Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa

The beach was pretty when it was clean. There plantings around the property were beautiful. The staff was very nice.

There were some very aggressive macaque monkeys that made leaving or entering our room difficult at times

Just great

Pools and facilities

Loud music until 12pm from the lobby bar

Me gusto especialmente lo bien integrado que está el resort con la naturaleza, en una bahía coralina con un excelente snorkel, y rodeado de vegetación salvaje. Te sientes en un lugar muy especial y el excelente servicio que te dan contribuye a hacer más memorable la experiencia.

creo que deberian mejorar la calidad de sus cócteles pues no están a la altura del resto de servicios.

We had a beachfront pool villa which was very well appointed and well located. The kitchen staff were particularly friendly and professional. Breakfast was plentiful and delicious.

On booking of the room, we were quoted 360 MYR (Malaysian Ringgits-- approximately £66 for a private boat from Kota Kinabalu to Gaya island. We were then told the price had increased to 520 MYR (£95) for the boat crossing. When we questioned it, we were told that the price went up after we booked the room, and they refused to honour the originally quoted price (but were not made aware of this increase until the time of the crossing). I had a three hour spa treatment that consisted of a scrub, massage and facial (approximately £150). The treatment room was comfortable, but not very clean (lots of dust accumulated under the treatment bed). The massage and facial were only average. The wooden decking around the pool area had many warped planks that were sticking out with protruding nails (we had to be very careful not to hurt our bare feet!) We also felt that as the resort was isolated with not options to explore the island or visit local establishments, that the restaurant offering was a little limited. The food quality was good, but with limited selection.

Magnifique baie avec des possibilités de voir des animaux - notamment oiseaux ! Petit hôtel, souvent seul sur la plage ! Personnel efficace et très aimable dirigé par le nouveau manager Alex - efficace et discret

Location paradisiaca, spiaggia e alloggi da sogno immersi nella natura. La natura è selvaggia e ne fa da padrone. Buoni ristoranti. La presenza di sand flies è gestibile con piccole accortezze e il repellente fornito dalla struttura.

Struttura con qualche anno alle spalle e manutenzione non impeccabile. Pulizia delle stanze approssimativa (abbiamo trovato un piccolo roditore in stanza attirato da carte di cibo cadute dietro il mobile da precedenti ospiti). Palestra vecchia e poco fornita.

Een fantastische plek met ontzettend vriendelijk personeel. Een fijne infinity pool en een schoon strand. Je kunt snorkelspullen, kano’s en sups lenen. Er ligt een mooi rif naast de steiger waar je aankomt. We hebben zelfs een zeeschildpad en een rifhaai gezien! Je kunt in beide restaurants goed eten en het ontbijt is waanzinnig goed, je weet niet wat je moet kiezen! De boortransfer verliep goed georganiseerd. We voelden ons tijdens het hele verblijf in de watten gelegd!

Qua resort viel er niets tegen! Het enige minpuntje vonden we de sandflies bij het zwembad en de kwalletjes in de zee, maar daar kan het resort natuurlijk niets aan doen. Er wordt wel duidelijk voor gewaarschuwd en je kunt overal repellant krijgen.

Wat een locatie! Vriendelijke mensen en fantastische service. Heerlijke dagen gehad.

La localisation incroyable Le personnel aux petits soins Les chambres spacieuses et confortables Une nature préservée incroyable

Bunga Raya is quite frankly the definition of paradise. Beautiful beach with turquoise waters filled with fish and corals. The dining facilities are always beautifully presented and the staff are exceptional. Every single member of staff was incredibly polite, friendly and welcoming.

You are surrounded by beautiful rainforests which does of course mean that there are lots of bugs and mosquitoes, but staff make such an effort to get rid of these so this is greatly appreciated. If you aren’t a fan of bugs or rainforest creatures then this may not be the place for you.

We had such a special stay here. Would recommend this place to anyone. Staff are so welcoming and friendly. Rooms are amazing. Plenty of things to do when staying there. Perfect place for R&R

Drink prices were quite high

We had a very enjoyable three nights here, it was a great place to relax for a few days. Our room was excellent, good size with a great view, and very comfortable. We enjoyed all of our meals in the restaurant. Breakfasts were very good, and we had no trouble finding something we liked on the dinner menu. The local dishes (rendang, satay) were great, we also had a very tasty Chinese style meal one night. The transfer to and from Kota Kinabalu was easy and punctual, and all of the staff were all friendly and efficient.

The location is ideal for a peaceful and relaxing holiday

The sandflys at the beach is very annoying, it gives a nasty bite and it starts spreading around the body.

So eine schöne Unterkunft an einem wunderschönen Ort. Das Resort ist direkt am Meer und trotzdem in den Dschungel eingebettet. Uns gefiel das Bungalow super gut. Das Bett ist riesig und soo bequem, das Badezimmer ist gross und alles war sauber und schön hergerichtet. Das Personal ist unglaublich lieb und aufmerksam. Wir fühlten uns wirklich sehr wohl. Das Essen ist ebenfalls ausgezichnet. Weisser Sandstrand und türkis Wasser sowie die Poolanlage, wirklich schön.

