Affordable hotels near malls in Johor Bahru

The occasional VivoCity and ION Orchard haul in Singapore is great, but nothing beats shopping in mega malls just across the Causeway in JB – you get three times the satisfaction with a 1:3 exchange rate.

But making the trip down to Johor Bahru itself can be a huge commitment, what with Causeway jams and insanely long lines at immigration. You can easily chalk up hours just being on the road, so a day trip sometimes just isn’t enough.

To make the hassle worthwhile, we’ve compiled a list of hotels near the most popular malls in JB if you’re thinking of extending your JB trip to a short staycay.

– Near JB City Square –

1. Belllo Hotel JB Central – $55/night, 1 min walk

Image adapted from: Booking.com

Literally a 1-minute walk away from the mall, Belllo Hotel JB Central is best for the lazies. If you’re craving some local delights, there are rows of shophouse eateries lining the path to the mall – including the famous Johor Bahru Kam Long Curry Fish Head, which only serves Curry Fish Head with rice (RM20 / ~S$6.50).

Image credit: @sheeatshsucooks

Belllo Hotel JB Central 

Book a stay at Belllo Hotel JB Central.

Rate:From $55/night
Address:21 Jalan Meldrum 80000, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, 80000 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 17-293 3866
Website

2. Swiss Inn JB – $48/night, 3 min walk

Swiss Inn Johor Bahru is a modern establishment with no frills – at $48/night, you get a clean and functional space to rest at after a day of jalan-jalan.

Image credit: Expedia

The hotel is a pebble’s throw away from JB City Square – you can either slip on a pair of flip flops and walk to the mall in under 3 minutes, or better yet, get a free ride there via the hotel’s shuttle service.

Image credit: Expedia

For those who can’t afford to skip out on leg day, the hotel has a simple gym in the hotel with treadmills and weights so you can work out after a feast.

Swiss-Inn Johor Bahru
Rate:From $48/night
Address:Mohd Mufti, Lot 512, Jalan Syed Mohamed Mufti, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 7-218 3333
Website

3. The Grand Jade Hotel – $56/night, 2 min walk

The rooms are lined with wallpaper depicting Malaysia in its yesteryears – a nostalgic touch

Image credit: Booking.com

Located right at the edge of the Johor Causeway, this charming hotel offers either a double bed or twin bed accommodation at $56/night. The rooms are equipped with all your basic amenities, including a vanity desk for you to get prepped for the day’s outing.

This hotel is a mere 2 minute walk away from JB City Square, perfect for all the shopaholics intending to make multiple trips to the mall and back with arms full of goodies.

And when you’re hungry, hop on over to the famous Jadi Baru Botak to try their signature dish – Assam Claypot Curry Fish Head at only RM24 (~S$8).

The Grand Jade Hotel
Rate:From $56/night
Address:15R & 15S, Jalan Bukit Meldrum, Tanjung Puteri, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 7-222 0118
Website

– KSL City Mall –

4. Trove Johor Bahru – $57/night, 8 min walk

Image credit: Trove Johor Bahru

With an in-house restaurant serving breakfast and dinner buffets, as well as a swimming pool, Trove ($57/night) has all you need to bask in your own world for a day or two before heading back to Singapore.

Bask in the sunlight on the pool deck or swim a couple of laps in the pool
Image credit: Hotels.com

That doesn’t mean you should stay indoors all day though. After all, the hotel is so close to KSL City Mall is so near that you can reach there in less than 8 minutes by walking and 4 minutes by car.

Located on the 8th floor, Trove’s in-house restaurant Lada and Clove serves international cuisine for breakfast and dinner buffets
Image credit: Trove Johor Bahru

Trove Johor Bahru
Rate:From $57/night 2 pax Standard Twin Room
Address:Jalan Dato Abdullah Tahir, Taman Abad, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 7-272 8888
Website

5. Mutiara JB – $51/night, 5 min walk

If you’re looking to nua abit longer before embarking on your shopping adventures, Mutiara is your best bet. You only need about 5 minutes to walk to the mall from the hotel to KSL.

