As Malaysia re-opens, the new One&Only resort is the ultimate Haven to Discover
With the opportunity for international travellers to visit Malaysia once again, high on the agenda for those seeking a tropical retreat immersed in nature, with vibrant culture and inspiring cuisine, is a visit to One&Only Desaru Coast, the first outpost in Asia from the ultra-luxury collection of One&Only Resorts.
Positioned on the south-eastern shoreline of Malaysia between lush rainforests and the South China Sea, One&Only Desaru Coast is a magical hideaway, set within 128 acres of unspoilt wild flora and a pristine 1.5 kilometre stretch of private white sand beaches. Opened in 2020 and designed by the award-winning Australian firm Kerry Hill Architects, the resort is an architectural gem, a modern interpretation of the traditional Malaysian ‘kampung’ or village. Every suite is perfectly framed by nature, either overlooking the stunning ocean or wrapped by rainforests. An idyllic retreat from city life that is easily accessible by car from Singapore or short internal flight from Kuala Lumpur, One&Only Desaru Coast is the ultimate ultra-luxury tropical escape, with leading wellness programmes by Chenot, destination-defining cuisine and curated experiences that celebrate the destination.
WORLD-CLASS EXPERIENCES IN TROPICAL PARADISE
One&Only Desaru Coast has an abundance of active and mindful pursuits, the perfect antidote to the pressures of everyday life. Guided by the resort’s Naturalist, guests can explore the exotic flora and fauna of the nearby Panti Forest with a dawn trip to the reserve for birdwatching or to hear the Gibbons’ calls, or discover a breath-taking, birds-eye view, scaling the trees in a journey designed by a renowned arborist. 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, with conversations shared around the bonfire by the beach and under the stars. Guests can also experience the ancient Malaysian martial art, Silat Melayu, shrouded in local folklore, it is a physical and mindful work out.
Next to the resort, avid golfers can tee off in style at two championship-level golf courses at The Els Club, featuring 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 hosted by an international PGA golf coach, or embark on a holistic retreat with the resort’s new Par & Spa package, inclusive of unlimited golf at The Els Club and Chenot’s signature golf spa programme, tailored to support golfers’ body posture and balance, release tension and enhance post-recovery, optimising performance.
The resort’s KidsOnly Programme offers a wealth of activities to keep children truly entertained throughout their stay, from sport to cultural and cooking endeavours. At The EcoLab, kids will learn about the local ecosystem, and discover a mysterious microscopic world of flora and fauna. Two newly introduced activities for children are designed to inspire a sense of wonder at the natural world; the Young Gardener programme is led by the resort’s Resident Naturalist, and offers the opportunity for children to grow and nurture their own seedlings, while Nature Detective is a fun, engaging activity where children can discover and learn more about the secrets of their exotic surroundings. These epic adventures enable young ones to immerse themselves in nature; understanding, appreciating and discovering the wonders of the rainforest while getting to know more about native flora, fauna, insects and butterflies, and how to protect them.
PIONEERING WELLNESS
Guests who wish to improve their vitality and performance can visit the Chenot Spa, recently awarded the World’s Best New Resort Spa by World Spa Awards, and experience a revolutionary scientific and holistic approach to health and wellness. One&Only has established a global partnership with Chenot, an industry leading brand with nearly 50 years of science and practice in the field. Offering guests the benefits of select elements of the Chenot Method, a rigorous and research-driven framework for achieving optimum health, the Chenot Spa at One&Only Desaru Coast is built around four pillars – Sport & 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 for 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, stretching and strengthening in the specialist Pilates studio, or unwinding with yoga and meditation in the beachfront yoga pavilion overlooking the azure waters.
UNRIVALLED GASTRONOMY
The resort is a dining destination that captivates the senses, serving exotic flavours with flair across One&Only Desaru Coast’s three restaurants, dynamic bar and beach club. Michelin-starred 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 the perfect place to enjoy morning to evening with an eclectic roster of events including outdoor movie screenings, live bands and DJs, showcases by guest mixologists and a quarterly four-hands dinner.
One&Only Desaru Coast’s signature restaurant, Hoshi, combines Japanese sensibility with modern culinary techniques, serving exquisite omakase menus with the season’s freshest and finest ingredients. Ambara is an ode to field-to-fork dining, capturing the hearty flavours of Malaysia and the Mediterranean, using produce from local farmers and the Chef’s Garden. Guests are welcomed into the open kitchen to watch chefs preparing dishes including woodfire-baked breads and grilled meats and seafood. The diverse, vibrant flavours of Malaysia are explored with inventive local specialities at Essential, located next to the spectacular 56-metre infinity pool. The open-air Dusky Monkey bar is where guests can enjoy a selection of creative bites alongside bespoke cocktails, surrounded by the soothing combination of the vast jungle and ocean. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit: oneandonlyresorts.com/desaru-coast