Wir finden das Preis-Leistungsverhältnis etwas zu hoch angesetzt. Am Strand sowie im Wasser befindet sich seehr viel Abfall, was das Resort zwar nichts dafür kann aber halt das Strand und -Badeerlebnis total einschränkt für den Gast und man sozusagen gezwungen ist die Zeit hauptsächlich am Pool zu verbringen.

Просто чудесное место! Рай на земле. Тихо, только поют птицы, море рядом шумит. И везде великолепные гибискусы! Очень вкусно кормят, приветливый и эффективный персонал. Полное погружение в природу.

Очень не понравились песчаные мошки на пляже. Но это не вина гостиницы. К сожалению, расплодились в последнее время.

The staff was very kind and helpful, always positive and ready to help. The food was so delicious. We eat mainly in Panthai and everything was perfect, flavours, serving. Within the resort there is beautiful place for snorkelling, we have experienced very beautiful sunsets here, we enjoyed our stay very much.

The only downside to the whole place is the trash around the beach and even within the resort. The staff work on it every day, but unfortunately, there’s still trash lying around. That’s the only thing that slightly spoils the overall experience.

Felt very private. Food was really good.

Gym equipment was very old. The beach was dirty (trash) that should have been picked up by the staff.

Sandflöhe!!!

Die Klimaanlage konnte nicht reguliert werden und hatte quasi ein Eigenleben.

We loved every minute of our all-too short stay here. From the moment we stepped off the (complimentary) boat on to the jetty we could tell that this was very special. The location is fabulous - having seen Gaya Island during the boat journey we can say that its position looking out to sea rather than over Kota Kinabalu and shipping is the best. Great welcome with a tour of the facilities (in one of the buggies which are always available to give guests a lift to their rooms). We were in a lodge with a beautiful balcony overlooking the sea. Everything you need for a comfortable stay - great bed/bedding/towels/bathroom. Appreciated the different free gifts on both nights too. Breakfast was a dream - so much to choose from! The infinity pool was just lovely - plenty of sun loungers and parasols; also on the beach below.

Fresh fish/shellfish from the bountiful supply available simply grilled - without sauce - would be have been really welcome as an addition to the menu!

Le personnel est charmant et très attentif. Le logement est vaste, confortable et bien équipé. La nourriture était délicieuse et abordable.

Les informations pour les transferts en bateau auraient pu être plus claires. L'arrivée sur l'île était idyllique, en revanche, le jour de notre départ, les conditions ont changé et nous avons souffert de piqûres de mouches de sable et de la marée rouge, rendant la baignade désagréable. Nous aurions apprécié que le trajet de retour à 17h plutôt qu'à 11h ne soit pas facturé en plus.

Loved my villa: spacious, comfortable, and beautiful. All staff were lovely. It was all very welcoming, friendly, and very good service.

Très bel hotel. Personnel au top, toujours souriant et au petit soin. Chambre confortable, mais attention pour les villas supérieures, il faut monter une grosse pente (ou se faire emmener par une voiturette) puis plusieurs escaliers pour arriver à la chambre (environ 45 marches pour la villa 48). Restaurant de très bonne qualité. Grands fans de snorkelling, nous avons trouvé les fonds superbes (tortue verte, poissons clowns, poisson ange, poisson papillon, requin pointe noire, serpent de mer etc). Eau pouvant par contre être très trouble s’il a beaucoup plu. Il faut partir de l’escalier du ponton pour arriver directement sur la meilleure zone de coraux. Personnel très arrageant pour les transferts en private boat. Piscine très sympa

La pollution. Même si l’hotel n’est pas responsable de tous les déchets plastiques arrivant de la mer, il faut améliorer le ramassage des déchets sur la plage (on a vu les mêmes déchets 3 jours de suite). Macaques sur le site de l’hotel pouvant être dérangeant également

Very nice, quiet place .

The resort is not well maintained . Everything looks old and used . A lot of broken and dirty equipment . The beach and all the resort was super dirty . While we understand a lot of plastic is coming from the sea still the personnel was not making any effort to clean it up at least in the most important places - eg swimming pool .

We had an absolutely wonderful stay at this beautiful resort. The location is stunning — set right on the sparkling sea, yet our comfortable room was tucked peacefully up the hill in the lush jungle, giving us the best of both worlds. Getting around was effortless, thanks to the golf carts that were always available and ready to take us anywhere on the property. One of the highlights of our stay was the incredible wildlife. We regularly spotted monkeys and monitor lizards, and even had a surprise encounter with a wild boar. The birdlife was just as impressive, with gorgeous tropical species all around, including the charming resident hornbills. The food throughout the resort was tasty and reasonably priced. Above all, the staff truly made our stay special — everyone we met was warm, friendly, and genuinely helpful. Overall, this resort delivered an unforgettable experience filled with natural beauty, comfort, great service, and a touch of adventure. We would happily return and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and relaxing getaway.

