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Desaru Coast 101: What to see, do and eat at this idyllic getaway destination

We spill the beans on what to do and the best places to eat in Desaru Coast

It's fast becoming one of our favourite destinations: Desaru Coast, a picturesque seaside town along the southeast coast of Johor. While it's an easy hour's drive from Johor Bahru , it's also just a convenient 90-minute ferry ride from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. Even better that it's filled with an array of adrenaline-pumping things to do and tasty grub to try. 

Thrill seeker or laid-back traveller, they've got everything from an Adventure Waterpark to slow-paced fishing villages – there's even an ostrich farm that's home to more than 200 of these massive birds. And like  many nearby beach getaways , the food here is of utmost priority. Once greeted by sandy shores, it's exactly where you should enjoy a feast, from the seasonal sashimi at an omakase restaurant to the grilled seafood at a luxed up beach club.  Here's a guide to everything you should do and eat when in Desaru Coast. RECOMMENDED:  The best diving spots in Southeast Asia  and the best travel destinations less than five hours away from Singapore

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Best places to stay

One & Only Desaru Coast

Step into beachside resort One & Only and you’ll immediately be blown away. One of the most stunning sights? Its infinity pool that's flanked by lush foliage – the hotel pays lots of careful attention behind the scenes to preserve the flora and fauna. The views don't stop there though. Look further and you’ll be greeted with a glimpse of the picturesque South China Sea.

It's a spacious resort too: 42 Junior Suites, two expansive two-bedroom Grand Suites and a four-bedroom residence, Villa One. Each suite even comes with its own private plunge pool. If you ask us, its the Ocean Junior Suite that's most appealing since there's a verendah that fully opens up to sweeping sea views. 

While you can book a range of activities, including paddleboarding, massage, jet-skiing, and kite surfing, it's tempting to simply lounge at Ember Beach Club to even out your tan. 

The Westin Desaru Coast Resort

With beachfront views, The Westin makes for the perfect getaway destination for all – romantic couple's trip or girls' weekend getaway. When it comes with spacious rooms and private balconies, this resort is bound to make for a memorable stay. Kudos to the Westin Heavenly Beds too, as they're meant to have extra plush pillowtop mattresses to ease you into deep sleep.  They do have quite a lineup of wellness activities, from a relaxing session of sunrise yoga or scenic sunset run. If you prefer unwinding through other means, there's also a beach bar that serves up unique cocktail concoctions. Sounds like a leisurely way to end your day, while basking in the convivial spirit of a campfire.

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas

Over at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, it's the beachfront infinty pool that's an obvious draw. Even private villas and residences come with their own private pool, so make sure to pack your most stylish swimsuit.  But besides lounging by the pool, you can also enjoy family-friendly activities at this seaside resort. Bicycles are available for free for guests to cycle around the resort. They also occasionally have movie nights, else, the sun terrace and varied massage services prove to be a treat too. Otherwise, simply enjoy whittling away your time in their luxurious rooms. We won't fault you – each comes with a large private balcony with seaside views. 

Best things to do

Have a game of golf at Els Golf Club Desaru Coast

All golf ethusiasts, here's one for you. Set aside some time in your itinerary for a golfing session at Els Golf Club – each course is inspired by famous greens in the UK.  The Ocean Course features a trio of 9-hole courses, while the Valley Course is an 18-hole course designed by Vijay Singh that's jointly developed with Ernie Els Design.

If you're entirely new to golfing, there is also a beginner friendly one-day course that runs you through the basics. After a few rounds of swinging your club against the backdrop of lush rainforest, rest  and relax at the Big Easy Bar Grill over some good ol' American nosh.

Hop on a river cruise through a mangrove forest

The Junglewalla's Westland River Cruise is ideal for a nature getaway.  The tour starts at Sedili, a fishing village located just a 40 minutes drive from Desaru Coast.  Not only is this boat cruise an educational trip around the wetlands, but also one where you can spot a bevy of wildlife, from birds to water creatures.

Herons, crabs, even monkeys – these are regular sights in Desaru's rich mangrove forest. I f you’re lucky, you may even spot a family of otters playing in the river.  There'll also be a guide who will point out the different types of mangrove tree species, while also offering up fun facts on the wildlife ecosystem and impact of ocean tides.

Splash through more than 20 thrilling water rides

For some splashing good time, you’ll want to visit the Adventure Waterpark. This family-friendly place is set against the picture-perfect backdrop of a quaint fishing village, and features over 20 wet and dry rides, slides and attractions. Besides having one of the largest wave pools in the world or a classic swinging replica of a pirate ship,  there's something for everyone.

If you're looking for an adrenaline rush, make sure to head over to one of the more thrilling rides: The Tempest. That "heart in your mouth" rush is a sure-fire feeling at this funnel-shaped water ride – besides regular twists and turns, there is also a shocking 24-foot drop. 

Laze by the sandy shores of Desaru Beach

The long stretch of Desaru Coast Beach overlooking the South China Sea is the highlight of the coastal town. Lay down a mat and packed lunches and laze your day away on the sandy beach. If you'd like to have a swim, the warm waters here are generally calm and shallow, great for casual dips and for kids to splash around in. Water sports are also available here - there are plenty of local operators around so you can compare prices before committing. Sunsets here are pretty scenic too, so don’t forget to snap one while you’re here.

For the adventurous, consider a night stroll along the shore where you're sure to encounter burrowing crabs and hermit crabs on the prowl. Remember to bring a torch or simply toggle on your phone flash to be able to spot them  under the moonlight.

Best restaurants to eat at

World-class nigiri sushi at Hoshi

Within the tranquil grounds of One&Only emerges a star of a Japanese omakase restaurant that melds traditional Japanese sensibilities with contemporary techniques. In the warm and cosy space, sink your teeth into world-class nigiri sushi crafted using premium ingredients that align with the philosophy of "syun" – an artful showcase of simplicity that leverages peak seasonality.

Expect a fine line-up of chutoro, Kagoshima Wagyu, oscietra caviar, seasonal seafood, and more with a touch of theatrics on the side.  P remium  Japanese sake and whiskies are also available for pairings.

AFTER  Right around the corner is Dusky Monkey, an enchanting al-fresco lobby bar surrounded by the soothing sounds of nature. Here you can sit back and enjoy a nightcap made from either r egional rums or curated gins.

Grilled seafood at Ember Beach Club

Hungry? The smoky aroma coming straight from the wood-fired ovens of Ember Beach Club will have you salivating. This is famed chef Andrew Walsh's latest seaside luxury dining concept, so don't hesitate to grab any on of the sea-facing tables and brace yourself for a quality meal ahead. Get those tastebuds going with starters such as the grilled tiger prawns with harissa and the perky Thai grilled beef salad tossed with tamarind and papaya. 

Hearty mains include smoke-kissed lamb chops, crispy fish and chips and our top pick, the wood-fire confit free-range chicken that came beautifully dressed with a richly spiced Percik style sauce. Definitely order a side of the steamed coconut basmati rice so that none of that sauce goes to waste. But if you're skipping carbs, the charred baby gem lettuce, laced with heaps of nori and furikake, makes for a good substitute.

AFTER  Come sundown, don't leave just yet. The oasis transforms into a live music venue under the stars where fine libations await your lips.

Gourmet buffet dishes at Turmeric

While it  seems just like your typical international hotel buffet spread at first glance, zoom in on the explosive  union of  local Malaysian and Thai flavours that is nothing short of a feast fit for royalty. Whether you're chilling at the terrace overlooking the pool or escaping the heat in its air-conditioned quarters, this all-day dining restaurant also brings you gourmet dishes prepared a la minute at the live stations. Highlights include the sumptuous beef rendang tok, vibrant green papaya som tam, addictive nasi lemak danish, spicy tangy Johor laksa, and more.

