Best resorts in Desaru
Beach getaways from Singapore don’t always have to mean a long flight or a blown budget. Desaru Coast in Johor sits just a 90-minute ferry ride away from Tanah Merah, and its sandy beaches and coastal views make for a proper holiday feel without the usual distance.
Here are the best Desaru resorts to choose from when you’re planning your vacation. We’ve also ranked each place for families with kids and couples to help you make the best possible choice.
Note: Prices are accurate at the time of writing, and are subject to change.
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What you need to know before visiting Desaru
The easiest way to get from Singapore to Desaru is by ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal. It takes about 1.5 hours each way, and a round-trip ticket on a BatamFast ferry costs S$132/adult in Economy class. If you’re worried about getting seasick, there are other options, such as taking a bus from JB or hiring a private driver. Find out more in our Singapore to Desaru transport guide.
Upon disembarking at the Desaru Ferry Terminal, you can take the free shuttle bus to your resort. Do note that the shuttle bus only serves a couple of resorts, including the Hard Rock Hotel Desaru, Westin Desaru Resort, Anantara Desaru Resort, and The Els Club Desaru Coast. Check out the full timetable and routes of the shuttle bus at the TransporttoJB website.
Desaru may just be a small part of Johor, but it’s chock-full of outdoor activities and adventures. A mini zoo, fruit park, and waterpark are just a handful of the family-friendly things to do in Desaru. A 2- to 3-day itinerary should be enough time to cover everything, although you can stretch it to 4 days if you want to take things slow.
Just note that booking a Grab does take some time if you’re planning to be out and about in Desaru. If you’ve got a packed itinerary, it might be wiser to hire a private driver to ferry you around over the course of your trip.
Price breakdown of resorts in Desaru
Here are the resorts in Desaru, their minimum starting price for a standard room, and what they are best for:
| Resort | Best for | Price for a standard room per night |
| Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas | Private beach for an intimate holiday | From S$269 |
| Sands & Sandals | Duplex units with kiddy-themed rooms | From S$168.26 |
| Hard Rock Hotel Desaru | Music-themed resort | From S$185 |
| The Westin Desaru Coast Resort | Private beach with water sports | From S$181.35 |
| Amerald Resort Hotel | High elements rope course | From S$106 |
| Lotus Desaru Beach Resort | Spacious apartment-style rooms | From S$87.10 |
| Bayu Balau Beach Resort | Chalet-style accommodation | From S$62.53 |
| Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort | Horse riding & water sports | From S$87.54 |
| Mandarin Oriental Desaru Coast | Luxury resort with private plunge pools and a kids’ club | From S$875.44 |
– Where to stay in Desaru –
From rooms with a private beach to chalet-style accommodations, bookmark these best places to stay in Desaru.
1. Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas
Best hotel in Desaru with a private beach for an intimate holiday
When it comes to cosy vibes at a beachside resort, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas is one of the top choices in the area. With unique offerings when it comes to the rooms and the activities, this place is worth visiting for both couples and families.
All the rooms, from the standard Deluxe Garden Balcony Room (from S$269/night) to the Executive Sea View Balcony Room (from S$450/night), like their names suggest, have balconies of their own. You’ll be able to go outside and enjoy stunning views of the sea.
This One Bedroom Lagoon Pool Villa (from S$1,143/night) has its own private entrance.
The resort has small villas that are 2 levels tall, with a living area on the 1st floor and a bedroom upstairs. There’s also a private plunge pool that is shielded by a row of trees, which offers privacy for families or couples looking for some alone time.
Image credit: Anantara Desaru Coast Resort
But Anantara’s most appealing aspect is the fact that the entire resort is located right in front of the beach, which is privately owned by the resort. This means that it won’t be as crowded as a public beach.
Learn more about the beach by signing up for a Desaru Beach Life & Tidepool Discovery tour. Led by an environmental expert, the tour will teach you about sea creatures like moon snails, sand bubbler crabs, and sea eagles. There’s also a birdwatching walk and a resort nature walk for those who want to learn more about nature.
Image credit: Anantara Desaru Coast Resort
If you’d rather get crafty with your hands, you can pick up a new skill with classes on terrarium making. The classes are available to all guests and are suitable for all ages.
Kid-friendly ranking: 3/5
Couple-friendly ranking: 5/5
Book a stay at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas.
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2. Sands & Sandals
Duplex resort units with kiddy-themed rooms
Image credit: @sandsandsandalsresortnspa via Instagram
Sands & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort & Spa has standard Superior Rooms (from S$168.26), but also takes things a step further by having dedicated family and couple rooms with special amenities.
Image adapted from: Sand & Sandals
Rooms like the Family Suite (from S$403.82/night) make use of the duplex layout to create a kids-themed room on the lower level with colourful wall motifs and boat beds we secretly wished we could also sleep on. This arrangement allows parents to enjoy their privacy on the upper floor while the children indulge in their personal play space down below.