Nothing, just fantastic.

Great location, food was excellent and staff were some of the best we have encountered over the years of our travels.

To keep the beach and surrounding areas clean given the litter that washes up daily so something the Malaysian government needs to get better at.

We really enjoyed our stay at this resort. While it is billed as a 5 star resort, by Australian standards it would be a 4 star resort. The accomodation is really special - spacious timber villas throughout the jungle. We stayed in a 2 bedroom deluxe villa and it was furtherest from the central facilities but the buggy service is very efficicient and it was nice to be high in the jungle with some ocean views. We enjoyed really nice meals at the Longhouse - make sure you visit the wine cellar underneath as it is very impressive. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. The main areas for improvment is some of the upkeep (eg the pool decking), and picking up the rubbish on the high tide line of the beach. While sadly the sea in this area contains a lot of plastic, some of the larger plastic items washed ashore could be easily collected. We read many reviews about sandflies but they weren't an issue for us. We also had massages at the spa - nice but pricey. The included boat trip over is on a slow lugger. Those who suffer from seasixkness wouldn't enjoy the trip. We had to get a private speed boat back at our cost to meet a flight time. It was a much quicker and more pleasant trip.

We did not stay here because some watererproblem

We loved everything about the resort. The native animals were great, very exciting to see them, the food was amazing, the flowers on the resort beautiful and the staff were all great.

There was 1 monkey who tried to take our things and showed his teeth when we didn’t give in to him.

What a place, rainforest surrounds you and the beach to the front. the water was shallow, warm and very clear. This place is so private, the boat transfer takes 20 minutes. The rooms in essence are tree houses of varying heights depending on their location and view. Each room is very private, we had a standard room which was more than large enough. We saw lots of animals. We had the sea or pool to ourselves in November, it was lovely.

The menu did not change and as we were there for 5 days we had to repeat our meals. There is no shop on the island so take some snacks if you like those. better screening of the dump area at the far end of the beach.

I stayed at Bungaraya Resort on Gaya Island with my partner and it was one of the worst experiences we’ve ever had. The rooms were unsafe and unhygienic - we had to move rooms every night due to leaks over the bed, bug nests in the wardrobe, multiple lizards crawling everywhere in the room and bathroom, and stained bedding. On one night, the leak became so severe we had to pack our belongings in the middle of the night. The resort environment was shocking: trash and sewage were visible on the beach, the water was brown, dirty, and foul-smelling, the coral was dead, and there were no fish, despite the property being advertised as an eco-luxury resort. Food was expensive and did not taste good. It’s advertised as 2 restaurants on site but there was only 1 open so we were forced to eat at the same place everyday as there were no other options. The service was appalling. When we refused to pay the final checkout bill, the duty manager (Felix) and resort manager (Karl Sims) refused to let us leave the island and held us on the boat until we paid. We were forced to pay under duress, which was extremely distressing. To quote the duty manager when I refuse This resort is misrepresented in every way - unsafe rooms, terrible service, and a completely neglected natural environment. Avoid it at all costs. Read the other negative reviews and also the responses from the poor management. They only care about profits and do not care about their guests or the environment. If you care about the planet, do not stay here, because this resort has ruined the natural environment and visiting is only making it worse.

I rarely write reviews, but my experience at this resort was so upsetting that I feel it’s important to warn others. From the moment I arrived, it was clear that the resort is run down and poorly maintained. Much of the gym equipment was broken, rusty, and unsafe to use, and only one restaurant was open — meaning all three meals had to be eaten in the same place every day. On top of that, the resort charges nearly the same rate as a full night’s stay just for a late check-out, despite being less than a fifth full. When I politely raised these concerns with the manager, I was met with rudeness and condescension. Instead of listening or offering any kind of apology, he questioned why I wasn’t aware of a recent local flood and suggested that I was being insensitive for voicing disappointment. I was shocked — I had no idea about the tragedy, and his response made me feel guilty and humiliated for simply giving honest feedback as a paying guest. I had to walk away because I found the encounter so upsetting that I ended up in tears. The manager never apologized, never tried to make things right, and showed zero empathy. The way I was treated completely ruined what was meant to be a relaxing holiday. I understand that local challenges can affect operations — but there is no excuse for unprofessional behavior or emotional mistreatment of guests. A simple, respectful explanation would have gone a long way. Instead, I was made to feel like the problem for expecting basic standards of service and courtesy. This resort needs serious attention — both in terms of its facilities and its customer service culture. I would strongly advise anyone considering a stay here to think twice before booking. There are many other properties that offer genuine hospitality, empathy, and professionalism — qualities that this resort sadly lacks. The response to our review contained lies with no resolution. Additionally we received no response to the email we had written to the team. I would strongly advise against staying at this resort.