AFTER  Feel the breeze caressing your hair at the elevated  360-degree  Observatory Bar paired with fine vintages and cigars. Otherwise, head down to the beach to enjoy a couple of refreshing cocktails and vibe out to the laidback house beats from a live DJ at the coastal seaside restaurant bar of Sea.Fire.Salt. 

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Things to Do in Desaru Coast, Malaysia - Desaru Coast Attractions

Things to do in desaru coast, ways to tour desaru coast.

Lebam River Kayaking Adventure

Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark Admission Ticket

Desaru Beachlife & Tidepool Discovery

Desaru Riverside Garden Walk

Birdwatching: Desaru's Winged Gems

Sunrise Dong Stick on the Beach

Malaysia Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast

Outdoor activities, top attractions in desaru coast.

Walking & Biking Tours

What travelers are saying.

• Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast
• Desaru Beach
• Desaru Coast
• JungleWalla Desaru
• The Els Club Desaru Coast - Ocean Course

Dive Into Malaysia

Desaru Travel Guide

The Desaru Coast is a 22 kilometre stretch of beautiful coastline at the southern end of the east coast of Malaysia facing the South China Sea.  Many tourists visit the Desaru Coast as a day trip from either Singapore or Johor Bahru, but with a range of top resorts recently opened here, it also is the perfect place to relax for a few days.

In addition to fabulous beaches, the Desaru Coast also has a golf course, a huge water park and many other attractions and activities for tourists.  However, despite the big name resorts and great beaches and attractions, the Desaru Coast area is still relatively low key and has an untouched feel so is perfect for those wanting to get away from it all.

Weekend In Desaru Video Walk-Through

In the following video, you can experience what it’s like to visit the Desaru Coast for a weekend with a walk-through of all the top attractions, Desaru beach and a stay at the Hard Rock Hotel Desaru.

Make sure you subscribe to our channel for more Malaysian travel videos.

Desaru Attractions

As as well as its gorgeous beaches, the Desaru Coast has some great attractions to visit.  Read about them below.

Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark: Everything You Need To Know [2024]

Desaru Ostrich Farm: Everything You Need To Know [2024]

Desaru Fruit Farm: Everything You Need To Know [2024]

Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm: Everything You Need To Know [2024]

Desaru accommodation.

There is a range of first class resorts in Desaru as well as a few cheaper hotels. Find our guides below.

Best Hotels In Desaru [2024]: Best Options For All Budgets

Hard Rock Desaru Review: Everything You Need To Know About Staying Here

Desaru travel.

The Desaru Coast is easily reached from Singapore and Johor Bahru by car, but it is also possible to get by bus or even ferry from Singapore.  Read our guides below on how to reach the Desaru Coast.

EXACTLY How To Go From Singapore To Desaru Coast: By Ferry, Bus And More! [2024]

EXACTLY How To Go From Johor Bahru To Desaru [2024]

EXACTLY How To Go From Legoland To Desaru [2024]

Singapore To Desaru Ferry: Taking The Ferry To Desaru [2024]

You can find more information on other destinations in Malaysia across this site.

Travel . Lifestyle . Dining

Malaysia 2D1N Desaru Road Trip Itinerary & Adventure Waterpark Desaru Review 迪沙鲁两天一日游攻略 (Updated 2022)

Read our review of Anantara Desaru Coast Resort here

 Read Anantara Desaru Coast Resort Review here

  Read more weekend getway ideas here

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SG Car To Desaru

• Singapore To Desaru Waterpark
• Singapore To The Westin Desaru
• Singapore To Hard Rock Hotel Desaru
• Singapore To Els Club Desaru
• Singapore To Anantara Desaru
• Singapore To One & Only Desaru
• Singapore To Lotus Desaru
• Singapore To Sand & Sandals Desaru
• Singapore To Desaru Fruit Farm
• Singapore To Mersing
• Singapore To Mersing Jetty
• Singapore To Malaysia
• Singapore To Tioman
• Singapore To JB
• Singapore To Legoland Malaysia
• Singapore To JPO
• Singapore To Kuala Lumpur
• Singapore To Malacca
• Singapore To Senai
• 7 Seater Innova
• 8 Seater Alphard
• 11 Seater Starex
• Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal
• Desaru Ferry Ticket
• Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
• Tanjung Pengelih Ferry Terminal
• Tanjung Belungkor Ferry Terminal
• How To Go To Desaru
• Hard Rock Hotel Desaru
• The Westin Desaru Coast Resort
• Anantara Desaru Coast Resort
• Lotus Desaru Beach Resort
• One & Only Desaru
• Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort
• Tunamaya Desaru Beach Resort
• Amansari Hotel Desaru
• Four Points By Sheraton Desaru
• Tiara Desaru Resort
• Desaru Blog

Desaru Coast Ultimate Guide

Table of Contents 1. Desaru Coast – How To Plan Your Trip 2. Best Time To Go Desaru Coast (Weather) 3. Best Way To Travel From Singapore To Desaru Coast 4. Desaru Coast Things To Do – Common List 5. Desaru Coast Resort – 4 Main Options 6. Adventure Water Park Desaru Coast 7. Ferry Terminal Desaru Coast 8. Public Beach (Desaru Coast) 9. Transportation in Desaru Coast 10. Final Thoughts

1. Desaru Coast – How To Plan Your Trip 

Are you seeking a fun beach spot not too far from Singapore? Desaru Coast is the place to be!

Situated in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia, Desaru offers an escape from busy life thanks to its sandy beaches, clear seas, and fun leisure activities!

Read on as we provide an extensive guide to help you organize an enjoyable trip to Desaru Coast .

2. Best Time To Go Desaru Coast (Weather)

Generally speaking, the best time to visit Desaru Coast is from March to October.

Look at the wave conditions taken from the ferry port in February.

If you are looking to plan an island excursion, it is best to plan your visit. Many beach activities are less accessible during unfavorable weather conditions.

However, if you are not planning on participating in any activities, you may visit the beaches at Desaru Coast at any time of the day.

For more info, click here: Best Time To Visit Desaru

3. Best Way To Travel From Singapore To Desaru Coast

If you’re traveling with a group of more than three people, a private car to Desaru remains the best choice in terms of time flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Efficient transportation to Desaru Coast is essential, especially for families that have limited time to spare during the weekends and on school and public holidays.

Opting for a private car service from Singapore to Desaru allows you to enjoy hassle-free vacation pickup times and locations are flexible.

If you’re interested in taking the ferry or bus, check this out:

• Singapore To Desaru Ferry Guide
• Singapore To Desaru Bus Guide

Here’s a comparison between traveling via ferry or private car service:

Ferry Vs Private Car To Desaru From Singapore

4. Desaru Coast Things To Do – Common List 

• Seafood – Top 7 Desaru Seafood You Must Try (Recommended By Locals!)
• Desaru ATV at Desaru Public Beach
• Desaru Coast Water Park
• Picnic – at the public beach or any resort located along the beach
• Desaru Public Beach
• Visit Desaru animal farm
• Spa & Massage – 7 Best Massage Spa In Desaru
• Desaru Golf Course – by The Els Club Desaru 

Also read:  13 Best Things To Do In Desaru

The Els Club Desaru Entrance Near Desaru Public Beach

5. Desaru Coast Resort – 4 Main Options 

• Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast
• Anantara Resort Desaru Coast
• One & Only Resort Desaru Coast

If you would like to know more details about choosing the Desaru resort, here is the perfect post you can read:  6 Best Resort In Desaru

Hard Rock Desaru Resort

The Westin Desaru Resort

The Environment of Anantara Resort (In Front of Riverside Desaru Water Park Entrance)

One & Only Desaru Resort

Also read: Hard Rock Hotel Desaru 3D2N Family Review

6. Adventure Water Park Desaru Coast 

Desaru Coast Water Park is a well-liked destination for thrill seekers!

