Planning on exploring unique cafes in Mt Austin or spending a full day getting some TLC at KSL City Mall? Here are the best JB hotels to stay at on your next weekend getaway, sorted by neighbourhood!
While most travellers visit Johor Bahru on a day trip, we’d argue that JB has so many things to offer from cafe-hopping to jet-skiing. You’ll be too tired to traipse back across the Causeway so we ✨strongly recommend✨ staying a couple of days to have fun while recharging.
So, we’ve pulled together a list of the best JB hotels to stay at depending on which neighbourhood you’re planning on spending the most time in.
*Note: There’s a mandatory tourism tax of RM10 per night per room for JB hotels so do factor in that additional cost. Some hotels might also require cash-only deposits, so make sure you’ve got enough money changed!
Hotels near JB Sentral (JB Checkpoint)
The curry fish head soup from Kam Long Curry Fish Head is so addictive!
If you’re looking to spend your getaway eating and shopping, JB Sentral is the most strategic neighbourhood to base yourself in. Its close proximity to the customs makes it convenient for short weekend getaways — and everything you need is within walking distance.
Do your shopping in one of the malls (Johor Bahru City Square, Komtar JBCC) before going cafe-hopping at Jalan Tan Hiok Nee. The neighbourhood is also a food haven with popular restaurants and night markets like Principle Cafe and Pasar Karat.
Read also: JB Day Trip Itinerary — Where to Eat, Play and Shop Under S$65
1) Z Hotel
Nestled in the heart of JB Sentral is Z Hotel. The boutique hotel has a sleek and contemporary aesthetic with spacious and clean rooms.
The best part? The famous Kam Long Ah Zai Curry Fish Head and Pasar Karat are just a 3-minute walk away so you’ll never get hungry. You can also avoid traffic congestion leading into Customs by just walking over!
Cost: From S$56/night for a Deluxe Twin Room
How to get there: 12min walk from JB Sentral (Google Maps)
*Pro-tip: Try requesting a room with a panoramic view of the Causeway. You might be lucky and get a free upgrade!
2) Fives Hotel Meldrum
Opened in October 2023, Fives Hotel Meldrum is one of the newest and value-for-money hotels near CIQ! A Standard Queen Room costs around S$49 per night and every room has a small desk to work from.
While the rooms are fairly basic, the hotel’s location is great for those planning a short one or two-night budget trip in JB.
Cost: From S$46/night for a Standard Queen Room
How to get there: 12min walk from JB Sentral (Google Maps)
3) Hotel CIQ at Jalan Trus
Photo credit: Hotel CIQ
Hotel CIQ at Jalan Trus blends modern comfort with a touch of cultural charm — boasting stylish decor that gives the rooms a cosy, laid-back vibe.
Photo credit: Hotel CIQ
The rooms are not particularly big but it is a comfortable place to crash after a full day of shopping. P.S. Hiap Joo Bakery is only a 4-minute walk from the hotel so you can beat the crowd in the morning to cop fresh banana bread before heading back to Singapore 🧠
Cost: From S$55/night for a Standard Double Room
How to get there: 6min walk from JB Sentral (Google Maps)
Accommodation near Taman Abad (KSL City Mall)
Balinese-style spa in JB?
Taman Abad is home to KSL City Mall where you can find dozens of beauty salons to get your hair and nails done at a fraction of the cost in Singapore!
There is also an abundance of massage parlours in the area like Spa Manja to unwind at — after all, you’re on vacation.
4) Fives Hotel DNP
Fives Hotel DNP is one of the newest JB hotels on the block, opened in November 2022!
The rooms are clean and huge, featuring a vanity mirror, a desk and even an ironing board — perfect for both short-term and long-term stays.
There’s also a 24-hour Thai convenience store just next door that has everything from tomyum instant noodles to disposable make-up — imported straight from Thailand. At night, it even sells Mookata!
