Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Desaru Resorts for an Ideal Vacation
If you’re seeking a convenient and attractive getaway, Desaru Coast in Johor is an excellent choice. Known for its sandy beaches and stunning coastal views, Desaru offers a variety of resort options. Here are eight of the best Desaru resorts, with ratings for family and couple-friendly features, to help you find the perfect accommodation for your vacation.
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Essential Information for Visiting Desaru
The easiest way to travel from Singapore to Desaru is by ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal, a journey of about 1.5 hours each way. A roundtrip ticket costs S$118. If you prefer to avoid seasickness, alternative options include taking a bus from Johor Bahru or hiring a private driver. For more details, refer to our Singapore to Desaru transport guide.
Despite its small size, Desaru is packed with outdoor activities and adventures. From a mini zoo and fruit park to a waterpark, there are plenty of family-friendly attractions. A 2-3 day itinerary will cover the highlights, but a 4-day stay allows for a more relaxed experience.
Price Breakdown of the Best Desaru Resorts
Here are the best Desaru resorts, including addresses and starting prices for standard rooms, categorized by their best features:
Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas: Private Beach for an Intimate Holiday
Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas is ideal for a cozy beachside retreat. With unique room offerings and various activities, it’s perfect for both couples and families. The resort features two-level villas with a sitting area on the first level and a bedroom on the second, along with a private plunge pool shielded by trees for complete privacy.
Guests can join the Desaru Beach Life & Tidepool Discovery tour, led by an environmental expert, to learn about sea creatures like moon snails, sand bubbler crabs, and sea eagles. Other activities include birdwatching and resort nature walks.
Kid-friendly ranking: 3/5
Couple-friendly ranking: 5/5
Book a stay at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas.
Sands & Sandals: Duplex Units with Kiddy Themed Rooms
Sands & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort & Spa caters to families and couples with specially designed rooms and amenities. The Family Suite (from RM1,800, ~S$516.21) features a duplex layout with a kids-themed room on the lower level and a private space for parents upstairs. The Couple Suite (from RM1,005, ~S$288.19) includes a living room on the lower level and a cabana-style bed on the upper floor, complete with a private terrace bathtub overlooking the beach.
Located just 12 minutes from Desaru Fruit Farm, the hotel offers various tours, including an ATV tour (RM100, ~S$28.67) around the farm.
Kid-friendly ranking: 5/5
Book a stay at Sands & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort & Spa.
Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast: Music-Themed Resort
Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast is perfect for families planning to visit the adjacent Adventure Waterpark. The resort offers seven types of rooms, from the Superior Room with Twin Beds (RM894/night, ~S$256.32) to the Rock Star Suite (RM4,410/night, ~S$1,264.41). Rooms have a tropical vibe and overlook the waterpark.
Amenities include an underwater music pool and a kid’s club open from 7am to 9pm. For RM35/child (~S$10.03) for the first hour and RM30 (~S$8.60) for additional hours, children aged 4 to 14 can enjoy movies, arts and crafts, and games. Hotel guests receive a 37% discount on waterpark tickets: RM75/pax (~S$21.52) for Malaysian citizens and RM110/pax (~S$31.56) for non-citizens. A free shuttle bus service runs every 20 minutes.
Kid-friendly ranking: 5/5
Couple-friendly ranking: 3.5/5
Book a stay at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast.
The Westin Desaru Coast Resort: Private Beach with Water Sports
The Deluxe Guest Room at The Westin Desaru Coast Resort (from RM899, ~S$258) offers both affordability and luxury with King or Queen bed options. Guests can enjoy the resort’s pool or take a five-minute walk to the private beach, where the Beach Bar serves freshly grilled seafood and cocktails.
DASH Outdoors, located on the beach, offers various watersports, including kayaking, paddleboarding, and wakeboarding. Outdoor yoga sessions are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7am, and on Monday and Sunday evenings at 6pm.
Kid-friendly ranking: 4/5
Couple-friendly ranking: 4/5
Book a stay at The Westin Desaru Coast Resort.
Amerald Resort Hotel: ATV Rides Along the Beach
Amerald Resort Hotel offers a budget-friendly option with the standard Superior King Room (from RM300, ~S$86.06) for couples, and the Deluxe Twin Room (from RM370, ~S$106.15) for families. In addition to standard amenities, the resort features an 18-rope high elements course, a 100m zipline, go-karting, and ATV rides along the beach. For a more relaxed experience, enjoy the beach swings and catch the sunset.
Kid-friendly ranking: 3/5
Couple-friendly ranking: 4/5
Book a stay at Amerald Resort Hotel.
One&Only Desaru Coast: Luxurious Villas with Private Pools
One&Only Desaru Coast offers 44 rooms across 128 acres, ensuring privacy and luxury. Options include the Ocean Junior Suite (from RM3,440, ~S$987.10) with beach views, the Ocean Grand Suite (from RM3,244, ~S$993.23) with a private pool, and the Rainforest Junior Suite (from RM3,300, ~S$946.88) surrounded by trees. Villa One (from RM38,318, ~S$10,994.76) is the most luxurious option with a 27m lap pool and private spa.
Ember Beach Club serves Asian-inspired barbeque cuisine, such as Woodfire Confit Free Range Chicken (from RM80, ~S$22.96). The club features a 56m infinity pool and a hidden swing chair for sunset views.
Kid-friendly ranking: 2/5
Couple-friendly ranking: 5/5
Book a stay at One&Only Desaru Coast.
Lotus Desaru Beach Resort: Spacious Apartment-Style Rooms
Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa offers spacious apartment-style rooms with kitchenettes and dining areas, suitable for long-term stays. Options range from one-bedroom units (from RM187, ~S$53.65) to four-bedroom units (from RM1,057, ~S$303.52), all with private balconies.
The resort’s Splash Park features multiple pools, a lazy river, and a water playground. For a relaxing beach experience, guests can access the private beach behind the hotel. Additional activities include paintball and combat archery.
Kid-friendly ranking: 3/5
Couple-friendly ranking: 2/5
Book a stay at Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa.
Bayu Balau Beach Resort: Chalet-Style Accommodations
Bayu Balau Beach Resort offers budget-friendly chalet-style accommodations. Choose from the Standard Queen Room (from RM250, ~S$71.75) or the Family Deluxe Room (from RM330, ~S$94.71). The Fisherman Concept Chalet provides a unique, unobstructed sea view. The cost of booking a Chalet cabin for two is RM350 (~S$100.47) per night.
Guests can enjoy BBQ dinners at the resort’s outdoor barbecue area, or take a short walk to the nearby Tanjung Balau Fisherman Museum and learn about the local fishing culture. Bayu Balau Beach Resort also offers beach volleyball and evening bonfires for a memorable experience.
Kid-friendly ranking: 3/5
Couple-friendly ranking: 3.5/5
Book a stay at Bayu Balau Beach Resort.
Plan Your Perfect Getaway
With these top choices of the best Desaru resorts, you’re sure to find the perfect accommodation to suit your needs. Whether you’re planning a family vacation or a romantic retreat, each resort offers unique features and activities to ensure an unforgettable stay. So pack your bags and head to Desaru Coast for a relaxing and fun-filled holiday!
Conclusion
Desaru Coast is a wonderful destination offering a range of resorts to suit different tastes and budgets. Whether you want a luxurious private villa, a family-friendly suite, or a budget-friendly chalet, the best Desaru resorts have something for everyone. Use this guide to help you decide on the best option for your next getaway. Enjoy your trip to Desaru and create lasting memories at one of these exceptional resorts!