Also read: Desaru Adventure Water Park Review

7. Ferry Terminal Desaru Coast 

Singapore Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal currently offers 2 ferry routes to Desaru Coast.

Route 1: Singapore Tanah Merah Ferry to Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal

• The most common course daily

Route 2: Singapore Tanah Merah Ferry to Tanjung Pengelih Ferry Terminal

• Taken during the North-East monsoon season (October – February) normally the ferry will  be diverted to Ferry Terminal Pengelih.
• The usual Desaru Coast shuttle bus will transport you from Tanjung Pengelih Ferry Terminal, it takes around 45mins from terminal to Desaru Coast Resorts.

Route 3 (Coming Soon): Singapore Tanah Merah Ferry to Tanjung Belungkor Ferry Terminal

The frequency of daily trips by ferry is limited to once a day. Due to its inflexible timing, hiring a private car to Desaru from Singapore remains the superior choice.

To make ferry bookings and stay updated on the schedule, do visit the official website of BatamFast!  

8. Public Beach (Desaru Coast) 

The location of Desaru Public Beach is as above.

Desaru public beach is open to all at any time of the day, all year long!

Skip the public beach for something even better. And that is, all four resorts along the Desaru Coast have private access to the beach!

The Entrance of Desaru Public Beach

The Westin Resort Beach

If you choose to stay at the Hard Rock Hotel Desaru, you’ll be pleased to know that The Westin Resort Desaru is within easy walking distance.

It’s just a 5-minute walk between the two properties, as they share the same beach.

9. Transportation In Desaru Coast

Wondering how you can get around Desaru Coast?

Here are several options to consider from:-

Option 1: Via own car

• You can travel freely and easily around Desaru Coast or try other Desaru activities which are further away

Option 2: Via e-hailing

• E-hailing services are unpredictable as there are fewer drivers around Desaru

Option 3: Private Car Hire

• If you have a destination in mind, opt for the daily or half-day car hire service in Desaru

Option 4: Shuttle Bus

• Desaru Coast Group offers shuttle buses for visitors. Check out Desaru Coast visitor tips for more information

10. Final Thoughts

Desaru Coast sets itself up as a near and affordable vacation destination for its pristine beaches, exciting water sports, and luxurious resorts!

Desaru is easily accessible via many modes of transport and has all the necessary amenities to keep you busy (in a fun way, of course). Definitely, a place to visit!

Hard Rock Desaru Lobby

Beach Nelayan Restaurant

Related Posts

• 1.1 Climate
• 2.1 By plane
• 2.2 By boat
• 4.1 Museums
• 5.1 Theme parks
• 8.1 Food courts
• 8.2 Resort restaurants
• 10.1 Budget
• 10.2 Mid-range
• 10.3 Splurge
• 10.4 Resorts
• 12.1 Tourist offices

Desaru is a coastal town in Kota Tinggi District, Johor , Malaysia . The town houses the integrated beach resorts with water theme parks, golf courses, hotels and villas facing the South China Sea. It is also known as the Land of Casuarinas because of the casuarina trees along the beaches. The small town of Bandar Penawar , about 2 km inland, serves as the area's transport hub.

Understand [ edit ]

The Desaru Coast stretches along the 22 km of beach. By admittedly high Malaysian standards, the greyish beach with often murky water is nothing special, but it's the closest beach to Johor Bahru and that's what originally kicked off tourism here.

Since the 2010s, major investments have been made in the area's once dire hotels with an eye to attracting visitors from nearby Singapore and further abroad, with mixed success.

Climate [ edit ]

Like all of Malaysia's east coast, Desaru is highly seasonal, with monsoon winds and rains lashing the coast between November and February. There is still plenty of sunshine even during the rainy season, but waves are high and it rains more. The "good" season is thus from April to October, with June to August being the busiest months, when the waters are inviting and the sand fine.

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

The town does not have its own airport. The nearest airport is the Senai International Airport ( JHB  IATA ) in Senai , 70 minutes away, which has flights to most Malaysian cities and a few regional destinations.

Singapore's far larger Changi ( SIN  IATA ) is not far as the bird flies, but unless you can time a connection with the ferry (see below), the complicated logistics of cross-border transport mean that you should budget at least 3 hours for the trip.

By boat [ edit ]

Batamfast operates one daily return ferry from Singapore 's Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal. Travel time is around 90 minutes and tickets are S$70/118 one-way/return. Previous ferry services from Singapore to Tanjung Belungkor no longer operate.

Pre-COVID, an alternative was to take a bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal in Singapore to Pengerang (Tg Pengelih) for S$10 per person, and then hire a taxi from the Pengerang terminal to Desaru. This should cost around RM40 one-way. The schedule is flexible - boats leave whenever they have 12 passengers - but be prepared to queue for a couple of hours at weekends. These services, too, have been suspended for time being.

By bus [ edit ]

• 1.55471 104.228593 1 Penawar Bus and Taxi Terminal ( Terminal Bas dan Teksi Penawar ). There are direct Mara Liner coach services four times a day from Johor Bahru 's Larkin Bus Terminal to Bandar Penawar via Kota Tinggi at 10:30AM, 1PM, 5PM and 8PM. The one-way fare is RM8.20. From Bandar Penawar, you can either take a cab ( teksi ) for about RM10, or wait the minibus that will take you directly to Desaru Resort (the minibus is RM1, comes every 30 min). ( updated Nov 2019 )

Alternatively, you can take a non-express bus from Larkin Bus Terminal (Maju 227 or Causeway Link 66) or JB Sentral Terminal (Transit Link 41, Maju 227, Causeway Link 6B) to Kota Tinggi 's bus terminal (duration about 1 hr; Maju 227 one-way fare from City Square RM4.80; average frequency of Maju 227 is 15 min), and then take another bus from Kota Tinggi to Bandar Penawar (duration max. 1 hr, one-way fare RM4.50, frequency every 90 min). You can also take a cab from Kota Tinggi directly to Desaru Resort, this will cost you approximately RM35.

By car [ edit ]

Take the Senai-Desaru Expressway and its bridge across the Johor River from Johor Bahru to Desaru which takes around 30 minutes. From Kuala Lumpur , take the PLUS Expressways southbound and exit at Senai Utara. From there take the E22 expressway until the eastern end, which terminates at Taman Desaru Utama.

Get around [ edit ]

There is no public transport in Desaru, and as of 2023, Grab does not operate in the area.

If you find yourself stuck with no bus to take you to Bandar Penawar, try asking the staff at the restaurant to call you a taxi. They know a lot of taxi drivers and most likely will love to help both you and their driver friend. The price should be around 15 RM to Bandar Penawar or 40 RM to Kota Tinggi.

