5 Star Hotel
Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa
Polish Bay, Gaya Island, Kota Kinabalu , Malaysia View Map
1/107About
Bunga Raya Island Resort offers top-notch services and amenities, ensuring guests experience utmost comfort. Maintain seamless communication using the complimentary Wi-Fi at resort. Effortlessly arrange transportation to and from the airport using the resort's airport transfer services. Discovering Kota Kinabalu becomes even more accessible, thanks to the shuttle amenities provided at the resort. During your stay at this fantastic resort, the attentive front desk personnel can provide you with a range of amenities such as concierge service and safety deposit boxes. Craving relaxation? Make the most of your stay at the Bunga Raya Island Resort with convenient amenities like room service and daily housekeeping at your disposal.For visitors wishing to smoke, designated smoking zones can be found.At Bunga Raya Island Resort, every guestroom is provided with convenient amenities and fittings to ensure a comfortable stay. Enhance your experience at resort with the knowledge that certain rooms are equipped with linen service, blackout curtains and air conditioning for your convenience.At Bunga Raya Island Resort, each visit offers an array of intriguing room configurations, featuring accommodations with separate living room and balcony or terrace, ensuring a distinct experience every time.Certain rooms boast in-room amusement features such as television and cable TV, offering guests an enjoyable stay.In select rooms within the resort, bottled water, a coffee or tea maker, instant coffee, instant tea and mini bar is available to cater to your requirements when desired.In the resort, certain guest bathrooms come equipped with essential bathroom amenities, such as a hair dryer, toiletries and bathrobes, ensuring a comfortable stay for guests. Begin your day carefree at Bunga Raya Island Resort, as complimentary breakfast is offered for your convenience.Begin your day feeling refreshed and invigorated as you enjoy a delightful cup of quality coffee available at the cafe situated within the resort.At the resort, an assortment of easily accessible and delicious meal choices are available to satisfy your appetite whenever it strikes.At Bunga Raya Island Resort, they are committed to catering to your unique requirements. They offer a variety of meal choices, encompassing halal alternatives for those with special dietary preferences.Enjoy an entertaining evening with your fellow travelers at the resort's bar.Bunga Raya Island Resort provides a superb assortment of leisure amenities for guests to enjoy.During your stay, don't forget to allocate some moments to experience the readily available shoreline. Conclude your holiday perfectly with a visit to massage, spa and sauna on your final days.Be sure to drop by the pool at resort at least once during your stay. Discover the fitness amenities at resort to maintain your health and strength during your getaway.
115 Reviews
- Cleanliness
- 9.3
- Staff
- 9.5
- Location
- 9.4
What Guests Say
- “Location superbFood was okReasonably priced”
- “Excellent breakfast, location is great, beach is nice and quiet, personnel extremely nice”
Top Amenities
- Swimming Pool
- Restaurant
- Free Internet Access
- Spa
- Fitness Center
- Free Breakfast
- Hot tub/Whirlpool
- Airport Shuttle
Room Options
Our Best Price. GUARANTEED.
Exclusively for Priceline members Details
1/4Deluxe Villa
- Adapter
- Air conditioning
- Alarm clock
- Baby Cot
1/42 Bedroom Deluxe Suite
- Adapter
- Additional bathroom
- Air conditioning
- Alarm clock
1/4Staycation Offer [Malaysian Citizens & Residents only] - Two-Bedroom Deluxe Suite
- Air conditioning
- Balcony
- Bath or Shower
- Bathrobe(s)
1/4Staycation Offer [Malaysian Citizens & Residents only] - Superior Villa
- Air conditioning
- Balcony
- Bath or Shower
- Bathrobe(s)
1/4Superior Villa
- Adapter
- Air conditioning
- Alarm clock
- Baby Cot
1/4Staycation Offer [Malaysian Citizens & Residents only] - Villa with Private Pool
- Air conditioning
- Balcony
- Bath or Shower
- Bathrobe(s)
1/4Villa with Private Pool
- Air conditioning
- Balcony
- Bath or Shower
- Bathrobe(s)
1/4Two-Bedroom Deluxe Suite
- Air conditioning
- Balcony
- Bath or Shower
- Bathrobe(s)
1/4Staycation Offer [Malaysian Citizens & Residents only] - Deluxe Villa
- Air conditioning
- Balcony
- Bath or Shower
- Bathrobe(s)
1/4Plunge Pool Villa
- Access to a private beach
- Adapter
- Air conditioning
- Alarm clock
Have a question?
