-- Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast has been awarded One MICHELIN Key by the MICHELIN Guide, recognising the resort as “a very special stay” and marking its emergence as one of Southeast Asia's most distinctive coastal escapes. The accolade comes within the resort's first year under the Mandarin Oriental flag, following its rebrand in January 2026, and ahead of the debut of Lumare Beach House & Sports Club this November.
A First MICHELIN Key
The resort's first MICHELIN Key comes just months after its rebrand in January 2026, marking an early milestone in its new chapter under Mandarin Oriental. The recognition also marks a first for Desaru Coast, making it the destination's first resort to receive the distinction. The award brings international recognition to Desaru Coast, a coastal destination in Johor where rainforest meets the South China Sea, easily accessible from Singapore and other parts of Malaysia.
Set within 128 acres of rainforest along an unspoilt shoreline, the resort is one of the final works of acclaimed architect Kerry Hill. Its 44 spacious suites, each spanning at least 105 square metres, feature shaded verandas, private plunge pools and secluded courtyards overlooking the rainforest or sea.
Introduced by the MICHELIN Guide as the hotel equivalent of its renowned restaurant stars, MICHELIN Keys celebrate properties that deliver truly outstanding guest experiences through exceptional architecture and design, service, personality, value and contribution to their destination. One MICHELIN Key signifies “a very special stay”, recognising the thoughtful and carefully curated resort experience.
New Leadership, Turning a New Leaf
Since May 2026, Fiona Hagan, General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast, has led the resort through this milestone with a vision centred around thoughtful experiences deeply connected to destination and its natural surroundings. An Australian national with three decades of leadership experience across luxury hotels in Asia Pacific, Fiona joined from Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu, where she served as General Manager from 2017, following senior commercial and operational roles with Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts across Malaysia, China and Southeast Asia.
“We are deeply honoured to receive our first MICHELIN Key, and to do so within our first year as Mandarin Oriental makes it all the more meaningful,” said Fiona. “This recognition belongs to our colleagues, whose warmth and care shape every stay, and to this remarkable stretch of coast where ancient rainforest meets the South China Sea. Together, they create an experience that is both deeply rooted in destination and unmistakably Mandarin Oriental.”
Introducing Lumare Beach House & Sports Club
Opening in November 2026, Lumare Beach House & Sports Club will be Mandarin Oriental's first beach club in Southeast Asia. Set on the resort's beachfront, Lumare takes its cue from the relaxed sophistication of Northern Mediterranean coastal living, with a culinary concept centred on elemental fire cooking and unhurried dining by the sea.
At the heart of Lumare is a beachfront pool, complemented by a dedicated children's pool, while padel, tennis and marine sports bring an active, social dimension to the experience. Designed for days that move at their own pace, Lumare brings together dining, recreation and time by the water, as laid-back afternoons flow into vibrant evenings accompanied by music and guest DJ sets.
“It is an exciting time for the resort,” adds Fiona. “With Lumare opening this November, we look forward to sharing a new side of Desaru Coast with our guests, from long lunches by the water to afternoons at the pool or sports club and evenings by the sea. We want Lumare to feel very much part of Desaru Coast and give our guests another reason to spend more time with us.”
Both the MICHELIN Key recognition and the opening of Lumare mark a significant first year for Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast.
About Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast
Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast is a secluded coastal retreat set within 128 acres of ancient rainforest, opening directly onto an unspoilt stretch of beach along the South China Sea. Easily accessible from both Malaysia and Singapore, the resort offers a rare sense of seclusion combined with generous space and privacy, comprising 44 spacious suites and an exclusive four bedroom pool villa. Each suite begins at a spacious 105 square metres and is thoughtfully designed to enhance a seamless connection with its natural surroundings. All accommodations feature a private plunge pool, outdoor courtyard, shaded veranda overlooking rainforest or sea, and an expansive bathroom with a soaking tub and rainfall shower. A beach club, kids' club, and a carefully curated selection of dining, wellness, and recreational experiences further define the resort's understated luxury, inviting guests to experience refined coastal living shaped by tranquillity, space, and nature.
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