Yalinie Mathan
Renjoy Hotel Desaru will replace the Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort & Spa in Johor. Jin Jiang Hotels (Malaysia) says it will be the first Renjoy hotel in Southeast Asia. Travellers can already reach the area by ferry from Tanah Merah.
The deal was announced on 30 October in Johor Bahru. Specifically, Jin Jiang signed a hotel management agreement with Techvance Hotel & Resort. Techvance is the hospitality arm of Techvance Group.
Here is what the agreement covers, what will change and what is still unknown. However, the announcement gave no opening date, room count or room rates. Therefore, treat it as an early notice.
Renjoy Hotel Desaru replaces Sand & Sandals resort
The existing resort will be refreshed and rebranded. It will keep its place in Desaru, Johor. Jin Jiang will run it under a management agreement.
Renjoy is an upper-midscale brand. Jin Jiang says each hotel draws on its surroundings and local culture, not a standard design template. Moreover, the announcement says it is the first Renjoy hotel in Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, the change will happen gradually. Jin Jiang says the hotel will get refreshed guest rooms. It will also add new dining and upgraded resort facilities. The beachfront character will stay.
However, the announcement did not say when the new name takes effect. It also did not say if the resort will close during the work. Guests with bookings may want to ask the resort.
What Renjoy Hotel Desaru changes for guests
The hotel will use Jin Jiang’s operating standards. It will also join the group’s membership programme and reservation platform. As a result, guests will book through Jin Jiang’s channels.
Li Xun, regional general manager for Jin Jiang Hotels in Malaysia and Indonesia, called the project a step for Renjoy. He said it brings the brand to Southeast Asia and widens the group’s resort presence. Techvance Group Managing Director Dato’ Edward Lau said it opens a new chapter for Sand & Sandals. He said Jin Jiang’s network and operating skills suit the property.
Read more: Thistle Johor Bahru becomes JW Marriott Hotel in December
Read more: Desaru ferry from Tanah Merah costs S$82 one way, all in
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Furthermore, Jin Jiang Hotels (Malaysia) has another project in the pipeline. A 7 Days Premium Hotel in Tanjung Malim, Perak, is expected to open in the first half of 2027. The release gave no room count for that hotel either. It also gave no budget for either project.
In addition, the release cites Tourism Johor figures. Johor welcomed 10.63 million overnight tourists in 2025, of whom 7.38 million were domestic and 3.25 million international. The state had 34,986 hotel rooms, up 9.4%. It targets 12 million tourists under Visit Johor Year 2026.
Renjoy Hotel Desaru among other Desaru stays
Desaru already has a luxury hotel in the Mandarin Oriental Desaru Coast. A May 2026 guide says it was rebranded in January 2026. It lists 44 suites and villas, with rates from RM2,640 a night.
By contrast, Renjoy will sit in the upper-midscale tier. However, rates have not been announced. Visitors who want a mid-priced beach stay may want to watch for the opening.
Likewise, Johor is adding other hotels. For example, the Thistle Johor Bahru becomes a JW Marriott in December. Desaru and Johor Bahru are different markets. Therefore, the two are not direct rivals. Meanwhile, AirAsia began a Kunming to Johor Bahru flight in December 2025, three times a week. Tourism officials named Desaru Coast among the draws.
In short, Renjoy Hotel Desaru will replace the Sand & Sandals resort in stages. No opening date, room count or rates are public yet. Check Jin Jiang’s booking platform for updates.
Sidhaarthan
Amirull Salihing
Sashidaran Gunathevan
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