The Ardens Hotel, Johor Bahru

Are you bogged down with work and in need of a short but restful weekend getaway? Think waking up to bistro quality brunch waiting at your hotel lobby, followed by having a fun-filled day out to a nearby water theme park, or indulging in some retail therapy at the nearby shopping area. Sounds good? We have an ideal itinerary for you! Check out The Ardens Hotel, located in the Taman Austin area, Johor Bahru, for the perfect short and affordable getaway experience!

Johor Bahru is a stone’s throw away from Singapore, and the short 1.5-hour drive from Singapore to Taman Mount Austin means being able to pack in the morning and still getting to Taman Austin in time for a delicious lunch, with the day ahead of you. Tucked away in a quiet corner, The Ardens Hotel boasted of tasteful and elegant décor, exactly like the photographs we saw online. The staffs were extremely warm, helpful and friendly. Although the hotel is located away from the hubbub of the main tourist area, put your security concerns to rest as the hotel’s front door has a magnetic lock that an only be unlocked from the interior. In addition, there is also a security guard who is on duty 24/7, keeping watch on the entrance as well as the car park, so you do not have to worry about potential car theft.

As for amenities, the Ardens Hotel really impressed us! Despite being a 2* boutique hotel, the items in the room had the hotel name printed on them. Furthermore, there was a complimentary selection of snacks and drinks at the mini bar for your snacking pleasure. It was not exactly an extensive selection, but we were satisfied since it was free. After a quick freshening up, we went to check out the hotel’s laundry room, which had a washer and a dryer that was also free for the guests’ use! Detergent can be obtained from the hotel lobby at RM 1.50 per packet; so don’t forget to pack some before you leave. These amenities are definitely useful – as you can quickly and conveniently wash and dry your wet clothes in the machines after spending your afternoon getting soaked at the Austin Heights Water and Adventure Park.

If you are not big on water activities, there is also the Kuso 3D Trick Art Gallery as well as an assortment of shopping and dining places such as AEON Tebrau City – which are all within a short driving distance from the hotel. Be it fun filled and adventurous, or laid-back and relaxed, the Taman Austin area offers something for everyone. However, if you unfortunately still have work to do during the weekend and just want a change of scenery, fret not! The Ardens Hotel offers excellent WIFI connection throughout the entire hotel, which ensures that you stay connected. The Ardens has two WIFI access points on each floor, which allowed us both speedy and fuss free surfing throughout our stay.

After a good night’s sleep, we had breakfast at the hotel’s bistro, The Stag Bistronomy, which is located at the lobby. The food was fantastic! It was plated elegantly and tasted delicious. Needless to say, the bistro is popular amongst hotel guests and the public alike as we saw many walk-in customers while we were dining. After a sumptuous breakfast, do some last minute shopping or just chill out in your room until it is time to check out!

In my opinion, The Ardens Hotel definitely offers more bang for your buck as it offers a 5* room for a 2* price, making it the most affordable and value-for-money hotel I have stayed in at Johor Bahru to date. It is close enough to tourist attractions yet not in the middle of the area so you can have peace and quiet, offers delicious fare at an affordable price and has all the amenities you need to make your stay both convenient and comfortable. It is definitely a great place to try out when you plan your next trip to Johor Bahru!