Desaru Coast, among World's Greatest Places

 

“Congratulations!” to the Desaru Coast team for Desaru Coast to be named one of TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places of 2021, in the third annual edition of the list published on 20 July 2021.

Desaru Coast, designed as an integrated destination resort on the south-eastern coast of Johor, is the only destination in Malaysia to make this prestigious list this year.

 

A smooth drive to Desaru Coast
along the Senai-Desaru Expressway
across this impressive bridge

The list, that comprises 100 of the magazine’s top destinations from around the world, was compiled by TIME’s international network of correspondents as well as industry experts.

 

Desaru Coast joins this impressive list, recommended to a global audience as a beach escape that offers a coveted choice of international hotels and other draws such as world-class golf courses and cruises through the Sedili Wetlands.

 

Located in the south-eastern region of the country in the state of Johor, Desaru Coast spans over 4,000 acres along a pristine 17 km beachfront that faces eastwards over the clear ocean waters.

The iconic Mandala Guitar in the fore court
of Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast

Desaru Coast is curated as a premium destination resort in Malaysia with a portfolio of globally renowned hotels and resorts that include Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas and One&Only Desaru Coast.

 

The destination is also home to Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast - one of the world’s biggest waterparks, Desaru Coast Conference Centre - a fully equipped conference facility, The Els Club Desaru Coast – 45 holes of golf in total with two distinct clubs, Ocean Course and Valley Course, and Desaru Coast Riverside – a 23-acre water-front landscaped retail and lifestyle village.

 

A collection of Hard Rock pins

This integrated resort provides an indulgent getaway for the discerning leisure and business traveller alike. Set amid a rich bio-diverse location, this destination is easily accessible by road, air and sea.

 

The magazine also highlighted that the imminent opening of the Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal will offer increased transit options for Singapore and Indonesia.

 

Poolside view at The Westin Desaru Coast

"We are honoured to be globally recognised by such a renowned publication and we are proud to fly the flag for both Johor and Malaysia.

 

This is an outstanding achievement for a team only two years in operations, and after what has been and continues to be a challenging time for the industry.

 

With this notable feather in our cap, we look forward to welcoming guests from all over the world once travel resumes," said Desaru Coast Destination Resort Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Roslina Arbak.

 

A big splash for wet and wonderful fun at
the Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast

Since the 1970s, Desaru had been our family favourite even when travel time to this resort destination was some two hours of drive via Kota Tinggi from Johor Baru.

 

With drive time reduced to just 45 minutes to an hour’s smooth drive on the Senai-Desaru Expressway, Desaru Coast is now much more accessible.

 

I know this proud achievement in being counted among TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places of 2021, is indeed very special to my friends in Desaru Coast.

 

The swimming pools at Anantara Desaru
Coast Resort & Villas

This is because I had the privilege of being part of the development – and contributed in some small way – as I witnessed it developing and transforming, step-by-step into an international resort destination, until its official opening celebration in the Ombak Festival.

 

This grand opening by the Johor Sultan culminated with a charity-dinner concert dubbed, A Night with the Legends, that featured local music celebrities.

 

I also had the opportunity to be part of the official opening event for the iconic Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast and enjoyed conducting an interview with legendary Malaysian rockstar, Amy, who was the featured artiste in the event’s live show.

 

Roslina Arbak, Desaru Coast Destination Resort
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

It was also fun to witness the presentation of Rockstar memorabilia by a number of local celebrities from Jamal Abdillah, Ramli Sarip, Kathijah Ibrahim, Francissca Peters, Amy to Yuna, and joining their unique Hard Rock pin collectors’ events.

 

When Desaru Coast hosted a Gourmet Series that featured the culinary creativity of various celebrity chefs, I had the pleasure to dine on their specially curated menus.

 

I also had splashing good fun at the Splash Fest hosted by the Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast and reviewing the delightful Ramadan buffet spreads presented by The Els Club Desaru Coast and Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas.

 

It was my pleasure to meet Yuna at
Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, with
 Grace Chiam and Florence Liew

Already familiar with the destination and its many attractions, I did not hesitate to contribute, Welcome to Desaru Coast, to the Tourism Johor website in late 2020.

 

Then in December 2020, a friend who enjoyed a staycation at the One&Only Desaru Coast, told me that she saw my bestseller, My Johor Stories: True Tales, Real People, Rich Heritage, in their luxurious hotel suite, provided for the guests’ reading pleasure.

 

On 15 July 2021, when this book celebrated the fourth anniversary of its launch, another friend sent me his best wishes and told me that he read my book when he stayed with the One&Only Desaru Coast.

 

My bestseller, My Johor Stories: True Tales,
Real People, Rich Heritage, in the
One&Only Desaru Coast for guests to read

Not only did he pay high compliments for my stories, he even confessed jokingly that he wanted to steal the book from the hotel… (But he did not! I told him to get his own copy from MPH bookstores or online from www.mphonline.com)

 

It was my privilege to work in partnership with Desaru Coast over the years and I share your pride and joy in being named among TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places in 2021.

 

Once again, “Congratulations!” to the hardworking team at Desaru Coast. Well done!

 

To view TIME’s full list of the World’s Greatest Places of 2021, please visit https://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places-2021/