Essen Personal

Das Resort hat bereits nach 16 Jahren grossen Maintenancebedarf

I remember reading a review that said that they treat you like roalty, and that’s what it definitely felt like. It’s a beautiful oasis outside a short boat trip from Kota Kinabalu. The resort itself was very beatiful and the villas in the jungle. They gave you a buggy ride everytime to the main building and back if you wanted, but sometimes it was nice to walk too back to the villa. Every staff member was beyond friendly and ready to serve. Restaurants food was good and it was very convienient that you just ate at the restaurant and paid the bill in the end of the stay, snd the bill wasn’t as bad as I would have thought. They gave us these little gifts every day which was a really nice touch (bamboo starws, hand fans and sarongs). It was a pleasant surprise that we had wifi in the room, because I read that there would not be. I think it had some kind of data restriction though, because it stopped working after 2 days but we didn’t mind. We were travelling on off-season, so there weren’t many people there besides us. It was nice to have the whole beach almost only to us. I can’t recommend this place enough!

They have one complimentary boat rides in and one out. The times could be little bit more flexible. Checking in there is 3 times and that is fine. We just missed the second one so we had to wait till 10 pm to get to the resort. Checking out there is only one boat time and it’s 11 am. Its pretty late, and we had a morning flight so we had to book the private boat. It was very very expensive. So I would hope there would be more flexibility on the complimentary boat. If you’re considering going here, I would recommend planning your trip around the boat times.

I don’t usually write reviews but I feel compelled to write one after staying here. This resort is run down and poorly maintained, certainly not worth the money. Most of the gym equipment was broken and rusty, only one restaurant was open, and despite being almost empty, the resort still tried to charge nearly a full night’s rate to push check out back by a few hours (£150). The place feels like a failing resort, desperately trying to extract as much money as possible from its few guests to try and stay afloat. The decking around the pool is falling apart, the loungers are broken, and the shower in our room was coming away from the wall. It looks like nothing has been maintained in years. What may once have been a luxury resort is now far from worth the price, especially when nearby Gaya Island Resort offers far better facilities and service for a similar rate. When my partner raised these concerns with the manager, Karl Simms, his response was dismissive, defensive, and condescending. Instead of showing professionalism or empathy, he brought up the recent floods and implied she was being insensitive, leaving her upset and humiliated. He made no attempt to apologise to my partner after visibly upsetting her. This resort needs serious improvement — both in terms of its facilities and its customer service culture. However, I feel that it’s only fair to mention that most of the local staff were lovely during our stay, including Felix, the duty manager. The resort feels like it was once very nice but can certainly no longer be classed as a luxury resort in its current condition.

Superbe plage Sentiment d'être seuls au monde!!

Villa indiquée à 87m2, cela inclut les extérieurs. Ce n'est pas vraiment une villa, mais plutot une suite

We had the most amazing stay at Bungaraya! The location is idyllic, the staff are the best, most wonderful people and were fantastic at helping organise a proposal 🥂. It is the ideal place to learn about the conservation efforts and get away from the world. We really liked that we couldn't get wifi in the villa as it made us disconnect and appreciate where we were more but that might not be practical for everyone. The food was delicious and fresh with a mix of local and international flavours. All in all a wonderful place and hopefully we will be back in the future! **Side note - we were lucky enough to stay at the Gayana Marine resort on the other side of the island for a few days and it was equally amazing! Very relaxed vibes, perfect if you want seclusion and watch the marine life 🐟

Stunning spot. Cocktails great.

Limitations to what you could do. Activities all booked out, would have been nice to be able to explore the island coastline instead of being confined to the hotel. Food was limited and not very good.

We loved our stay at Bunga Raya! Our room was spectacular and had a fabulous view and very private. The food was excellent and staff so helpful and friendly- they could not do enough for us. The pool and beach were also beautiful. We had no issues with sand flies or monkeys- the staff were watching for monkeys and we sat by the pool not on the sand so I was perfect for us. We will be back😊

Nothing

If you appreciate quality tourism and are a conscious traveller who values sustainability and environmental care, Bunga Raya is the place to be. Nestled in lush jungle, this resort is more than just a beautiful escape - it's a model of how top-tier hospitality can go hand in hand with nature conservation and community development. The owners clearly care deeply: they invest in protecting the environment, training local youth, and creating economic opportunities for the surrounding community—all while offering guests an exceptional experience. Highly recommended for anyone who believes in “doing good while doing well.”

