宅度假 Staycation
Whether you’re based in the city centre who prefers to spend the weekend nearby or someone from the far end of Johor Bahru looking for a bit of a leisurely drive, Pulai Springs Resort is an urban sanctuary and a haven of tranquillity for those simply looking to get out but not go far. With not one, but five swimming pools serving as our private oasis and a sports centre for those who want to lose some flabs, there’s no better place to be stranded or to escape the manic city life!
Forget the air-con, for it’s the sun, the sand and the surf, in addition to the sea, the spa and the seclusion that draw many to make the hour-long pilgrimage from Johor Bahru and Singapore to this beach sanctuary; or the perfect photo opportunity with that signature guitar shape with a rock and roll edge. As the clock struck three, we arrived in good time for a seamless check-in that ushers the start of our summer staycation.
Whatever your reasons, get tan ready, and prepare to vacay like a Rock Star, where else but in Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast!
Voted the cleanest city in the Asean region in 2018, with plenty of heritage architecture and an infectiously languorous mood, the royal town of Muar (once known as Bandar Maharani) makes for an intriguing and rewarding weekend getaway and is well worth spending a day or two exploring, even if you have less than 48 hours …
Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort may not be a familiar territory with the young millennials but old-timers and avid golfers can testify to the sprawling 54-hole golf course which occupies about 800 acres of land bounded by the Straits of Johor in the south, Sungai Kim Kim on the east, Kampong Pasir Putih in the West and the sprawling industrial township of Pasir Gudang to the north. Rated 2nd best golf course in Johor and 9th best overall in Malaysia by Asian Golf monthly readers poll in 2016, Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort is infra-structually convenient as it’s only 25-35 minutes drive away from the JB-Singapore Causeway via the new Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) and the Pasir Gudang / Kota Tinggi Exit from the North-South Highway; 25 minutes from Senai International Airport via the Senai Desaru Expressway and a mere 1 hour’s drive from the Tuas-Second Link.
Not all of us can afford airfare to faraway places, yet are too lazy to make a weekend escapade outside of Johor Bahru, so we rely on the occasional “staycation” for R&R. Personally, we love staying in as much as going on a little excursion around the neighbourhood we are in. We may be in JB, but with a little curiosity (and a willingness to get out of bed), we’ll find that there’s plenty this city can offer, even for well-travelled locals like us.
With an urban, functional-chic design and comforting space with full height windows that allow natural light for that homely atmosphere, we can appreciate the amount of detail put into this boutique hotel to make it comforting and aesthetically pleasing for us. Prices are also reasonable here too, and with an ideal location and facilities to match, Amerin Hotel hits the spot for us in many ways.
[编辑 Editor 吕大人 英译 Translator 刘大人 摄影 Photographer 黄大人] While Johor probably…
Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, Sand & Sandals Desaru Beach Resort & Spa lies in the heart of Desaru, and is Idyllic and ideally located on the unspoilt beach framed by the South China Sea on one side and lush tropical forest on the other. Having undergone extensive refurbishment, rebranded and opened in March 2017, where the sun, sea, sand (and sandals) meet again to create a tropical heaven. Enough said, time to put aside the notebooks and MacBooks and out with the shades and sunblocks instead…
With booming tourism in Malaysia’s Southern State thanks to the development of island getaways, theme parks and resorts around the city and coast to help escape the hustle and bustle, the locals are experiencing a real renaissance as JB redefines itself as an attractive urban destination. An essential part of this renaissance is, of course, the Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel, a lofty standalone property and the city’s only five-star accommodation that offers a unique vantage point providing some truly spectacular views of JB city and Singapore across the Straits of Johor.
Incorporating contemporary Malaysian and Thai touches into the interiors at the first Amari Hotel in Malaysia, Amari Johor Bahru bears the hallmarks of exclusivity, distinctive quality and personal touch of the award-winning Singapore-based FBEYE International’s founder Warren Foster-Brown. Coupled with the warm reception, refreshing cold towels plus signature welcome drink – Pandan Lemongrass upon arrival at the check-in desk on Level 6, the overall process was smooth as silk such that we could slip into holiday mode straight away!
Forget the notion that Thailand’s all about night markets, shopping and food. Instead, think flower gardens, European-themed streets and even hobbit homes! Up there on the podium with some of the world’s greatest parks, Khao Yai is one of Thailand’s oldest and most visited reserve which was named a Unesco World Heritage Site. If you’re craving a quick getaway to experience Europe without flying the distance, simply grab your next direct flight out from Senai via AirAsia to neighbouring Thailand but skip the crowds at Bangkok and head over to the scenic Khao Yai just 2.5 to 3 hours away.
