Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, Malaysia, is a great value, quality five-star resort

Asia TravelerJanuary 13, 2023

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Be kind. Blank Beach Braids. Propose to Kuta tattoo artist. The next Nusa Dua (well, close enough to it) is here. The luxurious 111-room five-star Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas is located on the 17-kilometer-long South China Sea beachfront in Johor, southern Malaysia, which is connected by road to Singapore. These days, it’s best arrived by a pleasant and convenient high-speed ride-hailing service from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Jetty. Unlike Bali’s Nusa Dua, Desaru has resorts, golf courses and water sports, but the vibe here is decidedly more low-key than the much-loved Indonesian island. What’s more, this particular Ananta Rabbit is more affordable than comparable Bali resorts, and room rates are charged in the local Malaysian ringgit currency rather than U.S. dollars.

Exterior

Judging by the design, you could really be in Bali, despite the traditional Malay architecture. One of the resort’s most notable features is the open-plan Observatory Bar, a striking white tower that juts out into the center of the resort, offering 360-degree views of the surrounding sea and jungle. This is the first luxury hotel of the Anantara hotel chain in Malaysia. The 90 luxurious rooms are located in two airy low-rise buildings overlooking the gardens, spectacular lagoon-style swimming pool and sea. Closer to the beach, there are 13 more comfortable self-contained two-story one- and two-bedroom pool villas, as well as three- and four-bedroom beach residences offering modern spacious areas with private pools.

Room

SatJan14Review Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas Photo: Supplied

I got a 50sqm, traditionally designed deluxe sea view corner room with a sizable balcony on the top floor of one of the two three-storey accommodation wings. Overlooking the resort and the South China Sea, this wood-furnished high-ceiling room is equipped with all the necessary luxury amenities including a large bathroom with double vanity, deep soaking tub and rain shower. The main living and sleeping space is furnished with a king bed, espresso machine and a sofa bed for children up to 12 years old.

food + drink

As is typical of almost all Southeast Asian resorts, the standard of Malay, Thai and Western cuisine is excellent and served in two attractive venues, the resort’s signature all-day dining restaurant, Turmeric, and Sea, which serves steak and sea salt. Fresh seafood by the Fire.Salt oceanfront pool. But you may find that if you fancy a short trip, your best meal is outside the hotel, at the unpretentious but excellent Nelayan Chinese seafood restaurant, a short drive along the coast, close to the stretch of waterfront.

out + about

SatJan14Review Anantara Resort & Villas Desaru Coast, Malaysia.Photo: Supplied

dining on the beach.

There is a lot to do and a lot not to do both inside and outside the resort, and the resort operators have made a commendable effort to provide a diverse and interesting selection of experiences and excursions. Guest activities include everything from expert-guided morning nature and beach walks to candlelit private romantic dinners on the beach (where the white lights twinkling on the distant horizon are ships queuing into Singapore’s bustling harbour). Outside of resorts, book a food-themed tour of the historic and unadorned colonial Old Town of Johor Bahru (JB as locals call it) the capital of Johor state. Or be at one with the surrounding nature on the equally delightful Belungkor Mangrove Eco Tour, which highlights the rich biodiversity of the region’s tropical swamp jungles, which are very close to Singapore.

judgment

Repulsive but irresistible, while Bali offers an authentic and well-documented charm, Malaysia, typified by this outstanding resort, offers affordable travel for those looking for a low-key but still fulfilling South East Asian trip. from the choice.