Location superb Food was ok Reasonably priced

1. The strictest hotel 8 have ever been in the world for accomodating only 1 child below 11 in 1 room. I was forced to take another extra villa to accommodate a 6 yr old child with his parents. 2. Waiting time for the food is a bit too too long

Fantastic hotel in an amazing location. Food and cocktails were great and reasonably priced compared to other 5 star hotels in Borneo. We stayed in the two bedroom villa (no 38) which had the best view and quick access to the pool and beach. We were worried after reading the reviews but were not impacted by the sandlflies as we were very careful to put on lotion etc. There were monkeys around the hotel but the staff kept them away from the pool/ restaurant areas and they didn't impact our holiday - except for having to keep the bedroom door shut all the time. Would really recommend this hotel - a truly memorable stay.

L’emplacement, la plage , le snorkeling , la vue , la piscine à débordement , l’amabilité du personnel La décoration de la chambre pour mon anniversaire en rentrant de la chambre est un geste très sympathique et apprécié :) … on nous accordé un late check in a 12h au lieu de 11h et cela a été précieux dans notre organisation de voyage , l’accueil du management

Je trouve que l’hôtel devrait mieux négocier le prix de ‘ private charter Boat’ pour avoir plus de souplesse sur les heures de check in et Check out . Ne pas hésiter également à upgrader lorsque l’hôtel est à moitié vide , ce genre de geste donne un souvenir mémorable . Qu’il n’y ait pas d’ambiguïté, notre séjour a été formidable

Fine

Na

Très belle baie sur une île proche de Kota Kinabalu, encore très préservée et sauvage

- installations souffrant du poids des années - cuisine limitée dans le restaurant près de la piscine et à l’hygiène douteuse dans l’autre (première intoxication alimentaire pour moi après 5 années en Asie du Sud Est !!) - personnel très souriant et sympathique …mais pas très efficace (erreurs/oublis dans les commandes à CHAQUE repas et au moment du check out ou on a voulu me faire payer deux fois) - rapport qualité/prix pas du tout au rendez-vous in fine

An idyllic tropical island retreat where all the staff want to look after you. Huge and comfortable room (No. 8), great food and good attention to detail. Many reviews have commented on the macaques, we did see them but they did not cause us any problems at all. All you need to do is be sensible, don't approach them and be aware they may steal things if left lying around. We thought service across the resort was friendly and generally efficient. A couple of times coffee orders were delayed a short while, but who's in a hurry when at a resort like this? Any shortfalls were very much made up by an eagerness to correct problems and being friendly and helpful. There were some stand out staff - to name just a few - Haary, Fenelon and Najmudin. Thank you.

A true paradise! The resort is gorgeous, surrounded by crystal-clear sea and jungle. Our villa was spacious and private, with every comfort. Staff were exceptionally kind and attentive, making us feel at home from day one and obviously great food. Despite a few rainy moments, our stay was wonderful. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to experience paradise!

Nothing, everything was perfect!

We loved it here, so quiet and tranquil, We didn't want to go home, Food very good, staff all lovely , Bungalow was lovely, Just beware that a lot of the Bungalows are up steep hills and steps, we had Bungalow 19 and ones you had done the steep walk to the bottom of the steps that lead to Bungalow , you had 74 steps from road to Bungalow, you could get a buggy to the bottom of the steps , but still had the steps to negotiate,

Bunga Raya is an exceptional place. As soon as you arrive, you are treated like royalty. The staff make this place magical. The beach is beautiful, the pool is breathtaking and the villas are so special. Staff go above and beyond, the food and drinks are incredible. A true delight.

Nothing - it was all exceptional!

Le resort présente un paysage de carte postale idyllique avec un personnel formidable, des équipements topissimes et une nourriture exceptionnelle : des villas au top mais..

C’est la première fois que ma compagne et moi étaient contents de quitter un resort : les sandflies voraces qui vous poussent à vous couvrir de repellent h24, les macaques qui vous attaquent et vous poussent à avoir votre parapluie pour se protéger tout le temps, le sentiment d’enfermement: pas de chemin pour se promener dans la jungle, des navettes bateaux rares et prohibitives … aucun information préalable n est fournie. Max 3 nuits ! On avait pris 5. On a regretté. (Le tigre peluche c’est sensé repoussé les singes)

Variété petit déjeuner chaque jour. Délicieux et copieux restaurants Cadre idyllique avec plage privée et des coraux accessibles en snorkeling fabuleux . Mise à disposition paddle et kayak gratuitement Personnel agréables et chambres spacieuses, confortables Transfert se fait en bateau directement à Jesselton par l hôtel .

