About this hotel
General information
Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast is a small resort in south-east Malaysia, where rainforest runs down to the sands of the South China Sea. Its layout takes after a traditional Malay kampung, or village: 44 suites are set well apart for privacy, each with its own pool. Interiors draw on batik motifs, handwoven textiles, plaited mats made with the techniques of Sarawak’s Indigenous artisans, warm yellow balau timber and works by local artists.
The resort is valued for pairing quiet with plenty to do: a 56-metre pool just beyond the lobby, a private beach, a spa built around Malaysian herbal rituals, tennis and padel courts, and walks through the forests and along the coast with the resident naturalist. The kitchen leans on Malaysia’s seasonal produce and Mediterranean traditions, while families have a kids’ club and a whole recreation hub set in the greenery.
Location
The resort sits directly on the beach of Desaru Coast in the state of Johor, on the South China Sea. By private car the Desaru Coast ferry terminal is about 5 minutes away, Senai International Airport (90 km) about 45 minutes, Kuala Lumpur International Airport about 4 hours and Singapore Changi about 2 hours, depending on traffic and border formalities. From Singapore there is also a ferry from Tanah Merah terminal (about 90 minutes), followed by a 5-minute transfer. Nearby are The Els Club Desaru Coast golf club (5–10 minutes) and the Kota Tinggi firefly park (45–60 minutes).
Spa
The Spa joins old Malay and Asian healing rituals with modern techniques: facials, massages, body therapies and scrubs, treatments built on local ingredients and spa programmes. Its signature Essence of Desaru series consists of two two-hour rituals: Jungle-Wild Surge opens with a foot bath of clove, ginger and cinnamon, followed by a breathing ritual, a scrub and a massage with Wildsmith body oil, a wooden scraper and a Malaysian herbal compress; Ocean-Homecoming begins with a warm coconut milk foot bath and a coconut scrub. The changing areas have lockers and a cold plunge pool, there is a separate Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio for hands and feet, and a double treatment room allows two guests to be treated side by side. The spa and gym are open to guests aged 16 and over.
Sports & leisure
The 24-hour fitness centre is equipped by Technogym and has a free-weights area, with a personal trainer available by day; next to it is a yoga studio with Pilates reformers, and an open-air pavilion above the sea hosts yoga, meditation and breathwork. The recreation hub in the forest holds three tennis and two padel courts with a resident coach, a play zone with Teqball, table tennis, table football and pool, a creative studio, a mini football pitch, a basketball court and archery, while the cycle hub has bikes for coastal rides and forest trails, including guided rides beyond the resort. The experiences programme includes dawn walks with the naturalist into Panti Forest Reserve to hear the gibbons (age 9 and over), birdwatching, a lesson in silat, the UNESCO-recognised Malay martial art, with a master, cocktail masterclasses, jam-making with tropical fruit, a rum tasting and pulling teh tarik alongside Muar coffee. The Els Club Desaru Coast and its Ocean Course are a few minutes’ drive away.
For children
The kids’ club welcomes children aged 4–11 daily from 9am to 6pm, looked after by dedicated staff: Junior Chefs cooking sessions, Young Gardeners planting, Nature Detectives outings with the naturalist to find the resort’s plants and wildlife, and the EcoLab, plus books, games and arts and crafts. Outdoors is the Pelaga Laut Playground. Babysitting is offered subject to availability, the spa has a Mini MO massage for children aged 6–12, and Ambara and in-room dining have dedicated children’s menus.
Restaurants & bars
The resort’s cooking is rooted in Malaysia’s seasonal produce – rainforest honey, fruit from local farms and herbs from the chef’s own garden.
- Ambara — Mediterranean and Malaysian field-to-fork cooking: wood-fired breads, charcoal-grilled seafood and mezze from an open kitchen; breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Dusky Monkey Bar — an open-sided bar of timber and high ceilings among the trees, serving cocktails, snacks and a daily afternoon tea for guests
- Essential — a poolside café with an international menu of sandwiches, salads, flatbreads and burgers, fresh juices and cocktails
- OFYR Dinner — a private barbecue dinner on the beach, with seafood and prime cuts cooked over open fire (booked 36 hours ahead)
In-room dining runs from 7am to 10pm, floating breakfasts in the suite’s own pool included.
Swimming
The 56-metre infinity pool lies just beyond the lobby among the greenery, with sunloungers, towels, shade and service of drinks and light bites. The resort has its own sandy beach at Ocean Lawn, with loungers and towels, reached directly from the beachfront suites. Every suite has a private pool, and the Rainforest Grand Pool Suites add a 17-metre lap pool.
Rooms
The 44 suites are spread between the rainforest and the beach so that each stays secluded; all have a private pool and a terrace with lounging and dining areas, and their interiors combine Malaysian craft with natural materials. Several suites connect into two-bedroom options for families and groups.
Suites have a private pool, a bath and walk-in shower, a pillow menu, a Nespresso machine, a make-your-own cocktail kit, a yoga mat, an in-suite dining menu and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Rainforest Junior Suite
A suite by the rainforest with direct access to the greenery, a king-size or twin beds, a veranda with an outdoor dining spot and a plunge pool set between bedroom and bathroom. Warm natural tones and batik motifs; it can connect to a neighbouring suite.
Ocean Junior Suite
A suite set above the coastline with partial sea views, a king-size or twin beds, a breezy veranda and a sunlit bathroom opening onto a private plunge pool. It can connect to a neighbouring suite.
Ocean Front Junior Suite
A beachfront suite with direct access to the sand and Ocean Lawn, views over the South China Sea, a king-size or twin beds, a plunge pool in a private courtyard and a bathroom with double vanities and a freestanding tub. It can connect to a neighbouring suite.
Ocean Grand Suite
A sea-view suite with a king-size bedroom, a separate living room hung with work by local artists, two bathrooms, a plunge pool and a terrace with lounging and dining areas. It can connect to a twin suite.
Rainforest Grand Pool Suite
A secluded suite deep in the rainforest: a king-size bedroom, a living room, a generous outdoor dining and lounging area, a plunge pool and a 17-metre lap pool with sunloungers. It can connect to a neighbouring suite.
Two-Bedroom Ocean Grand Suite
An Ocean Grand Suite joined to a twin suite: two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two plunge pools and a large living area opening onto a sea-view terrace. Sleeps up to six.
Two-Bedroom Rainforest Grand Pool Suite
A Rainforest Grand Pool Suite joined to a twin bedroom: two bedrooms, three bathrooms, two plunge pools and the 17-metre lap pool, all set in the rainforest.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.