Home to ancient rainforests and some of the world's most remarkable wildlife, Borneo offers the chance to experience nature in a way that feels increasingly rare and unforgettable.
Borneo is one of the world's last great wilderness destinations, where ancient rainforests, remarkable wildlife and remote landscapes create adventures unlike anywhere else in Asia. Shared between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, the island is best known for its extraordinary biodiversity, offering rare opportunities to experience nature on a truly epic scale.
Dense jungle blankets much of the interior, providing sanctuary for orangutans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys and countless other species found nowhere else on Earth. Mighty rivers wind through the rainforest, while limestone caves, mist-covered mountains and protected reserves reveal landscapes that have remained largely unchanged for millennia.
Yet Borneo is more than a wildlife destination alone, with indigenous cultures, coastal communities and idyllic islands adding further depth to the experience. Across the island, luxury lodges, boutique retreats and nature-focused resorts provide memorable opportunities to explore one of the most biologically diverse and fascinating places on the planet.
Moments of discovery often become the most memorable part of any journey, whether found through an exceptional hotel, a remarkable landscape or an experience that reveals a destination in a new light. The places that stay with us longest are those that create a genuine sense of connection.
Across islands, coastlines, mountains and vibrant cities, every destination offers its own character and rhythm. Some invite adventure, others encourage slower exploration, but the most rewarding journeys are often those that combine comfort, authenticity and a sense of place.
From luxury hotels and boutique retreats to safari experiences, rail journeys and small-ship voyages, our collection celebrates travel that feels considered, inspiring and memorable long after returning home.
Gaya Island Resort, an exclusive five-star retreat as a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, graces Pulau Gaya within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park off Borneo's coast near Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, where elegant villas harmonize with golden sands, coral reefs, and lush rainforest under the distant gaze of Mount Kinabalu, embracing ecologically sustainable practices in a walking-only haven. Wooden interiors warm each air-conditioned villa, unfolding to private balconies with outdoor seating that frame panoramic South China Sea or rainforest vistas, complemented by flat-screen televisions, minibars, and spacious bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and luxury amenities for a cocoon of contemporary serenity. Feast Village launches days with a daily buffet breakfast blending Asian and international selections, from steaming congee to flaky croissants, while Fisherman's Cove draws evenings with fresh seafood catches grilled to smoky perfection amid coastal breezes. Omakase unfolds Japanese precision in sushi and sashimi platters, and the Pool Bar & Lounge tempts with chilled drinks and light snacks savoured on a sundeck overlooking Mount Kinabalu's silhouette. An outdoor pool meanders through the grounds, Spa Village's relaxing treatments and daily yoga classes restore inner calm, and the private beach invites gentle explorations of the marine park's underwater realms. A swift 10-minute speedboat from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, with Kota Kinabalu International Airport 11 km from the terminal, Gaya Island Resort ensures seamless arrivals to its island cluster, ready for arranged day cruises, birdwatching, or snorkeling adventures.
From £145 per night
Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, a serene five-star resort in Sabah, Malaysia, graces the beachfront 7 km from the city centre, welcoming families and leisure travellers with 498 elegantly appointed rooms and suites overlooking mountains or the sea, complemented by six restaurants, bars, and Chi, The Spa—one of only two five-star spas in the city—as a tranquil haven rooted in Asian healing traditions. Infused with graceful decor, each spacious, air-conditioned room unfolds to a seating area and flat-screen satellite television, while private balconies with outdoor seating frame breathtaking ocean or mountain vistas, inviting quiet reflections. The en suite bathroom provides complimentary toiletries and a hairdryer, ensuring every detail whispers comfort amid the resort's gentle coastal rhythm. Shang Palace enchants with refined Chinese specialties, from delicate dim sum to wok-tossed treasures, savoured in an atmosphere of poised elegance, while Borneo Lounge and Bar pairs light refreshments with live entertainment that draws evenings into soft melodies. The outdoor pool, alive with invigorating water jets, beckons for refreshing dips, and the kids' pool with playful waterslides sparks joyful splashes for little ones. A 9-hole golf course winds through the grounds for leisurely swings, and Chi, The Spa on private Pulau Bayu offers luxurious single and couples' villas alongside an open Yoga Pavilion for massages and restorative rituals, all while water sports like jet skiing, surfing, and diving stir the adventurous spirit. Conveniently 7.3 km from Kota Kinabalu International Airport, a mere 10-minute drive from coral islands and the city, and just a 150-minute flight from Singapore, Hong Kong, or Kuala Lumpur, Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu weaves effortless access to Sabah's coastal whispers and urban pulse.
From £135 per night
Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu, a captivating five-star resort in Sabah, Malaysia, unfolds across over 400 acres of untouched natural splendor where sandy beaches meet lush rainforest, offering elegantly furnished guest rooms as a serene sanctuary for families and nature enthusiasts alike. Each space, adorned in warm earthy tones, welcomes with a flat-screen television, minibar, and coffee or tea making facilities, while private balconies reveal gentle garden or sea vistas, complemented by luxurious Shangri-La toiletries and plush bathrobes for moments of quiet indulgence amid the reserve's whispering canopy. The resort's six restaurants paint Borneo's culinary landscape with Japanese precision in sushi platters, Western comforts like herb-crusted roasts, Malaysian specialties simmering with local spices, and Oriental delicacies that bridge east and west, all drawing from the island's fresh bounty to delight every taste. A beachside bar stirs tropical elixirs as waves lap nearby, and the music lounge hums with soft melodies over crafted drinks, inviting evenings to linger in easy harmony. Two outdoor pools, one reserved for Ocean Wing guests, catch the sunlight's play, while the in-house spa's varied treatments ease the body with gentle, nature-infused care, and the 24-hour front desk arranges over 60 immersive pursuits from sunrise walks and birdwatching to watersports and horse riding through jungle trails. Encircled by a 64-acre nature reserve and the Signature 18-hole golf course, Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu lies 35 km from the city centre, 72 km from Kinabalu Mountain, and a 40 km drive from Kota Kinabalu International Airport, weaving the South China Sea's allure with Borneo's wild heart.
From £105 per night