This September, Desaru Coast, the first One&Only resort in Asia, opens its doors to guests for the first time. Positioned on the south-eastern shoreline of Malaysia between lush rainforests and the South China Sea, the resort extends expansively across 128 acres of unspoilt wild flora and a pristine 1.5 kilometre stretch of private white sanded beach. Designed by the award-winning Kerry Hill Architects, One&Only Desaru Coast is an architectural gem, weaving local art and nature into every corner – a true retreat from city life.
Easily accessible in just two hours by car from Singapore and 45 minutes to Johor’s Senai Airport, the ultra-luxury tropical escape offers guests the ultimate privacy, leading wellness programmes, destination-defining cuisine and curated experiences that celebrate the destination.
The resort showcases the region’s architectural heritage with a modern interpretation of the traditional Malaysian ‘kampung’ or village. Each standalone suite is perfectly framed by greenery, offering exceptional levels of seclusion and generous space to relax or entertain.
Facing the stunning ocean or wrapped by the jungle, the resort has a collection of 42 Junior Suites, two expansive two-bedroom Grand Suites and an exclusive four-bedroom residence, Villa One. All boast private plunge pools, abundant indoor and outdoor living spaces, separate decadent bathrooms and thoughtful Malaysian-inspired design features.
Villa One, the most exclusive address at the resort, offers 1,500 square-metres of luxury living, perfect for larger groups, special celebrations, or intimate dinners parties under the stars. Located in its own enclave, the two-storey villa features a private spa treatment room and generous indoor and outdoor living spaces including a central courtyard garden with ocean-facing lawns surrounding the shimmering 27-metre swimming pool.
The resort will also offer 50 Private Homes available to own or rent, perfect for couples or families who desire a spacious haven to call home.
Cuisine
A dining destination that captivates the senses, exotic flavours are served with flair across the resort’s three restaurants, bar and beach club. Critically acclaimed Chef Andrew Walsh has elevated the art of barbecue with enticing Asian touches at Ember Beach Club, a buzzing venue with a restaurant and bar set on the golden sands overlooking two infinity pools. A beach venue unlike any other in Malaysia, Ember Beach Club is open to both resort and local guests from morning through to evening with an exciting calendar of events including outdoor movie screenings, live bands and DJs, showcases by guest mixologists and a quarterly four-hands dinner.
The resort’s signature restaurant, Hoshi, marries traditional Japanese sensibility with modern culinary techniques. Guests can enjoy the theatre-style preparation of seasonal tempura, sashimi, nigiri and maki sushi, and sip from a menu of Japanese sake and whiskies at the intimate counter seats.
Ambara embraces dishes from the Mediterranean coasts using produce from local farmers and the Chef’s Garden, in an airy and light setting for breakfast and dinner. Guests are welcomed into the open kitchen to watch chefs preparing dishes including woodfire-baked breads and grilled meats and seafood.
At Essential, located next to the spectacular 50-metre infinity pool, the diverse, vibrant flavours of Malaysia are explored with inventive local specialities. At the open-air Dusky Monkey bar, guests can enjoy a selection of creative straits-inspired bites alongside tailormade cocktails accompanied by the sounds of the surrounding jungle and ocean.
The resort Team can also create memorable private dining experiences on the beach over candlelight, or cocooned by the rainforest under the stars.
Chenot Spa
One&Only has a global partnership with Chenot, an industry-leading brand with nearly 50 years of science and practice in the field. Guests are offered the benefits of select elements of the Chenot Method, a rigorous and research-driven framework for achieving optimum health.
The Chenot Spa at the resort is built around four pillars – Sport and Physical Activities, Emotional Wellbeing, Nutrition and Aesthetics – offering a true wellness journey that extends far beyond the walls of the spa. Focusing on the ‘whole self’ by understanding the individual needs of each guest through advanced diagnostics, bespoke programmes can include tailored nutritional menus, fitness schedules, targeted spa treatments and stress-relieving activities. Treatments incorporate the best of science and ancient wisdom, and range from the Chenot Detox Body Massage to the Neuro-Acoustic Deep Relaxation Treatment, utilising neuroscience technology to induce calm in both mind and body.
A haven of serenity, the spa facilities include ten treatment rooms, a relaxation pavilion, hot-and-cold pools, steam facilities and Pedi:Mani:Cure by Bastien Gonzalez, offering renowned treatments from France’s ‘foot virtuoso’. The state-of-the-art Fitness Centre is equipped with the latest equipment from Technogym, and there is also the option to stretch and strengthen in the specialist Pilates studio, or unwind with yoga and meditation in the beachfront yoga pavilion overlooking the azure waters.
Club One and Watersports
At Club One, the resort’s hub for all things active, guests can enjoy the thrill of competitive sports like tennis, padel and basketball, or gain insight into local culture with a lesson of Silat Melayu – a traditional Malaysian martial art. Young ones can dive into an array of fun and action-packed activities at KidsOnly; whether it’s learning about the local ecosystem at the EcoLab, discovering local aquatic life at The Fisherman Hut or unleashing their artistic skills at the Creative Studio, there is something to suit every child’s interests and passions. One Tribe, a tailored programme for teens, features an art studio, bicycle riding and training lessons and sports programming.
Situated on a private beach, the resort also provides an array of exhilarating watersports, from hobie cats, to stand-up paddleboards, jet-skiing, kite surfing and more. Adults and kids can learn fundamental skills to gain a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) certification, and seasonal deep-sea sail fishing is also available from mid-August to November. Guests can blissfully while away the day in One&Only’s signature swings, suspended in the shade of jungle canopy, or on one of the daybeds overlooking the beautifully landscaped beachfront and infinity pool.
Experiences
The resort has curated an inspirational range of active and mindful pursuits for guests to discover. Guided by the resort’s Naturalist, guests can explore exotic flora and fauna in the nearby Panti Forest for a morning of birding and listening to the Gibbons’ calls. Guests can also ascend magnificent trees in the resort’s rainforest, carefully chosen by a renowned tree arborist, for a breathtaking, birds-eye view of the resort and the South China Sea. Closer to the ground, Bonfire Legends is a series of quarterly events, offering guests exclusive access to inspiring personalities and perspectives on topics ranging from astronomy to wellness or conservation, gathered around the bonfire by the beach under the stars.
Next to the resort, avid golfers can tee off in style at two championship-level golf courses at the Els Club, featuring both the Ocean Course, a 27-hole layout and the Valley Course, a further 18-holes designed by Ernie Els in collaboration with Vijay Singh. Golfers can hone their swing and game with a tailored golf class taught by an international PGA golf coach.
