For some of us, weekends are now reserved for trips to JB. There are so many things to do there, it almost feels like choosing which new TV series to binge-watch. Sometimes, we just end up revising old favourites again.
If you need some fresh ideas, we’ve sussed out some lowkey spots and have put together these unique JB itineraries according to the type of traveller you are. To keep you and your company occupied for the whole weekend, we’ve also included accommodation and lots of fun activities.
Other spots for your next JB trip:
Sometimes, we just need a break from it all. While Danga Bay is the go-to for a beach vacay, those seeking for a more lowkey spot can consider Forest City Marina Hotel (from RM802/night, ~S$267.33), a sprawling seaside resort facing the Straits of Johor.
Address: Lebuhraya Tanjung Pelepas, 1, Pulau Satu, 81550 Gelang Patah, Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 7-505 3333
Forest City Marina Hotel website
Image adapted from: Aqua X Extreme Sports, Aqua X Extreme Sports
This doesn’t mean you’ll just be lazing about all day. Get movin’ at Aqua X Water Sports Village located nearby, where you can take part in sports like banana boat, jet ski, and even ATV biking along the sand.
Address: West Coast Beach, Jalan Forest City 1, Pulan Satu, 81550 Gelang Patah, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: 9am-6pm, Daily
Telephone: +60 10-888 0569
Aqua X Water Sports Village Facebook
Image credit: Pendas Floating Restaurant
Seaside meals will also be part of the trip. Enjoy seafood zi char-style dishes at Pendas Floating Restaurant. Prices start from RM7 (~S$2.33) for 100g prawns, and you get to choose which style you want your seafood to be cooked.
Address: 56, Jalan Tanjung Kupang, Pendas, 81550 Gelang Patah, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Tue-Thu, Sat-Sun 12pm-11pm | Fri 3pm-11pm (Closed on Mondays)
Telephone: +60 13-557 7661
Pendas Floating Restaurant Facebook
Image credit: Bzz Hotel
The amount of exercising you’ll be doing means it’s important to book a chill spot for the night. A good choice would be Bzz Hotel, with industrial-chic rooms from S$31/night. It’s situated along the outskirts of the main city area, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time travelling to nature spots like Gunung Pulai for hiking.
Address: 67, Jalan Joget 8, Taman Nesa, 81300 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 18-968 4668
Image credit: @akulah_yogi
Go-karting and dirt biking are some of the many outdoor activities that JB has in store for adrenaline junkies. For those looking to add some exercise in, head to Gunung Pulai Recreational Forest – a mountain creek just 50 minutes from the hotel.
Not built for the faint-hearted, this hiking trail takes about 2-3 hours to complete – though you can say the pretty waterfalls and the sicc view at the peak make the hike worth it.
Address: Gunung Pulai Recreational Forest, 81000, Johor, Malaysia
Once you’re well rested, book a 10-minute cab ride to Euro Fun Park, Malaysia’s biggest travelling amusement park that’s slated to run from now until 16th June 2022. Expect bumper cards, viking ships and elevated carousel rides that’ll give you plenty of thrills for the night.
Address: Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: 7am-12pm, Daily
Telephone: +60 6-523 3915
Image adapted from: DOY, @changhao0726
Just before you head back home, bring your game face on at DOY Paintball, a 30,000 sqft outdoor space which also has ATV, archery and other sports activities.
This spot also has an in-house DOY Cafe, where you can fill your tummies with pastas and other western meals before your 15-minute drive back to the Causeway.
Address: Jalan Persiaran Senibong, 81750 Masai, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun 2pm-12am (Closed on Wednesdays)
Telephone: +60 14-664 6497
Image credit: @murniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Family holidays call for spacious hotel rooms with cosy couches for bonding time, and giving you just that is Thistle Johor Bahru.
With prices starting from S$66/night, kiddos get to frolic about in 2 resort-style swimming pools, while parents can head to the gym or the sauna before the day begins.
Address: Jalan Sungai Chat, 80100 Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 7-267 8999
Book a stay at Thistle Johor Bahru
Image adapted from: @hutanbandarmbjb, @cik_jali
Those with young ones may be familiar with LEGOLAND Malaysia and Austin Heights Water Park. For something new, try out Hutan Bandar MBJB, a lesser-known spot with a garden playground and swimming pool that’ll keep the youngins entertained. Admission is free.
