YTL Hotels, the hospitality arm of Malaysian conglomerate YTL Corporations Berhard, will open its Gaya Island Resort in Borneo on 1 July 2012.

Located just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu and set on the shores of the island of Pulau Gaya, Gaya Island Resort will combine elements of traditional local Sabahan architecture and contemporary design.

The resort will comprise 121 spacious stand-alone hill and sea-front villas offering views of Mount Kinabalu.

Facilities will include a Spa Village-branded luxury spa with six treatment rooms.

The spa will offer treatments, therapies and healing practices specific to Borneo culture and will be designed to blend in with its mangrove setting with outdoor decks and a yoga retreat space. There will also be a 50m infinity-edge swimming pool.

Gaya Island Resort is the first of two new Borneo properties to be opened by YTL. Pulau Tiga, which will open later in 2012, will be located 48km south of Kota Kinabalu and the resort will boast a dedicated spa area.

Earlier this year, YTL Hotels announced that it is to transform a historic property in Bath, UK into a new 98-bedroom spa hotel.