7 Reasons to Visit Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort & Spa, Johor

Greetings from the sunny sands of one of Malaysia's pristine East Coast beaches!

Approaching year end, most of the islands in Malaysia are already closed due to the monsoon season, but fret not, Desaru is an all-year-round ideal beach holiday destination in Johor that you can consider for romantic getaways, family vacations and corporate trips.

This is my third time visiting Desaru and the reason I keep coming back is because it is easily accessible from KL and the price is reasonable for a beach getaway.

How to get to Desaru:

❤ By car: 3.5 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur

❤ By air: 50 minutes flight from Kuala Lumpur + 45 minutes drive from Senai Airport

     *Airport transfer is available (Pickup/ drop off from Senai Airport) upon booking.

❤ By ferry: 30 minutes from Singapore + 1 hour drive to the resort

Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort & Spa is an up-and-coming resort in en the overall good ratings. So I thought, it’s time for me to experience Sand and Sandals myself.

From the quirky name itself, I can tell that Sand and Sandals is a contemporary casual, laid back resort where I can truly leave the stress behind and immerse myself into a relaxing resort life. It mainly features a long stretch of fine sandy beach and panoramic view of South China Sea, but of course there are more things to explore here. 

Here are the 7 main reasons you’d enjoy your vacation in Sand & Sandals:

1. Romantic Couple Room with In-room Pool

2. Private Quiet Beach

3. Romantic Spa Experience

4. Large Kid-friendly Tropical Pool

5. Plenty of Dining Options

6. Outdoor Activities

7. Nearby Local Attractions

.....Now let's check out the reasons one by one!

1. Romantic Couple Room with In-room Pool

Sand and Sandals heard you, lovebirds! There are 9 types of room amounting to 208 units available in total, but my favourite is the Romantic Deluxe Room with Private Pool. What's better than enjoying a swim with your soul mate at your private space? A cheaper alternative would be the Couple Suite, a duplex room with interesting bar counter overlooking the beach. 

Duplex Couple Suite

Premium Deluxe with Private Garden

The one I stay is a Premium Deluxe Room located right next to the pool. The room amenities are very complete but the Wi-Fi network strength is a little lacking. On the bright side, we can stay disconnected and enjoy some personal time on the swing and in the bathtub at our private garden.

The interior of our room is pretty spacious :) 

If you are travelling with family, you should opt for the Family Suite; I am sure your kids will love it!

2. Private Quiet Beach

Another thing I like here is the beach where I can sit here for hours enjoying the smell of the warm sea breeze while being serenaded by the sound of the crashing waves and soft sand. Seriously, nothing could be better in calming the soul than those salty kisses from the sand, sea and sun.

Adventurous souls can try the water sports activities here such as:

❤ Jet Ski

❤ Canoeing

❤ Banana Boat

❤ Deep Sea Fishing

Unfortunately, luck is not on my side during my visit. These weather-dependent activities are unavailable due to the heavy rain / monsoon season during year end.

3. Romantic Spa Experience

When the rainy weather does not allow us to go to the beach, we treat ourselves with a luxurious outdoor spa exceptionally designed for couples at the Senses Spa by Sand & Sandals.

Senses Spa

Operating Hours: 10am - 10pm daily

Foot reflexology and lounge at the garden area

Luxury Outdoor Spa Pavilion

To complete the lovey dovey experience, you must not miss this! We are delighted to have one whole luxury outdoor spa pavilion to ourselves, which contains a bathtub made of love shape, an open-air shower made of bamboo, two comfort treatment beds and foot soak stations.

Our 90-minute treatment begins with a quick foot soak, followed by Sands Signature Massage and lastly a Milk Bath. To my surprise, my first outdoor spa experience turns out to be extra comfortable and satisfying amidst the tranquil atmosphere. Love how the overall experience of refreshing our souls at a natural space reserved only for the both of us!

Sorry, no photos taken during the Sands Signature Massage session. It is totally a therapeutic session that deeply soothes our body, carrying away the stress as well as easing digestive disorder and headache too.