• 1.573835 104.20534 2 KLezcar Bandar Penawar Car Rental , No. 101, Jalan Kempas 1, Taman Desaru Utama, Bandar Penawar 81930 , ☏ +60193780555 . Tu-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su M 9AM-10PM . Car rental. ( updated Nov 2019 )

See [ edit ]

Museums [ edit ]

• 1.614856 104.257873 1 Tanjung Balau Fishermen Museum ( Muzium Nelayan Tanjung Balau ), Tanjung Balau . Museum. ( updated Aug 2018 )

Nature [ edit ]

• 1.554138 104.227806 2 Bandar Penawar Arca Park ( Taman Arca Bandar Penawar ), Bandar Penawar, 81930 . Public park. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.553894 104.231121 3 Bandar Penawar Public Field ( Padang Awam Bandar Penawar ), Bandar Penawar, 81930 . Green field. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.556051 104.228607 7 Penawar Lake Park ( Taman Tasik Penawar ), Bandar Penawar, 81930 . Lake park. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.61557 104.257733 8 Tanjung Balau Beach ( Pantai Tanjung Balau ), Tanjung Balau . Beach ( updated Nov 2019 )

Do [ edit ]

Desaru is a semi-developed resort area and there are a lot of things to do while you are there. Take advantage of the nice wide beach, and of the shallow and clear water. All 22 km of it is open to all, even the stretches in front of the hotels, but most locals congregate at the public beach, which provides a carpark, a few barbeque pits and grotty toilets.

Snorkeling is a good option, but don't expect banks of colorful fishes and wonderful sea creatures. Scuba diving here is out of the question, although some of the resorts do arrange trips out to Johor's northern islands.

One thing you can definitely try is surfing . If wind is good, the waves are quite OK, and especially the lack of jellyfish and sharks makes it an attractive location. During December, January and first half of February (monsoon season), the waves are almost constantly high, but do expect the water to be a little cold. There is a company that rents surf boards for RM 20/hour and provides surf lessons for RM 100. The same company rents jetskis.

Excursions to see the fireflies ( api-api ) in the Sungei Lebam river are very popular. While it's possible to arrange yourself, this would require bumping about dirt roads to find the dock and then cruising around a pitch-black jungle river, so it's much easier to join one of the hotel excursions. The best time to go is after rain on a new moon.

Theme parks [ edit ]

Sports [ edit ].

• 1.557165 104.228454 2 Bandar Penawar Skate Park , Bandar Penawar, 81930 . Skate park. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.555268 104.223592 3 Penawar Stadium ( Stadium Penawar ), Bandar Penawar, 81930 . Football stadium. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.527249 104.267151 4 The Els Club Desaru Coast - Ocean Course , No. 4, Jalan Danau, Desaru Coast, 81930 . 27-golf course. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.550533 104.256094 5 The Els Club Desaru Coast - Valley Course , No. 2, Jalan Pantai 2, Desaru Coast, 81930 . 18-hole golf course which spans over 41 hectares. ( updated Nov 2019 )

Learn [ edit ]

The ELS Performance Golf Academy .

Buy [ edit ]

• 1.574509 104.206898 1 SKS City Mall , Taman Desaru Utama, Bandar Penawar , ☏ +60 127522057 . Shopping mall. ( updated Nov 2019 )

Eat [ edit ]

If you have your own wheels or join one of the hotel-arranged "excursions", the fishing village of Sungai Rengit , some 30 km away, has a few seafood restaurants. (Oddly, the much closer Tanjung Balau does not have any.) There are also a few basic restaurants in Bandar Penawar.

Food courts [ edit ]

• 1.557027 104.231381 1 Penawar Food Court ( Medan Selera Penawar ), Jalan Dato Haji Hassan Yunus, Bandar Penawar, 81930 . Food court. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.61094 104.259214 2 Tanjung Balau Food Court ( Medan Selera Tanjung Balau ), Kampung Nelayan Tanjung Balau, Benut 81930 . Food court. ( updated Nov 2019 )

Resort restaurants [ edit ]

Many of the nice signature restaurants are in the resorts, although non-guests are always welcomed to the eateries.

• 1.564618 104.253491 3 Lotus Seafood Restaurant , Lotus Desaru Beach Resort and Spa . Seafood restaurant. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.556015 104.25506 4 Nakon Thai Boat Noodle Hot Pot BBQ , Tunamaya Beach and Spa Resort - Desaru Coast . Thai restaurant. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.558958 104.255036 5 Nelayan Seafood By The Coast , Tunamaya Beach and Spa Resort - Desaru Coast . Seafood restaurant. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.54197 104.263361 6 Prego , The Westin Desaru Coast Resort . Italian Restaurant. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.56126 104.253184 7 Shiokaze Teppan , Sand and Sandals Desaru Resort and Spa . Japanese restaurant. ( updated Nov 2019 )

Drink [ edit ]

• 1.5272 104.267107 1 261 Bar & Restaurant , The Els Club Desaru Coast - Ocean Course , ☏ +6078780002 . 6:30AM-10:00PM . Bar. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.541798 104.264493 2 Beach Bar , The Westin Desaru Coast Resort . Bar. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.561144 104.254259 3 Sunken Bar , Sand and Sandals Desaru Resort and Spa . 11AM-11:59PM . Bar. ( updated Nov 2019 )

Sleep [ edit ]

accommodation in Desaru caters to various segments of tourists, from the traditional and classic style accommodation to the modern. Most of the accommodation is generally divided into two areas, the Bandar Penawar town areas and the beach front resort area in Desaru.

Budget [ edit ]

• 1.508557 104.277314 1 Desaru Holiday Chalets , ☏ +60 7-8221212 . Opened in 1974, this is Desaru's oldest place to stay. Simple little beachfront chalets with aircon, fridge. "Standard" chalets have no hot water, while "Superior" ones do. The "Single" chalets house 2, while the "Doubles" are intended for four. From RM120 .  
• 1.573277 104.211825 2 K2 Hotel Desaru , No. 7-1, Jalan Jelutong 1 , ☏ +6078861224 . ( updated Nov 2019 )

Mid-range [ edit ]

• 1.591902 104.228183 3 Yolo Desaru , No. 2A, Jalan Dahlia 3 , ☏ +60137718963 , [email protected] . Hotel. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.574519 104.211403 4 Desaru Villa Resort At Arcadia ( Arcadia Resort At Desaru ), ☏ +60 169693242 . Check-in: 3 , check-out: 12 . Rm400 . ( updated Feb 2023 )

Splurge [ edit ]

• 1.573071 104.205993 5 Amansari Hotel Desaru ( Hotel Amansari Desaru ), No. 127, Jalan Kempas 1, Taman Desaru Utama , ☏ +6078280200 , [email protected] . Check-in: 3PM , check-out: noon . Hotel. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.540191 104.263716 6 Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast , Jalan Pantai 3, Desaru Coast , ☏ +6078388888 , [email protected] . Hotel. ( updated Nov 2019 )

Resorts [ edit ]

• 1.56417 0 7 Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa , Lot 1854, Jalan Desaru , ☏ +60 78842800 , [email protected] . Check-in: 14:00 , check-out: 12:00 . Water Park features Giant Coconut Fall, Lazy River, Aqua Play, Stone Bridge, Tipping Coconut with kiddy slide, poolside grotto, and relaxation gazebos. MYR 265 . ( updated Jun 2023 ) }
• 1.538792 104.268217 8 Anantara Desaru Coast Resort and Villas , No. 1, Persiaran Damai, Desaru Coast , ☏ +60 7 828 0888 , [email protected] . Offers a range of rooms, villas and residences with Malaysian, Thai and international dining and various family activities. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.612336 104.258985 9 Bayu Balau Beach Resort , Kampung Nelayan Tanjung Balau , ☏ +60137231330 . Resort. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.56124 104.253178 10 Sand and Sandals Desaru Resort and Spa , Bandar Penawar , ☏ +6078222222 , [email protected] . Resort. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.585185 104.25538 11 Tiara Resort , 213, Bandar Penawar , ☏ +60127830522 . Resort ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.557473 104.255437 12 Tunamaya Beach and Spa Resort - Desaru Coast , Bandar Penawar , ☏ +6078338888 , [email protected] . Resort. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 1.541333 104.264637 13 The Westin Desaru Coast Resort , Jalan Pantai 3 . Hotel ( updated Dec 2020 )

Respect [ edit ]

Desaru is a beach popular mostly with the locals. As such, especially if you go outside the resorts, you will see a lot of Malays bathing with long pants and t-shirts, a good way to both fend off the sun and to maintain modesty. For visitors, toplessness is not appropriate, but a normal bikini for girls and shorts for guys is ok.

