Looking for a new beach resort destination? The pristine beaches on Desaru Coast in Malaysia are calling
At the southernmost tip of Malaysia lies Desaru Coast in Johor. This tourism development site sparked a lot of hype during the 1980s as a resort destination. But the stretch of beachfront has not yet attracted mass tourism the way other beach resorts in Thailand or Vietnam have.
Though this destination is primarily visited by local tourists and those from Singapore, it is slowly but surely starting to attract international travellers, especially with the opening of the Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast and, perhaps its biggest selling point for family holidays, the Adventure Waterpark.
Desaru Coast spans a 17km beachfront on the South China Sea and is easily accessible via a 45-minute drive from Malaysia’s Senai International Airport (JHB) or a two-hour drive or ferry trip from Singapore.
But there is much more to Desaru then a theme park and its resorts. With the addition of the stylish Hard Rock Hotel, the Els Club golf course (consisting of two golf courses designed by major champions Ernie Els and Vijay Singh) and other luxury resorts which have either opened or are about to, this stretch of pristine sandy beach overlooking clear ocean waters is on track to become a destination for seasoned travellers.
Our intention is to establish the country as an international destination, offering discerning travellers luxury hospitality coupled with authentic Malaysian experiences
The Hard Rock Hotel was recognised by Tripzilla in its Excellence Awards of 2019 for Best for Families in Malaysia. Its 365 music-inspired rooms and suites with balconies are on point with its signature brand offerings, including a Rock Spa – the world’s first fully immersive music-centric spa.
Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas has recently opened on this stretch of idyllic Malaysian coastline. General manager Christian Gerart says: “We are excited to be part of one of Malaysia’s most anticipated new tourism developments, and our intention is to establish it as an international destination, offering discerning travellers luxury hospitality coupled with authentic Malaysian experiences such as our Belungkor mangrove eco tour, including a visit to Kampung Linting Village to plant mangrove saplings and a foodie tour of Johor Baharu old town.”
Anantara offers 108 accommodation units, most comprising en suite deluxe rooms in low-rise traditional Malaysian buildings with views of either the gardens, lagoon or ocean. There are also stand-alone, double-storey, luxury one- and two-bedroom pool villas surrounding a lagoon, inspired by “traditional kampong houses designed for the tropical Malaysian climate with floor-to-ceiling windows, slanted carved wooden panels, louvres and vents under the roof and wide-open doors that allow natural airflow to cool the interior”.
The One&Only Desaru Coast is expected to open on March 23. The brand, which has swept a host of five-star ratings (and two continuing four-star) in the Forbes Travel Guide ratings, offers relaxed seaside luxury with the unveiling of its Ember Beach Club. Acclaimed chef Andrew Walsh will oversee the dining with a culinary programme inspired by the tradition of open-fire cooking.
Chef Walsh says: “We want to transport our guests away from the noise and demands of day-to-day life – this is the very definition of relaxed luxury, a place where everyone can kick back under the sun or stars.”
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Mostly visited by local tourists and those from Singapore, the pristine beachfront has not yet attracted mass tourism the way resorts in Thailand or Vietnam have