Best hotels in Johor Bahru

hotel jeb jb hello kitty deluxe room

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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.

1. Stylish and modern – Amari Johor Bahru

amari hotel jb

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.

amari hotel jb amaya cafe

Amaya Café/Amaya Food Gallery. Image credit

Book a stay at Amari Johor Bahru.

Address: 82C, Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Rates: From $88 per night

 

2. Luxurious and resort-like – Thistle Johor Bahru Hotel

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.

thistle hotel jb straits view

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.

thistle hotel jb swimming pool

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.

thistle hotel jb executive straits view twin room

Executive Straits View Twin room. Image credit

Book a stay at Thistle Johor Bahru.

Address: Jalan Sungai Chat, Sri Gelam, 80100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Rates: From $73 per night

3. Calming wooden interiors – DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru

doubletree hilton hotel suite jb

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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.

doubletree hilton hotel toiletries

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.

doubletree hilton hotel pool jb

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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.

Book your stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru.

Address: 12 Jalan Ngee Heng, Johor Bahru, 80000, Malaysia
Rates: From $106 per night

4. 5-star comfort with a big bathtub – Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel

For a 5-star hotel, the Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel has more than reasonable prices for a night’s stay.

renaissance hotel jb

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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!

renaissance hotel jb suite

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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.

Renaissance Hotel JB swimming pool

Outdoor swimming pool with cabanas. Image credit: MelvinLin on TripAdvisor

Book your stay at Renaissance Johor Bahru.

Address: 2, Jalan Permas 11/19, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Rates: From $137 per night

5. Free access to dinosaur water theme park – KSL Hotel and Resort Johor Bahru

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.

KSL hotel dinosaur theme park

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The rooms are sleek, and suites come complete with a chaise lounge setting – perfect for resting your feet after a long day out.

KSL hotel deluxe king room

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.

ksl hotel camelia suite premier

Camelia Suite Premier. Image credit

Book a stay at KSL Hotel & Resort Johor Bahru.

Address: 33 Jalan Seladang, Taman Abad, Johor Bahru 80250, Johor, Malaysia
Rates: From $78 per night

6. With an infinity pool overlooking the city – Holiday Villa Johor Bahru City Centre

holiday villa jb city centre pool

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While MBS has its own infinity pool, you can enjoy a brand new skyline from the one at Holiday Villa Johor Bahru City Centre.

holiday villa jb foyer

The foyer has grand floor-to-ceiling windows, presenting a picturesque cityscape. Image credit

holiday villa jb superior king room

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.

holiday villa jb bathroom superior king

Bathroom in the Superior King. Image credit

Book a stay at Holiday Villa Johor Bahru City Centre.

Address: 260, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Rates: From $72 per night

7. By the waters – Berjaya Waterfront Hotel Johor Bahru

While known more as a hotel for conducting business meetings and conventions, Berjaya Waterfront Hotel accommodates guests for leisure as well.

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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 hotel suite

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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.

berjaya waterfront jb pool

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berjaya waterfront hotel jb palm lounge

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!

Book a stay at Berjaya Waterfront Hotel.

Address: 8 Jalan Ibrahim Sultan Stulang Laut, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia
Rates: From SGD$54 per night

8. Eco-friendly with Victorian vibes – Midori Concept Hotel

midori concept hotel jb

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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.

midori concept hotel suite

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!

midori concept hotel nano garden

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.

midori concept hotel dining area

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Book a stay at Midori Concept Hotel.

Address: 57, Jalan Austin Heights 8/1. Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Rates: From SGD$53/night

9. Lofts at affordable prices – The Mood Hotel

mood hotel jb

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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.

the mood hotel jb loft room

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mood hotel jb loft

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.

mood hotel jb

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Book a stay at The Mood Hotel.

Address: 2, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/3, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Rates: From SGD$41 per night

10. Set against a seascape – Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour Johor

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.

hotel jen puteri harbour jb

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.

hotel jen puteri harbour jb infinity pool

Infinity pool. Image credit

hotel jen puteri harbour jb suite

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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!

hotel jen jb hello kitty deluxe room

Hello Kitty Deluxe Themed room. Image credit

Book a stay at JEN Johor Puteri Harbour.

Address: Persiaran Puteri Selatan, Puteri Harbour, Iskandar Puteri, 79000 Johor Darul Takzim, 79000, Malaysia
Rates: From $110 per night

11. With Spanish influences – Hotel Granada Johor Bahru

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.

hotel granada jb lobby

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hotel granada jb room

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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.

hotel granada jb suite

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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.

Book a stay at Hotel Granada Johor Bahru.

Address: 55, Jalan Indah 15/2, Taman Bukit Indah, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Rates: From $71 per night

Note: Hotel rates are as of 21st August 2017.

Affordable and pretty hotels in JB

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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