Westin Desaru Coast Resort - Malaysia [Master Thread]
 

Cat 2. Opening Feb '19. Hotel website:

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/trav...-coast-resort/

"This resort hotel features 275 light and airy guest rooms and suites with thoughtful amenities to ensure a memorable stay. The Westin Heavenly® bed, high speed Internet access, laptop safe, LED TV, work desk and refreshment center lets you stay comfortable and connected throughout your visit. Rooms and suites overlook the South China sea and open coastal views. Food and beverage options include Beach bar, Seasonal Tastes, our all day dining restaurant, Prego, an Italian specialty restaurant and MIX lobby bar.

• A majority of rooms enjoy expansive sea views
• All rooms and suites feature spacious balconies and terrace spaces"
  

Website now says Opening in March 2019.

Thanks, was definitely Feb when I looked yesterday!
Any idea how I can find out a front-desk contact?

a friend of mine said half of the property is still under renovation while
another half seems to be opened?
she was there two weeks ago

If you go from Singapore CBD, say Bugis where the buses to cross the causeway start from, to Larkin, it will take you between 1 to 1h30 minutes, except for peak period.
From there, you are 1 hour drive to Desaru.

When going to Desaru, I prefer to take the ferry from Changi Ferry Terminal to Tanjung Belungkor and have a taxi waiting for me.
Beware that Tanjung Belungkor is in the middle of plantations and there would be no taxi waiting unless you have made prior arrangements.
I had on one occasion arranged for a car that didn't turn up. As it is 30 mins away from Desaru and where the hotels are, it took us an hour to get a replacement.

So in my book, it is Ferry + car. Get the hotel to arrange a car and reconfirm with them prior to your arrival.
The westin website doesn't suggest they offer hotel car and transfer but they would be working with local Taxi driver.

Do let us know whether you think all this trouble to get there was worth it, especially considering the room rates at the Westin Desaru - Danke

Looks to be a decent redemption hotel at 12500 per night ( same as renaissance JB but at 3x revenue rate)

Though never been to these side of JB before (always stay near immigration), is there anything else to do outside the resort complex?

Ya i was thinking the same thing too. 12.5k seems to be a good redemption value in comparison to other property's in the area.
For activities i think its either you stay put in the resort to head towards https://desarucoast.com
My current concern is what % of the property is completed. Dont want to book a room and then realise the rest of it are under construction.

I've booked 3 nights there in April (booked the whole trip at the Ren JB) so I need to decide. My communication to the hotel via messenger is not good - they charge for parking - first it was RM 8/day and now they want RM 5 per entry and it's for guests. I found it nickle and dime because even hotels in KL don't charge for parking. I'm thinking about renting a car to drive around to see things nearby, so every time I go in and out I have to pay RM 5 and to validate my parking everytime I go in and out - that's just ridiculous.

So far my gut feeling tell me to just stay at JB - I still haven't decided.

Bad news from the hotel:

"Dear Mr. Kodansha,

I regret to inform you that our owners company and Marriott International HQ has come to an agreement to not open Westin Club here in our resort.
It is a sad news to all of us however the decision has been finalized. "

Not surprised given its a resort and conference hotel.

err so what does this mean? There is no lounge will open here?