Best Luxury Villas in Desaru | WeekendGoWhere Singapore

Best Luxury Villas in Desaru

  wgw     2025-12-22

Best Luxury Villas in Desaru

The Best Luxury Villas in Desaru are clustered around Desaru Coast—top picks include the private-pool villas at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, the new Mandarin Oriental (formerly One&Only) villas, Tunamaya Beach Resort’s beachfront villas, plus high-end resort residences at The Westin and Four Points by Sheraton Desaru for larger groups. These properties offer private plunge pools, butler or villa services and direct beach access — ideal for a luxury weekend from Singapore.

Best Luxury Villas in Desaru: quick picks

  • Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas — Lagoon and beachfront pool villas with private plunge pools and dedicated butler service. Best for families wanting space and privacy.
  • Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast — (new operator after One&Only) sea-view suites and villas with private pools and top-tier luxury service. Best for honeymooners and ultra-luxury seekers.
  • Tunamaya Beach Resort — beachfront villas and family-friendly villas with easy beach access. Great value for groups who want villa privacy plus resort facilities.
  • The Westin Desaru Coast — resort residences and larger villas; resort-style amenities and wellness focus. Ideal for wellness and golf breaks.
  • Four Points by Sheraton Desaru — practical for groups seeking modern villa-style suites near the action and attractions of Desaru Coast.

Why choose a villa in Desaru?

  • Private pool/plunge pool for exclusive swimming and sunbathing.
  • More space: separate living and dining areas, multiple bedrooms — great for families and groups.
  • Villa services: private chef options, butlers, in-villa dining and tailored experiences.
  • Direct beach access or garden privacy while still close to Desaru activities (waterpark, golf, dining).

Compare: villas at a glance

  • Privacy: Anantara & Mandarin Oriental > Tunamaya > The Westin > Four Points.
  • Best for families: Anantara (2–4 bedroom residences), Tunamaya (family-friendly layouts).
  • Best for couples/romance: Mandarin Oriental, Anantara beachfront residences.
  • Value for money: Tunamaya & Four Points.

Sample nightly price ranges (estimate in SGD)

  • Anantara lagoon or beach residence (2–4 bed) — expect from S$700 to S$2,500+ per night depending on season and size.
  • Mandarin Oriental / former One&Only-style villas — premium tier: S$900 to S$3,000+ per night for large beachfront villas (varies with launch offers).
  • Tunamaya beachfront villa — S$350 to S$1,000+ per night.
  • The Westin & Four Points residences — S$250 to S$800+ per night depending on room type and promos.

Note: prices fluctuate with season, public holidays and promotions. Book early for school holidays and long weekends.

How to get to Desaru from Singapore — step-by-step (fastest & easiest)

  1. Drive or coach to the Singapore Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (for the direct ferry) or drive across the border into Johor and continue by car — choose based on comfort and time.
  2. Take the direct ferry (Tanah Merah → Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal) — journey ~90 minutes. There is usually one main morning departure from Singapore with an evening return; service days and exact times vary by operator and season so always check the ferry operator’s timetable before booking.
  3. Arrive at Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal — free or timed shuttle buses connect to major hotels in Desaru Coast (short transfer ~10–30 minutes depending on landing point).
  4. Clear Malaysian immigration on arrival — ensure passport validity (six months recommended). For most Singapore passport holders, no visa is required for short visits to Malaysia.

Best Luxury Villas in Desaru — who they suit

  • Families with kids: Anantara residences (space + kid-friendly activities).
  • Couples & honeymooners: Mandarin Oriental villas and beachfront Anantara residences.
  • Groups & friends: Tunamaya large villas or Westin residences for shared living.
  • Wellness & golf lovers: The Westin (spa and golf access).

3 sample itineraries (2D1N & 3D2N)

2D1N romantic villa escape (couples)

  • Day 1 (AM): Ferry from Tanah Merah (book morning sailing). Check-in + villa welcome amenities.
  • Day 1 (PM): Private beach walk, in-villa massage, candlelight dinner arranged by villa chef.
  • Day 2: Sunrise beach yoga, buffet breakfast, late checkout (if available) and return ferry in late afternoon.
  • Estimated cost per couple: S$600–S$2,000 (villa + ferry + meals), depending on villa choice.

3D2N family villa stay

  • Day 1: Arrive by ferry/car, check in at Anantara villa. Afternoon at the kids’ club and lagoon pool.
  • Day 2: Desaru Adventure Waterpark or golf for adults; in-villa BBQ dinner in evening.
  • Day 3: Relaxed morning, beach time, check out and ferry home.
  • Estimated cost for family of 4: S$1,100–S$3,500 for villa + ferry + activities.

Booking: packages & recommended links

To compare prices and grab deals, check the resort packages below (direct package links):

Want to compare Desaru vs nearby islands or look for ferry + hotel combos? See these related guides:

If you’re also considering nearby Indonesian island escapes, check these starter guides:

Practical travel tips (for travellers from Singapore)

  • Passport & visa: Singapore passport holders do not need a visa for short visits to Malaysia; passport should have at least six months’ validity recommended.
  • Ferry schedule: There is usually a daily morning departure from Tanah Merah to Desaru with an evening return; days and times can change by season—book in advance and reconfirm the sailing time for your travel date.
  • Transfers: Some ferries arrive at Tanjung Pengelih when sea conditions require diversion — operators provide shuttle transfers; allow extra transfer time in your schedule during monsoon months.
  • Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). Cards are widely accepted at resorts, but carry small notes for local purchases and tipping.
  • Peak season: Malaysian school holidays and Singapore public holidays raise prices — book early.

Packing list for a villa stay

  • Light beachwear, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, hat
  • Insect repellent (evenings near vegetation)
  • Portable speaker, chargers, power bank
  • Copies of booking confirmations and ferry tickets (printed or on phone)

FAQ — fast answers

Is there a direct ferry from Singapore to Desaru?

Yes. A direct ferry service runs from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (Singapore) to Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal. Travel time is roughly 90 minutes. Sailing days and times vary; check the operator’s published timetable before you travel.

How much does the ferry cost?

Typical fares are around S$70 one-way and S$108 return, but prices change with promotions and peak dates. Book early to secure seats on the single daily departure if that is the schedule on your travel date.

Do I need a visa to visit Desaru?

Most Singapore passport holders do not need a visa for short leisure visits to Malaysia. Always confirm entry rules for your nationality and check passport validity requirements before departure.

Are villas at these resorts family-friendly?

Yes. Resorts like Anantara and Tunamaya design villas and residences for families, offering kid-friendly facilities and activities.

When is the best time to visit Desaru?

Desaru is pleasant year-round. Avoid the roughest part of the north-east monsoon (typically Nov–Feb) if you want consistent calm seas for ferries and boating; shoulder seasons often offer quieter resorts and good deals.

Final tips for a smooth villa booking

  • Contact the resort directly to request villa location, pool size and any extra services (chef, early check-in, late checkout).
  • Ask about shuttle timings from the ferry terminal if you arrive by ferry — some hotels provide scheduled shuttles.
  • Request pre-stocked groceries or private dining if you plan to dine mostly in-villa.

Ready to compare rates and book your luxury villa? Start with the official packages above (Tunamaya, Hard Rock, Four Points, The Westin) and message the travel team for personalised help.

👉 Check our latest Desaru packages and WhatsApp us to book now.