8 Family-Friendly Resorts in Desaru: From Cheapest to Most Expensive

Thinking of heading across the Causeway for a family weekend getaway? If you’re thinking of switching up your usual food trail in Johor Bahru, it's time to put Desaru Coast on the top of your travel list for your short holiday away from Singapore. 

Named as one of the World's Greatest Places 2021 by TIME Magazine, the lure of Desaru Coast lies in its pristine beachfront that spans 25km across some of Asia's most luxurious beach resorts. Located just one hour away from central JB, Desaru Coast is also home to Malaysia's nearest resorts from Singapore. Here we list eight family-friendly Desaru resorts, ranging from the cheapest to the most luxurious, with a variety of spas, swimming pools, beaches and other activities.

Travel Tips For Desaru Family Trips

1. Consider getting hourly travel insurance

Planning a family resort trip requires you to find travel insurance plans that offer the best value for the whole family. When travelling with kids, it’s essential to have comprehensive coverage that can handle any unexpected situations, from medical emergencies to the loss of personal belongings. Look for plans that cover personal accidents, medical expenses, and even trip cancellations, ensuring your family can enjoy the trip with peace of mind.

Get peace of mind for your spontaneous weekend getaway with hourly travel insurance from FlexiTravel Plus Insurance before you depart Singapore. Download the 'My Income' mobile app and customise the duration of your insurance coverage down to the hour you arrive at and depart from Desaru Coast.

Flexible and affordable, the FlexiTravel Plus Insurance plan helps you stay covered against personal accident and medical expenses, including food poisoning and COVID-19 expenses incurred overseas, as well as the theft of your golf equipment (with the Sports Equipment Rider)! Perfect for when you're cruising around the world-class golf courses in Desaru Coast.

2. Use Desaru Ferry Link to get there faster

Exploring transport options for your trip from Singapore to your resort in Desaru Coast is crucial, especially when travelling with kids. Consider the duration and convenience of each option to ensure a smooth and kid-friendly journey. While driving offers flexibility, the ferry is a faster and more enjoyable option for families.

While most may consider a near two-hour drive to Desaru through Johor Bahru, families can also consider ferrying over via the Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal, which is a direct ferry route between Singapore and Desaru Coast. The ferry journey from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal will take 90 minutes, making it a marginally faster and more comfortable transport option (if you do not have seasickness).

1. Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa

If you're after a splashing great time with your kids, Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa offers an entire host of thrilling water activities. Amid its sprawling complex, you'll find their Splash Park - a mini amusement park with water play areas and slides, as well as sea sports activities such as an adrenaline-filled jet ski ride or parasailing. 

The resort is also popular for its close proximity to a laid-back stretch of Desaru Beach, fringed with palm trees. At sunrise or sunset, you can take a relaxing stroll on the white sands. For the rest of your day, check out the resort's extensive excursion packages to nearby attractions such as Desaru Fruit Farm or, if you're willing to travel further, Kota Tinggi Firefly Park and Kota Tinggi Waterfalls.

Family-Friendly Features: Splash Park, swimming pools, and proximity to Desaru Beach.
Activities: Sea sports like jet skiing and parasailing, and excursions to Desaru Fruit Farm and Kota Tinggi Firefly Park.
Accommodation: Spacious suites with kitchenettes.
Recommended Room for Families: The 2 Bedroom Junior Suite—which offers ample space and amenities for a comfortable family stay.

Address: Lot 1854, Jalan Desaru, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia

Price: From RM 230 / night

Hotel: Website | Facebook | Instagram

2. Tiara Desaru Seaview Residences

Tucked away in a more secluded area of Desaru is Tiara Desaru, an ambitious resort with more than 570 fully furnished apartments. Its top draw is the private beach, which offers exclusivity and serenity at an unbeatable price. Even better, you can also personally reserve beach umbrellas and sunbeds beforehand so that you'll have your preferred spot on the beach all to yourself. 

Feeling all beached out? Then you can splash about in one of three luxurious swimming pools right at the doorstep of your apartment. Or choose to retreat into your spacious unit, which can hold up to 5 rooms in their Penthouse Executive - perfect for large families. 

Family-Friendly Features: Private beach, luxurious swimming pools, and spacious family apartments.
Activities: Four swimming pools, private tennis court, and flat beach.
Recommended Room for Families: The Super Family suite—gives you comfort in a beachfront view.

