Anantara Desaru Coast: resort-style villas blending sustainability and coastal luxury in Malaysia

Can you share with us the vision behind Anantara Desaru Coast, and how it fits into MINT’s luxury portfolio and growth strategy?

Our strategy has always been about pioneering new markets. We’ve done that successfully in Thailand, and Malaysia was the next natural step. Desaru Coast stood out because of its accessibility–less than a four-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur and just across the Causeway from Singapore–and its 17 kilometres of pristine beach. By placing our Anantara brand here, we’re making a flagship statement for Malaysia within our luxury portfolio and reinforcing our growth strategy in Southeast Asia.

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What makes Anantara Desaru Coast Residences stand out compared to other luxury residential projects in Southeast Asia?

Two things make us stand out. First is our track record–we’ve been developing branded residences since the late 1990s, long before most hotel groups entered the space. That experience gives us a real edge. Second, today’s luxury buyers want more than a beautiful property–they want a lifestyle, anchored in great service. We focus on High- and Ultra-High-Net-Worth individuals who are looking for exactly that balance of product, location, and personalised service.

How have lifestyle expectations shifted for luxury living after the pandemic, and how are these reflected in the residences at Anantara Desaru Coast?

Since Covid, we’ve seen a significant shift in lifestyle expectations. People want more space, more greenery, and they often travel in multi-generational groups. Our response has been to build fewer, larger units that feel more like private sanctuaries. 

Anantara Desaru Coast consists of 20 beachfront villas arranged in two rows of 10. The front row sits directly on the beach, with nine of those ten already sold. The back row is slightly elevated so every unit still enjoys sea views; one has been sold so far. On the hospitality side, the hotel offers 100 units.

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We’re addressing demographic shifts–for example, multi-generational families travelling together–with larger layouts that are more user-friendly for all ages. We’ve moved away from two- and three-storey houses, opting instead for mostly single-storey residences that are easier for older owners and extended families.

Out of 20 residences, 16 are single-storey, while four duplexes cater to bigger families so that more people with their parents or grandchildren can stay together.

With MINT’s extensive portfolio, how have past projects influenced your approach to family living, community-building, and lifestyle offerings at Anantara Desaru Coast?

Families are a big focus for us, so all our hotels–whose services are also extended to residential homeowners–feature Kids Clubs, and in larger resorts we also create Active Zones with climbing, skateboarding, or gaming for older kids and teens. We’re also investing heavily in wellness, moving beyond traditional spas to holistic programmes such as yoga, pilates, and other treatments.

Equally important, we work to foster a sense of community in all our projects. Even if residents only visit a few times a year, they should feel part of a living, supportive community. 

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We don’t just build a property, sell it, and move on. Personally, I maintain relationships with homeowners in every project. If they have an issue, they don’t have to go through a call centre–they can reach out directly to me, my team, or the general manager of the hotel. 

Furthermore, we’re part of the effort in elevating Desaru Coast as a destination–adding facilities like the water park and golf course, and curating lifestyle events such as the Ombak Festival. For residents, that means enjoying both exclusivity and privacy, alongside the vibrancy of a resort community.

The residences feature sustainability elements like rainwater recycling and fibre optics. How do these tie into MINT’s broader green commitments, and what future eco-initiatives are being pursued at Desaru Coast?

Our company has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050, with annual milestones and KPIs on emissions, energy, and water. For a hospitality group like ours, these are critical resources, so we integrate sustainability into the design itself.

We’ve learned a lot from past coastal projects. Materials deteriorate quickly by the ocean, so at Anantara Desaru Coast, we chose finishes and structures proven to withstand saltwater exposure. We also incorporated sustainability features such as rainwater recycling, underground fibre optics, and energy-efficient appliances.

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Sustainability is a continuous process, and looking ahead, we’re focused on enhancing greenery and natural landscaping. Since opening during Covid, we’ve invested heavily in planting trees and grass species that are both attractive and low-maintenance. Efficient irrigation systems remain a priority, and as air conditioning units come up for replacement, we consistently adopt the latest technology to reduce electricity consumption.

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