Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas

Forget the budget weekenders; Anantara Desaru Coast is where you go to drop serious cash for serenity. Located a 1.5-hour drive from Singapore, this sprawling property boasts incredibly spacious rooms and meticulously maintained grounds. Whether you shell out for a Lagoon Pool Villa or a Seaview Suite with an L-shaped balcony, expect pristine, well-equipped quarters. Even the standard garden view family rooms deliver lush, outstanding landscaping rather than typical bush-facing disappointments.

Food leans heavily into premium resort pricing, but the breakfast buffet at Turmeric is undeniably extensive. Expect an impressive variety of spreads with plenty of vegetarian options. However, timing is critical. Hit the buffet early; when the resort hits full capacity, the morning rush guarantees long waits, overwhelmed junior staff, and occasional wrong orders. Lunch and dinner menus pivot mostly to non-vegetarian fare, though the kitchen actively accommodates off-menu dietary requests.

Despite being highly rated as a massage spa destination, the on-site spa draws polarized opinions. While guests praise the personalized treatments and communicative masseuses, others flag the facility as very expensive and lacking in overall value. If you skip the massage table, the resort compensates with phenomenal natural perks. The uncrowded beach offers fine sand and quiet stretches for evening strolls, while complimentary activities like the guided Nature walk and Terrarium making add genuine, family-friendly value to the hefty price tag.