Ask Penny, powered by AI. Answers are taken from property information and reviews.
What Guests Loved
Based on 115 reviews
Pros +
- Location superbFood was okReasonably priced
- Excellent breakfast, location is great, beach is nice and quiet, personnel extremely nice
- The location away from the hustle bustle of the city , nested among the forest is a picture of serenity and peacefulness. The villa we stayed at was ocean facing with a direct access to the beach
Cons -
- 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
- 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
- The rooms could be refurbished
Location superbFood was okReasonably 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
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
The location away from the hustle bustle of the city , nested among the forest is a picture of serenity and peacefulness. The villa we stayed at was ocean facing with a direct access to the beach
The location, staff, you are literally in a jungle…
The rooms could be refurbished
? The Setting: Undeniably breathtaking. A tropical paradise straight out of a postcard, with lush greenery and pristine beaches. But... that’s where the magic ends.
They promise 5-star luxury under "European management," but the reality falls painfully short. Here’s the unvarnished truth about my stay at Bungaraya Island Resort:? The Villas: The floors creak with every step, and the bathroom hygiene? Far from 5-star standards. A shocking disappointment for the price tag.☕ The Breakfast Experience: With just 4-5 guests, you'd think service would be swift. Instead, a cup of coffee takes 15-20 minutes to arrive (if it arrives hot, count your blessings). And the food? Cold, unappetizing, and utterly unworthy of the setting.? Dining Options: Two restaurants on-site, yet the menus are nearly identical. No variety, no creativity — it feels like you’re eating the same uninspired meal no matter where you go.? Unbelievable Dining Missteps: The absurdity reaches its peak in the Chinese restaurant. They don’t have fish sauce — an essential ingredient — yet the other restaurant, just 100 meters away, does. And guess what? They can’t bring it over. You’re staying on the same property, eating at their restaurants, but they refuse to solve such a simple problem. How does that even make sense?? The Internet Fiasco: Internet access requires a portable router. Sounds manageable, right? Except the router came with a broken charging cable, then the router itself stopped working. On the last day, it was replaced — twice. It’s 2025; reliable Wi-Fi in a luxury resort shouldn’t be this complicated.? Cocktails & Drinks: With cocktail prices rivaling top-tier bars, you'd expect perfection. Instead, it feels like the staff have neither tasted nor seen a proper drink in their lives. What’s served is a far cry from what’s on the menu.? The Verdict: This could’ve been paradise, but it’s a paradise plagued by terrible management and lackluster service. The natural beauty of the location deserves so much better. For now, the resort earns a 2/10 — all thanks to its scenery.
fantastic staff. Smiling and Efficient. Quality Food. Well looked after beaches. Roomy Accommodation. Well designed Infinity Pool and gently sloping beach.
A very cool place where you can really relax. The cottages are a bit remote, but for us that's only a plus, because you can actually hear the sounds of the jungle and observe nature. It was the beginning of our trip and even comparing the rest of the accommodations we really liked it. The perfect place to relax, beautiful cottages with a unique atmosphere. Beaches clean, manager welcomes you personally and tells you about a place, staff very nice and friendly. I had a very relaxing time there
No internet in the rooms, but with your connection it doesn't bother you, food can be monotonous with a longer stay.
Very beautiful location. Everything is in very good shape.There is a lot of stuff to do in the resort even with bad weather pool, ping pong, some table games. And for outdoor some hiking, snorkeling , swimming.The food was excellent (the best we had in our trip to Malaysia) There is a lot of fauna too which was very magical. Monitor lizards, hornbills, monkeys and more.But the best of all is the staff. Everyone was incredibly gentle and always ready to make the guest feel taken care of.