Tout parfait ! Accessibilité pour personnes a handicap car beaucoup d’escaliers

Excellent breakfast, location is great, beach is nice and quiet, personnel extremely nice

Sun flies on the beach limit the freedom to walk, the staff recommend to use a special oil but it doesn't help 100%. Tide is bringing some debris on the beach which could have cleaned a bit better

Nous avons passé un séjour inoubliable dans cet hôtel avec un personnel fantastique, très très attentionné, sympathique et professionnel, on ne peut rêver mieux, honnêtement,en plus une restauration fantastique, je conseille cet hôtel très fortement

Rien,absolument rien, tout était parfait

Staff were exceptional, room lovely, wonderful sea to swim in, food good

Monkeys - be careful

What an amazingly beautiful and well run place, where every need and more is catered for. Had been looking forward staying here since booked and didn’t expect to have expectations exceed but the place and the incredibly attentive, professional, friendly and above all humble staff managed it (especially Haary😉). Read reviews and really don’t understand any of the negative episodes - seem impossible from our recent experience, photos on any webpage DO NOT do it justice either, simply stunning and well maintained throughout. Plenty of wildlife encounter to be had in the edge of the jungle, large Monitor Lizards on patrol, hornbills seen and definitely heard! Wild boars making night tone appearances, mischievous long tailed macaques, even saw a sake or two (not poisonous)!! Snorkelled with many beautiful fish in large shoals, saw spotted rays, baby reef sharks, cuttlefish - my wife was also fortunate enough to swim with a green turtle, but very elusive generally. And found Nemo😉 Overall amazing 7 days spent at Bungaraya, thank you so much everyone from Carl the manager to Haary at the Pantai restaurant to the polite ground staff, room cleaners and everyone else we came into contact with, superb.

Everything perfect. The island is a paradise. The staff is the best i have ever experienced. Beautiful room in an amazing jungle setting. Highly recommended.

This is a beautiful hotel with a charming rustic boutique feel, set in a stunning location with crystal-clear beaches and fantastic snorkelling—sharks and turtles just off the shore. The rooms are tucked into the rainforest and offer lovely views, adding to the tranquil atmosphere. While the staff are warm and friendly, the service is noticeably slow. Waiting over 40 minutes for drinks is unacceptable. The food however is delicious, but also takes a long time to arrive. The biggest downside was the sandflies. Despite using the repellent provided, we were covered in itchy bites that lingered well after our stay. It's a serious issue that you should consider when choosing to stay in this area. I’d urge the hotel to consider more proactive and more effective way of managing these pests as it impacts the overall experience of the stay. That said, this hotel is still a gem with some of the best food we had during our trip. Just be prepared for the bugs and the slow pace.

After reading reviews we were a little nervous but the resort was perfect for our family. The hotel is based in amongst the rainforest and we woke to the sounds of the jungle each day. Our 2 bedroom Accommodation was very spacious and luxurious. The beach was golden and the sea turquoise and clear with loads of fish to see in the corals. The food was great and whilst the service was not the speediest the food was worth waiting for and was fresh. As long as you use the lotion and stayed away from the beach in the afternoon there was no issues with sand flies. Monkeys were seen but did not interfere with the holiday and were only seen by the pool across the 5 days we were there. If you want a break in great location and relaxed resort I would highly recommend.

What a beautiful resort. We booked a superior villa for 5 nights, this was one of the cheapest room options. The villa was huge, bed was comfortable, lovely bathroom and a sea view to die for which we weren't expecting and a huge balcon, great aircon. Of course the paths are steep but this is the reason for the views, we have stayed in many hotels with this layout and are happy with the walking. The hotel grounds are very well maintained and all of the staff so friendly, such lovely people. They gave us something for the room so that we could get WiFi here which was appreciated. We went in March after our visit to Danum Valley so still early in the season, only a few villas occupied and no children it was really peaceful, just the way we like it. The breakfast was great, plenty of choice and we mostly ate in the long house where we were looked after very well and the food was excellent. The transfers to and from the hotel were excellent, we had a private transfer early morning for our return to the airport. The hotel is picturesque, set in the rainforest on the edge of the sea, plenty of wildlife and very good snorkeling when the conditions allowed, we saw some huge cuttlefish, what an experience. The monkeys did wreak havoc but great to watch, just don't leave anything on your balcony just in case. The only downside for me unfortunately was the sand fly bites. I was bitten on the first day whilst waiting for our room to be ready sat on the decking not the beach, I must have had around 60 bites and still have the scars. I was a mess. It's unfortunate and I didn't see many other people there that had been bitten that were staying there, I n all my years of going abroad I had never experienced sand flies. They either like you or if you're lucky they don't. I have just returned from another holiday abroad in Europe and have been bitten by sandflies again, my tip is take calamine lotion, it helps with the itching which I did this time, but the lady in reception at Bungaraya kindly gave me some lavender oil to roll onto them, after the first day I smothered myself in the oil they make up to repel the sandflies. My mosquito repellent also repelled sand flies but you can't really use it while sunbathing. If you are looking for peace, tranquility and luxury, this hotel is the place to relax and unwind after trekking in the Jungle which is what we did before moving on elsewhere.

Beautiful resort in a stunning location. We had a wonderful stay here celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. Snorkelling from the private beach where we saw pufferfish and black tipped reef sharks. Kayaking and snorkelling too! Staff were absolutely fantastic and so helpful; would like to mention how wonderful Kenneth was! If you get a chance to stay here you will not be disappointed!

