Bungaraya Island Resort

Stunning location with the most beautiful beach and pool. The staff were all so friendly and keen to help out. Some lovely fish to snorkel with despite the coral not being in good condition. A few things could have been improved like a cracked and loose marble step into the toilet (DV21). The A/C and TV , lights were left running in our separate living room area which had we realised sooner would have turned off sooner to save electricity and we heard this was happening in others chalets. We loved all the wildlife around the resort including so many hornbills and water monitor lizards. The food was delicious particularly a pizza we had for lunch. Beautiful flowers also around the resort.

We arrived at this paradise island after visiting Sepilok and Kanabatangan river. Two of us were sick and we needed a refuge. The resort welcomed us with open arms and we had the most incredible stay. The resort is surrounded by stunning mangrove forests on a beautiful bay. It’s intimate and serene with villas on the beach and up into the hillside. We stayed in a spacious two bedroom villa high in the trees with a view of the beach and sea beyond. A family of Macaque monkeys with a small baby regularly visited us along with a pair of hornbills. It was like living in our own private wildlife retreat. The service was exceptional and we loved our meals, especially in the Longhouse serving Asian food. There is an international restaurant by the beach but the ambience is not as good. Every meal we had was perfection and the menus were extensive. We particularly loved the fresh juices and mocktails and they make a great margarita. Reynaldo and Ellyika were particularly warm and welcoming in the restaurant always anticipating our needs and remembering what we like. The spa was also fabulous - real expertise and stunning surroundings. There are mosquitos and sand flies but this is a paradise island in the jungle and so you have to expect it. Bring mosquito spray! We have stayed in many resorts around the world and this is in the top 3. It’s not as slick and polished as some 5 star resorts but this adds to its charm. It’s like a rustic village in the rainforest with every comfort and luxury you need with very personal service. We loved every minute and highly recommend.

Lovely setting in a beautiful bay. Villa’s generally good but very hilly if you are not keen on walking (although there is a buggy service). Food generally good. All of the staff very friendly. The thing that lets the hotel down is poor management and leadership - there is no sign of any senior management or staff. For example there is no one taking drinks orders at the pool or clearing plates/cups, there is no receptionist at the Spa, you are given a bizarre breakfast when you leave at 6 am in the morning (hot coffee as you get on a speedboat), they ran out of certain types of drinks at least 3 times and the service is a little slow. Some better training and guidance would make all the difference and would convert the hotel from having Fawtly Towers tendences to a good 4.5 resort!

This resort has the most fabulous location and huge wow factor. We stayed for 3 nights in a Superior Villa high up in the rainforest but if you had mobility issues you should consider staying elsewhere. A club car was offered to collect guests, but it took too long and the road was very steep – almost too steep for walking. Breakfast options were limited and became boring – even after 3 days! The 5 -star resort category across Borneo is highly competitive and if the Bunga Raya wants to stay in this market then some serious maintenance needs to take place and some serious retraining of staff needs to occur. At times the whole place felt like a cross between Fawlty Towers and a run-down granny flat.

Having booked this holiday pre Covid and only just completed the trip , we dipped into trip advisor again a week ago and panicked having read a few reviews from march to early June - cleanliness, hills and flies! I truly believe that was early season and Bungaraya was not operating at full capacity of staff. We are here now day 3 of 5 ( late June) and it has been exceptional , beach is clean of debris , resort is under constant maintenance - sweeping , cleaning etc . The room (room50) is the highest on resort and offers spectacular views of the rainforest with the sea glimmering through branches . Yes we are high up , but a buggy arrives within seconds to collect us .. really not a problem whatsoever. Staff - all of them cannot do enough for you .. truly exceptional . Food - tasty with superb presentation, fresh produce .. not one upset over any meal . Sand flies - didn’t experience any whilst walking on the beach. Snorkelling was fascinating and all equipment FOC . Do not be put off by early season reviews … luxury in the rainforest !