Located on Malaysia’s southeastern tip in Johor Bahru, in close proximity to Singapore, the seaside resort town of Desaru will welcome its first Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas property on December 1, 2019.
Spanning over 16 square kilometres along a pristine 17-kilometre beachfront facing the South China Sea, it is accessible via a 45-minute drive from Malaysia’s Senai International Airport (JHB) and a two-hour drive from Singapore or a ferry, followed by a short drive.
Designed by Singapore architecture practice WOW Architects and Warner Wong Design and interiors by Environment Design Consultants from Malaysia, the resort’s form takes inspiration from traditional Malay buildings featuring indigenous materials and fabrics such as woven textiles, wicker elements, and silhouettes of traditional Malay crafts.
The 123-key luxury property will comprise guestrooms, pool villas and large residences of up to four bedrooms with full butler service, in addition to a contemporary spa and an Ernie Els-designed 18-hole golf course.
The luxurious pool villas are located around a lagoon and their design draws heavily from a traditional kampong (village in Malay) house that is designed to suit the tropical climate with floor-to-ceiling windows; slanted carved wooden panels; louvres and vents under the roof; and wide-open doors that allow natural airflow to cool the interior.
