From self-service hostels to luxe hotels, these JB accommodations are not only comfy but also close to your favourite malls!
Photo credit: TROVE Johor Bahru
While a shopping trip to Johor Bahru (JB) can be a day trip, waking up extremely early to catch the bus/train, go through the e-gates, and then rush back after all that shopping and dining, can be exhausting.
For those who are looking to take things at a slower pace, or even take up a weekend staycation, we’ve rounded up some of the best JB accommodations.
The best part, they’re all located near three of its most popular malls — JB City Square, KSL City Mall, and Paradigm Mall JB!
This list is arranged according to the distance of the accommodation from each mall, followed by price.
Accommodations near JB City Square
Photo credit: Tripadvisor
The massive JB City Square is probably the most popular mall in Johor Bahru. I mean, it’s right next to the customs and immigration checkpoint.
With more than 300 retailers, visitors can spend the entire day shopping, watching movies or playing fun games like laser tag, among many other things!
1) Attrus Bed & Breakfast
Photo credit: Klook
Book a cosy budget hostel like Attrus Bed & Breakfast to save money for food and shopping instead! Located near JB City Square and Komtar JBCC, it offers private single rooms, on top of the traditional dormitory-style rooms.
Photo credit: Klook
This is an ideal place for solo travellers and people visiting JB for a few days because of its strategic location and backpacker-friendly amenities: it’s near JB Sentral, provides storage lockers for your luggage, and has a washing machine and dryer. There’s even a prayer room for Muslim visitors too!
Cost: From ~S$37/night (1 pax, mixed dormitory)
Distance from JB City Square: 500m
How to get to JB City Square: Walk 6mins (Google Maps)
2) Belllo Hotel
Photo credit: Klook
No, that’s not a typo! Belllo Hotel really has three L’s in its name, each signifying a certain word.
The first L stands for location. If your priority in choosing a JB accommodation is proximity to attractions, then this might be your best choice. Belllo is situated right in the city centre, giving you quick access to JB City Square, Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, and food options along Jalan Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Street.
The next L is about providing a fantastic lifestyle. With many reviews pointing out the friendly service on top of modern and elegant rooms (natural wood tones and walk-in rain showers!), Belllo is sure to leave you with a lasting impression — the last L.
Cost: From ~S$40/night (2 pax)
Distance from JB City Square: 500m
How to get to JB City Square: Walk 6mins (Google Maps)
3) Amari Johor Bahru
Photo credit: Klook
The luxurious Amari Johor Bahru is a great option for a weekend staycation in JB — its modern and sleek décor, king-sized beds, and spacious rooms make it an attractive option for leisure and business travellers alike.
Photo credit: Klook
Its in-house cafe also serves an Asian-inspired breakfast spread with local favourites such as Nasi lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk), roti, and chee cheong fun (rice noodle rolls).
When you’re done, unwind at their huge swimming pool or sweat it out in their gym. For families with kids, take them to the movie room and pool table for some fun!
Cost: From ~S$103/night (2 pax)
Distance from JB City Square: 500m
How to get to JB City Square: Walk 6mins (Google Maps)
4) Z Hotel
Photo credit: Z Hotel via Facebook
Z Hotel is a boutique hotel at the heart of the city centre and only 800m away from customs. It’s also just a walk away from many must-visit places like the Pasar Kasar Night Market and the famous Hiap Joo Bakery.
If cafe-hopping is in the cards for your JB trip, there are also many hipster cafes to explore near the hotel like Chaiwalla & Co. Container Cafe and Bev C’afe.
Photo credit: Z Hotel via Facebook
The rooms in this JB hotel are spacious, and their soft quilt bedsheets plus carpeted floor make for a comfy stay-in.
*Pro-tip: Try requesting a room with a panoramic view of the Causeway and the city, you just might get a free upgrade!