Image credit: Booking.com

The room is pretty spacious considering the amount you’re paying ($51), so you’ll have plenty of storage space for all your groceries, clothing hauls and some bags of Johor prawn crackers to pack home.

Image credit: Booking.com

Have a splash in the swimming pool, or get your adrenaline rush at the fitness centre which has a water dispenser so you can stay hydrated in between sets.

Image credit:Expedia

The gym has a sizeable range of gym equipment, including exercise mats, balls, and sit-up machines for guests to utilise.

Mutiara JB
Rate:From $51/night
Address:779, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Century, 80990 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 7-330 0300
Website

6. Grand Paragon Hotel – $63/night, 2 min walk

Grand Paragon has been one of the usual picks for Singaporeans crossing the border for a JB weekend getaway. At $63/night, you get a Twin Room with two decently sized beds so that you and your travel buddy can sleep comfortably without having to worry about blanket stealing.

Image credit: Agoda

The hotel is just 2-minute walk from KSL City, and has a bar with a pool table for some entertainment.

Image credit: Expedia

Grand Paragon Hotel
Rate:From $64/night
Address:18, Jalan Harimau, Taman Century, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 7-268 5222
Website

– AEON Tebrau City –

7. KSL Hot Spring Resort – $47/night, 5 min drive

Bed hoggers who need ample space for a good night’s sleep would want to book KSL Hot Spring Resort’s Superior King Room for just $47/night.

Image credit: Expedia

The room is furnished with a king-sized bed, a wood-panelled shower, and a large rectangular vanity mirror with light panels on both sides – great for glamming up before heading to AEON Tebrau City just a 5 minutes drive away from the hotel.

There are two spa pools for you to take a dip in
Image credit: Expedia

As an added draw, hotel guests get complimentary access to the in-house hot spring spa, gym and pool – it’s the ultimate R&R package for a JB getaway.

The hotel has an enormous outdoor pool for anyone looking to swim long laps
Image credit: Expedia 

Hop on the exercise bikes or treadmills in the spacious gym
Image credit: Expedia

KSL Hot Spring Resort
Rate:From $47/night for 2 pax Superior King/Twin Room
Address:31, Jalan Kangkar Tebrau, Taman Daya, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 7-288 2999
Website

8. The Ardens Hotel – $54/night, 4 min drive

Image credit: Booking.com

Rooms at The Ardens Hotel are tastefully decorated with velvety floor-length curtains and gold-coloured lamps. The bathroom is the highlight though – with pastel blue walls, black and white floor tiles, and Victorian-style mirror, it could probably be featured on a design magazine. Yet, guests need only pay $54/night to stay in their Grandeur Queen Room. What a steal.

Image credit: Booking.com

The hotel is only a 4-minute drive away from AEON Tebrau City – so near that you can probably see it from your hotel room.

Image credit: Agoda

Guests can sip on a cup of coffee in the hotel’s Victorian-esque cafe in between trips to the mall.

The Ardens Hotel
Rate:From $54/night
Address:19&21, Jalan Austin Perdana 2/22, Taman Austin Perdana, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 7-354 9323
Website

9. Austin 18 Business Traveler @ JB – $60/night, 8 min drive

Image credit: Booking.com

Austin 18 is basically a home away from home. Its cheapest room, at $60/night, is actually a mini apartment the size of two HDB rooms – with a king sized bed, a living room, a kitchenette and a dining area.

Image credit: Booking.com

A great option for anyone who’s looking to stay a little longer than a weekend, this place is an 8-minute drive or 15-minute walk from AEON Tebrau City.

Squeeze in a quick workout on the treadmills or exercise bikes at the gym before leaving
Image credit: Agoda

There are also a couple of restaurants like The Potter Kitchen at level 1 where you can munch on both Western dishes like Roasted Chicken Leg (RM26.90, ~S$9) and local cuisine like Assam Laksa (RM15.90, ~S$5.20).