Image adapted from: Sand & Sandals
The Couple Suite (from S$454.30/night), on the other hand, offers a full-sized living room on the lower level while the top level houses a cabana-style bed. They even have a bathtub on a private terrace that overlooks the beach – you and bae can soak in it while enjoying the view. Don’t worry, there are plenty of wooden shutters to shield you from any prying eyes when you’re enjoying your tub time.
Image credit: Desaru Fruit Farm
The hotel is situated in a convenient spot as well, with the Desaru Fruit Farm just 12 minutes away by car. They organise different tours, like an ATV tour from RM65/pax (~S$20.33) around the farm, where you can taste some locally grown produce.
Kid-friendly ranking: 5/5
Couple-friendly ranking: 3/5
Book a stay at Sands & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort & Spa.
3. Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast
Music-themed Desaru resort
The Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast is the best resort option for families who are planning to spend their weekend at Adventure Waterpark, located right next door.
There are different types of rooms to choose from, ranging from a comfy Superior Room with 1 King Bed (from S$185/night) to the luxurious Rock Star Suite (from S$1,305/night). All the rooms have an airy, tropical vibe that offers a clear view of the waterpark and its attractions from the balcony.
Guests can look forward to perks like an underwater music pool and the Roxity Kids Club, which is open from 10am to 9pm daily, the perfect place to leave your children for some R&R.
For RM35/child (~S$10.94) for the first hour and RM30 (~S$9.38) for every hour afterwards, kids aged 4 to 12 years can watch movies and even learn to jam with guitar lessons at the Kids Club. You can even get half- and full-day packages from RM75/3 hours (~S$23.54) and RM150/8 hours (~S$47.08) per child, respectively. Do note that meals and drinks are not included, but there’s a menu parents can order from for their little ones.
And when everyone’s ready to explore the water park, just head to the dedicated entrance to Adventure Waterpark located on the 1st floor.
Kid-friendly ranking: 5/5
Couple-friendly ranking: 3.5/5
Book a stay at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast.
4. The Westin Desaru Coast Resort
Private beach with water sports
The Westin Desaru Coast Resort is another option for families who want to visit Adventure Waterpark since it’s located directly opposite Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast. The hotel also has other perks like a private beach and watersports available to guests.
Image credit: The Westin Desaru Coast Resort
The Garden View Guest Room (from RM580/night, ~S$181.35/night) is both affordable and lavish, with a King bed, balcony, and bathtub for you to soak any aches away.
Image credit: The Westin Desaru Coast Resort
Outside of the rooms, guests can look forward to taking a dip at the resort’s pool that overlooks the lawn, or walk 5 minutes across the lawn to the private beach where the Beach Bar is at.
It serves mains like Fish and Chips (RM72, ~S$22.51), and cocktails like the classic Mojito (RM45, ~S$14.07), which you can enjoy at the outdoor dining area. The nearby deck chairs are also a good place for parents to relax while the kids start making sandcastles.
Try not to have lunch before going on the water rides.
The beach is also where DASH Outdoors is situated, the go-to company for all things water sports. They run a variety of activities that help inject some heart-pumping fun into your vacation, such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. There are even thrilling high-speed water rides like wakeboarding for the daredevils who aren’t satisfied with tamer water sports.
Kid-friendly ranking: 4/5
Couple-friendly ranking: 4/5
Book a stay at The Westin Desaru Coast Resort.
5. Amerald Resort Hotel
Desaru beach resort with high elements rope course
Image credit: Amerald Resort Hotel
Located on the quiet side of Jalan Kampung Punggai Desaru is Amerald Resort Hotel. It’s one of the best resorts in Desaru if you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of popular holiday destinations.
Rooms are spacious and cosy while offering unrestricted garden or ocean views.
Image credit: Amerald Resort Hotel
The standard Superior King Room (from S$106/night) is perfect for couples on a budget who still want a taste of luxury. The Deluxe Twin Room (from S$128/night) would be a better fit for families since there’s more space in the room and separate beds for the kids.
Image credit: Amerald Resort Hotel
Aside from the usual amenities like a pool and gym, Amerald Resort Hotel also has adrenaline-filled offerings, like an 18-rope high elements course and a 100m-long zipline.
Kid-friendly ranking: 3/5
Couple-friendly ranking: 4/5
Book a stay at Amerald Resort Hotel.
6. Lotus Desaru Beach Resort
Spacious apartment-style rooms for long-term stays in Desaru
Image credit: Lim Poh Chin via Google Maps
The rooms at Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa take on more of a service apartment layout, with a kitchenette and a dining area. There are also amenities like a microwave and a medium-sized refrigerator, which make it suitable for long-term stays.
Image credit: Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa
Rooms here are spacious, with options such as a 1-Bedroom Suite (from S$87.10/night) and 2-Bedroom Suite (S$151.18/night). The interiors feel a little dated, but if you don’t mind and just want extra space without breaking the bank, this is a wallet-friendly pick.
Image adapted from: Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa
The resort has its own Splash Water Park, which is a miniature water park located inside the resort. Kids can let loose at multiple pools for guests of all ages, a lazy river, a water playground with a slide, and a giant bucket that dunks water every few minutes.