Cope [ edit ]

Tourist offices [ edit ]

• 1.555188 104.230004 3 Bandar Penawar Tourist Information Centre ( Pusat Penerangan Pelancongan Bandar Penawar ), Bandar Penawar, 81900 . Tourist office. ( updated Nov 2019 )

Connect [ edit ]

• 1.555282 104.230963 1 Pos Malaysia Bandar Penawar Post Office , JKR 670, Jalan Dato Haji Hassan Yunus, Bandar Penawar, 81900 . ( updated Nov 2019 )

Go next [ edit ]

• Kota Tinggi — visit the famous Kota Tinggi waterfall, the local Kota Tinggi museum, and do some simple Malaysian shopping
• Pengerang (Sungai Rengit) — seafood restaurants at the southeastern tip of Johor
• Johor Bahru and Pasir Gudang
• Singapore — an hour and a world away

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Desaru One Day Trip + 2D1N (Reviewed By SGMYTAXI Team)

Due to the high demand for Desaru trip, especially during the Singapore and Malaysia school holidays, families are more keen for a day trip to JB or 2D1N JB trip vacation to enjoy in Johor.

Many of us may think that the hottest Johor attraction would be Legoland Malaysia and JB downtown Area.

BUT, according to my survey, DESARU would be the next hottest place of interest in Johor.   Y ou may ask “WHY”.

Because a lot of parents would consider bringing their children to have an  “ECO” trip or “Rural” trip . This is the reason why there are so many ECO farms begin established recently.

Now, let me list down some PLACE OF INTEREST of Desaru.

Table of Contents

• Desaru Fruit Farm
• Desaru Beach (not recommended for a day trip)
• Desaru Waterpark
• Teluk Sengat Crocodile farm
• Desaru Ostrich Farm
• Sungai Rengit (2 Seafood Restaurants)
• Extra –> Kota Tinggi Firefly Park
• Extra –> JDT Horse Carriage
• Extra  –> Desaru Alpaca Farm
• Extra –> Kota Tinggi Waterfalls  (not recommended for a day trip)

I know most of you may refer to the google map to check which route is the most convenient and shortest path to reach your destination especially when you’re only planning for a DAY TRIP in Johor. You have to plan well before taking a day trip in Desaru.

Desaru Fruit Farm Map

If you are only looking for a DESARU DAY TRIP, I personally think that you can visit all the places that I have listed above.

I will go through one by one starting with the most important place of interest and how to get around in Desaru.

Based on the Desaru map above, you can see that the first destination on Desaru would be “ Desaru Fruit Farm “.

If you are coming from Singapore, you will reach around 11:30am – 12:00pm. (If you depart at 8:00am in the morning)

Also read:  How To Go To Desaru From Singapore (4 Easy Transport Methods)

Fruit Farm Tour Guide

Basically, you need at least 2 to 3 hours to walk around the Desaru Fruit Farm. The tour guide will guide you through all the journey in Desaru Fruit Farm.

Once you’re done touring the fruit farm, they will provide you a variety of fruit for lunch. Don’t miss them! All the fruit are plucked from their farm.

Entrance ticket is priced at around RM25/pax, please note that there is no accommodation provided at Desaru Fruit Farm. Therefore, you need to find the nearest accommodation if you take the 2D1N package.

For Desaru package details please visit here:  desarufruitfarm.com

After having your stomach filled with fruit ( Must Try! ), you can consider going to the crocodile farm at Teluk Sengat.

One hour is sufficient to spend in Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm.

Or you can skip the crocodile farm and go to Sungai Rengit area. It is a small town in Kota Tinggi district.

In Sungai Rengit area, you can first visit the Desaru Ostrich Farm . The journey from Desaru Fruit Farm to Sungai Rengit area is about 45 minutes to 1 hour drive.

Desaru Ostrich Farm hosted more than 250++ ostrich and it is the largest ostrich farm in Malaysia.

I personally recommend Desaru Ostrich Farm rather than crocodile farm as it is more fun and excited to play with these long-necked creatures.

Your kids may like this farm very much because they will get the opportunity to feed these ostriches with corn kernels or a bunch of vegetables.

Besides that, you get the chance to touch and stand on the biggest egg in the world. Moreover, you can stand beside the ostriches and take photos together. It is definitely enjoyable and good experience with these ostriches.

But it is still worth to go to crocodile farm. At least your kids know how a real crocodile looks like. 🙂

You may refer to the images below to see what you can expect when you reach there.

After that, you can spend your evening for a delectable dinner at the top Desaru food restaurant. There are 3 options for your choice.

1. Nelayan Seafood By The Coast

2. Jade Garden Seafood Restaurant

3. Restaurant Super Lobster

After you’ve eaten your dinner, you can choose to head back to Singapore, or you can request the driver to stop over at the Desaru Beach to have fun with your family member.

Also read:  17 Best & Cheap Short Trips From Singapore

I think this is a great plan for those who look for only a  DAY Trip in Desaru area. After dinner at about 7:00pm or 8:00pm, you may need at least 3 hours drive to reach Singapore.

Plan for the 2nd day if you would like to have 2D1N Trip. (Desaru Waterpark)

If you are going to have 2D1N Trip, then you can directly stay in Hard Rock Hotel Desaru or Lotus Desaru Beach Resort after having your dinner at Sungai Rengit.

On the second day, you can have a breakfast in the hotel and then check out from the resort and head to Desaru Waterpark for more water activities!!!

The really cool thing staying at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru is the private access to Desaru Waterpark.

1. Desaru  Waterpark (spend time: 6 to 8 hours)

2. Lunch inside waterpark

3. After Desaru Waterpark (heading back to Singapore)

You Might Also Like:

• 31 Best & Cheap Things To Do In JB
• Kota Tinggi Waterfall
• How To Get To Desaru From Singapore
• 8 Best Desaru Resorts In Johor
• 16 Fun & Memorable Outdoor Activities In Johor

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Ferry Schedule SG Tanah Merah Terminal To Desaru Coast (2024) April 24, 2024

Girl Eat World

A girl's adventure in food and travel around the world, anantara desaru coast resort & villas (with family).

Having a child changes the way I approach travel. I’m always on the lookout for quick getaways we can do over a weekend from Singapore . Anything to minimize travel logistics with a toddler!

This was not my first time in Desaru. I visited Desaru in 2010 before Desaru Coast was built. Back then, there wasn’t much to do in Desaru and the hotels were rather dated, so I never thought about going back there for another visit. However, when I found out there is a new resort town in Desaru called Desaru Coast , I immediately jumped on the chance to visit again!

