Newly Renovated Gayana Eco Resort, Kota Kinabalu Joins Preferred Boutique

Preferred Hotel Group’s Elite Collection of Intimate Hotels and Resorts

Preferred Boutique, a collection of hotels and resorts that celebrate distinctive travel experiences on an intimate scale, is pleased to announce its newest member and first in Malaysia – Gayana Eco Resort.

At the heart of the Preferred Boutique experience is inspiration, that elusive characteristic that separates the extraordinary from the ordinary. The four Preferred Boutique categories – Classic, Design, Adventure, and Resort – encompass eclectic properties from palaces to tent camps, from hip urban hotels to private islands. Gayana Eco Resort lands in the Resort and Adventure category.

Recently reopened in July after major renovation, Gayana Eco Resort is located in the wilderness of Gaya Island, just a 10 minute boat ride from the city of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, East Malaysia. True to its name, the resort located on the largest of the five coral reef islands that make up the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is dedicated to conserving its marine life with a Marine Ecology Research Centre on site. Guests can participate in its coral regeneration programme and
learn about its efforts in the propagation of giant clams. They have spawned seven out of the world’s eight giant clams.

With its prime location on pristine waters, the 44 over-water luxury villas feature balconies from which to enjoy the view. Some of the villas also offer direct steps into the lagoon and access to the
special breakfast boat that delivers breakfast to your balcony. Three restaurants and a bar offer the ideal island atmosphere with spectacular views of the jungle and ocean. The seafood is a speciality and cultivated in the hotel’s own sea farm. Guests can relax in the infinity pool overlooking Malohom Bay or indulge in a traditional Borneo Urut massage. Adventure seekers can dive at the hotel’s dive centre, take guided kayak trips through mangrove forests or see the
wildlife on a jungle trek.

“It is wonderful for Preferred Boutique to have a hotel member in Asia Pacific that is truly committed to preserving its environment. Gayana is a great addition to the brand,” said Lynne Ireland, Managing Director – Preferred Boutique.

“The fast growing resort destination of Kota Kinabalu is an ideal location to add to the Preferred Hotel Group portfolio and Gayana Eco Resort is a great example of how resorts can provide luxury with an eco theme,” said Mark Simmons, Managing Director – Asia.

“Gayana Eco Resort offers guests unrivalled 5-star quality in a unique eco-adventure, tropical island setting. As a Preferred Boutique property, we are confident that our branding exercise will reach its target markets. Our partnership with Preferred Hotel Group is therefore an exciting beginning to our overall vision in becoming Asia’s No. 1 eco resort,” said Nilakrisna James, spokesperson and PR Consultant for Gayana Eco Resort.

About Preferred BoutiquePreferred Boutique is a member of the Preferred Hotel Group™ family of brands which also includes: Preferred Hotels(R) & Resorts, Summit Hotels & Resorts™, Sterling Hotels™ and Historic Hotels of America™.

For reservations and a complete description of the Preferred Boutique collection, please visit www.PreferredBoutique.com. Preferred Boutique guests are eligible to enroll in the I Prefer™ Global Guest Benefit Program, featuring benefits such as early check-in/late check-out, space-available upgrades and more. For more information, please visit www.IPrefer.com.