Staycation: DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru
Sunday, January 18, 2015Established on 1 July 2014, DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru is one of the newest additions to the city's hotel scene. Situated in...
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Established on 1 July 2014, DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru is one of the newest additions to the city's hotel scene. Situated in the heart of Johor Bahru's Central Business District, the hotel is just 5 kilometres away from the Woodlands Checkpoint and 25 kilometres away from Senai Airport. Its accessibility to Singapore and Changi International Airport makes it particularly ideal for business travellers.
DoubleTree by Hilton is just a stone's throw away from City Square Mall (0.5km), Sultan Ibrahim Building (1km) and Johor Zoo (1.5km). You can also take a walk to Jalan Dhoby, home to popular hipster cafes and the best chicken chop in JB. Having stayed here not just once but twice, both for a span of about 3-4 days, I can certainly attest to the hotel's strategic location.
There are 335 well-appointed guest rooms, including 22 apartment-style suites. After a long day of meetings or activities, you can look forward to unwinding in the comfort of your room with DoubleTree's signature Sweet Dreams® bedding. If you end up falling head over heels in love with their bed, you also have the option of purchasing it here.
Each room is equipped with wireless internet access, a must-have for every business traveler (or Singaporean traveler, since most of us are addicted to social media) and a 40" LCD TV with a wide selection of local and satellite channels.
I love rain showers because of their massaging effect and was absolutely delighted to find a walk-in rain shower in the bathroom.
Every bathroom is also well-stocked with CITRON Honey & Coriander by Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries. I especially like the Crabtree & Evelyn mouthwash that is included in the set. Its handy size makes it perfect for freshening your breath on the go.
During my stay on both occasions, I had access to the Executive Lounge, where I was treated to a tantalizing selection of canapés and drinks every evening at 5.30pm. If you prefer a little more privacy, you could also choose to have your breakfast here instead.
If you prefer
complete privacy, you can always turn to room service for breakfast,
like I did. All you have to do is fill up the order form behind the door
and state what time you would like your breakfast to be delivered. Hang
your order form outside the door the night before and your breakfast
will magically appear at your doorstep the very next morning!
Feeling peckish after a meeting? For a quick snack or coffee fix any time during the day, you could head to The Food Store at the hotel lobby. Over here, you will find a delectable array of savoury sandwiches and pastries. If you have a sweet tooth, you can satisfy your sugar cravings with some cakes and ice-cream too. In fact, during my stay at the hotel, I got so addicted to DoubleTree's signature chocolate chip cookies that I decided to pick up a tin to take home with me.
Makan Kitchen on the other hand, is an all-day dining restaurant that serves an international buffet spread including famous local specialties. Enjoy western and Asian delights during breakfast and a variety of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Peranakan dishes at lunch or dinner.
The noodle soup station was my personal favourite as a bowl of warm soup and kway teow is my idea of comfort food. Simple, yet satisfying.
For those of you who prefer a party of flavours, you could check out the barbecued meats, fresh seafood and huge assortment of curries before ending the meal on a sweet note with their exquisite selection of desserts and sweets .
Tosca, an Italian restaurant located on the 13th floor of the hotel, is my favourite restaurant in the establishment. The cod fish is my top pick as the fish skin is perfectly crisp while the flesh is moist and tender.
Fitness junkies will also love the 24-hour gym that offers a splendid view of the outdoor swimming pool. Both facilities are located beside Tosca on the 13th floor. The hotel is also equipped with male and female steam rooms and jacuzzis, perfect for relaxing on a hot and humid afternoon.
What did we like about DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru?
The location of the hotel is perfect for sight-seeing, shopping and cafe-hopping. JW and I had the opportunity to explore Johor Bahru by foot, which was a whole new experience for us as there were pleasant surprises in every alley and that led us to uncover some hidden gems along the way.
We both agreed that the warm, personable service was one of the key draws of the hotel, and the signature Chocolate Chip Cookies that we received upon arrival added a nice touch too. This, coupled with the luxurious amenities, made us feel absolutely pampered in this home away from home. If you are planning a short get-away to Johor Bahru, you can rest assured that DoubleTree by Hilton will not disappoint.
If you're interested in the places that we visited, do keep your eyes peeled for my next post on Johor Bahru!
