Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa

Tucked into a narrow bay in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, this Michelin-selected jungle-and-beach resort sits where dense rainforest meets soft sand, with coral reef just offshore. Villas are set back from the water for privacy and better views, ranging from one-bedroom beachfront retreats to three-bedroom hilltop suites, some with plunge pools. You reach it by ferry from Kota Kinabalu, which does a reasonable job of making you feel you've escaped somewhere.