Milk Bath helps soothe and smooth the skin after scrubbing and massaging :)

Finally, a quick shower at the bamboo shower area. Interesting right?

Before we leave our spa pavilion, the staff has prepared for us

a pot of post-treatment ginger tea to warm the body.

4. Plenty of Dining Options

Surprise comes one after another! It is rare to see so many dining establishments within a resort serving us from day till night. While our breakfast (buffet) is already included in the room package, we are spoilt with choices for lunch and dinner, ranging from authentic Thai, Japanese and Chinese cuisine to modern Western delights; all located within walking distance from our room.

[Modern Chinese Cuisine] Fortune Kitchen

Daily Operating Hours: 11am - 3pm | 6pm - 10.30pm

Recommended: Crispy Avocado Roll, Herbal Soup in Teapot

[Thai Street Food] Snuk Thai Street BBQ

Daily Operating Hours: 11am - 3pm | 6pm - 10pm

Recommended: Thai Seafood Otak-Otak, Fried Chicken Soft Bone

[Asian/International Cuisine] Spices & Herbs

Daily Operating Hours: 11am - 11pm

Recommended: Thali (Assorted Indian food in a platter) and Crispy Chicken Chop with Black Pepper Sauce

*In-room dining menu is from this restaurant

[Japanese Cuisine] Shiokaze Teppan

Daily Operating Hours: 11am – 3pm | 6pm – 10pm

Recommended: Bento (We didn't manage to try any, shall leave it for the next visit!)

[Cafe] The Cafe

Daily Operating Hours: 10am – 9pm

Recommended: Specialty cakes and coffee

The night life here is pretty easygoing. I personally love chilling at the beach bar, The Sunken Bar with my cocktail and beer while being serenaded by the live band performances which keep me glued to the seat till midnight.

The Sunken Bar

Daily Operating Hours: 11am - 12am

Recommended: Drink by the Pool

Beach Hut Bistro

Daily Operating Hours: 11am - 11pm

Recommended: Pizza

But if you prefer somewhere quieter for chitchatting, chilling at the next-door Beach Hut Bistro
with some drinks and pizza can be an equally relaxing and enjoyable experience.

5. Large Kid-friendly Tropical Pool

Opening Hours: 7am – 7pm

Another reason you'll love Sand and Sandals is because of its family-friendly sparkling blue water pool amidst the lush garden landscape. Look at the designated zone for your kids, I'm sure they'd love it!

Gym on the Pool

Opening Hours: 7am – 11pm

What's better here is the gym standing on the pool, overlooking the breathtaking view of the South China Sea. Fully equipped and air-conditioned, this gym is probably the coolest one I have ever been in a resort!

6. Fun Outdoor Activities

The beach resort life here wouldn't be boring for the adventure goers as Sand and Sandals offers a wide variety of outdoor activities such as ATV Ride, Paintball, Tele-match and Bonfire. I personally like the fun and challenging ATV experience (20 minutes @ RM100) here especially when riding along the bumpy and muddy 1.5km-long route.

No worries if it rains, there are plenty of indoor activities to explore here including Arcade Games, Kids Craft Activities, Mahjong, Pool and Billiards.

7. Various Nearby Local Attractions

Well, since we are in Desaru, why not follow the Sand and Sandals’ tours / excursions to explore and experience the local life in Desaru? The resort shuttle can bring us for:

❤ Fireflies Experience Tour

❤ River Cruise Tour

❤ River Fishing Trip

❤ Sunset Cruising

❤ Fruit Farm Tour

❤ Els Club Golf Session (5 minutes' drive)

Look at the amount of fruits we can enjoy during our trip to the Fruit Farm!

I have been to the Fruit Farm Tour, Els Club Golf and Desaru Ostrich Farm during my previous trip to Desaru. Feel free to check out the 5 must-visit places in Desaru: HERE.

Els Club Golf, the championship golf course designed by Ernie Els and Vijay Singh
offering 27-hole and 18-hole is only 5 minutes drive from the resort.