Address: Jln Tanjung Lompat, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia

Price: From RM 280 / night

Hotel: Website | Facebook | Instagram

3. Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort - Desaru

Popular for its scenic views, each of the 130 rooms and suites at Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort - Desaru overlook the tranquil coastline of its private beach so you can fall asleep to the sound of the waves. If you’re travelling with a large group of friends or family, the Deluxe Room is a great spacious option as it comes equipped with a balcony.

Exclusive to the resort is their Adventure Park, a high rope obstacle course that offers an exhilarating alternative to experiencing Desaru's great outdoors. If scaling new heights isn't your thing, then head over to the world-class golf courses at the nearby The Els Club Desaru Coast, which is within 10-minute walking distance. Designed by major champions Ernie Els and Vijay Singh, the golf club's dramatic layout and combined play of 45 holes is an unparalleled golf experience.

Family-Friendly Features: Adventure Park with high rope obstacle course, proximity to The Els Club golf course.
Activities: Beach access, swimming pool, and golf experiences.
Recommended Room for Families: The Standard Family suite—perfect for families and their kids to rest & relax after a day of fun in the sun.

Address: 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia

Price: From RM 310 / night

Hotel: Website | Facebook | Instagram

4. Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort and Spa

One of the trickiest parts of planning a holiday, whether it’s for a couple or for the whole family, is choosing activities that can cater to everyone. At Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort and Spa, there's something for everyone with their wide range of entertainment choices, such as a live sports bar, kid-friendly amenities, sea sport and outdoor adventures, as well as luxurious spa treatments. It's up to you to decide how action-packed you want your itinerary to be.

Equally diverse is their variety of rooms and suites, which include the Romantic Deluxe with Private Pool, designed for couples to elevate their romance, and the nautical-themed Family Suite Garden View, which has beds equipped with ship’s wheels in its playful and interactive room design.

Family-Friendly Features: Wide range of entertainment choices, kid-friendly amenities, sea sports, and luxurious spa.
Accommodation: Nautical-themed family suites with playful designs.
Recommended Room for Families: The Family suite—playful and interactive, for families with young children.

Address: Jalan Desaru Desaru, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia

Price: From RM 450 / night

Hotel: Website | Facebook | Instagram

5. Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast

Let your little ones rock out to heart-pounding fun at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast. The hotel is big on kid-friendly entertainment, which starts from its colourful interiors and the in-room blockbuster movies available on demand. Live music at the Lobby Lounge will keep your kids engaged every night, while the Roxity Kids Club has a dedicated play area, movie screen and arts room. If you're willing to splurge, the Studio Suite Gold even comes equipped with a kid-friendly private plunge pool that you can splash in at any time.

Best of all, the hotel is adjacent to the Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast and overlooks one of the largest wave pools in the world. Of course, if you'd like to bask in the ocean breeze, Desaru Beach is only a 10-minute walk away.

Family-Friendly Features: Roxity Kids Club, in-room blockbuster movies, and private plunge pool in Studio Suite Gold.
Activities: Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast and proximity to Desaru Beach.
Recommended Room for Families: The Studio Suite—designed with families in mind, packed with signature amenities that'll make your stay shine.

Address: Jln Pantai 3, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia

Price: From RM 600 / night

Hotel: Website | Facebook | Instagram

6. The Westin Desaru Coast Resort

Wellness is at the forefront of The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, where you can sleep, eat and rest well in comfort and tranquillity. To start, their rooms and suites are designed for relaxation with their signature Westin Heavenly® Beds. Pick their sea-facing rooms for an expansive view of the South China Sea from your private balcony.

The resort also has a tantalising array of holistic body treatments at their spa and sauna, where you can treat yourself and your loved ones to some much-needed "me" time. As for dining options, savour the aromas of authentic Italian fare at their restaurant Prego, or snack on freshly grilled seafood at their Beach Bar and allow yourself to fully relax after a day at Desaru Coast.

Family-Friendly Features: Kids club, holistic body treatments at the spa, and family-friendly dining options.
Accommodation: Sea-facing rooms with private balconies.
Recommended Room for Families: The 2 Queen Bed Guest Room with Tropical View—where you and your kids can watch the sunrise over the Desaru Coast from the private balcony of your suite.

