If not for the pandemic, the Desaru Coast may be one of the world's best destinations to visit this year, and the resort for the 'ultra-rich' is the only Malaysian tourist destination to make it to Time magazine’s third list of best places to visit in 2021.
The location, which spans more than 3,900 acres along a magnificent 17-kilometer stretch of beachfront real estate, offers some of Malaysia's most prized luxury hideaways.
The resort in Johor state is home to high-end hotels that have remained relatively deserted since COVID-19 emerged last year. Other attractions include an adventure water park, golf courses, cruises through the Sedili Wetlands, and the upcoming Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal, which will cater mostly to Singapore and Indonesia visitors.
Luxury accommodations in the area include Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, One&Only Desaru Coast, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, and The Westin Desaru Coast Resort.
Time magazine’s list of top destinations was compiled by its international network of correspondents and industry experts. This year, the publication honors those at the forefront of industries that have found ways to adapt during the pandemic.