Fabulous location, food great and staff friendly
The resort is accessed by boat and is completely secluded. From the sea, the resort is virtually invisible, as it has been carefully designed to melt into the rainforest background. The individual rooms are beautifully furnished and extremely comfortable. The beach is clean, despite the constant barrage of plastic pollution from the sea. The main reef is fairly bland but seemed reasonably healthy, with a good variety of sealife. It is closed at low tides for the safety of guests and preservation of the reef environment, so be sure to check with the staff. There is a smaller reef on the other side of the bay that can still be accessed at low tide. It's not as impressive, but we actually saw a lot of interesting fish there. Top tip, If you can drag yourself out bed at around 6am, there is a good chance of seeing small reef sharks in the shallow waters around the pier. It's also worth a walk down the pier at night for a chance to spot interesting sealife.The pool area seemed popular with guests and there always seemed to be a few sun beds free. The food was great and the service was friendly and efficient. In fact, the staff in general were wonderful and made us feel very welcome and special. They are an absolute credit to the establishment!The only slight issue we had was that our family villa was way up a long, steep hill. Lifts are available, on request, in little golf buggies but it wasn't easy to just pop back on foot whenever we wanted, particularly in the heat of the day. However, we had complete privacy and our balcony looked out onto stunning rainforest, so we were very happy. All in all, we absolutely loved this resort and wish we could have stayed longer. It's not a cheap option but it's definitely worth it. Complete luxury, I highly recommend it!
Nothing. Just check, in advance, where your room will be if you prefer to be close to the beach, pool and restaurant.
The bay was beautiful it was like entering your own private paradiseService was excellent staff were happy and chatty Food was excellent Room was amazing and bed was so comfortable
There was a little bit of litter washed up on the beach which was sad to seeThe only bar was in the restaurant I think a pool bar or somewhere to go for a drink after dinner would be a great addition
It felt as close to paradise as you could ever imagine. We were made to feel special throughout the trip and staff are the nicest, I’ve ever encountered.
The trips were very expensive and not value for money. We did a 2 hour trek to the other side of the island, which included a guide, a pack lunch and boat journey back. The price quoted on the promotional information said Rm 330 for two persons. At check out, I was charged Rm 660. I was pretty shocked as the wording was extremely misleading which I pointed out but nothing was done about it. I also got charged for 3 spa treatments instead of 1. I felt the onus was on me to prove that I hadn’t had 3 treatments. No real apology was offered and the receptionist became less than friendly, after she realised that it was the hotel’s mistake. I left the island feeling very unhappy and it spoiled what, had been an amazing stay up until this point. In conclusion, the hotel needs to review its pricing and make it clearer on their literature. I left feeling like I had been ripped off which was a great shame, as apart from that, it’s an amazing place to stay.
We loved absolutely everything. The accommodation was stunning, clean and stocked with beautiful amenities. The staff were absolutely wonderful and they couldn’t do enough for you. Everything we ate and drank was delicious too. We snorkelled in the bay and saw black tipped sharks and there’s also lots of monitor lizards around the area. Can’t rate this place enough - we didn’t want to leave!
Property was quiet and relaxing. The facilities were accessible and well staff.
Bathroom in the villa was hot.
Lovely setting and rooms large and well decorated. Staff friendly and welcoming to start.
We left after 2 nights to go to hotel on the mainland, unfortunately despite applying plenty of the oily repellent provided, the beach flies particularly were incredibly aggressive by the pool and on the beach, annoying at the time but we both woke at 3am to burning and itching from countless bites across our bodies and couldn't face the pool or prospect of staying in our room for our final day of an amazing holiday. Yes its a beach and jungle setting but would note this was the final days of a 2.5 week getaway all across Borneo without this issue and including three nights at the beginning at a resort two coves away on Gaya Island that obviously put some effort into mitigating the problem not just providing guests with the repellent.They also didn't clean the room and the living room was covered in bug stuff that hadn't been clean.
The views from our villa of the sea and beach were outstanding. The room had been set up beautifully for our 25th wedding anniversary. Lovely pool which was cleaned daily. Staff were very friendly and always willing to help. Wildlife was present around the resort - monkeys snd monitor lizards.
Rooms were over run with mosquitoes. My son got bitten alive on night 1- we stopped counting when we got to 300 bites. (We had sprayed his arms with Deet spray.) The mosquito spray in his room had run out and he didn’t know to plug in the machine - it would have been useful to have been told this at the welcome meeting. His sheets were covered in blood but the bed was just remade in the morning and we had to request for the sheets to be changed. We used the coffee cups but these were left dirty and not replaced until requested a day or two later. The food descriptions on the menu didn’t often match what was served e.g. The clay pot fish stew which sounded fabulous had more breadcrumbs/batter and only the tiniest morsel of fish which you had to hunt for. Staff always tried to do their best but the language barrier meant they often didn’t understand requests. Drink service was very slow taking over 30 mins for one drink ordered. The hotel was advertised as having Wi-Fi, essential when needing to work while away but this was down for 2 days. We had washing done and requested the express service but got the slower one instead. We ended up leaving a day early. Beach was lovely but unusable most of the time due to sandflies.
Beautiful setting, beautiful scenery, friendly staff, lovely rooms
Almost everything
Very few things: mosquito bites, smell around the pond, room isolation (against mosquitos) not perfect
The hotel is located on a private island, where you feel the jungle and can enjoy the proximity to nature. The island is full of the wild species that you can hardly see anywhere else.
The cook was great but the breakfast service requires a little improvement.
The place is just amazing. It is like a dream. We spent 3 nights and it was just perfect. It is in the jungle and lots of wild animals around. The SPA was the best I ever been to. Food was really good and the staff very friendly.
The beach was full with plastic rubbish! It was so sad to see. There are a lot the resort can do to make sure the beach is clean. For example put garbage bins on the beach and really make an effort to have it cleaned every day when it is needed. For the breakfast you can only select ONE hot dish and if you want an additional one it will be charged. We found it a bit strange as the resort is very pricy and you already pay a lot! There could be more flexibility. Same with the Canopy walk, it could be included. Inform about the sun flies - it was a terrible pain. Use the insect repellant! We had booked a two-room villa but it was not any information that there was like two rooms without a connected door inside. We travelled with kids and it was not optimal to put them in one an lock the door. You had to lock ass monkeys would otherwise pay a visit to the room. The room it self was great.
Amenities & Policies
Amenities
Swimming & Soaking
- Beachfront
- Swimming Pool
- Hot tub/Whirlpool
- Kids' pool
- Outdoor pool
- Private beach
Fitness & Spa
- Fitness Center
- Spa
Food & Drinks
- Free Breakfast
- Restaurant
Media & Technology
- Free Internet Access
Transportation
- Airport Shuttle
Health & Safety
- Health Services
- Hygiene certification
Kid Friendly
- Family Friendly
- Kid Friendly
General
- No Smoking Rooms/Facilities
Guest policies
| Check-in | After 3:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Check-out | Before 11:00 AM |
| Internet | Free Wi-Fi is available. |
| Children & Extra Beds | Children of all ages are welcome. |
| Pets | Pets are not allowed. |
| Room Rates | All rates displayed are for two guests unless otherwise noted. |
Important info
On the day of your arrival, please ensure to at Gayana & Bungaraya Lounge at Jesselton Point at least 30 minutes prior to the Ferry departure to allow time for the final registration step. Please remember that the Ferry departs on time and will not wait for guests who are late or have not complied with the pre-arrival requirements.BRBRFERRY SCHEDULES:BRBRBoats depart from Cape Shesheton at the following times: 12:30, 16:30, and 22:00 (free of charge)BRBoats depart from the resort at the following times: 11:00 (free of charge), 15:30, 17:30, and 23:00 (MYR50 per person)BR• Check-In – 12:30 hours BR• Check-Out – 11:00 hoursBRAny other time, private boat charter rates shall apply.
Location
Polish Bay, Gaya Island, Kota Kinabalu
People also liked
Currently Viewing

Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa
The Magellan Sutera Resort
Kota Kinabalu
Beachfront, Spa, Restaurant
includes all fees
The Pacific Sutera Hotel
Kota Kinabalu
Beachfront, Spa, Restaurant
includes all fees
Sabah Oriental Hotel
Kota Kinabalu
Spa, Restaurant
includes all fees
Tang Dynasty Hotel
Kota Kinabalu
Beachfront, Spa, Restaurant
includes all fees