Midrange
Lotus Desaru Beach Resort
This enourmous hotel with 1,350 rooms looks like an abandoned Disneyland despite its recent renovation. It's huge and you will need to use the "navettes" to go around the hotel. Has waterslides, several pools, a beach bar and other activities for the whole family. Hotel staff are very courteous and friendly. Rooms and apartments have been poorly renovated.
Sebana Cove Resort
Golf resort on a river in the jungle no beach, accessible by direct ferry from Singapore's Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and hence popular among Singaporeans for a quick spot of reasonable priced golf. However, few spend the night, and the rooms are in dire need of renovation.
Desaru Golden Beach Resort
Despite claiming four stars, the largest hotel in Desaru hasn't been renovated in twenty years and is falling to pieces, with poor hygiene and completely uninterested staff. Partial renovation started in 2009.
The Pulai Beach Resort
Formerly the Desaru Perdana Beach Resort, this is the best option, although it's not quite up to the four stars it claims or the heavily airbrushed pictures on the website. Rooms are modern and clean. Direct beach access, large pool with water slide, waterfall, kiddie pool, watersports shop, basic gym with male/female saunas, kiddie play area, two restaurants, lobby bar. Surely the best hotel in the area.
Desaru Holiday Chalets
Opened in 1974, this is Desaru's oldest place to stay. Simple little beachfront chalets with aircon, fridge. "Standard" chalets have no hot water, while "Superior" ones do. The "Single" chalets house 2, while the "Doubles" are intended for four.