The stilted resort has been around in some shape or form for at least a decade, but has recently been revamped and was pushed into the realm of luxury accommodation.

Other facilities to be found at Gayana Eco Resort, include a seafood restaurant with live seafood, a luxury spa perched between the jungles edge and clear waters of the bay, an Infinity pool that looks out towards the ocean, dive centre and marine research centre.

The resort also features 44 thatched-roof accommodation units with a dark wood finish. All the units are set atop wooden stilts above the water’s surface. The ocean waters lapping at the slits, creates a soothing and tranquil atmosphere in the resort.

Steps lead down from units facing the bay and literally bring the sea to your doorstep. A splash away lies a world to explore snorkelling or, with the on-site dive centre, a deeper underwater world.

Malohom Bay, a safe cove on the northern part of Gagayana Island where Gayana Eco Resort is nestled on the shore, is protected from adverse sea conditions and wind. The tranquil waters presents an opportunity to discover sea life, thanks to a nearby coral reef.

The resort recently sank 3 trawlers confiscated from wildlife poachers caught in Sabah’s waters. Metal frames were built around the boats, and were sunk to create artificial reefs, with hopes to create a safe haven to attract even more sea creatures. It also serves as a interesting dive site.

The eco in Gayana Eco Resort refers to the resort’s efforts of promoting sustainable development and giving back to the environment. The Marine Ecological Research Centre is their most visible project providing a home to sick or injured sea creatures, as well as being an education facility for school groups and visitors.

Gayana Eco Resort is further involved in repopulating the bay with giant clams, which is said to have existed in abundance some years ago, but have since dwindled in numbers.

The repopulation programme ties in with another green effort of the resort, that of their advanced sewerage treatment facility. Combined with the environment-cleaning clams, the bay’s waters are now cleaner than it’s been in recent history.

Other environmental efforts include recyling water and composting bio-degradable waste. Best practicises involving smart water and energy usage are also observed.

Gayana Eco Resort makes it possible to enjoy luxury, comfort and tranquility with minimal impact on the environment. And it’s all not far from the city of Kota Kinabalu, on Gayana Island at Gayana Eco Resort.

Kinabalu Park is the starting point for a climb of Mt Kinabalu, but is also one of Malaysia’s first World Heritage Sites. A range of accommodation is available at Kinabalu Park.

About a two hour drive away from Kota Kinabalu, at the foot of Mt Kinabalu, lies Kinabalu Park. At 1,585m above sea-level, it’s Head Quarters to Kinabalu National Park, the start of the main trail to the summit of Mt Kinabalu, and location of a variety of accommodation managed by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges.

The accommodation at Kinabalu Park is most often used by those either about to climb Mt Kinabalu or those who have just climbed Mt Kinabalu, or travelers, families and couples wishing to experience the abundance of nature to be found in Kinabalu Park.

In 2000, UNESCO declared Kinabalu Park as Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site. On the UNESCO web site, part of the justification of this declaration is that Kinabalu Park contains high biodiversity featuring more than half of all flowering plant families. It further states that the majority of Borneo’s mammals, birds, invertebrates and amphibians (of which many are vulnerable and threatened) occur in the Park.

Indeed, from top to bottom it’s possible to experience habitats as diverse as tropical lowland, hill rainforest, tropical mountain forest, sub-alpine forest and scrub in the higher elevations. Kinabalu Park is truly a human heritage and as such, a popular tourist destination.

On behalf of Sabah Parks, Sutera Sanctuary Lodges manages the various types of accommodation at Kinabalu Park, as well as the restaurants.

Sutera Sanctuary Lodges
Website: suterasanctuarylodges.com.my
Contact: info (@) suterasanctuarylodgoes.com.my