By Priya Mehrotra · South & Southeast Asia Property Editor
Desaru Coast — a 17-km stretch of beach on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, 100 km east of Singapore — has emerged as Malaysia's most significant resort development in a generation. Positioned as the luxury alternative to Bintan (Indonesia) for Singapore's weekend leisure market, Desaru Coast has attracted investments from Hard Rock, Westin, and One&Only — the latter being the premium anchor of the master development's hotel portfolio.
Developer: Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels (TARAS) and One&Only
The Desaru Coast master development is a project of Khazanah Nasional (Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund) through its subsidiary TARAS. Khazanah's involvement provides sovereign-level financial backing — an exceptional guarantee for a destination-scale resort development. One&Only Resorts (owned by Kerzner International) was selected as the premium hotel operator and has co-developed the branded residences alongside the hotel.
One&Only's track record — from Palm Jumeirah to Cape Town's V&A Waterfront to the Maldives — demonstrates consistent delivery of the luxury brand's product standard. The Desaru property, which opened in 2022, was the brand's first foray into Malaysia and immediately achieved recognition in multiple "best new hotels" lists.
Unit Types and Pricing
- Garden Villas (2–3 bed) — From MYR 3.2 million (~$680,000), within walking distance of the hotel beach club.
- Beachfront Villas (3–4 bed) — MYR 5.5–9.8 million (~$1.2–$2.1 million) on the primary beach frontage.
- Estate Residences (4–5 bed) — MYR 12–22 million (~$2.6–$4.8 million) with private beach sections and butler services.
Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H): Malaysia's residence programme — which allows foreign nationals to obtain a 10-year renewable residence visa — is a significant consideration for Desaru buyers. The MM2H programme requires proof of liquid assets and monthly income but does not mandate a property purchase. Desaru's proximity to Singapore makes it particularly attractive for Singapore-based buyers seeking a Malaysian weekend/holiday base without the immigration limitations of Sentosa Cove.
Amenities and Destination Appeal
One&Only Desaru Coast offers its signature treatment programme — each One&Only has a bespoke experience concept — built around the Malay Peninsula's forest and marine heritage. The hotel's 17 km of beach frontage, marine wildlife programmes (Desaru Coast's waters host sea turtles), an 18-hole golf course, and a kids' club managed to the One&Only standard give families an unusually complete resort experience.
Access from Singapore is dramatically simple: 60 minutes by car via the Causeway to Johor Bahru and then 90 minutes east on the coastal highway, or 45 minutes by speedboat direct from Singapore's Marina South terminal. Changi Airport — the world's most consistently ranked airport — is effectively Desaru Coast's primary aviation gateway, with 100+ international routes within 30 minutes of the boat terminal.
Verdict: The most significant branded residence launch in Malaysia in a decade. Khazanah's sovereign backing, One&Only's brand credibility, and Singapore's proximity create a compelling investment thesis. Early-phase buyers benefit from below-completion pricing.