A holiday destination was developed on Johor’s East coast in the 1980’s for holidaymakers to enjoy the pleasure of pristine beaches, washed by the waters of the South China Sea.
With an abundance of pokok Ru or casuarina trees along its eastern coast, this destination was aptly named Desaru, a word coined from two Malay words: desa which means countryside or rural area and the Ru trees here.
Over the next two decades, Desaru became the destination of choice for holidaymakers and golfers for weekend escapades, not only by road but also by ferry from Singapore via the Tanjung Belungkor Ferry Terminal.
When the Senai-Desaru Expressway opened in 2011, drive time to Desaru was dramatically reduced to just 45 minutes of smooth drive between the Ulu Tiram Interchange to the Penawar Toll gates.
A new destination resort, Desaru Coast, was developed as an integrated holiday destination along the coastline that covers over 3,900 acres of land with 17km of beachfront, carefully curated with a portfolio of globally renowned hotels, resorts, golf courses and conference center for an indulgent getaway for both leisure and business travellers.
At The Els Club Desaru Coast, golfers can enjoy the rolling fairways and signature holes in the Ocean Course to a backdrop of the South China Sea.
Designed by Ernie Els, this 27-hole championship course includes a Clubhouse that commands a panoramic view of the green.
The 18-hole Valley Course is the product of a world’s first collaboration with Els’ long-standing friend, fellow Major Champion and World Golf Hall of Famer, Vijay Singh.
Equipped with a short game practice area for chipping, bunker shots and putting, it also has an Els Performance Golf Academy that offers a 9-Hole Par 3 Academy Course.
Built around a water feature, the Desaru Coast Riverside is a central hub of Desaru Coast that offers exciting retail, restaurants, cafés and entertainment outlets with convenient access to the Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort and Desaru Coast Conference Centre.
The Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast is one of the world’s biggest waterparks that boasts of a three-acre wide wave pool – one of the largest in the world – and the first-ever water coaster in the region.
The park’s design in the kampung concept was inspired by a local Malay fishing village while its landscape uses trees and a range of herbal plants that are native to Tanjung Penawar.
The Waterpark features 20 different slides designed to thrill, with a mix of wet and dry rides from the Kids Ahoy zone to the Wild Whirl, Super Twister, Riptide, The Tempest and Kraken’s Revenge, the park’s signature ride and the first-of-its-kind in Malaysia and the region.
Adjacent to the Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast, the 365-room Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast will pamper guests with their signature Hard Rock Rock-Star treatment, complete with a selection of music in various genres for in-room entertainment plus an exclusive audio treat with the Sound-of-your-Stay experience.
Hard Rock International is renowned for more than 80,000 pieces of memorabilia contributed by local and international stars and Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast has more than 30 pieces of exhibits displayed at hotel lobby, Avalon, Rock Royalty® Lounge, Rock Star Suite and in Sessions restaurant.
Nearby, the 275-room five-star The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, operated by Marriot International, is linked to the full-service Desaru Coast Conference Centre.
A luxurious hideaway designed in low-rise buildings, modelled on a traditional fishing village, is the 108-room family-oriented Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas which enjoys direct access to the beach.
For the ultimate bespoke lifestyle experience, it must be the One&Only Desaru Coast sprawled across 128-acres of beachfront privacy to indulge in luxurious retreats and rejuvenation, in the pleasure of spacious suites and exclusive villas.
Some 50 units of One&Only Private Homes with a view of the South China Sea, are also for sale.
While staying in Desaru Coast, visitors may enjoy popular attractions located just a short drive away.
The nearby Desaru Fruit Farm offers farm tours that ends with a refreshing fruit buffet or a fruit-inspired lunch buffet.
After an outdoor farm adventure, visitors can savour the unique taste of a range of local fruits that had ripened on the trees.
Seafood lovers may indulge in Halal seafood served on Bujang’s Floating Restaurant and experience a river cruise to watch fireflies by night with their famous Firefly Excursion.
Desaru Coast is comfortably accessible by road from Johor Bahru and Singapore in the South and from the Northern states of Peninsular Malaysia.
When construction on the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex is completed at the end of June 2021, the Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal will provide ferry access from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal directly into Desaru Coast.
Enjoy tranquil beaches and wide open spaces at Desaru Coast with the Sand-sational Deal, starting from RM689 for a 2D1N beach holiday for 2 adults and 1 child (3-11 years old) inclusive of hotel breakfast, ATV ride and a choice of Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast tickets or Desaru Fruit Farm tour. T&C apply. Valid for travel till 17 December 2020. Book now at https://bit.ly/2RMKitt.