Address: Jalan Tasek Utara, Kolam Ayer, 80100 Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: 7am-11pm
Telephone: +60 9-780 3184
Image adapted from: @xallehrazax, @triffer26
There’s also something for the tweens and older kiddos. Look forward to unleashing your inner sk8terbois and Lara Croft at HAB Hutan Bandar MBJB, which has an indoor climbing gym and skate park.
Address: Ulu Air Molek, 80200 Johor, Malaysia
Image credit: @caribbean.jb
Just like how we have Quayside Isle in Sentosa, JB has Puteri Harbour. Not only is it a place for sailors and yacht enthusiasts, you will also find rows of restaurants to enjoy a seaside dinner. Young ones will love Carribean Juice Bar, where they can channel Moana and indulge in fruit juices and smoothies.
Address: Marina Walk, Puteri Harbour 79100 Nusajaya, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Tue-Thu & Sun 4PM-10PM | Fri-Sat 4PM-12AM (Closed on Mondays)
Telephone: +60 011-1140 7022
We all have a friend who’s a cafe-hopping enthusiast. They’ll always be the first to check out the latest brunch places and have IG feeds full of aesthetic pics of colourful shophouses.
The good news is that JB has cafe haven Mount Austin, and other hip districts that will definitely be up their alley.
Image adapted from: Hotels.com, Hotels.com
Located within Mount Austin itself is Hako Hotel, with Scandi-inspired rooms that you can book from $48/night. The lobby area has a sleek-industrial decor, with a vertical garden that makes a backdrop worthy of snapping pictures before you start the day.
Address: 17-02,17-03,17-04, Jalan Austin Heights 8/3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 10-806 0600
Image credit: Eatbook
Sometimes, the best cafes are hidden in plain sight, just like JWC The Factory 30, whose industrial decor matches the factories and warehouses that are located beside it. Not only can you expect classic brunch fare done well, you can look forward to their Irish Coffee (RM28, ~S$9.33), a coffee drink with a touch of whisky that you probably can’t find in other cafes.
For more food spots around the neighbourhood, check out this JB Mount Austin food guide.
Address: 30, Jalan Mutiara Emas 5/3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: 11am-11pm, Daily
Telephone: +60 7-361 7821
Image adapted from: @mushyukilife, @tingongg
Take a 10-minute drive up and you’ll arrive at Eco Spring Labs, a quaint idyllic town resembling the Brighton Bathing Boxes in Melbourne. You can look forward to continuing your cafe-hopping adventure here, with places like Soil cafe and Tropique Restaurant & Cafe being notable favourites.
Address: 1 Jalan Ekoflora Utama, Taman Ekoflora, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 7-364 2552
Image credit: Pulai Springs Resort, Johor Bahru
For your next trip with bae, find honeymoon avenue at Pulai Springs Resort (from S$47/night), a Bali-esque hotel found within the foothills of Mount Pulai known for their good restaurants and luxe rooms.
If you both are in need of a massage, whisk away to The Pulai Spa, where y’all can be treated to a foot reflexology session (from RM58, ~S$19.33) or a body massage (from RM130, ~$43.33).
Address: Jalan Pontian Lama, 81110 Johor, Malaysia
Telephone: +60 7-521 2121
Book a stay at Pulai Springs Resort
Once you’re done with your resort getaway, have brunch at Rowan & Parsley before you make your drive home. Its industrial-botanical decor plus the many knick knacks displayed create a cosy vibe that sets the mood for a cafe date.
Here to please your palate is their Big Brother Benedict (RM42, ~S$14), a brunch staple that’s also their crowd favourite. Else, consider their mains, such as their Creamy Tomato Prawn Linguine (RM29, ~S$9.67) with al dente pasta and fresh prawns.
Address: 17, Jalan Cenderai 20, Taman Perindustrian Kota Puteri, 81750 Masai, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: 11am-10pm, Daily
Telephone: +60 11-1005 4747
While it’s fun to have our trips done spontaneously with decisions made on-the-go, it’s still important to get some planning sorted out. That said, researching for places can be a hassle, especially if you’ve just had a stressful week of work and all you wanna do is relax for the weekend.
Leave your planning woes behind by following these unique JB itineraries, so you can fully relax and recharge during your trip before the new week begins.
For more JB guides:
Cover image adapted from: @blurxinnn, Forest City, @akulah_yogi
Prices start from $10.
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