Renaissance Hotels, which is part of Marriott Bonvoy’s remarkable portfolio of 31 hotel brands, commemorated its annual Global Day of Discovery on 18 May 2023, a day when all 170+ Renaissance locations across the world put on heightened experiences as a collective drumbeat, highlighting how the brand delivers unexpected discoveries beyond the conventions of travel.
To mark the 9th year of Global Day of Discovery, Renaissance Hotels is hosting unscripted adventures that highlight the brand’s revised Evenings at Renaissance programme. With the hotel and tourism industry resuming operations, customers travelling for both business and pleasure are seeking authentic local experiences.
“We are excited to announce that Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel will be joining this year’s Global Day of Discovery celebrations with other Renaissance Hotels across globe,” said Kanit Sangmookda, General Manager of Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel.
“Today’s travellers crave a genuine connection with the locals, and as part of Renaissance Hotels that takes pride in being the cultural hub of our community, we are committed to captivate our neighbourhood with moments that give our guests something a little bit unexpected every step along their journey.”
On 18 May 2023, guests and locals visiting Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel joined in the celebration with Discover Johor’s Cultural Heritage.
Guests at the Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel had the opportunity to immerse themselves in local culture through a series of activities designed to stimulate the senses. The Iskandarian too, got to re-learn and experience Johor Bahru while playing tourist as one of the travellers on the trip.
The journey, which was co-hosted by Yayasan Warisan Johor (Johor Heritage Foundation), began at Rumah Limas, a Malay-style wooden gazebo where travellers get to dress up in traditional Johor Malay clothes and pose for photos at Instagram-worthy spots such as the open windows and lovely verandah of the house.
Next up was the famed Weaving Gallery (Galeri Tenun) that showcased traditional weaving techniques, such as spinning threads into spools and weaving fabric thread on a wooden traditional weaving frame. We found various patterns of ‘songket’ that actually have individual names and that the Johor royals have their own weave pattern.
We then went to the Johor Art Gallery to see incredibly skilled craftsmen and craftswomen involved in kite-making, batik-painting, and the assembly and playing of the angklung, a traditional bamboo musical instrument. Most of the travellers now appreciate crafts made by hand better afterwards.
The Zapin House was ready with their dynamic dancers to perform Zapin, a Johor traditional folk dance, when we arrived. After an energetic performance, the dancers invited us to learn the basic steps and join them in the dance.
Before returning to Renaissance JB, it was a must to take a photo at Istana Bukit Serene’s Crown Arch (Laman Mahkota Istana Bukit Serene) to commemorate the real, Johor Bahru style experience.
As we reached the hotel’s lobby, Drum Up JB, a Johor Bahru-born troupe that performs drum art form, known as the 24 Festive Drums, were ready to explode with their creative energy, giving us the cultural diversity experience of Johor Bahru.
Finally, as part of the 9th Global Day of Discovery, Evenings at Renaissance, an afternoon tea with a local twist that was specially curated by the hotel’s culinary team, concluded the 9th Global Day of Discovery. Our favourite was their refreshing, non-alcoholic Coco Lemo and Nasi Lemak in sushi form – a perfection!
To learn more about Renaissance Hotels and its Evenings at Renaissance programme, please visit www.renhotels.com
Explore the Global Day of Discovery events happening at Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel, please follow the social channels at Facebook and Instagram.
