This was published 1 year ago
Hotel review: Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, Malaysia, is a great value, quality five-star resort
By Anthony Dennis
The luxury five-star, 111-room Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas lies along a 17-kilometre South China Sea beachfront in the state of Johor in southern Malaysia.
CHECK-IN
Bin the Bintang. Blank the beach braidists. Bid ta-ta to the Kuta tattooists. The next Nusa Dua (well, near enough to it) is here. The luxury five-star, 111-room Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas lies along a 17-kilometre South China Sea beachfront in the state of Johor in southern Malaysia which is linked to Singapore by road. Nowadays it's best reached by a pleasant and convenient high-speed ride service from the Tanah Merah terminal in Singapore.Not unlike Bali's Nusa Dua, Desaru comprises resorts, golf courses and watersports but with a decidedly more low-key atmosphere than the overloved Indonesian island. What's more, this particular Anantara is much more affordable than the equivalent Balinese resort with room rates charged in the local Malaysian ringgit currency, not US dollars.
THE LOOK
You really could be in Bali, judging by the design, albeit traditional Malay architecture. One of the resort's most dominant features is the open-sided Observatory Bar, a striking white tower extending over the middle of the resort with 360-degree views of the surrounding sea and jungle. This is the Anantara chain's first luxury hotel in Malaysia. There are 90 deluxe rooms in a pair of airy and low-rise buildings overlooking gardens, a spectacular lagoon-style swimming pool and the ocean. Closer to the beach, there are 13 even cushier stand-alone double storey one and two-bedroom pool villas as well as three and four-bedroom beach residences that offer modern expansive areas with private pools.
THE ROOM
I've scored a 50-square metre, traditionally-designed deluxe sea view corner room with a sizeable balcony, on the top level of one of the two three-storey accommodation wings. This timber-clad, high-ceilinged room, overlooks the resort and the South China Sea, and includes all of the requisite luxury amenities including a large bathroom with twin vanities, a deep bathtub and rain shower. The main living and sleeping space features a king bed, espresso machine and a sofa bed for a child 12 years and under.
FOOD + DRINK
Typical of almost all South-East Asian resort, the calibre of the Malay, Thai and Western cuisine is excellent and served across two attractive venues, namely Turmeric, the resort's all-day signature dining option, and Sea.Fire.Salt serving steaks and fresh seafood next to the swimming beachside pool. But you may find that the best meal you'll enjoy will be off-site, should you fancy a short excursion, at the unpretentious but outstanding Nelayan Chinese seafood restaurant a short drive along the coast and set close to the extended beachfront.
OUT + ABOUT
There's much to do, or not to do, within and outside the resort with its operators making a commendable effort in offering a diverse and interesting choice of experiences and excursions. Guest activities include everything from expert guided morning nature and beach walks to candlelit private romantic dinners on the sandy beach (those twinkling white lights on the far horizon are ships queuing to enter the bustling port of Singapore). Beyond the resort, reserve a food-themed tour of the historic and unvarnished colonial old town neighbourhood of Johor Bahru (or JB as the locals refer to it), the capital of Johor state. Or engage with the surrounding nature on an equally enjoyable Belungkor mangrove Eco Tour, which highlights the rich biodiversity of the region's tropical swamp jungles which exist remarkably close to Singapore.
THE VERDICT
Comparisons are odious but irresistible and while Bali offers genuine and well-documented allures, Malaysia, as typified by this excellent resort, delivers an affordable alternative for those seeking a more low-key but still fulfilling Southeast Asian escape.
ESSENTIALS
Rates from $299 a night for a premier room. Persiaran Pantai, Desaru Coast, Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia. Ph: +60 7-828 0888 See anantara.com
OUR SCORE OUT OF FIVE
★★★★
HIGHLIGHT
Malaysia is unquestionably one of Asia's best value destinations as exemplified by this quality five-star resort.
LOWLIGHT
If you're a party animal type, this resort, and for that matter Malaysia itself, is probably not for you.
Anthony Dennis stayed as a guest of Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas.
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