Mandarin Oriental Desaru Coast opens, marking third identity for Johor resort

The Mandarin Oriental Desaru Coast has opened its doors, marking the third identity for a resort on Johor's southeastern coast. Previously a One&Only and then The Sireya, the property now enters a new chapter under the Mandarin Oriental brand, its first in Southeast Asia.

Located on 128 acres of rainforest overlooking the South China Sea, the resort aims to offer a tranquil escape. Reaching it from Singapore involves a two-hour drive or a 90-minute ferry ride, with the journey through palm oil plantations providing a restorative contrast to the urban landscape.

The resort's architecture, designed by the late Kerry Hill, emphasizes a harmonious integration with the tropical environment. The existing structures, characterized by low-slung rectilinear volumes, are arranged as a series of salas. Each villa is designed to capture sea breezes and morning light, offering views of either the jungle or the ocean.

While Mandarin Oriental plans extensive renovations through 2028, the core architectural elements by Hill, known for his sleek tropical modernist resorts, remain. The property's secluded location at one end of Desaru's coastal strip, distinct from clusters of other resorts, suggests a focus on a more exclusive guest experience.