Johor Bahru is a popular and vibrant travel destination for many reasons. For one, the city has a long history and a rich cultural heritage, both worth knowing. Second, you can enjoy a plethora of city amenities while only being a short drive away from a wide variety of outdoor recreation, such as shopping malls and theme parks. Talk about the perfect balance! It also helps that Johor Bahru is completely accessible, with Singapore connected to the city by the Johor-Singapore Causeway. If you are coming from Singapore, this makes Johor Bahru your gateway to all the treasures and experiences Peninsular Malaysia can offer. Here are the best hotels for a staycation in JB, or Johor Bahru, for your upcoming vacation.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on October 03, 2024.
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Explore more staycation options - travel within your comfort zone
If you’re looking for stays more tailored to your every need, here are some of our top recommendations:
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- 15 Affordable Airbnb Vacation Rentals In Johor Bahru’s City Center
- Top 10 Airbnb Vacation Rentals In Bukit Indah, Johor Bahru, MalaysiaCouple staycation accommodations
Family-friendly accommodations
- Kid-Friendly Resorts In Malaysia
Other unique staycation accommodations
- 8 Best Places To Stay In Johor Bahru, Malaysia
- Green Hotels In Malaysia
1. 1. KSL Hotel & Resort (from USD 52)
First on our list of the best staycation spots in Johor Bahru is KSL Hotel & Resort, a solid option if most of your itinerary is concentrated in the city. KSL Hotel & Resort is only seven minutes away from Johor Bahru’s city center, so you can enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere while being near the city. What makes staying in KSL Hotel & Resort even more convenient is that it’s attached to a shopping mall. You can pretty much complete shopping for souvenirs at the last minute! Amenities at KSL Hotel & Resort include a dinosaur-themed water park, a cinema, a pool and spa, and even a golf simulator. Legoland, Puteri Harbour, and Universal Studios Singapore are all a short drive away.
KSL Hotel & Resort
Address: 33 Jalan Seladang, Taman Abad
1.86 km (1.2 mi) from Hutan Bandar MBJB
2. 2. Thistle Johor Bahru (from USD 81)
Thistle is one of the top hotels in Johor Bahru, almost always fully booked and with good reason. It’s only 6 km (3.7 mi) from the Johor-Singapore Causeway and offers a plethora of amenities to make your stay comfortable and memorable. Guest rooms and suites at Thistle are bathed in soft colors and appointed with high-quality furnishings. You can even enjoy views of the city skyline or the strait, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Hotel amenities include on-site restaurants, a children’s pool, a gym, and tennis courts.
Thistle Johor Bahru
Address: Jalan Sungai Chat
2.08 km (1.3 mi) from Hutan Bandar MBJB
3. 3. Amari Johor Bahru (from USD 123)
Another great hotel to look into if you want to go on a staycation in JB is Amari Johor Bahru. This is a five-star hotel located right across Komtar JBCC, Persada Convention Center, and City Square Shopping Mall, right at the heart of the Central Business District. To make things even better, Amari Johor Bahru is a recipient of the Green Mark Gold Award. You can expect excellent customer service and a beautiful stay here. There is a wide array of amenities available at Amari Johor Bahru, including a 24-hour fitness center, a swimming pool for hot Malaysian nights, and the Amaya Food Gallery. The Johor Bahru Heritage trail and the Bazaar Karat Night Market are both a short walk away from the hotel.
Amari Johor Bahru
Address: 82C Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru City Center, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, 80000
2.5 km (1.6 mi) from Hutan Bandar MBJB
4. 4. Grand Blue Wave Hotel Johor Bahru (from USD 60)
Enjoyable breakfast buffet and good dining options nearby.
Affordable rates for spacious rooms and good breakfast spread.
Close to various attractions and within 30 minutes drive to many places of interest.
Convenient location with easy access to shopping and dining options. Efficient housekeeping and friendly staff.
Grand Blue Wave Hotel, now more commonly known as GBW Hotel, is also a fine choice if you are looking for a convenient base in Johor Bahru. Located in the commercial district, it’s easy to get to KSL City Mall and JB City Square from here with their free shuttle service. What are the other things that make GBW Hotel an ideal gateway to Johor Bahru? The amenities, of course. GBW Hotel has an outdoor pool, a modern gym, and a 24/7 concierge ready to take care of your needs. There are two restaurants located on site to satisfy your cravings.
GBW Hotel
Address: 9R, Jalan Bukit Meldrum
3.36 km (2.1 mi) from Hutan Bandar MBJB
5. 5. Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel (from USD 139)
Do you want a taste of five-star luxury in Johor Bahru? Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel welcomes you with open arms. It is located only a short distance away from some of Johor Bahru’s hottest attractions, including Komtar JBCC, KSL City Mall, Legoland, and Hello Kitty World. Amenities at Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel are wide-ranging. These include a pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, spaces for corporate events, and two on-site restaurants that serve Cantonese and international cuisine, respectively.
Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel
Address: 2, Jalan Permas 11, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya,
7.52 km (4.7 mi) from Hutan Bandar MBJB
6. 6. Grand Paragon Hotel Johor Bahru (from USD 57)
Located just right beside Tebrau Highway, staying at Grand Paragon Hotel Johor Bahru means the rest of the city is right within your reach. And despite having a major thoroughfare located just outside, you can still relax in complete bliss. Grand Paragon Hotel Johor Bahru has 358 elegantly furnished guest rooms, catering to both tourists and travelers on business. And the amenities are exquisite. There are a health spa and gym, as well as a swimming pool where you can cool off. There is no need to go out to enjoy good food– Grand Paragon Hotel Johor Bahru offers many dining options.
Grand Paragon Hotel Johor Bahru
Address: 18 Jalan Harimau, Taman Century
1.75 km (1.1 mi) from Hutan Bandar MBJB
7. 7. Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru (from USD 101)
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Johor Bahru helps elevate the whole staycation experience in the city. Their large outdoor pool alone will impress, as will the four restaurants located on site. You can go for a buffet breakfast at Makan Kitchen, sample some Italian fare at Tosca Italian Trattoria, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee at the Food Store and the Axis Lounge. The guest rooms and suites at Doubletree are also quite luxurious. You’re in for a treat, with their plush bed and pillows, premium toiletries, and additional features available upon request and depending on your needs.
DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru
Address: No. 12 Jalan Ngee Heng
2.27 km (1.5 mi) from Hutan Bandar MBJB
8. 8. Molek Regency Taman Molek (from USD 57)
Molek Regency Taman Molek is an apartment-style hotel located at the heart of Johor Bahru. It’s perfect if you want accommodation that is a tad more relaxed than a hotel. Attractions such as the Angry Birds Activity Park are only a short drive away from this hotel. Each guest room at Molek Regency Taman Molek is furnished with a seating area, a kitchen, a dining area, and an en-suite bathroom complete with toiletries restocked regularly. Meanwhile, amenities include an entertainment area with darts and billiard, a hot tub and sauna, and a swimming pool.
MOLEK REGENCY TAMAN MOLEK
Address: Persiaran Bumi Hijau Molek Regency
5.98 km (3.8 mi) from Hutan Bandar MBJB
9. 9. Mutiara Johor Bahru (from USD 40)
Mutiara Johor Bahru has everything. Fantastic breakfasts? Check. Plenty of dining options? Check. Elegant and contemporary rooms? Check. And a whole lot of amenities? Check, check, check. As you can see, staying at Mutiara Johor Bahru can be a positive and memorable experience. What’s more is that it’s a great cheap hotel in JB. KSL City Mall is a short walk away from Mutiara Johor Bahru if you’re in the mood for retail therapy. On-site, there’s a fitness center as well as an arcade where you can let your inner child loose. In the mood for drinks and live music entertainment? Head to Mutiara Johor Bahru’s Polo Lounge.
Mutiara Johor Bahru
Address: Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Century, K.B. No 779
1.56 km (1.0 mi) from Hutan Bandar MBJB
10. 10. Hotel EL Staycation (from USD 44)
Hotel EL Staycation is another JB hotel you need to check out while in the area. It offers air-conditioned guest rooms equipped with a seating area, satellite television, a fully-equipped private bathroom, kitchen and dining area. The hotel property also has free secured parking, a shared lounge, and a fitness center. It’s located near popular tourist destinations like the Angry Birds Activity Park, Singapore Turf Club, and Causeway Point. It’s a great staycation spot you can enjoy with family or friends.
IKEA Concept Guesthouse
Address: 3 , Jalan Sri Pelangi 2 , Lorong 2 , Taman Pelangi 80400 , Johor Bahru
3.86 km (2.4 mi) from Hutan Bandar MBJB
11. 11. The Puteri Pacific Johor Bahru (from USD 43)
Are you traveling to Johor Bahru for business? Then The Puteri Pacific will be perfect for you. It’s a wonderful hotel on Johor Bahru that’s located right across the Persada Johor International Convention Centre, it is the only hotel of its kind in the city. That said, The Puteri Pacific is also ideal if you are traveling for leisure? The hotel has hundreds of well-appointed rooms where you can relax and unwind after a day of exploration. Hotel amenities include a fitness center, which also has a spa, a sauna, steam baths, a hot tub, and even a dance and yoga studio.
The Puteri Pacific Johor Bahru
Address: Jalan Abdullah Ibrahim
2.76 km (1.8 mi) from Hutan Bandar MBJB
12. Frequently asked questions about the best spots for a staycation in Johor Bahru, Malaysia
What hotels that are great for a staycation in JB have a pool?
There are many hotels in JB that have a pool where guests can lounge and have fun. Some of them include KSL Hotel & Resort, Thistle Johor Bahru, Amari Johor Bahru, and Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel. The Grand Paragon Hotel Johor Bahru and Molek Regency Taman Molek also have a pool area.
What spots perfect for a staycation in jb are pet-friendly?
Unfortunately, none of the accommodations mentioned above allow pets within their premises.
Unsure of where to stay?
When it’s time for me to book a hotel or a vacation rental in Johor Bahru, I always have three important factors in mind: budget, location, and if free breakfasts are offered during my stay. This helps me narrow down my options and ultimately pick the best hotel or Airbnb for my needs and itinerary. It’s a simple travel tip. Try it out and hopefully it can help you find a hotel for your perfect staycation in Johor Bahru. Good luck and have fun!
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