Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa

This massive property (over 700 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments) sits on the beach overlooking the South China Sea. Pastel-colored buildings sit on palm-dotted landscaped grounds. Buildings are topped with little towers for a bit of a fairytale effect combined with the colorful hues, and each building features an interior courtyard with greenery. Interiors are fairly bland and a bit institutional; they could use some updates, but they're functional. Dining spaces don't offer much in terms of decor, but some of the outdoor areas offer nice views over the sea. The lobby has a waiting room vibe with airport-style seating and flat-screen TVs.

Overall, this is a tired property in need of revamps, but it nevertheless maintains popularity with groups seeking budget lodgings. School groups are common, and plenty of families stay here as well. 

The hotel occupies a beachfront location in Desaru, a coastal resort area with over 13 miles of sandy beach (22 kilometers). There are a couple of other hotels in the area, as well as some dining options along the beach, though not much else. A car is necessary to get to nearby attractions. These include Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark (a five-minute drive away); the Desaru Fruit Farm (a 10-minute drive); Desaru Ostrich Farm (a 25-minute drive); and Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm (a 30-minute drive). A bit further away are the Kota Tinggi Museum (a 40-minute drive), the Kota Tinggi Firefly Park (around a 45-minute drive), and Kota Tinggi Waterfalls (about an hour's drive). Senai International Airport is around an hour's drive from the hotel. Singapore is a bit over a two-hour drive away (ferries are also available to Changi Ferry Terminal), as is its airport.

The resort offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, making it a popular choice with families and groups. Decor, like the rest of the property, is average and could use a revamp, but they're pleasant enough spaces. Cream-colored walls and tile and wooden floors are paired with simple furnishings, while floral paintings dot the walls here. All units have living rooms with sofas and armchairs, as well as dining areas and kitchenettes. Kitchen facilities include sinks, microwaves, fridges, and electric kettles. Other standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, electronic safes, and air-conditioning. Wi-Fi incurs a fee. Most of the apartments have balconies.

Bathrooms are in need of updates; fixtures are older and there's not much in terms of storage space. One-bedroom apartments have bathrooms equipped with shower/tub combos, while two- and three-bedroom units have two bathrooms: one with a shower and another with a soaking tub. Toiletries and hairdryers are provided. 

An array of features is offered that make this hotel a convenient base. Guests have mostly everything on-site and don't have to leave the resort if they don't want to. One of the highlights here is the water park, which offers several pools, a lazy river, slides, and a water playground for kids. Guests also have direct access to a sandy stretch of beach, which offers padded loungers and cabanas. A number of water sports are available here, including Jet Skiing, banana boats, and parasailing, plus fishing trips can be organizes.

A different sort of activities are available in the Team Building Park, which attracts corporate travelers and offers activities including water rafting, ropes courses, an obstacle course, treasure hunts, and paintball. Guests can also go bird watching, camping, jungle trekking and lake fishing for additional fees. 

The gym is a pleasant windowed space overlooking one of the pools, and it's stocked with a good variety of cardio and strength training machines. There are some sports courts for those looking for outdoor activities, including beach volleyball, basketball, and soccer. There's a spa that offers massages, facials, and other treatments.

Dining options include a buffet restaurant, a coffee house serving Asian and international fare, and a beach bar offering seafood. Other amenities include meeting rooms, a game room packed with arcade games and pool tables, and a shop selling beach gear, souvenirs, snacks, and sundries. Note that Wi-Fi costs extra.