Image credit: The Potter Kitchen Facebook

Austin 18 Business Traveler @ JB 
Rate:From $60/night
Address:Jalan Austin Perdana 3, Taman Austin Perdana, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 7-212 1218
Website

– Paradigm Mall/Sutera Mall –

10. V8 Hotel – $39/night, 5 min drive

This gem of a place lets guests stay in the Deluxe Double/Twin Room for only $39/night, and it only takes a 5-minute drive from there to Sutera Mall.

Image credit: Expedia

Check out the wide vanity mirrors in the bathroom with side lighting – great for a flawless makeup application

Image credit: Agoda

Those who are visiting JB with kids will appreciate V8’s kid-friendly facilities like this pool with a playground, where you can let your children run around while you relax on the recliners.

Playground with slides that leads to the pool
Image credit: Agoda

V8 Hotel
Rate: From $39/night
Address:2, Jalan Jati 2, Taman Nusa Bestari Jaya, 81300 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 7-555 2888
Website

11. The Square Hotel – $36/night, 7 min drive

Image credit: Agoda

The Square Hotel is yet another affordable boutique which debunks the “budget hotel” stereotype of dingy and dodgy. At $36/night, the Mini Queen Room with Window is a cosy oasis for guests who are looking for a comfortable rest after a long day of hustling about.

The bathroom is neatly sectioned off into 3 areas which enlarges the space

Image credit: Agoda

This hotel is conveniently located a 7-minute drive from Sutera Mall. There are plenty of food options around the hotel as well – it’s only a 5 minutes walk away from ShenYe Kitchen, a famous late-night food truck serving up piping hot Tonkotsu Ramen (RM13, ~S$14) and yakitori from 9pm till ingredients run out.

Image credit: 深夜食堂 

Image credit: ShenYe Kitchen Facebook

The Square Hotel
Rate:From $36/night
Address:Jalan Pendekar 11, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 7-595 3560
Website

12. The Leverage Hotel Skudai – $32/night, 2 min walk

Image credit: Expedia 

The Leverage Hotel Skudai has excellent ratings from over 2000 reviews on Agoda – impressive, but not surprising. For $32/night, you’re definitely getting more than what you pay for – a cosy room with a queen bed and a bathroom veiled behind glass panels.

Cinammon toast with strawberries, honey and cream (RM16, ~S$5.30) at YOLO
Image credit: YOLO by Dare2dream Facebook

The hotel is located at a prime spot as well. For starters, it’s only a 2-minute walk from Sutera Mall and 5-minute drive from Paradigm Mall. Just around the corner of the hotel is YOLO, a lovely brunch spot, and Wa Zen Izakaya Japanese Restaurant, one of JB’s popular Japanese eateries.

4 generous slices of salmon belly for RM15 (~S$5) at Wa Zen Japanese Restaurant
Image credit: Wa Zen Japanese Restaurant Facebook 

The Leverage Hotel Skudai 
Rate:From $32/night
Address:Pusat Perdagaan Danga Utama, Jalan Pertama, Taman Tampoi Indah 2, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 7-550 0555
Website

Accessible budget hotels in JB under $65/night

The hotels on the list are all within 10 minute walking or driving distance from the most popular malls. The close proximity of these hotels to the popular malls in JB will allow you to shop comfortably even during peak periods since you don’t have to worry about frantically rushing back to Singapore after a short-lived day trip.

For those on the lookout for other things to do in JB, we’ve got you covered with these informative JB guides

• 13 New JB Cafes To Make A Day Trip For In 2018
• 2018 Guide On Getting From Singapore To JB – With New Shuttle Buses & 6-Seater Car Hires
• 6 Cheap Buffets In JB Under $15 Worth Crossing The Causeway For
• 12 Must-Visit Johor Bahru Food Places To Eat Like A Local
• 10 Undiscovered JB Night Markets For A Break From Lok-Lok & City Square Mall

And if a staycay in JB isn’t an option for you, you can still plan a weekend staycay in one of these affordable boutique hotels in Singapore.