A love letter to Johor: the first regional Tatler Beach Ball Weekend is coming to Desaru Coast and marks the debut of Mandarin Oriental’s new beach club

After checking in, Tatler Beach Ball guests will gather for an exclusive sunset cocktail experience around Mandarin Oriental’s iconic resort pool. Guests will sample inventive, locally inspired cocktail creations by Nutmeg & Clove—the celebrated Singapore bar consistently ranked among Asia’s top drinking destinations—while soothing live music drifts through the golden hour.

As dusk turns to night, guests will proceed to Ambara for a welcome dinner where sunset meets the sea. Here they will enjoy the first taste of a rare culinary collaboration in celebration of the weekend. From Barcelona to Lago di Como and Desaru Coast, three Mandarin Oriental chefs unite for an extraordinary six-hands culinary journey. Chef Raül Balam Ruscalleda of Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona and Chef Massimiliano Blasone of Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como join Chef Ahmad Fazli Abdulrahman of Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast for a never-before-seen collaboration. 

Saturday, October 31, unveils the absolute centrepiece of the weekend: the first regional Tatler Beach Ball. Set directly on the sand at Lumare Beach House and Sports Club, this beachfront gala brings together Asia’s premier cultural figures for an unforgettable evening under a canopy of stars. Guests will enjoy a refined dinner, curated cocktails, and sophisticated celebration that honors Johor’s rich heritage and natural splendour.

And of course, in Tatler tradition, the evening would not be complete without a surprise musical guest—which star will take the beachside stage as the crowning jewel of the night?

As the midnight hour approaches, the elegant gala seamlessly transforms into an energetic after-party, carrying the celebration well into the early morning hours.

On Friday October 30, Tatler Beach Party guests will be the first to experience Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast’s newest space: the incredible Lumare Beach House & Sports Club. Lumare Beach House & Sports Club is Mandarin Oriental’s first beach club in Southeast Asia, where sunlit afternoons by the pool unfold into vibrant evenings by the sea. Mediterranean-inspired dining celebrates Southeast Asian produce through live-fire cooking, with generous dishes made for sharing. Beyond the table, enjoy padel at the sports club, watersports along the shore and leisurely hours by the pool, with a dedicated children’s pool for younger guests. Settle into a cabana, linger over cocktails and let the music carry you into the evening.

Taking the spotlight as the main act, global DJ, model, and star of Netflix’s Dubai Bling and Bling Empire DJ Kim Lee brings her signature high-octane energy, turning the beachfront into a full-blown experience of pure glamour and infectious beats. The night will also feature Malaysian DJ Aida Ho, known for her eclectic sound and effortless ability to build an infectious mood by blending house, disco, and electronic beats into a sophisticated opening set. Closing out the inaugural night, Indonesian DJ Rbananto takes over the decks, bringing a distinctly Southeast Asian edge with deep grooves and house rhythms that keep the late-night dance floor vibrant until the very last beat.

Throughout the rest of the weekend, guests are invited to explore Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast at their own relaxed pace. A thoughtful menu of advanced treatments and holistic therapies, designed to restore a sense of calm inspired by the gentle rhythm of the ocean. Complementing the energy of the rainforest, the experience draws on the natural surroundings to create a deeper sense of balance, renewal and wellbeing — from restorative sound healing and indulgent spa treatments to specialised foot wellness and cutting-edge wellness and biohacking sessions.

The Tatler Beach Ball Weekend lineup features Mandarin Oriental’s highly respected wellness practitioners from all over the world. Spend a relaxing morning at an oceanfront yoga session with Esmee Halliday, or a pedicure treatment with renowned podiatrist Bastien Gonzales. Gonzales’ signature approach to pedicures and manicures fuses medical podiatry, natural nail buffing, and restorative massage to elevate hands and feet to natural perfection without nail polish.

Sports enthusiasts can elevate their game with interactive tennis and padel clinics, or hit the greens for 9 or 18 holes of championship golf at The Els Club Desaru Coast. For moments of refined leisure, guests can indulge in guided chocolate and whiskey tastings or discover personal insights through intimate tea leaf reading sessions.

Rooted in Mandarin Oriental's philosophy of crafting exceptional moments tied deeply to location, the Tatler Beach Ball Weekend is far more than a party—it is an authentic celebration of place, community, and understated luxury that will leave an indelible mark on Johor’s coastal horizon.

Stretching along 17 kilometres of pristine golden sand on Johor’s sun-drenched eastern shores, Desaru Coast has quickly emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s most coveted luxury sanctuaries. This coastal haven offers an effortless harmony of raw natural grandeur and refined modernism. Far removed from the pace of city life, Desaru Coast invites travellers into an atmosphere of quiet luxury—whether teeing off on championship golf courses, exploring rich biodiversity, or unwinding within architectural marvels like Mandarin Oriental. It is a destination where untouched wild beauty and world-class hospitality meet.

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