A World Apart

Discover unparalleled coastal tranquillity at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, where luxury and indulgence go hand in hand.

- Christy Yoong

There’s little hint of what to expect when you arrive at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas. The long driveway leads to a quietly unassuming entrance flanked by two low-rise blocks. Water features gurgle as you step into the high-vaulted lobby, replete with local design elements. Beyond that, however, is the hook: a veranda with simmering reflection ponds and daybeds look into the stunning and endless expanse of the South China Sea. Below you, a pool glitters in the sun as the rest of the resort cascades down to the sandy beach. You’re mere feet from the rest of the world, yet here, already, is an unworldly tranquillity.

THE PLACE TO BE

With a portfolio that boasts stunning properties all over the world, Anantara Desaru is the Bangkok-based brand’s first venture into Malaysia. Located in Desaru Coast on the south-eastern tip of the peninsula, it opened its doors late last year, adding its fabled hallmark of lavish hospitality to the country’s burgeoning luxury hospitality sector.

While its entry into Malaysia might have been belated, Anantara Desaru has been worth the wait. The purpose-built resort is located in Johor’s Desaru Coast, the country’s rising luxury resort destination that spans over 16 sq km along a pristine 17km beachfront facing the South China Sea. It is easily accessible via a 45-minute drive from Johor Bahru’s Senai International Airport or a two-hour drive from Singapore. Visitors from Singapore can also travel to Desaru Coast by ferry, followed by a short drive.