We’ve had the most amazing few days at Bungaraya and would highly recommend this piece of heaven to anyone contemplating a stay on Gaya island. On arrival my husband wasn’t very well and the staff were so kind and thoughtful, doing everything they could to help. The whole resort is wonderful - spacious clean villas, with the most comfortable huge bed, all set in beautiful gardens and overlooking a picture perfect beach. The infinity pool is lovely and surrounded by sun loungers, with free towels to use. The two restaurants serve delicious food and a good variety; we have never seen such a large variety on a buffet breakfast before. Lots of lovely touches inc cold filtered water machines throughout the resort, a book swap facility, a gift left in the room every day and a motorised buggy service to your villa on demand! We both had a signature massage at the spa and wish we had time to experience more. But what makes this resort so special is the exceptional staff members. Every single one was polite, courteous and went above and beyond to make our stay amazing. Our trip to Borneo was a lifelong dream and our stay at Bungaraya was our last stop before coming home. It could not have been a better choice and to date, has been the best holiday ever. Thank you to all of the staff. We would highly recommend

Sandflies on the beach in the afternoon but this is nature and can’t be helped! The staff raked the beach every morning (with a water buffalo) to help minimise this and provided spray/oil free to use as well. Equally the macaques are a bit annoying if you want to eat by the pool but again, the staff were always quick to help shoo them away. Best to just eat a few steps away in the restaurant. And considering we came to Borneo to see the wildlife, we can’t really then complain about it!

- The hotel and its surroundings were really beautiful and clearly very well cared for by the staff. The staff were really knowledgeable about the wildlife in the area - Snorkelling just off the beach and seeing so many fish was really cool, could pop to and from the pool to snorkel when needed - The hotel staff were all so friendly and really helpful throughout the whole trip - The satay and the local breakfast options were really well done and the food in general was to a high quality

We stayed at Bungaraya for 6 nights. The resort is located in a cove of Gaya Island and has the most beautiful beach that stretches across the length of the resort and surrounded by rainforest. What made our experience at Bungaraya so brilliant without a doubt was the amazing staff! Every single member was welcoming, always smiling and attentive. Their service really made the whole experience! I would stay here again and recommend anyone else because of this! We made good use of the pool area each day which overlooks the beach and also the spa which is located in and amongst the trees! The food was very good. There is only two restaurants, but this was fine for us for the time we were there. Try the Shanghai pancake at the Longhouse restaurant! Overall Bungaraya really surprised us in the best of ways! After a week travelling in the Borneo rainforest, it was the perfect way to end our holiday! 100% recommend to anyone travelling to Gaya Island! And again, a massive thank you to the brilliant staff!

When we arrived we thought we are in paradise. The landing wharf is impressive and we got a warm welcome from the staff. Some bungalows are located near the beach, most on a steep hill, sourrounded by trees. Unfortunately most bungalows don't offer ocean view. In the heat it is unpleasant to walk to the beach and restaurants, but they have golf carts that pick you up and bring you back. It mostly works like a charm, except when people arrive or leave and they have to deal with the luggage. The food is good, but the service is extremely slow in both restaurants. More than an hour waiting time to even get a starter. We learned our lesson, went to the bar for cocktails and pre-ordered our dinner. This worked and we went to the dinner table when the food was ready. All staff members were extremely friendly, but we were not impressed from the manager at all! There are two truly negative things: 1. The sand flies. Even if you use the provided protection oil there is a high chance you get bitten and suffer painful bites! They lasted for a long time! Those creatures also have the ability to transmit diseases... There was also something tiny in the water that bit us, but we don't know what it was. It made snorkelling very unpleasant. 2. The monkeys. All bungalows offer a really nice balcony with cushioned armchairs and a table. Inviting to sit and relax and enjoy a drink. BUT, only until the monkeys get aware of you. They jump onto you or the table and grab whatever they can get. They knocked my (expensive) drink over and drank it. On another occasion my husband came from a massage and a group of monkeys attacked him for NO REASON on the walkway to our bungalow!!! I heard their loud noises, looked what is going on and saw my husband running! I opened the door and slammed it close just in time before they got in. We talked to the manager about this and he just said that this is wildlife and a lot of people are happy to see it. UNBELIEVABLE!!! We travel the world and were often in remote areas with monkeys present, but we never experienced anything like this!!!