Address: Jln Pantai 3, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia

Price: From RM 830 / night

Hotel: Website | Facebook | Instagram

7. Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas

Nestled in a lush and expansive tropical garden, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas is an ideal locale for a romantic getaway. While any of the resort's stylish rooms with wraparound balconies will make for a perfect hideaway by the beach, nothing beats their luxurious kampung-style One Bedroom Lagoon Pool Villa. The private two-storey haven overlooks your very own pool with a spacious wooden gazebo, where you can lounge by day and dine under the stars by night. 

For an extra special touch, you can request for bespoke private dining. Choose to plan a romantic dinner for two in a dugout sandcastle on the beach and wow your significant other with a private chef and butler. Or arrange for an intimate dinner with candles, flowers and torches in a serene spot within the resort gardens.

Family-Friendly Features: Kids and teen clubs, luxurious kampung-style villas.
Activities: Lagoon Pool, Beachfront Infinity Pool, Layang Layang Kids Club, and Anantara Spa.
Recommended Room for Families: The Premier Corner Room—giving you access to the Desaru coastline and resort pool at the same time.

Address: Persiaran Pantai, Desaru Coast, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor

Price: From RM 850 / night

Hotel: Website | Facebook | Instagram

8. One&Only Desaru Coast

Between 128 acres of white powder sand and tropical flora, you'll find your own slice of paradise at One&Only Desaru Coast, the luxury resort brand's first Southeast Asian property. What lures luxury-seekers to the resort is its elegant rainforest and ocean suites alongside its pièce de résistance, the exclusive Villa One with a 27-metre private pool. No matter which room you pick, you'll be fully immersed in nature, whether you're enveloped by the verdant rainforest or gazing out upon the stunning horizons of the South China Sea.

Besides five stylish restaurants and bars for you to dine at, the resort's unique experiences are definitely worth exploring. Heed the call of white-handed gibbons on private wildlife tours with their resident naturalist, go on a tree-climbing experience in the rainforest canopy, or practise Malay silat for all ages.

Family-Friendly Features: Unique experiences like private wildlife tours, tree-climbing, and Malay silat practice.
Accommodation: Rainforest and ocean suites, and exclusive Villa One.
Recommended Room for Families: The Ocean Front Junior Suite—features include a plunge pool, spacious bathroom and airy interiors, creating ultimate privacy and serenity.

Address: Persiaran Damai, Desaru Coast, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor

Price: From RM 4,330 / night

Hotel: Website | Facebook | Instagram

Activities in Desaru Coast

• Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast: Enjoy thrilling water slides, massive wave pools, and exciting rides suitable for all ages. The park offers dedicated areas for young children and more adventurous sections for teens and adults, making it a perfect spot for a day of family fun that isn’t too far from your resort.
• Desaru Fruit Farm and ATV Adventures: Take a guided tour of the extensive fruit farm, visit the petting zoo where kids can interact with farm animals, and experience the excitement of ATV rides through scenic trails. This activity blends education with adventure, ideal for a family outing.
• Mangrove Tour: Embark on an educational boat tour that explores the rich mangrove ecosystem. Learn about the unique flora and fauna that inhabit these coastal forests, and enjoy the serene beauty of the mangroves. It's a fascinating and informative experience for both kids and adults.
• Firefly Cruise: Join an evening cruise to witness the enchanting sight of fireflies illuminating the night. As you glide along the river, you'll be mesmerised by the twinkling lights in the mangrove trees. This magical experience is sure to delight family members of all ages.
• Tanjung Balau Fishing Village and Museum: Explore the traditional fishing village of Tanjung Balau and its accompanying museum. Learn about the history and culture of the local fishing community through interactive exhibits and displays, providing a cultural and educational experience for the entire family.

Unwind With The Whole Family at a Resort in Desaru This Holiday!

With so many amazing resorts in Desaru Coast to choose from, you won’t run out of places to stay and explore. Whether you plan to laze on the white sand beach or discover the area’s idyllic nature attractions such as Desaru Fruit Farm, it’s time to book your weekend getaway at Desaru Coast.

Before you go, don’t forget to activate your FlexiTravel Plus Insurance. Simply extend your travel insurance by the hour at S$0.30/hour^{^}. (That's less than the cost of a lok lok skewer!)

Curious about visiting other places in Malaysia for your short holiday? Check out our guide on Malaysia: 5 Off the Beaten Path Places for Your Next Trip to discover five other hidden gems you can visit.