Let’s admit it – we can’t wait to go on a holiday. While we long to get out of town, there is nothing standing in the way of planning ahead for that much-needed domestic vacation post-lockdown.

Leading holiday destinations across the country such as Desaru Coast, aside from offering over 800 luxurious rooms within its impressive portfolio of five-star hotels, are curating enticing packages. These packages include a wide range of options on experiences and activities to explore and peace of mind flexibility when it comes to date changes.

So, stop dreaming about your next holiday and start planning! Here are just four perfectly good reasons on why you ought to start now:

Cuts the Stress
The best part about planning ahead for a holiday is that it alleviates the stress associated with making last-minute travel plans. Holidays are supposed to be fun and so should the planning of it. Don’t do it in haste under the pressure of tight timeliness. That only drains the fun out of it. So even before you can start the holiday, avoid setting everyone on edge even leaving home! Planning helps assure you of a hassle-free holiday with your loved ones. In addition, resorts within Desaru Coast have adopted very flexible policies when it comes changes in reservation dates, in keeping with the current times.

Money matters
Planning holidays early also gives you leverage in terms of budgeting for your travel, accommodation and general expenses. After a year of almost no travel for most Malaysians, everyone’s looking forward to a holiday – shoestring or otherwise. Yet cost is undeniably a major factor now in deciding where to go and what to do. Hoteliers, travel operators and attraction owners are getting creative! Some are offering reasonable rates, while others offer innovative solutions such as valued added packages to encompass the full holiday experience. These packages include lodging, fun recreational activities and even F&B offerings from breakfast to dinner. So all you have to do is just check-in, relax and enjoy the varied experiences that are in store for you, during your much-awaited holiday.

Customising unique experiences
One thing we learnt last year is that there are so many unique hidden gems within Malaysia that many have yet explored. But in order to ensure we maximise the opportunity to savour these experiences during our upcoming holidays, it’s best to do our homework early and plan ahead. For instance, if you’re headed down to the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia, and in search of some outdoor experiences, Desaru Coast offers specially curated nature excursions led by passionate naturalists who will lead you in a journey to hidden places, away from the typical tourist trails. Nature lovers can also book organised tours available to the Tanjung Belungkor mangrove and the nearby fruit farm. Alternatively, choose to journey through the scenic and alluring Linting Wetlands river ecosystem dominated by tidal mangrove forests within which lies the Belungkor Forest Reserve. On this tour, visitors can immerse in a brief history of the Johor Sultanate while learning about the variety of mangrove species and vegetation unique to the location.

Another noteworthy activity here is a tour to the fishing village of Sedili, located a mere 35 minutes’ drive from Desaru Coast. The tour begins with a boat cruise that covers three distinct vegetation belts that changes from rich mangrove forest, Nypa swamp, Putat and Pandanus belt before finally reaching the freshwater swamp where the endangered Water Trumpet can be found. Along the way your naturalist guide will highlight interesting wildlife that call Sedili home.

Don’t miss out!
Have you ever arrived at a much sought-after restaurant or Instagram-perfect spot only to be told that you can’t get in because they’re fully booked? This can be avoided by planning ahead. When travelling, make reservations in advance — not just for flights and hotels, but for restaurants, tours, and all the attractions as you detail your itinerary. And if you’re visiting on peak holidays, check ahead of time to ensure if these spots may be closed on such special occasions. Desaru Coast’s Adventure Water Park has stringent Health and Safety SOPs in place including a cap on the maximum number of visitors allowed per day. So as not to miss out on this experience, book ahead!

How to get the most and best from a holiday
A good place to start is the respective websites of the resorts and accommodations themselves. For instance, Desaru Coast, the trending premium beach destination for Malaysians is offering dream vacation packages from as low as RM799 under its ongoing Sand-sational Deal promotions. These include exclusive hotel and resort stays with non-stop fun-filled activities for families and adults alike including access to the Adventure Water Park, All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) or Banana Boat rides and Fruit Farm Tour. Participating hotel properties are The Westin Desaru Coast Resort and Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast.
To lure golfing enthusiasts to tee off at The Els Club Desaru Coast Ocean Course, Desaru Coast’s Golf Galore promotion offers unlimited access to Els Club’s 9-hole Academy Course and Driving Range, together with exclusive night stays at Desaru Coast’s Hotels and Resorts. The 2D/1N golf packages start from as low as RM489. The participating hoteliers are Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort and Anantara Desaru Coast Resort and Villas. Both promotions allow travellers to book their holiday packages ahead (before the upcoming Aidilfitri holidays in May 2021) to enjoy a vacation anytime in 2021.
Evidently, there is certainly so much to see and do in and around Desaru Coast. Visitors can complement nature-infused excursions and golfing sessions with a myriad of other activities including intimate beach walks or runs (thanks to the destination’s wide-open spaces) and indulge in some much-needed TLC with the many wellness and “me-time” pursuits available, such as yoga and spa sessions. Westin Desaru Coast’s Heavenly Spa promises a slice of heaven as they calm your nerves and soothe your senses from head to toe. Those looking for a musical twist to their ultimate spa experience can opt for Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast’s Rock Spa packages which will surely hit the right notes.
And if you desire to crank the adventure level up a notch, then take the scenic route to Sedili on a bicycle via low traffic routes to truly appreciate the natural coastal beauty along the way. Very soon, visitors to Desaru will also have the option of embarking on fishing excursions in the South China Sea! All these, coupled with the fantastic weather that Desaru Coast is currently experiencing, makes it the ideal destination.
But to get the most out of your holiday, one thing is essential – planning ahead! So, what are you waiting for? Start planning today and gather the whole family for an unforgettable holiday at Malaysia’s premier all-in-one destination. Desaru Coast truly has it all!