Travel: Malaysia - Desaru

[Careermum]

Very nice. We stayed in a Duplex: downstairs has kitchen and living room, TV has Cartoon network. Upstairs has 1 bedroom. Has a waterpark, with some features like our wild wild wet. My kids love it. Also we visited the Desaru fruit farm and an Ostrich farm.

[Poohbear]

Hi,


We hv been up there at Lotus twice - 1st time in Dec 2009 n then again in mar 2010. My gals (K1 n K2) love the place. :love:

We drove there so cant comment on the ferry.

1st time, we just drive all the way there... then realise, there is only a hotel cafeteria. the food not so bad... but to eat at same place for all meals ... a bit sianz

2nd trip, :idea: we stop by Carrefour... pack our boot with loads of food stuff like cup noodles, snacks, bread... it was a much more enjoyable trip

THe place has a small water theme park.. just right for kids ard 4 -6. My kids can play there for hours.. And there are 2 pools too.. not big but enough for the kids to play... :ugogirl:

The beach is within walking distance to the hotel... much better than our east coast :celebrate:

Room wise, we took 1 bedroom suite... got a King bed on 2nd floor, with a dining table and sofa on level 1... my gals got this kick abt climbing up staircases...so they will up n down the whole time... keep them occupied...

Overall v good experience for us... hope its the same for u too

[jacsplace]

Hi Careermum and Poohbear, thanks very much for your replies. It's our first time going on a holiday overseas as a family of four (previously we went with in-laws) so a bit nervous and hope everything will go well.


Although it looks like we're already in for a rough time as find out after confirming ferry booking that road leading to the terminal will be closed for Adidas run

[taz]

Which day are u going ?

I am checking in on Vesak day and going to stay 2 days. Will be driving. 2 kids 5yo and 8yo.

Are u getting the transfers from Lotus Desaru ?
When is the Adidas Run ?

[jacsplace]

We are going this Sunday. Adidas run is Saturday overnight to Sunday morning. Yes, getting transfers from Lotus.

[snowz]

Went there for 2 days during last year end holiday. The hotel offers great value for money for short weekend get-away for family with kids, if you are not too fussy.


We stayed in a Duplex too. There is a mini fridge, microware, kettle and cutlery in the room.

The water theme park was still under renovation at that time. Pools are big but the highlight is the beach, very clean soft sand and private. It is perfect for sunbathing or building sand castles. My kids spent most of the time at the beach and the pool. No sandflies. Fireflies experience is unforgettable. As it was not weekend, only our family was on the boat cruising slowly along the river. Everywhere was darkness, including the bumpy road to the cruise (Not recommended for pregnant woman and older folks.) till we saw the tiny fireflies lighting up the trees like christmas trees. The kids tried to catch one and held in their hands, blinking away.

The buffet breakfast choice is limited! Since we were driving, we got hawker food from the neighbouring town which is about 5min away. If you are driving, you can reach a town called Sungei Renggit for some excellent sea food at reasonable prices which is about 25 kilometres from the hotel.

However, if you don’t drive there …it will cost you quite a lot to go around. A trip to the Ostrich Farm cost RM$110 and a trip to the seafood restaurant and fireflies watching also cost as much.

[jacsplace]

Thanks for sharing, Snowz. We don't drive so we are gearing up for a major Vitamin M deficiency


Hopefully the kids will enjoy themselves and that will make up for the big holes in our pockets

[Ontheballmother]

jacsplace:

Thanks for sharing, Snowz. We don't drive so we are gearing up for a major Vitamin M deficiency


Hopefully the kids will enjoy themselves and that will make up for the big holes in our pockets

We going too in mid June. How about getting a taxi. Is it easy and cheaper?

[jacsplace]

You mean taxi from home to resort? I have no idea. We didn't bother checking it out because my kids won't sit still for long. Also, they actually want to fly somewhere but we have to make do with the ferry this time. It's our virgin trip as a family of four (we usually go with inlaws) so it'll be a learning journey for us all.

[eskimo]

Hi,


I was there with my family and kids (PN n k1) a month ago. stayed in a 3 bedroom apt.

rooms are spacious, and considered clean. but the toilet flush was faulty, the refilling of water never stops... its noisy. called housekeeping, but they never came to fix it. when we first entered the apt, the floor was full of dead insects at the corners. we figured this place only has occupants over the weekend only, so they probably never tidy the place over the weekdays. :?

The waterpark was fun for the kids. they enjoyed it. the swimming pool is clean and the beach was lovely too.

the downside:
1. Lack of food choices. there's only 1 cafe and a chinese restaurant above the cafe. we were the only family dining there on a sat night. the next day, sunday, it was not even open for business at night. so you can tell how quiet/low business season it was for them.
2. Staff are very new to the resort. the resort only opened recently i think. so many staff are new, mostly from KL as we found out. so if you ask for directions/advise, take it with a pinch of salt. we wanted to venture out for a meal, was told the nearest town, kota tinggi, is 25 km away. lo and behold when we drove out, it was a whopping 40 km away and its those small 2 lane roads. we crawled in traffic for 1 hour before reaching. its not worth the ride. :stupid:
3. lack of entertainment for us adults. there's a place you can rent some dvds, and a gym, other than that, nothing else. pretty boring really.

my advise is better pack food that you want to eat on your way there. otherwise you just have to settle with the cafe food for your holiday there.