One&Only Desaru Coast: A hidden rainforest sanctuary just 90 mins away from Singapore 

First Impressions

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If you know anything about Kerry Hill Architects, there is always a commitment to designing alongside the environment as opposed to against it, and One&Only Desaru Coast is no exception. As you step out of the car and into the main lobby, you are greeted by the hotel’s piece de resistance — the famed infinity pool shrouded by a canopy of ancient trees. Minimalist deck chairs in neutrals flank the sides, complementing the sleek design of the resort. If they were looking to impress me as a guest at first glance — mission accomplished. Mentally I was already at the end of the pool, watching the waves go by as I camp out in this hidden rainforest.

The Villas

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There are 42 Junior Suites, two Grand Suites and one four-bedroom villa (known as Villa One) that are spaced out within the property, ensuring maximum privacy for you and your guests, and every villa showcases either an expansive view of the South China Sea or allows you to immerse yourself in nature with the neighbouring rainforest.

I had the opportunity to stay in the Ocean Front Junior Suite which came with two separate bungalow-type structures separated by a private plunge pool in the middle, a little outdoor seating area and a private open-air veranda. The entire suite was generous when it came to space, and was more than accommodating for two people, but I have to admit I was a little thrown off by the separate structures, where one housed the bedroom, and the other was the bathroom. There is a sheltered walkway that connects the two, but just take note, it won’t be enough to protect you from heavy rains and can be a little bit scary to go to at night for those who are afraid of the dark!

The key highlight was the plunge pool though, where you can while the day away and even have your meals in the pool. Just inform the staff when you’re ordering room service, and they will provide you with a floating basket.

The Food

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Now, I don’t know about you, but when I check into a beach resort, I never plan on leaving the property to do anything. My main mission is to relax and to move as little as possible. It seems like the resort got the memo as there are a multitude of dining options for you to choose from.

First up is Ambara, the all-day dining restaurant that serves up a plethora of local Malaysian delights, as well as a slew of Mediterranean dishes (we are after all, near the sea). One dish that came highly recommended was Laksa Johor, a fusion dish that looks similar to spaghetti bolognese but is actually yellow noodles drenched in a thick gravy made of coconut milk, asam gelugur, dried prawns, lemongrass, galangal and spices.

Dusky Monkey is the resort bar, named after some of the cheeky animal natives that come to visit the bar from time to time. It’s the perfect space to unwind for a drink and the best part? You don’t have to wait until 5pm because, guess what, you’re on holiday! It’s 5pm anytime, baby. From time to time, the bar has guest bartender shifts as well and during our stay, Arathorn Grey, head bartender of Singapore’s Tippling Club was in town for Ember Curates, a special one-night-only dining experience at Ember Beach Club, the resident beach club. 

(Click here to watch our experience at Ember Curates.)

Then there is Hoshi, an omakase restaurant that serves bold, fusion flavours. But fair warning, the menu can get pretty inventive, so if you’re a traditionalist when it comes to sushi, you might want to give this a miss.

Lastly, there is Ember Beach Club, the beach club that serves up a menu designed by Singapore-based chef Andrew Walsh of the one Michelin-starred Cure, and is headed by executive chef Bianca Palmer.

The Facilities

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While I was more than happy to lounge by the infinity pool or the private plunge pool in my suite, for those who are looking for activities to do, you can take a drive up to Ember Beach Club or Club One. Both are accessible via a buggy where one of the staff is more than happy to assist you.

If you’re looking for a spot that going to be on your Instagram highlight reel, Ember Beach Club is the place to be. With a turquoise swimming pool, white day beds and cabanas, this is the place that gets captured the most when you look at One&Only Desaru Coast’s tagged posts on Instagram. And upon viewing in person, we can see why. It is also the spot where Dior showcased their Riviera collection and created a pop-up lifestyle and fashion experience for Dior fans in the region to experience. For those looking to be a bit more active, water sports such as paddle boarding, kayaking and jet skis are also available here.

The Extras

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And if that’s not enough, there’s a whole range of activities for you to try out at Club One, the resort’s recreational club. From tennis lessons with a resident PBI-certified tennis coach to archery and foosball, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There’s also a play area for kids here too

Now we come to the favourite part of my entire stay — the Chenot Spa. Who doesn’t love a good massage or facial during a holiday? A leader in the wellness industry for almost 50 years, Chenot combines the latest advances in scientific diagnostics with the best in Chinese and alternative medicines, for the ultimate transformative retreat. And if the hour-long massage I was treated to didn’t already put me in a relaxing trance, the environment did. I was led to an area with a century-old Banyan tree where I could soak in the cool ocean breeze and sip my tea.

Getting There

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While travelling is considered a privilege, some anxieties come attached to it, namely travelling times and the handling of luggage. Add in delayed flights and long layovers, and sometimes you find yourself more exhausted coming back from your holiday than when you left.

One of the best things about booking a stay with One&Only Desaru Coast is the luxury car service that you can book. While I did romanticize the idea of wistfully looking out at sea on the ferry, ultimately the idea of seamless travel from my doorstep to the resort won. On my day of travel, my driver arrived at my place with a thoughtfully prepared bag of snacks in tow. He even made a little detour just so that I could go to my favourite bakery to grab a pastry and a coffee before making the drive to the resort. No jostling with the crowd or clumsy handling of my overpacked luggage, just peace for the next three hours. If you’re a parent with kids, I’d highly recommend you book this service. The only downside to this is that you’ll still be subjected to the traffic jams at the border should any arise, so plan your timings (and your toilet breaks!) carefully to avoid them!

Another option you have is to take the ferry, which is only a 90-minute ride, as opposed to a 2-3 hour car drive.