💡 If you’re curious about Desaru Coast and what you can do there, please visit my complete Desaru Travel Guide

I learned that Desaru Coast has four 5-star resorts. Out of those, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort is the one that looked the best for us, so we booked a room there. Read on to find out how our stay went and what I thought about the resort!

• Booking the resort
• Getting there from Singapore
• Checking in to the resort
• Deluxe Sea View Corner room review
• Food Options
• Cost Breakdown
• In Conclusion

Booking Anantara Desaru Coast Resort

Much like everything else in South East Asia, the pattern I follow when booking accommodation in this region is to alternate among the following websites and see which one is cheaper for your date of travel:

• Booking.com
• Direct booking from the hotel

Getting to Anantara Desaru Coast Resort from Singapore

Generally, the most popular way to get to Desaru from Singapore is by private car or ferry. It takes about 2-3 hours each way, very easy and convenient from Singapore.

I have written extensively about ways to get to Desaru in my Desaru travel guide , please check it out!

Checking in to Anantara Desaru Coast Resort

We arrived very early at 10 am on a Friday at Anantara resort. Despite this, check-in was very easy. Upon arrival, we were served cold towels, tea, and some snacks while completing the check-in procedure. My credit card info was taken for a 1,000 MYR deposit, which will be returned at the end of the stay.

We were advised to go to the beach pool to kill time before our room was ready. As per typical hotel standard, the room would normally be ready at 3 pm. However, our room keys were actually given to us shortly after, by noon!

We were traveling as a group of two families and requested a room next to each other. Not only did they manage to get us the rooms as requested, but they also upgraded one of us to the Corner room (both of us had booked the Deluxe Sea View room)

Deluxe Sea View Corner Room at the Anantara Desaru Coast Resort

We were the lucky family who got upgraded to the corner room. Here are some pictures of the corner room, with large windows and plenty of natural sunlight coming in.

Although the room is dubbed the sea view room, there is only a little bit of the ocean you can actually see from the view if you are on the second floor. I think it would be more visible if you’re lucky to get rooms on the third floor, but I honestly didn’t mind it.

What really surprised me about this room is actually the spacious bathroom. The bathroom is about as big as the bedroom area itself. There is a safe, luggage shelves, a toilet, a shower, and a big bathtub. I loved it! This is where we put most of our luggage so that it does not clutter the bedroom space.

The mirror above the sink is a sliding mirror that can be opened and closed, which allows natural light to come into the bathroom to your preference! I thought this was super neat.

As for amenities in the room, it has the usual – a mini bar, a mini Nespresso machine, and a generous amount of bottled water.

Our friends were in the non-corner sea view room next to us, we were able to compare the small but noticeable difference between the two rooms:

• Foyer and extra space – In the corner room, there is a foyer that serves as an entrance to the room. This gives a little extra space to the bathroom and the room itself.
• Large Balcony – On the outside of the room, the balcony is larger and wraps around the entire side of the room. The balcony can be entered without going through the room.
• Natural Light – Because the balcony is bigger, there is no wall on one of the sides of the balcony which lets more natural light into the room. This, I feel, made a huge difference to how the room looked during the day.

But if you ask me whether the corner room is worth the extra money, I’m ambivalent about it. On one hand, while the extra square footage makes the room feel bigger, it does not actually add too much functionality. If I hadn’t seen the corner room, would have been perfectly happy with the non-corner room.

On the other hand, if the price difference between the corner and non-corner rooms were much, then I would consider getting the corner room. I guess, if you plan to spend a lot of your time in the room, it might be worth it – but why would you when there are amazing pools and beach bars in the resort?!

Service at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort

I was very happy with the service when we were staying at the resort! A few things to note:

• Baby Cot – we were traveling with an infant, and they provided a large baby cot that you can fit on the side of the bed
• Taxi to town – we realized we forgot some things (baby swimsuit) and we were already in the resort, but they were able to provide us transport for a reasonable price (30 MYR for a 12km round trip)
• Our sink was slow to drain, but one call to the front desk and engineering showed up 10 minutes later to sort it out.
• Surprise snacks! Sometimes we would be lounging around and the staff would bring small snacks for us, free of charge

Food Options at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort

Turmeric Restaurant – This is the main restaurant of Anantara Desaru Coast Resort. This is also where you would be having your breakfast. We also had dinner here, and happy to report the food was really good and reasonably priced. Mains range from 75-100 MYR.

Infinity Bar – The pool bar that has direct access to the beach. We had lunch here on the day of our arrival while waiting for our room to be ready, but we ended up lounging here til 5 pm even though our room was ready by noon. The food here consists of bar food, but it was great! We had the crispy chicken taco and the smoked duck spring roll (60-70 MYR). Cocktails range from 35-45 MYR.

Sea.Fire.Salt – This is the beach restaurant that’s next to the Infinity pool bar. We didn’t get the chance to dine here, but the menu looked good! Mains range from 75 – 150 MYR.

Facilities at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort

Anantara Desaru has the following facilities you can enjoy while you’re staying at the resort:

1. Lagoon Pool

Lagoon Pool is the main pool of the resort. It’s the one you’ll see from the lobby when you’re checking in. There is a long lap pool in the middle, and a few shallow pools (only 20cm deep) on either sides for kids to play in.

One of the shallow pools has a canopy with swing beds over the water. I spent quite some time on the swing bed while my toddler was playing in the shallow pool. Note that the shallow pools are connected to the deep pool, so please keep an eye on your kids if needed.

2. Beachfront Infinity Pool

This is the smaller pool at the beachfront. There is also a shallow area where kids can play, the same 20cm depth as the kid’s area in Lagoon pool, and also connected to the deeper pool.

This is where we ended up spending most of our time here since you can easily order snacks and drinks from the infinity bar from here. The Infinity bar has two sofa beds where you can lounge around. I ended up napping here for two hours on our first day! It was so comfortable.

3. Layang Layang Kids Club

The kids club is located on the ground floor next to the fitness center. In the kid’s club, children can play with toys, do some drawing and coloring, and wall climbing. I would say the kids club is good for up to 8 years of age. They also have scheduled activities for kids every day, but some are weather dependent. Your child also needs to be at least 4 years old to be able to participate independently (so you can’t just drop off your toddler without parent’s supervision!)

4. Anantara Spa

If you’re keen to get a massage, definitely book ahead! We didn’t book and had to settle with the few time slots they had for Saturday. My friends went while we babysat and they were really pleased with the massage.

Aside from that, there are also the following amenities that I did not get to try:

• Luncur Ombak teens club – They have a theater where older kids can watch movies at
• Bikes – Complimentary bikes, some with a child seat on the back, so that you can go around the resort with ease.
• Gym / Fitness Center

Cost Breakdown of staying at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort

Here is the cost breakdown of our trip for those interested! As usual, this only serves as a guide. It might not apply to you depending on the method of transportation, how much you consume, how many people are in the group, and any activities you do while in Desaru.

In total, we spent a little over SG $1,100 for the weekend. A very similar amount to what we spent at The Residence Bintan , which was a similar getaway option from Singapore.

In Conclusion: What I think about Anantara Desaru Coast Resort

I was pleasantly surprised by our stay at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort. The pools were great, the room was cozy, the staff was friendly and the food was delicious.

During our stay, we got to visit the other resorts thanks to the convenient shuttle bus . I think Anantara is the best option out of the three that I visited. It was the only one with nice direct beach access and an infinity pool that overlooks the beach.

And that’s my review of our stay at Anantara Desaru Coast! If you like what you read, or if you have any questions, please feel free to comment below.