Cost: From ~S$72/night (2 pax)
Distance from JB City Square: 600m
How to get to JB City Square: Walk 7mins (Google Maps)
Accommodations near KSL City
Photo credit: Tripadvisor
KSL City is popular among Singaporeans for its wide array of beauty parlours, nail salons, and massage centres. It’s also a “hotspot” for mobile phones — many shops here specialise in repair and sell accessories.
On Monday nights, check out the nearby KSL Pasar Malam (night market) for some street food action.
5) Holiday Villa JB
Photo credit: Holiday Villa JB
Right across KSL City is the famous Holiday Villa JB, one of the most luxurious and highly-reviewed JB accommodations in the area. Their lobby has a piano, so that tells you what the place is like (read: boujee).
Photo credit: Holiday Villa JB
As you’d expect from a four-star hotel, there are several free amenities to enjoy, such as an infinity pool, rooftop bar, and breakfast buffet. It also has an in-house sauna and spa, perfect for de-stressing at the end of your trip.
Photo credit: Holiday Villa JB
On top of that, it boasts modern-styled spacious rooms overlooking city views!
Cost: From ~S$101/night (2 pax)
Distance from KSL City: 280m
How to get to KSL City: Walk 4mins (Google Maps)
6) G3 House Homestay
Photo credit: Klook
While not as fancy as the resort in KSL City, G3 House Homestay is a cosy accommodation to stay over with your pals. The rooms are clean and compact, with comfortable beds. It’s a good option for those who want to avoid the noise and bustle of a hostel, but still keep it light on your pocket.
But more than that, its strategic location is a plus point too, with a grocery store, souvenir shops, and various dining options only one crosswalk away.
Cost: From ~S$34/night (2 pax)
Distance from KSL City: 450m
How to get to KSL City: Walk 5mins (Google Maps)
7) Maco Inn Century
Photo credit: Booking.com
From ~S$22 per night, Maco Inn Century is a budget-friendly option for travellers who don’t want to spend on pricier JB accommodations!
The only catch is it’s a self-service hotel — there are no staff members physically present, but they are still contactable through WhatsApp.
It’s near many restaurants and only a 9min walk to KSL City Mall. Amenities-wise, it’s similar to a hostel (shared bathroom, coffee makers, fridge, water), but you get to enjoy your own private room.
Cost: From ~S$21/night (1 pax, single room with shared bathroom)
Distance from KSL City: 700m
How to get to KSL City: Walk 9mins (Google Maps)
8) TROVE Johor Bahru
Photo credit: Klook
TROVE Johor Bahru is a stylish JB accommodation option with unique room themes: pop art, trading post (think white with blue zig-zag lines), forest, geometry art, and “Arabic luxury”.
The rooms are spacious and soundproof, for optimal comfort.
Photo credit: Klook
And if you get bored watching Netflix shows on the smart TV, visit the fitness centre and swimming pool instead. Else, leave the hotel and drive to nearby attractions like the Glass Temple (3km) and the Angry Birds Activity Park (2.6km).
Cost: From ~S$70/night (2 pax)
Distance from KSL City: 1.2km
How to get to KSL City: Walk 15mins (Google Maps)
Accommodations near Paradigm Mall JB
Photo credit: @pteo66 via Tripadvisor
If you thought JB City Square was big, then meet Paradigm Mall — the biggest mall in Johor Bahru. It has over 500 retailers so it’ll be a miracle if you leave without buying something.
Besides shopping, there are many fun things to do here such as go-kart racing, wall climbing, DIY baking and ice-skating! There’s also a jungle-themed indoor playground for the kids.
The JB accommodation options near Paradigm Mall are 2km to 5km away, but they are only a few minutes away via car, taxi or Grab.
9) DK Hotel
Photo credit: Klook
This budget JB accommodation has everything you’ll need for a comfortable overnight stay. It provides toiletries and some nice-to-haves like an ironing board and kettle. And despite being in a tiny building, DK Hotel actually has big rooms with equally spacious bathrooms.