Enjoyed our long weekend in Paradise! Possibly one of the easiest places to travel to from Singapore offering a true Paradise! 2.5 hr flight, 15 min trip from airport to jetty and 15 min speedboat transfer gets you to an unbelievable island resort where hospitals greets you with a big smile! Despite the fact that we were unlucky with the weather, supposed to be dry season but we had two days quite a lot of rain, it didn’t really bother us as it’s the tropics after all! We went diving during the day with the sister resort Gayana and Rechey showed us the beautiful reefs surrounding Gays island! A tasty lunch is included with the dive package and sincerely recommend this activity! Due to rain we found our favourite spot was the bar overlooking the beach. Great relaxing spend after a day of diving and enjoying the background music with a mocktail or cocktail over looking South China Sea. Accommodation is super spacious and comfortable and we didn’t really use the little living room area but enjoyed our balcony overlooking the beach and sea…

Beautiful and peaceful surroundings. Exceptionally attentive and friendly staff. Room was fabulous. Food exceptional and good variety of cuisines. Delicious cocktails. This was our first visit to Bungaraya and we shall be returning.

Nothing of note. Be aware there is no WiFi in the rooms, communal areas only. However 4G signal in the room was decent

The staff were exeptional here,they really make the stay amazing and cannot do enough for you. Any problem dealt with instantly. The whole place is beautiful.. heaven on earth.

There's not a single thing I would change or complain about

Our accommodation, the location and the staff were all wonderful.

One of the most disappointing stays ever. Beach was covered in sand flies so you couldn’t use. The staff didn’t tell us there was something specific to plug in at night and so we all woke up with over 100 bites each (not an exaggeration). Service was painfully slow. Over 30 minutes for a piece of toast and at least 20 minutes for a singular cocktail. No wifi in the resort despite being advertised as. Honestly avoid! We were told we would be contacted after for some form of compensation. After three attempts at contacting the resort we’ve still heard nothing!

Stunning location

Hope that an effort will be made to remove plastic from the ocean and beach on the island

Lovely scenery, secluded resort and very friendly and welcoming staff. Nice pool, good breakfast and comfortable and spacious rooms.

We noted on our reservation that we were celebrating our honeymoon and again a day prior to our arrival in communication with the hotel. When we arrived, we noted we were excited to end our honeymoon here but the manager seemed surprised and said they weren't aware. From a '5 star resort', you would expect a bit more service for special occasions. In the end, nothing was done by the hotel staff for us to celebrate. Additionally, no wifi in rooms, beach and sea is quite dirty with rubbish (although the staff do try to maintain it). Equipment in the gym is quite old. Attempted to do some of the jungle walks that were promoted on signs at the lobby, but the bridge was closed and the trails are overgrown and not maintained. Overpriced stay for what you get.

This is an exceptional resort. Outstanding location with Outstanding staff that charm you whilst delivering attentive, personal service. Manager Susan and Waitress Kathye warrant special mention for consistently going the extra mile. The resort offers a range of free water based activities plus chargeable diving and snorkelling which were excellent. Quirks of the resort are a cow that trails the beach each morning and a wild boar that patrols the beach!! The spa was also excellent - I haven’t been beaten with bamboo since leaving school - go for it! It’s brilliant and the staff delightful

The setting was just perfect - jungle, beach, peace and tranquility. Our lodge was comfortable and was located at the upper part of the resort, which we preferred as it gave us total privacy. We also quite enjoyed the walk back after meals! The food was amazing, as were the staff. We were made to feel so welcome, everyone was very friendly and it felt authentic, like they genuinely cared we were having the best time.

The sand flies! But in all honesty, it’s a small price to pay to be in such a beautiful location.

Wszystko

Trafiliśmy na przypływ który wyrzucił tony śmieci na plażę. Woda w tym czasie była jednym wielkim śmietnikiem. Następnego dnia prądy zabrały śmieci a plaża została uprzątnięta i od tego czasu znaleźliśmy się w raju.

Gaya Island. We stayed in a deluxe villa, which was two separate buildings. We did not use the lounge building at all because we didn’t feel the need. The food was a worry particularly as I am vegetarian, but the chef managed to accommodate me by tweaking some of the dishes. However, after a few days, the chef came out to meet me and devised some fabulous dishes just for me! Service with a big smile! All of the staff were terrific, particularly the man who was in charge of the restaurant ( I am ashamed to say that I have forgotten his name!) It was very exciting in the evening to see a boar (and sometimes his family) stroll across the beach. Our only niggle (and it turned out to be a big niggle) were the sand flies on the beach! We were warned about them but didn’t expect them to be so vicious. My husband was bitten on every single exposed part of his body. They are 100 times worse than mosquitoes. Be warned!! Other than that, a fabulous place!

Personal super freundlich und engagiert. Schön in die Natur integriert.

WiFi fällt in den Restsurants oft aus, in den Zimmern kein WiFi, nur Empfang mit mobilen Routern, die man an der Rezeption leihen kann. Strand stark mit Sandfliegen befallen. Essen im Vergleich zur landesüblichen Preislage überteuert. Check out und inklusive Bootsrückfahrr um 11 Uhr zu früh,. Inklusive Bootsfahrt ab KK 3× täglich, ab Resort nur 1x, sollte auch 3x möglich sein. Da Mücken im Zimmer sollte Moskitonetz vorhanden sein.