Note: I paid for my own stay at Anantara Desaru. As always, all thoughts and opinions are honest and remain my own.

10 Comments

• February 2, 2024

Hi Melissa, my husband and I are travelling to Singapore in april, we will spend a few days in Singapore at the start of our trip and we are looking for a resort with beautiful beaches somewhere we can chill for 10 days after the city! We can’t decide between residence Bintan or Anantara desaru obviously beautiful beaches and restaurants to eat out would be high on the list for us but we would also like to do some sightseeing! We are finding it really difficult to decide perhaps you can help a little bit! Many thanks and kind regards Louise x

Hey Louise, I believe you have seem my review of the residence? Anantara and The residence are both very similar. None of them have much options in terms of food unless you’re willing to hire a car to drive you to other parts of the island. However I thought the food at both resorts were good. Between the two, I liked The Residence more in terms of the beach (closer to the pool and there are lounge to sit). Anantara had better pools but the big pool is away from the beach.

I would not stay at either locations for 10 days though. I stayed for 2 nights and I felt it was enough. Perhaps you can go to Bintan and do some resort hopping? there are more options in Bintan vs Desaru.

Thanks Melissa for your quick response! We have changed our minds and are looking at thailand now and end the holidays with 2 days in Bintan or Desaru Have a nice day x

That’s a great plan!

Also I would recommend exploring private island option like Telunas. I really enjoyed my stay there! https://girleatworld.net/telunas-private-island-review/

• January 12, 2024

If you had to choose, would you pick to go to the Anantara Desaru or the Residence Bintan? I am considering both for a long weekend in February with my two kids (7 and 10) and my elderly father who has limited mobility.

I liked the beach at Residence Bintan better, and it’s also bigger than Anantara. However, Anantara might be easier to reach for your father as you can go directly by car from Singapore!

• April 5, 2023

Thank you Melissa for the lovely & detailed article about Anantara Desaru.

• March 1, 2023

Hey, I just wanna clarify if you go to Anantara in Feb 2023..? How was the weather at the time. Planning to go 3/3-5/3/2023..but told by the staff weather is a lil gloomy and rainy all day everyday. Your opinion? Should I go?

When I went, 2 days were sunny and 1 was cloudy / rainy but it didnt stop us from having fun!

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One&Only Desaru Coast Review: Applaudable In Paradise

For the last decade, the island of Langkawi has, almost single-handedly, showcased the very best of Malaysian oceanfront hospitality. However, the more accessible southern region is quietly emerging as a formidable bucket-list contender following the opening of One&Only Desaru Coast in 2019. 

It was the last project Australian architect Kerry Hill – whose practice still designs AMAN properties – worked on before his passing, and in typical KHA style features minimalist structures with high ceilings, clad in dark timbers, that play with natural light. With just 45 suites, the hotel presents as a premium, private and seriously well-equipped resort for travellers looking to rip into the wide range of activities on offer or relax and recharge by the pool. 

Where is One&Only Desaru Coast?

One&Only Desaru Coast is located in the southeastern region of Malaysia, on 128 acres of white-powder sands between lush jungle flora and the South China Sea. It is best accessed from Singapore given the frequency and quality of carriers servicing Changi. The property is also accessible from Kuala Lumpur, but it is a 4-5 hour drive (as opposed to 1.5-2 hours on a good run from Singapore). 

We were collected in a plush One&Only Mercedes Benz van, with reclining seating and a basket of snacks for the journey. Guests are not required to leave the van to pass through customs, which makes the process painless, however, there can be lengthy waits at the border.

How’s the vibe?

The property is best enjoyed poolside, where you can look back at the structures and admire the cascading stairs and restrained design, fusing effortlessly into the natural landscape. Glimpses of Dior slides, Loewe totes, and the unmistakable texture of Patek’s ‘tropical’ rubber strap all provide valuable insight into the clientele, who travel mostly in couples and value privacy as much as you do.

Amble from the pool and through the grounds to the spa where you’ll find a zen oasis. Featuring a Monet-esque central pond, the word paradise comes to mind post-treatment as you recline on an ergonomic lounge overlooking a seaside golf course.

What are the rooms like? 

It’s a palatial and private space, but I think overall convenience and comfort pays a price – especially at night when you need to navigate your way through the courtyard and to the bathroom half asleep. Interestingly, the rooms feel older than the public buildings, although that could be due to tired soft furnishings made from kitsch fabrics. There is fruit on arrival and a well-appointed mini-bar, although none of it is complimentary. The plunge pool, while a nice touch, feels cramped by the central courtyard’s daybed and the towering stone wall that surrounds it. 

In theory, the bedroom and bathroom sliding doors would open to improve the flow between the separate structures but effective cooling requires them to stay shut, along with the regular doors, so despite being in the privacy of your suite you’re constantly opening and closing heavy doors to move from the bedroom to the bathroom. In reality, it’s rather frustrating. 

Tell us about the activities then!

With a kaleidoscope of venues and activities on offer, it’s unlikely that you’ll spend much time in your room. We spent the majority of ours at three locations: Ember Beach Club, the One&Only Spa & Fitness Centre, and Club One, the resort’s sports and activity hub. 

Located a short buggy ride from the main property, Ember Beach Club is a striking venue with an open-plan dining and kitchen area overlooking two pools, pristine golden sands, and the ocean beyond. At least one day of your stay should be dedicated to making the most of Ember’s food and beverage offerings, followed by lazy poolside cocktails, book in hand. If you’re keen on stand-up paddle boarding or feel like taking a jetski out, you can indulge from the club, but I bet you’ll just order another drink and sink into your lounge for an afternoon kip. 

Another short buggy ride from the main property is Club One, a modern sports hub with an exceptional kids club – fortunately, we left ours at home. The sports side of the club caters to pool, ping pong, foosball, basketball and even viral sensation, Teqball. However, the real highlight is tennis and its new cousin, padel. One&Only has built the first dedicated padel courts in Malaysia and offers an excellent introductory lesson to the game for couples. We enjoyed it so much that we went back for more the following day. 

Your first hour of padel will do unthinkable things to your feet, thus a massage is mandatory. The One&Only Spa & Fitness Centre is the jewel in the One&Only Desaru Coast crown, and the treatments price list is reasonable for a hotel of this calibre – especially given the alignment with Augustinus Bader products. We opted for a couples Malay Serene Fusion massage, focusing on rhythmic strokes with deep pressure to “rejuvenate essence”, which began with a foot bath and ended with tea, in a robe and slippers, overlooking the championship Els Club golf course (also on offer to guests). It was a real highlight of our stay, made even more special by the serene setting. 

Attached to the spa is the hotel’s palatial fitness centre, dripping in Technogym goodies. It is a seriously impressive and well-thought-out space that has had a lot of money poured into it – a far cry from the afterthought gyms so often bundled into resorts. We didn’t work out but we did partake in a Silat lesson, a Southeast Asian martial art I’d never heard of before my visit. Admittedly, I was questioning our decision to start as our teacher (a Silat master) introduced us to an elaborate dance. However, once he began to explain the movements, and how they were used to defend oneself, I was enthralled. A must if you’re interested in combat sports. 

We’re feeling peckish: what’s for dinner?

There is an abundance of restaurants, dining experiences and bars at One&Only but all have room for improvement, which means no single meal was a standout during our stay. Michelin-starred chef Andrew Walsh heads up the menu at Ember Beach Club and with so many venues under his name, I’d be inclined to say he’s probably spread a little thin, as the menu contained some fantastic items but many others missed the mark in regards to flavour and execution. The highlight was a Malaysian wagyu ribeye with kampot pepper sauce and shallot jam that I would consider to be one of the best pieces of beef I’ve ever eaten, so good that I ordered it again the following day. Unfortunately, it was half as good, as were the accompanying dishes. 

