Sometimes, the hustle and bustle in SG gets too much to handle. But hopping on a plane to faraway lands as and when we like is out of the question when we only have 14 days of leave and limited funds. And so, we do the next best thing – hopping across the Causeway to our neighbour Johor Bahru for a weekend getaway.
JB has a whole host of wallet-friendly hotels in prime locations, perfect as “base camps” for shopping and foodventures. To help narrow down your choices, we made a list of some of the prettiest ones within 30 minutes from the Causeway.
Superior King-size room. Image credit
Amari Hotel is located in the heart of JB, just opposite major shopping malls like Komtar JBCC. Its rooms are delightfully stylish and modern, with usual hotel amenities like a gym and swimming pool.
In a tribute to local street culture, their Food Gallery has live cooking stations, bringing an aroma of traditional wok-fried dishes.
Amaya Café/Amaya Food Gallery. Image credit
Address: 82C, Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Rates: From $88 per night
Book your room here!
Located just 20 minutes from Singapore, Thistle Johor Bahru Hotel has a luxurious resort-like ambience with free-form swimming pools, an outdoor terrace, and a club lounge.
View of the straits from the hotel window. Image credit: @thistlejb
It’s just a 10-minute drive away from Danga Bay Theme Park, Komtar JBCC, and City Square mall, so you’ll definitely be living it up during your stay here.
Free-form swimming pool. Image credit: @ah_ninn
A beautiful view of the Straits can be seen from the rooms in the higher floors. If you’re game for some sport, there are tennis courts in the hotel. Or you could enjoy a round of golf at the Royal Johor Country Club just a 10-minute drive away.
Executive Straits View Twin room. Image credit
Address: Jalan Sungai Chat, Sri Gelam, 80100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Rates: From $73 per night
Book your room here!
Rooms at 4-star hotels usually come with steep prices but DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru has relatively reasonable rates. Sporting an outdoor swimming pool on the 13th floor, it takes soaking in the rays to another level. If you’re peckish, grab some snacks from the nearby Tosca Bar.
Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. Image credit
Clean, light-wood colours decorate the walls of the suites, bringing a cosy and chill atmosphere. You’ll get to smell splendid with the provided Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries, and the bathrooms also have rain showers.
For some cute fun, visit the Angry Birds Activity Park, a mere 10-minute walk from the hotel. If nature is your thing, the Kota Tinggi Waterfalls are an hour’s drive away.
Address: 12 Jalan Ngee Heng, Johor Bahru, 80000, Malaysia
Rates: From $106 per night
Book your room here!
For a 5-star hotel, the Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel has more than reasonable prices for a night’s stay.
The Presidential Suite has this giant bathtub with a clear view of the bedroom and living area through the glass door – a great relaxation space indeed.
If you feel like relaxing by the pool with a good book but don’t want the sapping heat hanging over your head, it’s totally possible because there are cabanas too!
Go ahead and explore the neighbourhood – there are tons of hidden gems to uncover if you take the time to stroll. For a starter guide, you can check out this article.
Outdoor swimming pool with cabanas. Image credit: MelvinLin on TripAdvisor
Address: 2, Jalan Permas 11/19, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Rates: From $137 per night
Book your room here!
Nothing’s more stress-relieving than soaking in a pool or splashing water at your friends. The cool thing about KSL Hotel and Resort Johor Bahru is that they have a Dinosaur Water Theme Park located on the 7th floor! Flash your hotel key card and free entry will be granted. Playtime: unlocked.
The rooms are sleek, and suites come complete with a chaise lounge setting – perfect for resting your feet after a long day out.
Deluxe King room. Image credit
Being connected to the KSL Mall means there’s shopping at your fingertips. If one mall isn’t enough to sate the shopaholic in you, the Holiday Plaza Mall is just a hop, skip, and jump away.
For more fun, you can buy tickets to Legoland at KSL, and they have free shuttle bus services to Legoland too.
Camelia Suite Premier. Image credit
Address: 33 Jalan Seladang, Taman Abad, Johor Bahru 80250, Johor, Malaysia
Rates: From $78 per night
Book your room here!
While MBS has its own infinity pool, you can enjoy a brand new skyline from the one at Holiday Villa Johor Bahru City Centre.