You can book your trip / excursion at the Game On counter.

Operating Hours: 7am - 8pm daily

8. Bonus Point!

If you feel that all the activities in my previous points are just too energy-draining for you, then don't do anything and just C-H-I-L-L at the resort! Well, doing nothing is the best way to enjoy my getaway in such a relaxing resort.

Verdict

1. Overall, Sand and Sandals is an ideal romantic getaway for couples to enjoy some peaceful time away from the city.

2. My favourite experience here is the couple spa pampering session which I think you shouldn't miss! Also, thumbs up to the top-notch service / hospitality -- the staff are really helpful and courteous -- throughout the trip.

3. If I were to have any complaints at all, it would be the undesirable weather during the end-of-year monsoon season that limits most of our outdoor activities.

Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort & Spa

Lot 2263, Jalan Desaru,

81930 Bandar Penawar,

Johor.

Contact: +607-822 2222

Email: enquiry@sandandsandals.com

Website: www.sandandsandals.com

Facebook: fb.com/sandandsandals

Instagram: @sandnsandals

Introducing the Jewel of Malaysia — Johor Bahru

Known as the Jewel of Malaysia, Johor Bahru takes the rank of being the second most densely populated city right after Kuala Lumpur. It is the state capital of Johor and lies just across the Causeway from Singapore. While some many argue that the city has very few attractions to offer to passing-by travelers, it is simply not true!

Being the hub of manufacturing and regional transport, Johor Bahru offers many things to do and see in a single day. And the best part is that traveling to Johor is easy from Singapore due to fantastic bus connectivity. Taking bus from Singapore to Johor is relatively easy when you can either board the bus directly at the bus terminal or book your ticket online via sites like Easybook.

How to reach Johor Bahru from Singapore?

Johor is Malaysia’s closest city to Singapore that sees thousands of commuters traveling between both the countries via the Causeway Link. Even though one may take a train or a ferry, the most popular form of transport are the buses, which the traveler may avail from either the Larkin bus terminal on the Kota Raya Bus Terminal/CIQ.

Facilities for online booking are also available to make things easier for the travelers who may prefer booking in advance. All the buses are highly comfortable express vehicles that charge very nominal rates for tickets. Once you experience the convenience of going to and fro Johor by a bus, you won’t want to avail any other form of transport.

Places to see in Johor Bahru

Apart from numerous options for entertainment and shopping centers, the city plays host to various natural attractions like Tioman Island, Endau Rompin National Park, and Kukup. Due to the city’s proximity to Singapore, it sees a steady influx of Singaporean tourists throughout the year. Tourism is also responsible for rapid growth of the economy.

Once you are tired of shopping and dining, you may either retire to the hotel to relax, or engage in a myriad of cultural activities located within the city. Some of the best places you can visit here are the following:

1. Legoland Malaysia: This is perhaps the best place to have fun with the kids as Legoland Malaysia offers a variety of fun-filled activities. Even though the park does not have extreme rides, adults who are a fan of Lego will enjoy the variety of sights and sounds this place has to offer. From exciting exhibits to thrilling roller coasters, this theme park has it all!

2. Sultan Abu Bakar mosque: For those with an unquenchable knack for culture, the Sultan Abu Bakr mosque will be a great place to visit. The historical monument is very large and spacious, well-guided tours are available to learn about the heritage and history of the Sultan of Johor. See the works of Islamic architecture at its finest and seek blessings in this place of worship.

3. Kuso Art Gallery: If you’re an admirer of magic shows and perception-bending works of art, dropping by the Kuso Trick Art Gallery would be an excellent way to spend an evening in Johor Bahru. The kids love this place as it is full of illusion and 3D drawings, fun-filled activities, and photo opportunities led by the helpful and friendly staff.

4. Pulai Waterfall: Looking for a quick day trip to refresh and your senses? Head over to Pulai Waterfall to enjoy its breathtaking view and even go on hiking in the surrounding areas. The hiking route will take you approximately 3 to 3.5 hours to complete, and in the meantime, you can enjoy the local scenery or have a picnic with your companions.