For our first dinner, we dined privately on the beachfront, with the menu prepared on an open grill. It was an amazing location with tasty dishes but the execution lacked the finesse no doubt required to justify the price. Shortly after Billecart was served the degustation began, and we were barely capable of drawing a breath while all seven courses were served in under 90 minutes.

The amount of food was astonishing – not small bites, but full plates of food – six mains served in rapid succession, followed by dessert. I’ve never felt so rushed during a meal and by course three we were stuffed, so much so we asked the chef to stop. We were also treated to a lovely breakfast on the beach, which was a much calmer, picnic-style affair, and would be my recommendation if you’re game for an early start to watch the sunrise. 

Alternatively, breakfast (as well as lunch and dinner) is served in the Mediterranean-inspired Ambara restaurant. The selection is exceptional, with daily local specials accompanying exquisite pastries, Malaysian favourites, and Western choices. These highlights are unfortunately let down by mediocre coffee. We didn’t eat lunch or dinner in Ambara but the friendly chef cooked us his signature char kway teow for the car ride back to Singapore. It was superb. 

On Saturday evening, which also happened to be my birthday, we dined at Hoshi, the property’s omakase restaurant. Guests can select from an eleven, fourteen or seventeen-course menu, with prices ranging from ~AU$180 to ~AU$428. The flavours, creativity, and presentation were world-class, pairing delicate seafood with the region’s freshest and finest ingredients. To finish I was presented with a cake, which we shared with other guests in the restaurant – it was a lovely, personal touch. 

Hoshi was fantastic but it could have been even better with the right wine. Unfortunately, the wine selection across the hotel is extremely limited, and the menu is the same at each of the venues. Four choices of white wine and no cellar selection are insufficient for a hotel of this calibre, especially when the one you want to drink is sold out, along with your favourite tequila , despite being presented on the back bar. Strangely, the cocktails at Ember were delicious, but the signature cocktails at flagship Dusky Bar were awful – we even heard the group next to us complaining about theirs. 

How was the service?

Always enthusiastic but requires some polish. The specialist service – from our padel coach and Silat instructor to the spa staff and chefs – was all exemplary, but there’s work to do to get the general staff to a complementary level. It’s not that the service isn’t delivered with a smile, it’s just often overzealous – removing plates from your table before you’ve finished – and also unsure, “I need to check”. I felt rushed by the waitstaff at many of the meals. 

Any other expert tips/highlights of your stay?

We stayed in an ocean-facing suite but the rainforest suites at the other end of the property seemed more private. Padel! I now understand what all the hype is about. I think approaching a stay at One&Only Desaru Coast with a wellness mindset would be hugely beneficial, to make use of the fitness centre, the sports club, the infinity pool, the spa, and the Ernie Els golf course.

Final thoughts…

Whether you’re after a relaxing or action-packed getaway, One&Only Desaru Coast ticks a lot of boxes. It does, however, lack the finesse that is required to make it truly exceptional. Many of the shortfalls I’ve pointed out may be viewed as insignificant, but it’s the finer details that make a stay extraordinary. A refresh on soft furnishings and a focus on consistency and quality across the hotel’s food and beverage offering, with a refined level of service to match, would place it amongst the best hotels in Asia. Until then, it presents a pleasurable weekend escape from Singapore or a worthy alternative to Langkawi.

Price: From ~AU$868 per night Address:  Darul Ta’zim, Persiaran Damai, Desaru Coast Bandar Penawar, 90, 81930, Johor, Malaysia Contact:  +60 7-878 3400

The author stayed as a guest of One&Only Desaru Coast for two nights .

If you’ve enjoyed this One&Only Desaru Coast review, please check out some of our other hotel & travel reviews from Asia. Here are several recommendations to get you started:

• The Datai Langkawi Review: One Of The World’s Greatest Places

The Upper House Hong Kong Review: Still A Global Gold Standard In Minimalist Luxury

• Nihi Sumba Review: Does The Former No.1 Hotel In The World Still Stack Up?
• Cathay Pacific 777 Business Class Review (With Tips)

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Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast amplifies commitment towards environmental conservation, making a lasting impact on biodiversity

K UALA LUMPUR, April 24 — For its annual Earth Hour movement, Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast and Hard Rock International once again stood in support of global conservation leader World Wildlife Fund (WWF), bringing the brand’s ‘Save The Planet’ motto to life.

Recently, Hard Rock Hotels, Cafes and Casinos around the globe participated by “going dark” for one hour starting at 8:30pm local time.

In partnership with JungleWalla Desaru, Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast ignited the wild with its new conservation initiative aimed at rewilding Desaru Coast and its surrounding forests.

Building upon the foundation of music and sustainability, the resort’s ‘Amplified Acoustics’ project focused on two vital conservation efforts: Photography Documentation and Bioacoustics.

Photography documentation

In an effort to raise awareness about wildlife conservation in Desaru Coast, the resort gathered four local photographers: Bonnie Yap, Peter Ong, Yusuf Madi and Sanjitpaal Singh.

The award-winning photographers captured the dynamic ecosystem of Desaru Coast, aiming to identify wildlife species and document their habitats in various locations.

This collaboration marked a pivotal moment for the resort as Malaysia’s top wildlife photographers united for the same cause.

“I enjoyed the energy of the group and everyone sharing their knowledge about wildlife conservation,” said Yap.

“It’s commendable that the hotel continues this yearly event and organises mangrove tours to help guests appreciate the surrounding natural environment,” she added.

Ong agreed, saying: “I am so glad to see wildlife still has a place there.

“We can develop sustainably and responsibly so that humans are still able to enjoy themselves comfortably whilst ensuring there is enough living space for the wildlife who came before us.”

Photographs captured during this expedition will not only showcase via an exhibition at the resort but also sent for further research, contributing to the broader understanding and conservation efforts of Desaru Coast’s biodiversity.

Bioacoustics Music

Considered the heart of Hard Rock’s DNA, the resort delved into the realm of sound by recording the natural symphony of Desaru Coast’s wilderness.

This innovative approach not only reinforces the hotel's commitment to music and sound but also emphasises the importance of environmental conservation.

By recording the diverse soundscapes of Desaru Coast’s ecosystems, researchers can decipher and understand the language of the forests more effectively.

Leading the charge

According to Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast general manager Murray Aitken, the resort is ready to amplify its commitment towards environmental conservation and make a lasting impact on Desaru Coast’s biodiversity.

“We’re excited to lead the charge in this initiative, uniting individuals passionate about both music and nature to drive forward conservation endeavours that align with our core values,” said Aitken.

“Through the powerful mediums of photography documentation and bioacoustics, we believe we can make a significant difference long-term,” he added.

According to the resort’s sustainability manager Siti Norazliyana (Yana), capturing the essence of Desaru Coast’s wildlife and ecosystems through photography will not only raise awareness but contribute valuable data for research and conservation efforts.

“Similarly, bioacoustics allows us to delve into the intricate soundscape of the environment, providing insights into the health and dynamics of the ecosystem,” she said.

The resort also teamed up with Canon to provide guests a chance to explore the wildlife surrounding its premises using Canon cameras for free.

Participants were invited to share three photographs captured during their hotel stay and the best photographs were displayed during Earth Hour. The photograph with the most votes received a stay at the resort.

For more information, visit here.