Hotel Review: The Westin Desaru Coast Resort

Desaru Coast Malaysia is fast becoming one of Malaysia's top holiday destinations, and the opening of The Westin Desaru Coast Resort earlier this year is set to bring wellness and relaxation to guests on their travels. Furthermore, the development also feature a water theme park, two world-class golf courses and an exhibition/conference center.

Westin Hotels & Resorts has been the global leader in wellness for more than a decade, empowering guests to transcend the rigors of travel while on the road through the brand’s Six Pillars of Well-being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well. 

Located on the southern tip of peninsular Malaysia, bordering the shimmering South China Sea, the premium Westin Desaru Coast Resort is the third Westin-branded hotel in Malaysia. Boasting 275 rooms and suites, with either garden or sea view, the hotel's interior incorporates elements of the sea throughout, from the wave-like ceiling rippling over the lobby area and spacious balconies and terraces with breathtaking views of ocean.

Hotel lobby

Instead of going abroad this year for our summer (school) holidays, we embarked on a Cuti-Cuti Malaysia trip, with our family adventure starting off at Desaru Coast. Upon arrival at The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, the kids were presented with cold towels, welcome drinks, ice lollies as well as goodie bags with a Westin Family Travel Journal and Activity Guide. They sure know how to make us feel welcomed! :)

We stayed in the Premier Seaview Twin Room, a luxuriously appointed, spacious room (42 sqm) featuring the iconic award-winning Westin Heavenly® bed, plus extras such as the Lavender Balm to help you wind down naturally and SLEEP WELL. Our room comes with a balcony (with double locking system), with a stunning view of the pool as well as the South China Sea. It is also the perfect spot for watching the sunrise in the mornings. 

Sunrise worth waking up early for

In the room, you will also find 55" LED TV, work desk, and high-speed internet access. There is also coffee/tea making facilities, including a stainless steel French press with premium blended coffee, JING tea and freshly squeezed juice waiting for us in the minibar upon arrival, as part of Westin's LIVE WELL program.

For the Heavenly Bath experience, the bathroom comes with a bathtub for that indulgent soak, separate shower and toilet as well as signature White Tea Aloe bath amenities, plush robes and extra large bath sheets. 

One of our favourite parts of the resort was the white, sandy Desaru Beach fronting the hotel. A short 2-minute walk from the lobby, the beach proved to be pristine and breezy during our fun-filled stay. We spent hours here; the kids enjoyed frolicking in the warm sea and sand, while the waves crashed against their sun-kissed bodies. The hotel provides lounge chairs as well as complimentary cold water for guests to simply relax. 

Dusk at Desaru Beach

You can build sandcastles or play in the sand

Enjoy the warm sea and crashing waves

Simple joys in life

Mummy gets to relax while keeping a watchful eye over the kids

Or play a game of beach volleyball or soccer

There is also a beautifully landscaped swimming pool and kids pool overlooking the lush garden. This family-friendly resort in Desaru also houses the Westin Kids Club® for children aged 4 to 12 years old. This bright and cheerful space offers fun and educational activities such as decorating kuda kepang, batik painting, paper craft, board games. giant origami and balloon making. The Westin Kids Club is open daily from 9am to 6pm.

For those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation, check out the Heavenly Spa by Westin™ featuring their signature Heavenly Spa Massage treatment and hydrothermal pools.Guests can also keep up with their active lifestyle at the WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio that opens 24/7 or even participate in the RunWESTIN programme, led by the Run Concierge team, run like a local and taking a curated route along the Desaru Coast development. 

Breakfast is served daily from 7am to 11am at their all-day dining restaurant, Seasonal Tastes, whereby guests can find various healthy and nutritious offerings, in line with their EAT WELL program. Guests can choose to either dine in the air-conditioned area or al fresco dining area with a view of the pool. We fully embraced the resort life and dined al fresco, indulging in both their local and International specialties such as nasi lemak, laksa, eggs, croissants, freshly made pancakes and fresh juices.

Prego, the hotel's signature Italian restaurant with its lively, colorful decor will bring your tastebuds on a journey through Italy, with its delicious offerings of homemade pastas, stone-fired pizzas and freshest seafood. Helming the kitchen here is Chef Massimiliano Ascione, better known as Chef Massi who hails from Abruzzo in Southern Italy. Highlights of our meal here include the Salt-crusted seabass, Spaghetti Carbonara and Tiramisu. The restaurant is open daily for dinner (except Mondays) from 6pm to 11pm.

Guests can also check out The Beach Bar, located right on Desaru Beach with a panoramic view of the sea, serving seafood barbecue and light healthy cuisine, complemented by an extensive selection of wines and cold beverages. The cosy MIX Lounge is the perfect spot to unwind at the end of the day, with a cup of freshly-brewed coffee or tea or a refreshingly cold drink and at the poolside, guests will find Splash, the hotel’s pool bar.  

Lounge area for kids at lobby, with board games, cartoons and soft toys

Enjoying a game of foosball after breakfast

The Westin Desaru Coast Resort is the ideal resort for a fun-filled family staycation, as it is within a development which features family-friendly attractions such as the Adventure Waterpark and The Els Club Desaru Coast. You can catch the complimentary shuttle service to these locations from the hotel. 

Set against the backdrop of a traditional Malaysian fishing village, Adventure Waterpark is home to over 20 rides, slides and attractions, including the first-ever water coaster in the region and one of the biggest wave pools in the world. Read our full review here.

The Els Club Desaru Coast, which consists of the Valley and Ocean course is a 45-hole golfing paradise with breathtaking backdrops of rolling valleys or the glittering South China Sea. Check out our detailed review here.

The Westin Desaru Coast Resort is accessible via expressway, about four hours drive from Kuala Lumpur. Johor’s Senai International airport is less than an hour drive away from Desaru while Singapore’s Changi International Airport is a pleasant two hours drive away from the resort.

Til we meet again! Thanks to The Westin Desaru Coat Resort for an amazing stay!

Westin Desaru review Westin Desaru review Westin Desaru review Westin Desaru review Westin Desaru review Westin Desaru review Westin Desaru review Westin Desaru review Westin Desaru 
For more information, please visit www.westindesaru.com or call +6 07 838 3333.

Check-in time 3pm, check-out time 12pm. Room rates start from RM599 for a Deluxe Room; rates include breakfast for two persons and guests will also be entitled to a complimentary upgrade to a Preview Sea View room.

Click here to check out their latest promotions.


Location: The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Jalan Pantai 3, Desaru Coast, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor Darul Ta'zim. (Complimentary on-site parking for hotel guests)

Tel: 07-838 3333

Website: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/jhbwi-the-westin-desaru-coast-resort/


If you enjoyed reading my posts, LIKE me on Facebook! You can also follow me on Instagram (@babysumo) for more photo updates or subscribe to our YouTube channel. Thanks :)