A romantic boutique hotel on an island where time stops

Gem Island Resort & Spa is 20 minutes away by speedboat of the East coast of Malaysia and sited on its private island. The island is sited in water with beautiful coral reef gardens and an impressive number of small multi-coloured fish that brush by your feet when swimming in the sea!

Crystal clear water, 3 private beaches with thin sand and omnipresent nature on the island make this intimate boutique hotel a true gem. This is also the name of the island: "Gem Island"!

An eco-hotel on a boutique island

Gem Island Resort & Spa, with only 44 villas, is an absolutely charming and romantic eco-minded boutique hotel.

The decoration is tastefully inspired by local artwork and is crafted primarily with local resources such as wood or batik. The villas are spread-out along the island's shore and all have a charming room with dark-wooden floor and furniture, a bed with white suspended mosquito nets, and a lounge area to enjoy a tea or coffee. The bathrooms are equipped with showers and decorated with natural stones in which you can find small fossil remains.

The villa's balconies all look-out on the sea... Observe nature and let yourself be rocked by the sweet breeze and atmosphere in the suspended wicker chair!

The Water Villas and the Premier Villas (on stilts) offer a scenic view of the sea and the neighbouring island, Kapas (500m away). You may be able to observe birds or, if you are lucky, small monkeys on Kapas Island too.

The Hideaway Suites have 2 views: on the one side the picturesque view of Kapas island, and on the other you will see only the coral gardens and the beauty of the open sea.

The Tempting Experience: Helping save the turtles

Gem island houses a turtle hatchery to protect and grow baby turtles. When the small turtles are ready, they are put back in the sea.

Experience the discovery of turtle eggs freshly laid in the sand of the beach or, if you stay up late at night and when the sea is calm, release the small turtles just aged to affront the dangers of adult turtle life on the beach and see them swim away in the sea. If all goes well the turtles, having swum thousands of Kilometers, will come and lay their eggs in this exact same location in about 30 years time!

Services and activities: Spa, diving, beach, and nature walks

Lazing on the beach can become a real activity at Gem Island!

But you will also be tempted to discover the beautiful coral gardens, equipped with diving mask and swimfins. Or take a kayak and visit the neighbouring Kapas' island.

The hotel also proposes guided visits of the tropical rainforest and jungle or can help organise tours and transfers to and from the mainland.

Scuba diving excursions are organised and take you to special spots to further discover the impressive and beautiful South-China sea marine life.

Last but not least, the Tusita Wellness spa is located on the top of a rock and allows you to enjoy open-air spa treatments with an amazing view and the lapping sounds of the South-China Sea. Choose a Jacuzzi al fresco or enjoy a massage and spa treatment. The choice is plentiful: oil and herb therapy, traditional Thai or Malay massage, energising massage, Swedish relaxing massage, detoxification ...

Kuala Terengganu

Kuala Terengganu is the closest coastal city (20 mins away by speedboat + 20 mins by car) and you should plan at least a full day to visit its colourful local Malay market, the authentic ChinaTown, and its national museum.

Also plan a full morning to discover the mangrove and its wildlife (by boat) and see heritage Malay villages.

Furthermore, visit the fisherman village of Dugun and its traditional shipyard that still manufactures high-end luxury yachts by hand and without a single iron nail!

Guest comments

A magic stay in a small, very charming hotel ! Extra kudos goes to the chef who mixes everyday fresh ingredients to produce fantastic fish dishes. It was like a second honey moon! - O. van Grembergen (Paris)