The time has come to deliver some pew pews.
Image credit: Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa
If you prefer just lazing on the beach, it’s situated right behind the hotel, accessible through a private entrance. Besides that, there are other activities like paintball and combat archery for a little bit of friendly competition.
Kid-friendly ranking: 3/5
Couple-friendly ranking: 2/5
Book a stay at Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa.
7. Bayu Balau Beach Resort
Best beach resort in Desaru with chalet-style accommodations
Image credit: @kejora_development_holding via Instagram
Bayu Balau Beach Resort is an incredibly budget-friendly option that offers roomy chalets for comfy family stays. It’s also the place to go if you’re really looking to spend your vacation just chilling by the beach.
Image credit: Bayu Balau Beach Resort
Those who feel more comfortable in a modern hotel setting can choose a Standard Queen Room (from RM200/night, ~S$62.53/night) or a Deluxe Family Room (from RM296/night, ~S$92.55/night). But if you’re interested in trying alternative housing, the Fisherman Concept Chalet is the perfect choice.
Image credit: Bayu Balau Beach Resort
These cabins are similar to the chalets found in Changi, except there’s no fencing that obstructs your view and access to the sea. Book Chalet Type-A (from RM150/night, ~S$46.90), which can accommodate 2 people, or the Family Room (from RM260/night, ~S$81.29) for 3 pax.
You can also choose to upgrade your chalet to more luxurious cabins like the Superior cabin (from RM190/night, ~S$59.41) that has 2 levels and looks more like a rustic beach house.
Image credit: @pedangtakdir via Instagram
Keeping to the traditional fishing kampung theme, fishing from Tanjung Balau Jetty is one of the top things to do there. Once you’ve reeled in the catch of the day, book a DIY BBQ pit (RM350/5 pax, ~S$109.43), which includes BBQ ingredients such as chicken and prawns, as well as equipment you’d need.
Kid-friendly ranking: 2/5
Couple-friendly ranking: 2/5
Book a stay at Bayu Balau Beach Resort.
8. Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort
Desaru resort with horse riding & water sports
Image credit: Klook
Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort makes it easy to dive straight into holiday mode with direct beach access, perfect for water sports like parasailing and jet skiing. Adventure seekers can take on the High Ropes Adventure course, tackling 10 challenging elements including soaring down the Flying Fox.
Image credit: @tunamayaresortdesaru via Instagram
And if you’ve ever dreamed of a seaside trot, you’re in luck – the resort also offers horse riding right by the beach.
Image credit: Klook
A standard Twin Room (from RM280/night, ~S$87.54/night) comes with 2 single beds, giving you plenty of space to stretch out. But if you’re travelling with the whole crew, opt for the Junior Suite Room (from RM740/night, S$231.37/night), which comes with a queen and king bed, for a comfier family stay.
Kid-friendly ranking: 3/5
Couple-friendly ranking: 2/5
Book a stay at Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort.
9. Mandarin Oriental Desaru Coast
Luxury resort with private plunge pools and a kids’ club
Image credit: Mandarin Oriental
Formerly known as One&Only Desaru Coast and then The Sireya, Mandarin Oriental Desaru Coast officially opened its doors in January 2026, making it the newest addition to the Desaru resort lineup.
Image credit: Mandarin Oriental
The luxury resort has 44 suites and a 4-bedroom private villa, ranging from the Rainforest Junior Suite (from RM2,800/night, ~S$875.44/night) to the Ocean Front Junior Suite (from RM3,600/night, ~S$1,125.57/night) for sea views. Each suite comes with its own private plunge pool and outdoor lounge, so you’ll have plenty of space to unwind.
Families with young kids will appreciate the flexible spaces for play and rest at The Kids’ Club, with immersive programmes such as the Junior Chef experiences and Nature Detectives activities to engage their curiosity.
On the wellness side, the resort leans heavily into its rainforest setting. The spa offers signature rituals (from RM1,000, ~S$312.66) like Ocean Homecoming and Jungle Wild Surge, an invigorating scrub and massage using herbs foraged from the surrounding forest. When you’re done at the spa, there’s a 56m infinity pool and tennis and padel courts to keep you busy.
Do note that the property is currently undergoing renovations, with works on the lobby, beach club, and suites running through 2026. The beach remains fully accessible, though it’s worth checking for any temporary closures before your trip.
Kid-friendly ranking: 5/5
Couple-friendly ranking: 4/5
Book a stay at Mandarin Oriental Desaru Coast.
Escape the city bustle at these best resorts in Desaru
A blue ocean view combined with serene greenery can be a great reprieve from staring at quarterly reports on most days, which is why beach resorts are popular holiday destinations. And since Desaru Coast is only 90 minutes away by boat, it’s the perfect place for a short getaway if you’re looking for sun, sand, and surf.
For more things to do in Malaysia, check out:
Cover image adapted from: Sand & Sandals, Klook
Photography by Poh Jin Ron.
Originally published on 20th October 2022. Last updated by Celine Wee on 22nd June 2026.
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