Usually I would go to Johor Bahru (JB), Malaysia for a day trip and be back in Singapore by night time. However, this time it was different, it was a family trip so we decided to stay over in JB for two nights. We stayed at the Amari hotel, not to be confused with Amara in Singapore.

Centrally located in the heart of the Central Business District, the five-star Amari Johor Bahru is ideally situated on Jalan Wong Ah Fook. Adjacent to Zenith Mall lifestyle hub which offers a variety of restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, the hotel in JB is also directly opposite to Komtar JBCC (home to the Angry Birds Activity Park), City Square Shopping Mall and Persada Convention Centre.

Featuring stylishly furnished rooms and suites, thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor space for informal gatherings, an executive lounge and diverse meeting options, this modern hotel offers excellent facilities including the signature Amaya Food Gallery, Breeze Spa, 24-hour fitness centre, swimming pool and ample car parking space. During our time there, it was the start of the fasting period, so the hotel restaurant offered a special buffet dinner for families who want to iftar together.

Less than a 10-minute walk to the Singapore Immigration CIQ, Amari is just steps to the Johor Bahru Heritage Trail and Bazaar Karat Night Market. Other attractions including Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, Johor Premium Outlets (JPO), LEGOLAND Malaysia and Hello Kitty Town are all less than 25 minutes away. For those crossing the border from Singapore to JB like me, it is really convenient to walk through City Square Mall and reach Amari Hotel in no time.

What are some things I liked about the hotel?

I like the layout of the room, it was spacious and the toilet is nice. I did not mind not having a bathtub because the rain shower concept was perfect for me. The view from our room was also praiseworthy, because it is facing the pool and you can see the city buildings in the background. Our room was located on the 9th floor while the pool was on the 8th floor, so people swimming at the pool could easily peer into the rooms if your curtains are not drawn.

At night, for those looking for supper options, there is a Taiwanese hotpot restaurant (Taiwanese Guoma) at the Zenith mall which opens until 11.30pm. There are also entertainment areas such as bars and a disco. Unfortunately, we were not dressed for clubbing so we could not enter, but it looked really cool because the entrance seems hidden and there was a bouncer who would open a secret door leading to the club.

During the day, you can easily take a cab or Grab to various places, such as to KSL mall or to Taman Sentosa for more local food. It is quite easy to get around JB by Grab and you do not need to restrict yourself to City Square Mall because it is crowded with Singaporeans.

What are some things I did not like?

The swimming pool area is undergoing construction and the Dip Bar is closed. Apparently, they are installing a glass canopy along the poolside patio to provide sun protection and easy access to our Dip Bar. The swimming pool is open although there may be times when the noise from construction is unavoidable.

Overall, my stay in Amari was great. I would give it 8.5 out of 10.

Address: Amari Hotel. Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru.