Gaya Island Resort, Kota KinabaluGaya Island Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia has a corrected score of 3.6 ± 0.2 (fair evidence, 3 of 4 platforms), ranked 7 of 15 hotels we score in Kota Kinabalu. Its platform ratings, normalised to 0-5, average 3.6 before correction: Booking.com 3.4, Tripadvisor 4.1, Agoda 3.4. Rooms from about $367 a night (cached, not a live quote).Gaya Island Resort is a five-star property located on Pulau Gaya within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. The resort consists of 121 hillside villas built on stilts amidst a rainforest environment. Guests can see the South China Sea, mangrove forests, and Mount Kinabalu from the rooms. Facilities include a Spa Village, several restaurants, and a swimming pool. It is a suitable choice for travellers seeking an eco-friendly stay focused on marine conservation. Access to the island requires a 15-minute speedboat journey. While the setting is secluded, some guests may encounter ongoing construction work on one side of the resort.What stands out

Spacious luxury villa interiors

Award winning spa facilities

Views of the South China Sea

On site water sports

Watch out for

Construction work on site

Occasional operational issues

Better-scored in Kota Kinabalu

Borneo Eagle Resort Lvx, Kota Kinabalu: 4.1 ± 0.2 (fair evidence, 3 of 4 platforms). Borneo Eagle Resort Lvx is a five-star boutique property situated on Pulau Tiga off the west coast of Sabah.

Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu: 4.0 ± 0.1 (solid evidence, 4 of 4 platforms), from $170 a night. Opened in 2022, Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu is a 5-star lifestyle hotel situated on Jalan Haji Saman within the central business district of Sabah.

Shangri La Rasa Ria Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu: 3.9 ± 0.2 (solid evidence, 4 of 4 platforms), from $206 a night. Located in Tuaran, Sabah, this five-star resort sits on a 400-acre estate along Pantai Dalit Beach.