Aside from being an 8-minute Grab ride away from KSL City Mall, the hotel is also located between JB Sentral and Mount Austin. We recommend basing yourself here if you plan to visit different places across JB.
Cost: From S$50/night for a Standard King Room
How to get there: 8min drive from KSL City Mall (Google Maps)
5) TROVE Johor Bahru
Photo credit: TROVE Johor Bahru
TROVE Johor Bahru has five themed rooms to choose from — Pop Art, Forest, Geometry, Trading Post and “Arabic Luxury”. So we understand if you prefer to just stay in these aesthetic rooms to Netflix and Chill ✨
Although it’s near KSL City Mall, you don’t have to travel out because there’s also a bespoke cocktail bar on the eighth floor to stop by for a nightcap before turning in!
Cost: From S$90/night for a Deluxe King Room
How to get there: 7min drive from KSL City Mall (Google Maps)
6) Grand Paragon Hotel Johor Bahru
Photo credit: Grand Paragon Hotel Johor Bahru
From families to couples and even solo travellers, Grand Paragon Hotel Johor Bahru has various room types to suit everyone. We’re talking romantic honeymoon suites and spacious family suites!
Photo credit: Grand Paragon Hotel Johor Bahru
Staying here also gives you access to an array of facilities like the gym and sauna. On top of that, there’s a rooftop infinity pool where you can catch a tan while enjoying panoramic views of the city.
Cost: From S$70/night for a Deluxe Twin Room
How to get there: 7min walk from KSL City Mall (Google Maps)
Accommodation near Taman Mount Austin
The adorable Chow Chow pups from Chill ‘N Chow Cafe.
If cafe-hopping is at the top of your “things to do in JB” list, Mount Austin is the place to be. This neighbourhood has aesthetic cafes like the FOUNDERS Cafe and adorable animal cafes like Chill ‘N Chow you can spend hours at!
Another iconic attraction here is Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park — home to a water park, go-kart course, adventure rope course, trampoline park and more.
Read also: 3D2N JB Itinerary — Mount Austin, Kulai, JB Sentral
7) Austin Park Hotel
Frequent visitors to JB might be familiar with Austin Park Hotel as its central location in Austin Heights is within walking distance to viral TikTok cafes like Chill ‘N Chow and Shiba Cafe!
And after a long day of cafe-hopping, go for a massage at Mu Spa & Reflexology, which is just across from the hotel.
The hotel is also surrounded by plenty of eateries but just take advantage of the free buffet breakfast included with the stay. #moneysavingtips
Cost: From S$63/night for a Standard Twin Room
How to get there: 5min walk from Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park (Google Maps)
8) MIICO Hotel @ Mount Austin
MIICO Hotel @ Mount Austin is one of the more affordable JB hotels with rooms starting from as low as ~S$24/night! It’s surrounded by cafes, massage parlours and eateries so you don’t have to stray far to find something to do.
The lobby has tables with built-in power plugs and stable wifi speeds — perfect for those looking to remote work in JB.
The hotel is also 500m from ÆON Mall Tebrau City and Toppen Shopping Centre, where you can catch a movie, try a hand at tufting or even window shop (or raid) an IKEA!
Cost: From S$32/night for a Twin Room (With Window)
How to get there: 8min drive from Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park (Google Maps)
9) KSL Hot Spring Resort
Photo credit: Klook
Contrary to popular belief, KSL Hot Spring Resort is not located beside KSL City Mall. It’s actually close to the edges of the Mount Austin area!
Photo credit: Klook
The hotel is JB’s first ecologically friendly hotel, featuring two naturally sourced hot spring pools (as its name suggests), a jacuzzi and a wood sauna room.
Cost: From S$49/night for a Superior Twin Room
How to get there: 11min drive from Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park (Google Maps)
Accommodations near Bukit Indah (LEGOLAND)
Photo credit: LEGOLAND Malaysia
Bukit Indah is on the Western side of JB and a 20-minute drive from Tuas Checkpoint. It’s home to megamalls like ÆON Mall Bukit Indah and Paradigm Mall but most notably, LEGOLAND Malaysia. This is the biggest family attraction in JB and has three sections — the theme park, the waterpark and the SEA LIFE aquarium!