Photo credit: Klook
It’s also only a 4-minute drive away from Paradigm Mall and the city centre. For supper, try the next-door nasi padang restaurant, which is open till 1AM.
Cost: From ~S$27/night (2 pax)
Distance from Paradigm Mall: 2.5km
How to get to Paradigm Mall: Take a 4min taxi or Grab ride from DK Hotel (Google Maps)
10) The Leverage Hotel
Photo credit: The Leverage Hotel
The Leverage Hotel is a business hotel, so it’s mainly optimised for travellers visiting JB for work purposes (hello, digital nomads)! It offers an in-house coffee house, fast Wi-Fi, and a dedicated work desk in every room.
Photo credit: Klook
Aside from that, the rooms have a contemporary design, like dark wooden floors contrasted with white walls and beds. When the day is done, head to the nearby bars only a short walk away from the hotel, or have a meal at the neighbouring 24-hour Indonesian restaurant.
Cost: From ~S$40/night (2 pax)
Distance from Paradigm Mall: 5.2km
How to get to Paradigm Mall: Take a 4min taxi or Grab ride from The Leverage Hotel (Google Maps)
11) Hako Hotel
Photo credit: Klook
A self-proclaimed “affordable luxury” boutique hotel, Hako Hotel is decked with modern and Japanese-inspired interiors.
For instance, its public spaces are painted white and are well-lit (from both artificial and natural sunlight). Plus, there are even cute plants scattered around. All this, from only ~S$31/night.
Photo credit: Klook
More than that, it’s a remote worker’s dream! You’ll have an easy time sticking to your nine-to-five hours with its communal work-friendly place and a work desk in every room.
Once done exploring Paradigm Mall, go to one of the many shopping and dining options in this neighbourhood.
Cost: From ~S$31/night (2 pax)
Distance from Paradigm Mall 5.5km
How to get to Paradigm Mall: Take a 9min taxi or Grab ride (Google Maps)
12) CEL Hotel
Photo credit: Booking.com
A 5-minute drive away from Paradigm Mall, CEL Hotel is a beautiful JB hotel with minimalist designs plastered on the room walls. It adds to the relaxing, calming ambience provided by the simplistic white-and-wooden interior.
Photo credit: Booking.com
Those who are looking for group bonding activities will love staying in this JB hotel because it’s surrounded by a variety of restaurants, cafes, and even KTVs.
Bonus: It’s also just a 3-minute walk away from Sutera Mall, a lesser-crowded mall with a giant Aeon supermarket — good for take-home snacks!
Cost: From ~S$35/night (2 pax)
Distance from Paradigm Mall: 5.6km
How to get to Paradigm Mall: Take a 5min taxi or Grab ride from CEL Hotel (Google Maps)
Tips for your JB weekend getaway
Johor Bahru is a gateway to retail therapy and cafe heaven, but no one wants to go home broke and tired. Here are some tips to ensure a hassle-free trip to JB:
1) Use Klook to book JB activities — This helps save time since oftentimes, you just have to present a QR Code upon entry instead of lining up. (Bonus: Download the mobile app and use the code HotelOnApp to save 5% on your first hotel booking!)
2) Carry cash — In JB, cash remains king! The bigger malls accept cards, but some traditional stores and night market stalls only accept cash.
3) Pre-book your JB transportation — There are many options to get to JB from Singapore — via public bus, train, car, or Grab. For those going by train or Grab bus, make sure to book your tickets in advance as seats get filled up fast.
Read also: Most Commonly Asked Questions About Travelling to Johor from Singapore
If you’re looking for things to do in JB, you might want to take a look at these articles:
– JB Day Trip Itinerary — Where to Eat, Play and Shop Under S$65
– JB Cafe-hopping — 9 New Cafes to Check Out in Johor Bahru
Which of these JB accommodations has caught your eye? Let us know in the comments below! 😊
