Sometimes what we need in-between our daily routine is a little recuperating time to lighten ourselves, and when the weekend’s little joys, such as eating out or going on a picnic, no longer suffice, a change of sleeping space for a night or two can just do the trick for a busy person who wants to stay in the city but craves a fresh view when waking up in the morning.
The Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel’s invitation to stay for two nights in lieu of the Renaissance Global Day of Discovery came at the right time. A staycation within the city but a little further away from home gave me peace of mind, knowing I could return to either work or home in no time.
My focus was drawn to the spacious window as soon as I opened the door to their beautiful Executive Suite. It was the ideal “painting” of life, consisting of the long roadway, the lush greenery of a golf course, the reflecting sea, and the vast sky horizon, and it already felt therapeutic to me.
When we checked in, it was late in the afternoon, close to dinnertime, so my staycation companion proceeded to use the shower, which was separate from the bathroom’s toilet and bathtub, to give herself a quick rinse. I must add it is so ideal that there is another toilet with a washbasin next to the suite door – this way, we don’t have to bicker over who gets to use the restroom first!
The suite came with Executive Club Lounge access. We didn’t feel like having hearty meals for dinner that night, so we decided to take in the mesmerising views of the former fishing area of Permas Jaya at night while having our tidbits and latte, talking, and catching up.
When we got back to the suite, we are thrilled to see that there are two televisions inside —one in the large living room with a sofa, and the other directly in front of the King’s sized bed. They include satellite, and as football fans, we were delighted that we were able to watch an important UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City and Bayern Munich shortly after midnight in the comfort of our incredibly plush King size bed.
The following morning, after a hearty breakfast, we embarked on a fun-filled day of events to honour Marriott’s annual Global Day celebration until the late afternoon. We simply had to take a hot bath after a long day of having fun in the sun, dancing, and moving around. The hotel is really attentive to providing bath salts so we can soak in a little bit more beneficial water.
We then went to see the rising comedian Mad Sabah’s pre-show before his full-scale tour in Johor Bahru the next day. Since my friend had travelled from Batu Pahat, so we tried to make the most of our little vacation by exploring the city as much as we could. If you’re uncertain of what to do, ask for recommendations at the front desk as the majority of Renaissance’s staff are knowledgeable about the local area and can recommend places based on your need.
We had our own me-time before spending the final night of our staycation indoors where my friend did some Instagram story editing by the corner of the suite, taking in the beautiful night view, and I watched some Asian drama on the TV while sipping the complimentary English Breakfast Tea.
The next morning, we finally tried the hotel’s breakfast buffet at Cafe BLD, and it was a fantastic, well-balanced blend of the East and West. We were delighted to see half-boiled eggs, served with light soy sauce and pepper—a classic local breakfast. Aside from the local staples there were also dishes such as Nasi Minyak with Ayam Gulai and Dim Sums, and an extensive selection of pastries and delectable fruit jams to select from.
After getting our fuel, we headed to the swimming pool, just to dip our feet for a bit, spending a little time talking about how we have missed the chance to work out at their Fitness Centre, open for 24 hours!
Our pleasant stay was coming to an end but not before checking out a great lunch consisting of Xiao Long Baos and Fresh Crabs at the elegant Wan Li Chinese Restaurant.
Even for a short while, it felt good to be away from the routine of daily tasks. We felt energised and ready to return to our normal routines. The Renaissance Johor Bahru hotel’s hospitality and welcoming navigators made our stay completely enjoyable.
Ideally situated for a quick getaway from the city’s bustle while still being close by, Renaissance Johor Bahru is also an excellent place to stay for weddings, family vacations, or just to enjoy all the fantastic meals the hotel has to offer. You can phone +60 7-3813333 or visit the Renaissance Johor Bahru hotel’s website for more details on rates and availability.