So, what’s the fuzz and buzz surrounding the latest hotel kid on the block? Located on a 4.23-acre land, Forest City Phoenix International Marina Hotel is the first hotel ever built outside the China province among 50 other hotel chains. It is also the largest mixed-green Marina Hotel in Southeast Asia totalling 54,554 m² where each of the 283 well-appointed rooms is guaranteed to look out into the Straits of Johor through the floor-to-ceiling glass window and balcony!
尖叫～ 吉蒂猫迷们，不广传不行呀！东南亚首创吉蒂猫主题客房如今落户南马！话不多说，大人立即带各位来个现场粉红直击！2017年1月19日，柔佛公主港今旅酒店 (Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour) 正式与日本三丽鸥 (SANRIO)合作！此次双方精心设计推出3大系列、12间吉蒂猫主题客房：吉蒂猫水手 (Hello Kitty Sailor)、粉色系 (Pink Series) 与绿野仙踪之吉蒂猫 (Hello Kitty in OZ)。
有些料理，一尝即能成主顾；对于落脚处亦然，就好似这儿的经理告诉大人，好多经常得南下北上穿梭城市路线中的访客，下榻了一回之后便如同找到了家的温暖感觉，「不知不觉竟成了常客」。的确，舟车劳顿之余能为自己在新山找个舒适的落脚处，价格既需亲民务实而环境也明净透亮。对于商务或短期出行的访客来说，由于白天需全心外出处理公务或探秘，夜晚需能无忧安眠这一点绝对重要。
[编辑 Editor 吕大人 英译 Translator 刘大人 摄影 Photographer 黄大人 资料 Sub-editor 郑大人]…
Meet Jen, our friend and host (from Hotel Jen by Shangri-La) that simply adores life, fun, adventure and discovery since 2014, whom we had the pleasure to experience up close and personal the one-of-a-kind “Jen” hospitality at her home in China (Hotel Jen Upper East Beijing) and Singapore (Hotel Jen Orchard Gateway). With her homes located in some of the best locations across the Asia Pacific, Jen is always ready to welcome anyone with open arms, whether we are in Hong Kong, Brisbane, Manila, Maldives, Beijing, Shenyang, Singapore or nearer to home (Penang and Johor). We simply could not forget “That Jen Feeling” from our previous visits, so when the opportunity arises for us to spend yet another weekend staycation with Jen at Puteri Harbour, our response was a resounding YES without hesitation!
Tucked away amidst the idyllic suburb of Johor Bahru just 15 minutes from the city centre, lies a perfect hideaway with modern amenities and facilities juxtaposed with old-world charm where one can enjoy many features including good food and a good game. The clubhouse duly reflects a timeless ambience of grandeur, elegance and style while the surrounding development also mirrors an eco-friendly concept, so it’s hardly surprising when many call experience at Ponderosa Golf & Country Club to be a w(hole) in one!
If by dusk, thoughts of the bed are starting to fill your mind, it’s time to slow down and check into The Replacement Lodge & Kitchen – Bed and Breakfast and check out what the first and only boutique accommodation in the heritage quarter of JB has to offer…
Happy at “seeing RED” at DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru, with the coming together of two iconic brands to bring us a wholesome family adventure for locals and visitors alike! Thanks to the marketing folks at DoubleTree, we get to play “tourists” in our home city while experiencing the renowned Hilton-brand hospitality up close and personal for the weekend. Not forgetting our date with the world’s cutest, liveliest and ‘angriest’ birds just a stone’s throw across the streets, we figured it would be wise to check in and grab a bite before our action-packed itinerary begins… YEAH!
The stage is set for some new spook-tacular fun along with Halloween-themed activities, with the LEGO® Kingdom dressed up in the most Fang-tastic decor with giant lighted pumpkins, supersized spiders, cobwebs, bats and scarecrows to scare the living daylight out of all you Halloween fang-natics out there. From now till the end of October, the Brick-or-Treat celebrations this year promises more spine-tingling fun and terror-rific treats for the bravest of the brave, with games and giveaways with a legion of walking Halloween characters, LEGO Building Activities, Brick-or-Treat Trail and more. And the best part, we get to take home a special Halloween Commemorative Brick on every visit!