Located about 78km on the east from Johor Bahru, on the southern east coast of Peninsula Malaysia, Desaru Coast is your perfect beach hideaway. The drive from Kuala Lumpur is about 392km. Distance from the nearest airport, Senai International Airport to Desaru Coast is approximately 81 km.
What To Do in Desaru
Beach activities, water park, river cruise to explore the mangroves or boat ride to catch the fireflies magically light up the trees at night, try out the local seafood dishes, visit the fruits/ animals farms, Sky Mirror or simply be pampered by the resorts’ amenities.
Book Adventure Waterpark ticket RM50 per pax (Open Thursdays to Sundays, School & Public Holidays)
Desaru Coast Resorts, Els Club (golfing activities), Dash Outdoors (Team Event, Mangrove Tours, watersports) and the Adventure Waterpark. Photo: Hard Rock Hotel
*Rates may vary
Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast
hardrockhotels.com/desaru | from ~RM445/ night 42sqm room (CHECK PRICE) | 5★
REVIEWS:
✔️ There is Direct access to Adventure Waterpark from the hotel and it is really convenient for families and people love water parks. Lovely hotel design with the usual fun colours but Hard Rock Desaru is less quirky than other Hard Rocks elsewhere. Guests love the live band performance. You will be surrounded by music, even in swimming pools there’s music. Friendly and accommodating customer service. Children enjoy the Kids Club very much.
❌ Walking distance from room to lift, lobby and car park is quite a distance, can be a hassle for some people. Beach can only be accessed by using a buggy/ shuttle to the Westin Hotel private beach or Desaru Coast public Beach or 5-10 minutes walk. Breakfast isn’t that impressive. Room is small compared to other 5-star hotels in Desaru.
Hard Rock Desaru with amazing facilities, connected to the Adventure Waterpark
The Westin Desaru Coast Resort
marriott.com/westin-desaru | from ~RM600/ night 52sqm room (CHECK PRICE) | 5★
REVIEWS
✔️ This place is amazingly beautiful. Room is spacious and splendid clean. The staff are always so friendly and helpful. Facilities are great, there are pool tables, Foosball right outside the lift at the Ground floor. The SPA is heavenly. The hotel offers delicious F&B (particularly Prego Italian restaurant), amazing breakfast buffet. Clean and not crowded private beach which is a few steps away (connected to the hotel) with awesome Beach Bar DJ on weekends. Buggy and bus services are provided to travel to tourist spots and other hotels. It practices good Covid SOP.
❌ During peak season, you may expect slower check in check out process. Small swimming pool with no water slides or other fun water play equipments for kids.
Amazing buffet breakfast with lots of variety, clean, connected beach, but pool is rather small.
Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas
anantara.com/desaru | from ~RM838/ night 49sqm room (CHECK PRICE) | 5★
REVIEWS
✔️ The hotel is so beautiful, and well laid out with great proximity to the beach. Rooms are nice with a great balcony with a day bed where you can relax and enjoy the views. Swimming pools are big enough. Tight safety rules. The romantic atmosphere is amazing for couples. Guests can enjoy Cinema under the Stars (7.30pm every Tue & Thurs. Free).
❌ The food leaves more to be desired, quality is not on par with the price paid. Guests would love more shady lounge chairs on the beach so that they could relax and enjoy the gorgeous scenery.
Huge balcony with a day bed where you can relax and enjoy the magnificent beach horizon at Anantara
Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort – Desaru Coast
tunamaya-desaru.careluxuryhotels.com | from ~RM279/ night 40sqm room (CHECK PRICE) | 4★
✔️ Relaxing nice beach is connected to the hotel. The pool is big and kids friendly. Efficient and helpful staff.
❌ Rooms and building are dated, need to be refurbished. The quality of the food was disappointing. Needs improvement on breakfast variety. Understaffed.
One&Only Desaru Coast
oneandonlyresorts.com/desaru | from ~RM2296/ night 105sqm room (CHECK PRICE) | 5★
REVIEWS
✔️ It is One of the most luxurious resorts in Malaysia with stunning view of the coastline! Beautiful resort with Perfect cleanliness, attentiveness of staff and adherence to SOP. Their Suites have private pool. Here hotel guests can enjoy Fun activities, Kids Club is amazing, Outdoor movie, etc.
Private pool and amazing beach, landscape at One&Only Desaru
Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa, Bandar Penawar
lotusdesaru.com | from ~RM250 / night (CHECK PRICE) | 59 sqm One-bedroom Suite | 4★
REVIEWS
✔️ There is a Mini zoo in front of the lobby. Comfortable rooms and nice environment. Beach is the best, its view is just fantastic. Easy access to water sports on a beach that’s right beside the resort. Great facilities.
❌ Covid SOP not adhered properly. Crowded pool and breakfast area during peak season. Cleanliness of room needs to be improved. The rooms are rather dated.
Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa
Four Points by Sheraton
marriott.com/four-points-desaru | from RM223 (CHECK PRICE)
Reviews:
✔️ It’s new, clean and neat hotel. Location is also good, there are shops nearby.
❌ Far away from the beach
Four Points by Sheraton – New, neat and clean
Lotus Seaview Beach Resort & Spa, Tanjung Punggai
lotusseaview.com.my | from ~RM185/ night 20 sqm One-bedroom Suite | 4★
REVIEWS:
✔️ Love the accommodation, surrounding and the beach. Clean, very well maintained and has a ‘kampung’ vibe. Mini market inside the lobby. Great private beach and view. Peaceful. Good food.
❌ The pool is slightly small.
Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort & Spa
sandandsandals.com | from ~RM378/ night 55sqm room (CHECK PRICE) | 5★
REVIEWS:
✔️ Room is spacious with nice design. There is a bathtub at the balcony facing the beach. Good access to beach. Availability of water sports. Live band at pool side is good. Beautiful beach, large pool and views of sunrise and sunset are excellent.
❌ The rooms could have been cleaned better, felt sandy. Long queue for check-in. Faulty amenities.
Spacious room | Sand & Sandals Resort
Bathtub at the balcony facing the beach | Sand & Sandals Resort
Tiara Desaru Seaview Residence
tiaradesaru.com | from ~RM209/ night 33sqm room (CHECK PRICE) | 3★
REVIEWS:
✔️ Good clean residence, it has own good beach and 1 swimming/ water park with a few slides and 2 pools. Cafeteria looks nice. Bbq pit, a mart available.
❌ A bit pricey for non-carpeted floor minimalist room. Not a full-fledged hotel.
AmanSari Hotel Desaru
amansarihotels.com/ahd | from ~RM163/ night 16 sqm room (CHECK PRICE) | 3★
REVIEWS:
✔️ Convenient location, SKS City Mall, grocery, food outlets nearby. Nice and cozy hotel at affordable rate for business trip if you are not after a beach vacation.
❌ They only give a single key card. Bad sound proofing. The pillows are smelly and rooms are not cleaned thoroughly. They do have a gym, but no pool.
