Gayana Marine Resort

Water Activities: Guests appreciated the complimentary snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and other water sports. The convenience of having these activities directly accessible from the hotel is a highlighted feature.

This is a second stay after the honey moon with my wife as 2 guests 12 years ago. We returned back as a family with kids and everything was still excellent. The resort had been changed from Gayana Eco Resort to Gayana Marine Resort, while there was no more Alu Alu Chinese Restaurant and remained Macac Restaurant and Latitude Bar. Different from staying Ocean Villa previously, we stayed in Palm Villa for 2 days this time as we targeted for direct access to water with bigger room. Palm Villa was very comfortable and spacious with individual small swimming pool and non-framed ocean view. We loved the room so much. But the water level of my room was much deeper than Ocean Villa which could not stand. However this was particular good for taking a rest if we played kayaking for long time. Some guests were playing kayaking passing the room when we were sunbathing. This was interesting. The sea was clear and transparent to the rocks, but occasionally saw plastic bag and small rubbish. But overall it was still good for kayaking and snorkeling during my stays. What made us memorable included the quality of food and drink too. We had meal in all 3 periods from breakfast to dinner for 2 days, the general standard was very high that we experienced from Malay, Western to Chinese dishes. Ragu Pappardelle, Pizza, Chinese fried noodle, Malay Satay, breakfast set were superb. Thumb up for their wide selections of squeezed juice that blended freshly at bar without adding water, I especially loved the rare green apple juice and my kids watermelon. Semi-buffet breakfast also offered self-served orange juicer complimentarily so we could see 3-4 fresh oranges to 1 glass of juice. This was not common during my past experience. A special highlight was given to staff courteous and patience. All staff crossing or serving us would greet and smile, it contributed a lot to my memorable stay.

I booked Gayana Marine Resort for my boys to chill because they love the water. I booked it the last minute just as I booked last minutes for Maldives. Maldives gave me clear instructions how to exit the airport, and their coordination was very thorough from check in to check out. I am quite disappointed and was humiliated all thru out the check in process. ONCE I booked with Trip.com, and got confirmation, I instantaneously messaged the property in request for airport pick - up or best possible way to get to the resort. I got NO instructions from the hotel nor trip.com. They both left the 3 of using hanging for 2 hours at the airport! I called the numbers provided, no hotel answer 6 times. I got an email saying it's Malaysian Festival, and the King's birthday June 2...which has nothing to do with our arrival. Last min I reached out to trip.com are 11:45 am, I was told to get a GRAB and go to the ferry for 12:00pm boat departure to Gaya Island. With the traffic there was NO way I could make it to the noon departure. I wanted to cancel the reservation and book a regular hotel so my kids and I can settle. Its not cancelable...Trip.com said they don't see any other boat departure, but I knew it was going to a pain in bottom to get my refund of $193 usd back! So I took a GRAB down to the ferry. I was told upon arrival I missed the 12 pm boat. The check in guy at the dock looked at my reservation (2 adults & a child for 1 night), which blatantly said on my reservation which I showed it to him with reservation number and pin.I was looked at with being deceitful, like I am lying in my bookings. I knew there was 160 myr ringgit I need to pay for my child. I told the guy and still I was humiliated. We waited til 4:30pm for the last boat to the island....it just ruined our plans and affected our hype to be on a bungalow island. It literally sucks to be looked at as lying on the reservations. They giy called trip.com and I can hear the Rep asking him to look at the detailed payments (which I showed him from mya apps). HORRIBLE 10 min at boat check - in and NO apologies here. I was charged on the spot 160 myr without any apologizes. Who would travel with 2 children and lie on a reservation when you know they will most likely to ask for passports and you need to boat out to an island? Once got in on the island, I spoke to Mr. STEVEN, manager. He offered to allow us late check out and allowed us to stay on the island until til 5pm to exit on a boat with his workers. I spoke to my boys and they were too exhausted at this point to take the offer. I hope the Resort will treat people with more dignity and respect, and send check-in instructions even if it's last min. The resort is able to take my credit card money that fast, but Mr. STEVEN, MANAGER said bc it's last minute, it's difficult. In our room, there was 2 free souvenirs tumbler. We opened one up from the outside was washed partially of the resort logo...inside it was left over tea....I called it in to the receptionist late night...very unsanitary. No check-Out instructions either. My boys and I hauled out backpacks and luggage out from our bungalow. I would never recommend to my family and friends.