With over 80 shows, rides and attractions, it’s almost impossible to finish everything in a single day. Basing yourself in the park’s hotel or Bukit Indah would save the hassle of travelling half an hour back to JB Sentral.
10) LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort
Photo credit: LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort
While LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort is on the pricier end, the experience is immersive from the lobby to the themed rooms!
There are five themed rooms — Pirate, Kingdom, Adventure, NINJAGO, and Friends. Each room can sleep up to five people and includes a bunk bed.
Families with little ones will delight in the in-room treasure hunt, where you need to unlock a treasure chest to reveal a surprise gift! There are also interactive play areas scattered throughout the hotel which adds to the enchantment.
Needless to say, the hotel is near LEGOLAND’s main gates so you’ll definitely be first in line to the park.
Cost: From S$210/night for a Themed Room
How to get there: 4min walk from LEGOLAND Malaysia Theme Park (Google Maps)
*Pro-tip: Book the Klook’s Stay+ package to enjoy a dicounted bundle of a Pirate Themed Room and two LEGOLAND Malaysia tickets at ~S$129/pax (original price ~S$158/pax).
11) Hotel Granada Johor Bahru
Photo credit: Klook
Situated in central Bukit Indah, Hotel Granada is conveniently located directly opposite ÆON Mall and a 20-minute drive to Johor Premium Outlets. The rooms are small but clean, and you can even try the onsite sauna and spa for an additional fee!
Cost: From S$84/night for a Deluxe Queen Room incl. breakfast
How to get there: 13min drive from LEGOLAND Malaysia (Google Maps)
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Accommodation near Southkey (The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey & SOGO)
Photo credit: The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey
The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey is JB’s largest integrated shopping mall and you can easily spend a full day here without leaving. Known as one of the more atas malls in JB, you can find luxury brands, a SOGO department store, and an exhibition centre on the eastern side of Johor Bahru.
12) St. Giles Southkey Johor Bahru
Photo credit: St. Giles Southkey Johor Bahru
Connected to The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey, St. Giles Southkey is a four-star hotel with modern facilities and expansive rooms. The rooftop swimming pool overlooks the sea and is a great spot to catch the sunset.
Photo credit: St. Giles Southkey Johor Bahru
The hotel also has a bar, The View Bar & Lounge, on the 28th floor that offers a range of drinks that reimagines classics with an Asian twist. With a drink in hand, watch the JB skyline light up as the sun goes down 😉
Cost: From S$119/night for an Urban Room (King bed)
How to get there: 2min walk from The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey (Google Maps)
Getting to JB
Private One-Way Transfer from Singapore: The quickest and most convenient way to get to JB (from ~S$112 via Klook, sits up to 6 pax) No need to get off the vehicle at the two customs.
Train: The train ride only takes 5 minutes from Woodlands Train Checkpoint but tickets get sold out quickly. Pre-book your train tickets in advance — it costs $5/one-way trip (S$5 to JB and RM5 to SG).
Grab Bus: Departs from locations like Changi Airport, Expo MRT, Marsiling MRT and more (from S$4 to S$11/pax via Grab).
Public Bus: Public buses have the most flexibility thanks to frequent bus schedules and multiple pick-up points like Queen Street, Kranji and Woodlands (from ~S$2/pax).
Want to save more when crossing the border to JB? check out Klook’s Great JB Getaway page to keep up to date with the latest activities, restaurants and hotels!
*Pro-tip: Score 10% off hotel bookings via Klook — promo codes drop every Wednesday!
Do you have a favourite hotel that we missed in our JB hotels guide? Share with us in the comments below!
This post was brought to you by Klook.