The foyer has grand floor-to-ceiling windows, presenting a picturesque cityscape. Image credit
Superior King. Image credit
Holiday Villa is directly opposite KSL Hotel which makes for another great shopping and dining location. Johor Premium Outlets, Legoland, and Sanrio Hello Kitty Town are less than 30 minutes drive away, so you’ve got everything on your vacay list covered.
Bathroom in the Superior King. Image credit
Address: 260, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Rates: From $72 per night
Book your room here!
While known more as a hotel for conducting business meetings and conventions, Berjaya Waterfront Hotel accommodates guests for leisure as well.
For most Singaporeans, it’s all about the food. Berjaya Waterfront has a fusion restaurant serving international cuisine, and during the weekends, they have different themed buffets.
Berjaya Waterfront has a nice open swimming pool, with chairs for perfect for lounging on a warm, sunny day. If you’re up for some exploring, the hotel is incidentally located in the “duty-free” area of JB, where it’s flanked by an array of pubs, clubs, and karaoke bars.
Sit and dine below real palm trees at the Palm Lounge. Image credit
The hotel’s rooms are currently undergoing a revamp, and will be fully renovated by the end of the year. If you happen to be travelling sometime in December or next January, this would be a good place to consider!
Address: 8 Jalan Ibrahim Sultan Stulang Laut, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia
Rates: From SGD$54 per night
Book your room here!
In the outskirts of Taman Austin Heights lies the only eco-friendly hotel in JB. Coined after the Japanese word for green, Midori Concept Hotel has plants enveloping its entire exterior AND interior, while the rooms themselves are furnished Victorian-style.
Image credit: @visitjohor
The building’s architecture is fashioned to allow natural light in, and even their electrical appliances are energy-saving. If that isn’t green enough for you, they also have an indoor nano garden that acts as a natural air purifier!
Nano garden. Image credit
It isn’t all forest and jungle there though. The hotel is right next to Austin Heights Water Park and Austin Heights Golf and Hotel Resort, and less than a 10-minute drive away from the Mini Kuso Trick Art Gallery.
Address: 57, Jalan Austin Heights 8/1. Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Rates: From SGD$53/night
Book your room here!
Along with the usual facilities, The Mood Hotel has loft suites suitable for both couples and families. Not all rooms are lofts though, so make sure you do a check while making your booking! Fuss-free with minimalist decor, this hotel is a great choice for those who want comfort while getting to save moolah to splurge at JB’s shopping outlets.
Deluxe Mezzanine Queen Suite. Image credit
Located in JB’s city centre with a 5-minute walk to Sutera Mall, the hotel is close to numerous shopping haunts that Singaporeans frequent.
Address: 2, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/3, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Rates: From SGD$41 per night
Book your room here!
Be treated to a scenic view of JB’s harbour at the Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour Johor, as it overlooks Puteri Harbour International Ferry Terminal.
Image credit: @hoteljenputeriharbour
If you’ve never been to MBS’ infinity pool, Hotel Jen has one of its own, with a steam room to boot.
Infinity pool. Image credit
The hotel is connected to Sanrio Hello Kitty Town and The Little Big Club Theme Park, and offers free shuttle services to the nearby Legoland too. Hello Kitty fans can even book their Hello Kitty Deluxe Themed and Premier Themed rooms – how cute is that!
Hello Kitty Deluxe Themed room. Image credit
Address: Persiaran Puteri Selatan, Puteri Harbour, Iskandar Puteri, 79000 Johor Darul Takzim, 79000, Malaysia
Rates: From $110 per night
Book your room here!
If a trip to Europe is way out of your wallet’s league, Hotel Granada Johor Bahru can be a temporary solution. Taking a leaf out of colours and shades reminiscent of medieval architecture in Granada, Spain, the lobby and corridors are dressed in warm hues of red and brown.
Curtains and furniture in the rooms themselves also follow the same kind of aesthetic. Ladies can rejoice in the fact that dressing tables are spacious, complete with a large mirror great for preening.
Being in the heart of Bukit Indah makes for a ton of heritage and cultural finds, such as the Tea Garden 5 minutes walk away. If you’re planning on a full-out shopping stint, AEON Mall is right opposite.
Address: 55, Jalan Indah 15/2, Taman Bukit Indah, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Rates: From $71 per night
Book your room here!
Note: Hotel rates are as of 21st August 2017.
JB has loads to offer – from tasty street eats to cheap shopping and amusement parks – and the best part is that it’s a mere leap over the Causeway, so a quick getaway for maximum recharging doesn’t have to involve a plane ride.
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