
Bunga Raya is a secluded hideaway tucked between the rainforest
and white-sand beach of Pulau Gaya, an island off the coast of Borneo. Guests
are greeted at a private dock after a 30-minute speedboat ride from Kota
Kinabalu -- boats are the sole transport to and from the mainland. A large open-air
lobby and reception space sets the tropical mood, with dark teak floors, rattan
furniture, and whirling ceiling fans. Golf carts zip along sandy paths, and a wooden
boardwalk leading to the popular infinity pool offers peeks of the turquoise sea from
between abundant flowers and foliage. Traditional Borneo-style villas built by local tradesmen dot the
beach and hilltop. All have private balconies with views of sea and jungle. For guests who want a closer
look at the flora and fauna, the resort offers a forest zipline and treetop canopy walks led by
experienced guides. It's all quite beautiful, though there are a few let-downs here, including inconsistent food quality and sometimes heavy litter washing up on the beach. Still, staying on an island inhabited by only two other resorts is certainly bucket-list ready -- expect to see visitors like the occasional wild boar and plenty of monkeys. Because there are no dedicated children's programs or activities, the resort is best suited to couples and families with teens.
Location
On Pulau Gaya, a half hour by speedboat from Kota Kinabalu
Fans in search of isolation and seclusion needn't search farther because this resort certainly fits the bill. Bunga Raya is situated on the northwest coast of Pulau Gaya, an island off the coast of Borneo. The island is shared with two other resorts -- Gayana Eco Resort and Gaya Island Resort -- and is the most isolated of them all. Bunga Raya also has the largest beach and is an ideal spot for exploring the area's spectacular underwater coral reefs. Guests reach the island via a 30-minute boat ride from the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal in the city of Kota Kinabalu. Back on the mainland, it's a two-hour drive to Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
Rooms
Secluded, upscale villas with air-conditioning and wraparound balconies; some with sea views
Bunga Raya's 48 air-conditioned villas are built in the style of Northern Borneo Tea
Planters houses. They have a rustic charm to them, and are decorated with traditional art and textiles, giving them a bright and colorful appeal. There is plenty of hardwood throughout each villa, from the walls to the floors to the chunky furniture, while marble countertops add a touch of upscale polish. Styles range from smaller timbered dwellings right by the beach, to three-bedroom,
multilevel hilltop units with private plunge pools. Secluded balconies offer vistas of the beach, rainforest, and the South China Sea. Thoughtful amenities include big beds with Frette linens, Bose radios/CD players, and flat-screen TVs. Bottled water and the contents of the minibars (except for wine) are free. Wi-Fi is also free. All rooms are large, with even entry-level Superior Villas offering 70 square meters for guests to spread out (753 square feet). Spacious, rustic-tiled bathrooms with double sinks feature separate water closets, glass-enclosed walk-in showers, and two-person soaking tubs.
Features
Open-air dining and underground wine cave, PADI dive shop, water sports, spa, and gym
As would be expected for a resort that inhabits an island only accessible by boat, there are a number of things to keep guests entertained or help them relax here. Dining options include an open-air main restaurant, a beachside grill, and a 4,500-bottle Wine Cave with rock walls. Breakfast is free and the buffet has a nice selection of options, but on the whole reviews for food are mixed, and the restaurants go heavy on Western dishes. Private dinners in an overwater pavilion as well as room service are also available. There are some stunning reefs just off the shore of Palau Gaya, so it should come as no surprise that heading underwater is a major past-time here. The PADI-certified dive shop offers instruction and equipment for diving, snorkeling, and kayaking. No experience is necessary as the guides are trained to handle even novices. The hotel's beach is the largest on the island and it's blissfully uncrowded even when the hotel is full. While it's sparkling clean on most days, with white sand and turquoise water, guests have reported days where plastic litter from the sea has been an issue, especially during the wet season. Kayaks are also available for private or guided tours.The resort has plenty of land-based activities as well, including a jungle zipline plus nature treks led by an experienced local guide. A lovely hilltop spa offering Asian and Western-style treatments incorporates natural rocks and foliage directly into its design, and an open-air gym with cardio machines and free weights is set right on the beach. The hotel's infinity pool is a stunner and looks right out to sea. There are a few lounge chairs set about the terrace surrounding it. Transport to the hotel is not included in room rates, and private helicopter transfers can be arrange. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but the service can be spotty. It's worth noting that power outages can occur and phone service can also be irregular.
