As far as wellness escapes go, One & Only Desaru Coast is as luxe and languorous as they come. Geographically, the tranquil, Johor Bahru-based resort is just a two and a half hour drive from Singapore’s Changi Airport. Psychologically, it is worlds away from the pressures of city life.
As fans of One & Only can appreciate, the group is renowned for discovering unexpected havens that seem concealed by nature. Here, centuries-old banyan trees dot the Kerry Hill-designed property and a deep peace blankets the resort. Even sun loungers at the highly instagrammable Olympic-sized pool seem to be content with quietly bask like lounge lizards as nature and guests breathe as one.
Chenot Spa: Biohacking your way to vitality
To ease into the flow of life here, I begin with an invigorating yoga session led by an instructor who is careful to assess my fitness and needs before moving into a session that blends hatha and yin practice. As a companion to the myriad of fitness activities at the five-star property—from Malay silat (martial arts), golf, tennis and water sports—a visit to Chenot Spa, the first and only in Asia, is a must for anyone wanting to still the mind, reset the body and dive into stress management.
Powered by the research-driven Chenot Method, the wellness experience at the resort revolves around four key pillars: Sport and physical activities, emotional wellbeing, nutrition and aesthetics. This dedication to true wellness and focus on the whole self allows each guest to have programs tailored to their very needs, think: individual nutritional menus, workout schedules, spa treatments overlooking serene lotus-filled ponds and more.
The space is helmed by Chenot Spa manager, Suzie Adrina Ahmad, who comes from a long line of Bornean medicine men. Alongside the diagnostics and biohacking at Chenot, Ahmad and her collective of local therapists are imbued with a deep knowledge of Malaysian urut or massage and healing.
Beyond your standard 60-minute massage, Chenot’s forte is its radical scientific and holistic approach to health and wellness. For those of us in ‘fight or flight’ mode where all body systems seem burnt out or overstimulated, the Neuro-Acoustic Deep Relaxation treatment and unique HRV Biofeedback Training Session aims to bring calm and relaxation back to your mind and body. To activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the sound-based treatment which uses a bio-signal processing disc on your wrist to tap into the body’s pericardium aims to shift beta brain waves to ‘rest and digest’ alpha/theta ranges. The binaural beats may trigger a rise in heart rate or emotions in some, and Ahmad shares that tears are normal. In reality, it’s a lot like meditating via headphones on a day bed, but we promise you’ll emerge zen, flow state activated.
Another star experience that’s signature to Chenot Spa is the Regenerating Treatment. The aim is to undo trapped tension, encouraging energy to flow within the body. Perfect for anyone experiencing long COVID or just needing to restore lightness to the chest, the massage begins with deep stretching and Chenot essential oils along the spine, sacrum and spine. These plant-based ointments are aimed at decongesting the chest, regenerating the body and calming the mind while relieving muscular spasms. Post-massage, a round of breathwork techniques ensues with ab and thoracic breathing activated leaving you energised and lighter in the chest post-treatment. As someone who often feels a tightness in the chest when stressed, it was a gift to find a treatment that focused solely on this need.
And for those looking to drain and detox, Chenot’s Facial Drainage treatment offers the best of manual massage with the clarifying, toning effects of a facial. Highlights of this treatment include glass cupping of the face to activate lymph nodes and Chenot’s sumptuous two-step mask mask which is customised to your skin’s needs. Skin is then boosted with a hyaluronic-rich serum and Rich Renewing cream for ultimate pampering. The double mask coupled with the therapist’s facial acupressure technique will leave your skin and contours brighter and sharper than ever.
Within the spa, I delighted in awakening the body with complimentary cold plunges which will be made even more effective when Chenot’s sauna opens.
Destination Nourish
Guests looking to extend their wellness journeys beyond the spa can have biodynamic and organic meals meals prepared at Ambara. Here, vegan and vegetarian options from the Bio Light menu by chef Jasper Chow showcase the best of the resort on a plate. The nutrient dense, low fat menu by the KL-born chef featured a delightful summer salad that was brimming with high energy ingredients: ribbons of carrot, asparagus and edible flowers. A deliciously comforting risotto verde with basil and pine nuts, and gluten and fat free soy panna cotta with berry compote to conclude the meal ensued. For rabbit food-adverse people like me, you’ll be glad to know the meal was deeply satisfying as it was fresh and nourishing.
Ambara’s field-to-fork ethos celebrates seasonal produce, with some grown on the property’s organic gardens. Aside of its spa menu specially-prepared for guests of the programme, the restaurant marries hearty flavours of the Mediterranean with local hits such as Ipoh hor fun, congee and kuehs.
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For a cheeky afternoon drink or afternoon tea with Straits-inspired nibbles, head to Dusky Monkey, a timber-clad bar that’s perched aloft the resort’s infinity pool. There’s no shortage of custom cocktails, fine whiskies and artisanal gins and tonics to enjoy as you watch the world go by.
To chase sunsets down with a cocktail, Ember Beach Club and its parade of mouthwatering hits is your best bet. Indulge in flavours imagined by Irish-born chef Andrew Walsh, inspired by his travels throughout Asia. Stunning ocean and pool-view aside, dishes such as the chili crab, scallop carpaccio and pizza are not to be missed.
And finally, to enjoy date night whether solo or with a loved one, Hoshi, One & Only’s modern Japanese omakase restaurant starring chef Aizat is the place to be. Hoshi is a celebration of contrasts and contemporary renditions of longstanding classics. Inspired by an ancient celestial love story, the omakase menu features Japanese sushi and sashimi—from the bold yellow tail sashimi in garlic ponzu sauce to the turbot hirame atop crunchy togarashi in a mix of sweet and savoury, and draws from an impressive list of seafood, airflown fresh from Japan daily.
Find out more or book a stay at One & Only Desaru Coast.
