Borneo Eagle, Pulau Tiga, Malaysia: Borneo's remote and exclusive new five-star resort

The Malaysian owners and developers of this remote and exclusive five-star resort, off the north-east coast of Borneo needed only to glance to the blue skies for the name of their new property. An eagle, after all, was soaring majestically above them as they first stepped ashore on Pulau Tiga. Thus "Borneo Eagle" was born.

The resort is located on the tiny, barely inhabited volcanic island where Survivor: Borneo, the first series of the reality television series, was shot (but don't hold that against it) in the year 2000.

A mere eaglet, having only tentatively opened earlier this year, the geometrical architecture of the resort, with its 13 huge, lavish and colourfully appointed one-bedroom villas facing the South China Sea, reference the physical features of the eagle, notably its wingspan and beak.

Some of the house-sized villas, which start at a whopping 171 square metres, feature eco-friendly salt-water, rock-lined swimming pools overlooking the secluded beach. And, speaking of pools, elsewhere on Pulau Tiga you'll find gurgling natural mud-pools (a key Survivor bit player) hidden within the dense surrounding rainforest.

Located a few hours drive and high-speed boat ride from Kota Kinabalu, capital of the Malaysian state of Sabah, Borneo Eagle may be the perfect antidote for those wishing to wing it to somewhere utterly relaxed, perhaps following a strenuous adventure-based holiday on the world's third biggest, richly biodiverse island.

From MYR3302 a night (minimum three night stay required). See www.echoresorts.com

The writer stayed as a guest of the resort.