Desaru Coast Resort & Villas
Tropical luxury beach resort with traditional Malaysian cultural architecture. Lush garden grounds, lagoon pond villas, and a beachfront infinity pool give it a relaxed, nature-forward feel — but it's also a serious family resort with a waterpark next door and a kids' club on-site.
Book a corner sea view room — the wraparound balconies are substantially larger (up to 30 sqm) and worth the small premium.
Why It Matters
Anantara's Malaysian debut, and one of the anchor properties in Desaru Coast — Malaysia's newest integrated premium resort destination. The combination of hotel rooms, lagoon pool villas, and beachfront residences means it covers the full spectrum from romantic getaway to multi-family compound. It's also the closest luxury resort to Singapore for a quick ferry getaway.
Anantara's first and only Malaysia property sits on a 17km stretch of South China Sea coastline at Desaru Coast, and the design nods to a traditional Malay fishing village. Low-rise buildings by Singapore firm WOW Architects & Warner Wong Design are layered with woven textiles, lattice wood panels, and wicker details. The 116 rooms, villas, and residences range from 49 sqm hotel rooms with wraparound balconies all the way to sprawling four-bedroom beach houses with private infinity pools and a personal chef.
Where You'll Stay
9 room types available
Deluxe Garden View Corner Room
A corner hotel room with an extra-large wraparound balcony — at 30 sqm, the balcony is practically a second living room. Garden views rather than sea, but the balcony space makes up for it. Complimentary minibar replenished daily, espresso machine included.
49 sqmDeluxe Sea View Room
Straightforward sea view room with a spacious balcony. Located in the main building, 49 sqm with ample seating on the terrace. Good base-level sea view option.
49 sqmDeluxe Sunrise Sea Facing Corner Room
The sweet spot for sea views and outdoor space — 49 sqm room paired with a 22 sqm private balcony. King bed, views over the resort and ocean. Best of both worlds between the corner layout and the sea-facing orientation.
King · 49 sqmDeluxe Sunrise Sea Facing Room
Faces the sea and catches the morning sun — a strong pick for early risers. Standard balcony with seating. Same 49 sqm footprint as the other deluxe rooms, with the added bonus of sparkling sea views from the bed.
49 sqmFour Bedroom Beach Residence
The resort's largest accommodation at 380 sqm. Same beachfront setup as the three-bedroom — private infinity pool, full kitchen with private chef, dedicated butler — but with a fourth bedroom for larger groups or families. Full view of the South China Sea from all main living areas.
380 sqm
One Bedroom Lagoon Pool Villa
Standalone villa in the garden, designed to echo a traditional Malay house — high ceilings, lattice wood panels, its own private garden. Faces a tranquil lagoon pond. The private gazebo and plunge pool are the headline feature. Sofa bed available for one child under 12.
110 sqmSea View Suite
The most impressive balcony in the main building: 46 sqm of outdoor terrace attached to a 50 sqm suite with king bed. That's nearly as much outdoor space as inside — great for open-air dining or morning coffee watching the South China Sea.
King · 50 sqmThree Bedroom Beach Residence
A full beach house with direct access to the South China Sea, private infinity pool, wide pool deck, full equipped kitchen, and a dedicated butler plus private chef. Three bedrooms across 288 sqm. Think modern design, eight-seater dining room, home theatre system. One of two rows — either beachfront or set back in the garden for more privacy.
288 sqmTwo Bedroom Lagoon Pool Villa
Same lagoon-facing, garden-set layout as the one-bedroom but with a second bedroom — ideal for families or two couples. 164 sqm with the same private plunge pool and gazebo setup. Complimentary non-motorised water sports included for villa guests.
164 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
9 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Guided beach walks where staff lead guests along the shoreline to explore marine life and collect shells.
Morning birdwatching sessions in the resort's lush grounds, led by resort naturalists.
Guided nature walks around the resort grounds and beach. Evening nature walks are particularly popular — knowledgeable guides lead guests through the coastal environment. Native wildlife including dusky leaf monkeys and monitor lizards can be spotted on the property.
Complimentary bicycles for all guests to cycle through the resort gardens or along the coastal shoreline.
Off-property excursion into Johor Bahru's Old Town exploring Malaysia's unique fusion food scene.
Dedicated teens' club with activities including console games and other teen-targeted programming.
Supervised kids' club with a range of activities including mini rock climbing. Caters to younger guests to give parents some time off.
A crafts and wellness crossover — guests make their own lip scrubs. Educational and popular with both adults and kids.
Beachfront yoga sessions at sunrise — peaceful and popular with guests, as noted in multiple guest reviews.
Guided riverboat exploration through the mangroves of Belungkor Forest near Desaru Coast. A naturalist-led cruise that offers a look at the local ecosystem.
Beach-based non-motorised water sports including kayaking, paddleboarding, and similar activities. Complimentary and unlimited for villa and residence guests; likely charged for room guests.
Open-air cinema on the resort grounds — a relaxed evening option.
Anantara's signature cooking experience — hands-on instruction in Malay and Thai cooking techniques. Requires 24-hour advance booking.
Weekly Sunday evening BBQ experience with live grilling in the open air. From MYR 208 per person.
Hands-on workshop where guests craft their own miniature terrariums — a unique take-home activity.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Direct beachfront access along the South China Sea. Occasional ocean debris can wash up — not a pristine swimming beach, but excellent for walks and sunbathing.
On-site ballroom accommodates up to 200 guests for events. Nearby Desaru Coast Convention Centre handles larger gatherings of 1,000+ guests. Good for corporate retreats and weddings.
Dedicated 24-hour Anantara Butler service for villa and residence guests. Includes pre-arrival personalisation, curated amenities, and evening turndown with scent ritual.
Minibar replenished daily — included for deluxe rooms (once daily) and unlimited for villas and residences.
The main infinity-edge pool sits directly on the beach, with unobstructed views of the South China Sea. Large enough that guests rarely feel crowded.
A second pool serves the lagoon villa side of the resort — quieter and more sheltered than the beachfront infinity pool.
A complimentary shuttle connects the resort with the Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal and other nearby properties (Hard Rock, Westin, One & Only).
Modern gym with cardio machines and strength equipment, open to all guests.
BUILD YOUR ANANTARA DESARU COAST RESORT & VILLAS PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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