5. Chinese Heritage Museum: This little three-storey museum welcomes you to learn about the ancient cultures and customs of the Chinese immigrants in Malaysia. This beautiful location will also teach you a lot of things about Johor Bahru’s history and various events that shaped the city to be what it is today. This beautiful museum is worth a visit.

Make the most of your time!

Of course the list can go on and on and most probably you will not get tired of visiting Johor Bahru. While Johor Bahru is certainly not a “touristy” destination in any sense of the word, you can make the most out of your time here on or from your way to Singapore. The city will give you a glimpse into a rather chaotic lifestyle, which is rather in stark contrast to the organized lifestyle of Singaporeans.  Come and experience the Jewel of Malaysia like you’ve never done before.

Hello Kitty House in Nusajaya, Johor

Welcome to my house! Opps...I mean Hello Kitty's home.

Following my experience at Hello Kitty in Oz attraction, I also get to explore Hello Kitty House located within the Sanrio Hello Kitty Town in Johor.

Despite being the first Hello Kitty theme park outside of Japan, the details here are pretty much similar to what you expect in a Hello Kitty dreamland. It consists of various walk-through attractions, interactive activities and rides in Hello Kitty theme. 

For instance, puzzle-solving activities there use computer and sensor technology to provide interactive experiences for both young and old.

Inside Hello Kitty's house.....the beautiful pastel pink door leads you from one magical room to another.

The iconic Kitty House is totally a must visit for all girly girls! It is divided into 6 sections: Living Room, Kitchen, Bathroom, Kitty's Room, Secret Closet and Mimmy's Room.

Kitty's Dining Room in Elegant White

Kitty's Kitchen; Look at those cute utensils!

Kitty's Bathroom; I am impressed that every little detail is so well taken care of!

Kitty's Bedroom; Can you lend me your bed for a day? ❤

Mimmy's Bedroom; Sleep like a king!

Mimmy's Dressing Table and Full-length Mirror; I'd wish to have them in my future house!

Kitty's Garden Area; Sorry Kitty, I don't mean to step onto your beautiful fence.

There is also a guided workshop where we can DIY our own Hello Kitty Pandora Box.

Seriously, this is cuteness overload! 

After some mini games, we head to Red Bow Cafe to check out the Hello Kitty themed drinks and pastries. They're just too cute to be eaten!!

Waffles, pancakes, macarons and beverages are just so in theme!

At the first floor, Cinnamaroll Cafe offers similar delectable and yummy food stuff too. I personally love this cafe more because of its colorful pastel theme that literally transports me back to childhood.

What not to be missed here is the Hello Kitty Souvenir Shop! ❤

You can basically find everything you want under one roof.

Dream Photo Garden where you can take pictures with Dear Daniel and Hello Kitty during certain hours.


This is the CHIO-est Kitty I've ever met! ❤

Spinning Tea Cups

Young children can experience Friendship Land with its playground, enjoy tea cup rides and have photo opportunities with Hello Kitty and Friends such as My Melody and more. To have an unforgettable birthday celebration, just book the Apple or Strawberry themed party rooms here! How awesome is that, right? Now I wish I'm 15 years younger...

We are still very young at heart ❤

Imma happy kid being in this dreamland! ❤

Verdict:

1. Overall, you can enjoy a fun-filled family day here if your kids are huge fans of Hello Kitty, and the  interactive stations at each area are pretty interesting for the young ones.
2. I personally find that the best part goes to the shopping! So many varieties of authentic and unique Sanrio merchandises are available there. 

3. Reason to visit: Amazing Hello Kitty experience, plus infectious happiness for the family and friends ❤

Sanrio Hello Kitty Town

Persiaran Puteri Selatan,

Puteri Harbour,

79000 Nusajaya,

Johor, Malaysia.

Operating Hours: 10am to 6pm daily

Facebook: fb.com/SanrioHelloKittyTown

Instagram: @sanrio_hellokittytown

To purchase tickets, visit www.playtime.com.my