Where to Stay

Accommodation costs in Johor Bahru are generally on par with or slightly cheaper than in the national capital, Kuala Lumpur, and a downright steal versus those in Singapore (whose Changi Airport lies no more than 45 minutes away by private transport on a congestion-free day). Nearly every hotel falls within a five-kilometre radius of Jalan Wong Ah Fook, which makes getting around a painless affair, more so with the abundant number of taxis in service and a surprisingly efficient radio-booking network.

The most expensive standard double rooms find themselves within the Hyatt Regency and come with sweeping views of the Johor Straits and the Istana grounds. At the opposite end of the scale, numerous budget properties have sprung up in the singsong entertainment enclaves of Taman Pelangi and Taman Sentosa, where a basic air-conditioned room with shower costs MYR30 for a two-hour slot round the clock. For its small size, Johor Bahru embraces no less than half a dozen luxury-class hotels and numerous other inexpensive options for weekenders, vacationers on group tours, transit travellers and businesspersons. Seldom are hotel rooms in short supply, even during the peak of public holidays.

Downtown Johor Bahru

Plenty of hotels are located along or within walking distance of Jalan Wong Ah Fook. Most conveniences concentrate around here, including banks, money-changers, convenience stores and City Square—the newest and arguably the best shopping complex in Johor Bahru. The Puteri Pan Pacific, the only deluxe property downtown, stands about 500 metres away from City Square. About a decade old, it operates well-maintained rooms, complemented by commendable service.

Down a notch, the newly-opened Mercure Ace Hotel, at the southern end of Jalan Wong Ah Fook, packs 109 rooms into a compact tower and scores on locality. More affordable properties within the neighbourhood include the two and one-star Merlin Tower Hotel, Triumph Star Hotel and Hotel Gateway, and the budget-class Hotel J.B. The historic Tropical Inn lies at the northern edge of downtown, its tall greyish facade being a highly visible landmark along the busy thoroughfare leading to the Causeway.

Northern Precincts around Istana Grounds

Traffic and bustle thin out along the narrow costal trunk road leading north-west, past the best of Johor Bahru's sights and spots, such as the Istana Garden, Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, Lido Beach and Dataran Bandaraya. Amidst the serenity and greenery stands the elegant Hyatt Regency, which remains a popular choice amongst holidaymakers, golfers and business types alike. Less privileged but no less romantic, the double-storey Straits View Hotel, though deserving of a major upgrade, sits on a small hill with commanding waterfront views. The two-star Hotel Rasa Sayang, another inexpensive and secluded contender in the vicinity, sits a stone's throw away from the Landmark Mall.

Along Jalan Stulang Laut

East of downtown, a popular eating area boasts a diverse array of food options and scenic views of landmarks in northern Singapore, such as the smoking Senoko Power Station. Two luxury-class accommodations reside at the beginning and end of the straits-front Jalan Stulang Laut--part-service apartment Grand BlueWave Hotel and the well-appointed Eden Garden Hotel, both comparatively new and pleasing in their own ways. Less expensive alternatives in this area include the Lion Hotel, the Merlin Inn and the basic lodge Malaya Hotel.

Suburban Options

A good variety of accommodation dots the suburban entertainment and shopping enclaves of Taman Century, Taman Sentosa and Taman Pelangi, all easily accessible via the Jalan Tebrau six-lane trunk road. The Crowne Plaza and Crystal Crown Hotel top the range here, while Hotel Grand Continental, an older establishment, proves popular with sightseers on package tours. A myriad of cheaper lodgings proliferates down the scale--Hotel Surf Pacific, Cosy Inn and Tebrau Hotel, to name just three. For proximity to the Larkin central bus terminal, Seri Malaysia Hotel, a member of a local budget chain, stands out.

Out-of-town Choices and Resort Hotels

Hotel Sofitel Palm Resort, a family hotel, resides within the compounds of Palm Resort Golf and Country Club, next to the Sultan Ismail International Airport. Golf being one of Johor's major drawing cards, divot-diggers can also find temporary dwelling in Kukup Golf Resort, Ponderosa Golf and Country Club, Austin Hills Country Club and most other country clubs.

Desaru, Johor's far-famed resort destination, provides a plenitude of accommodations, including Desaru Golden Beach Hotel, Desaru Impian Resort and Desaru Golf and Country Resort. Pulau Tioman, just outside Johor in the state of Pahang, also abounds with luxurious choices, notably the Berjaya Tioman Beach Resort.