This article is part of the DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru Review series:
- DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru King Deluxe Suite Review
- Photo Gallery: Breakfast Buffet at Makan Kitchen Doubletree Hilton Johor Bahru
- DoubleTree JB Executive Lounge Review
We spent a night at DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru to kickstart our Diamond Challenge. Well, the main reason was to attend an event and since we had some HIlton Honors points to burn, we thought why not? Points redemption night does counts towards Honors’ Elite qualification.
DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru – Hotel Details
- Location: Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
- Loyalty Program: Hilton Honors
- Status: Diamond
- Room booked: King Guest Room
- Price reference
- RM292 (~SGD$94) for King GuestRoom with Hilton Discount Advance Purchase
- RM625 (SGD$202) for King 1 Bedroom Deluxe Suite with Lounge Access with Hilton Discount Advance Purchase
- Redemption
- 10,000 points only, pay $0.00.
DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru – Hilton Honors Diamond Benefits
As a Diamond member at this property, here’s the benefits and what we experienced at this DoubleTree property:
- Upgrade to preferred room. We’ve got upgraded to a Deluxe King Suite Room
- 1000 Hilton Honors bonus points per stay. That makes it 9000 points to book a night (suite) here.
- Complimentary full breakfast at either the lounge or the main Makan Kitchen.
- Executive Lounge access with daily evening cocktail.
- Granted late checkout by 3pm.
DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru – Location
The hotel is within walking distance from the Johor Bahru Immigration checkpoint centre (CIQ Complex) which is also the train station for passengers travelling from Singapore to Johor Bahru.
It was only a 10 minutes walk or a slow 15 minutes walk to the hotel from the CIQ. Pretty convenient we thought as long as it’s a good and not too sunny day. I’ll get a Grab car or an Uber if it’s a rainy day or if I just want to get to the hotel.
The location makes it a great weekend escape hotel for quite a few Singaporeans whom we bumped into.
DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru – Check In
The hotel had a dedicated check-in queue for Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members which may be useful when there is a long queue during check in. We arrived at 5pm, there was not much queue during the check in process and we had already reserved our room via the Hilton app, a feature we thought that was pretty amazing.
On a side note, we love the cookie served warm by Doubletree!
Erra who checked us in explained all the Diamond benefits including the evening cocktail and breakfast for the next day where we could either enjoy it at Level 13’s restaurant or the Makan Kitchen at the ground floor.
One thing that I’ve notice was that as a Hilton honors Gold or Diamond member you get to enjoy Late Check out. While World of Hyatt clearly mentions that Discoverist gets to enjoy late checkout until 2pm and Globalist gets it until 4pm (both subject to availability) Hilton honors does not advertise that. We were however granted to have the room until 3pm when we asked the next morning. We appreciated that.
DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru – Deluxe King Suite Room
Our suite was located at the 27th floor. We booked a standard room and knew that we got upgraded to a One Bedroom King Deluxe Suite in the morning of our check-in day.
We knew that we will be checking in late because we wanted to spend some time with our friends in Johor Bahru, that did not stop us from being thankful and excited way before we even arrived at the hotel. We knew that the hotel was sold out due to the long weekend and did not expect anything at all. DoubleTree Hilton Johor Bahru certainly did exceed our expectation with this arrangement.
Deluxe King Suite Room – Living Room
Our room was located at the far corner on the 27th floor, it was far away from the lift, which was certainly our preference.
As we opened the door, we walked into the living room, a L-shaped couch which could easily sits three person and a lazy sofa with an ottoman were seen. The lazy sofa was really comfortable. Our friend who visited us love the couch and the view from the living room.
There were 2 identical rounded glass tables where one serves as a coffee table and another could be used as a dining or drinking area.
There was also a small storage room big enough to even house a surfing board on the right side of the main door.
Moments after we’ve checked into our room, a staff called and ask if he could deliver us a welcome fruit platter together with a handwritten hotel welcome letter from the hotel’s manager. Frankly, I was quite impressed with the hand written note since most hotel just print those out nowadays.
Deluxe King Suite Room – Kitchen and Washing Machine
As you walked passed the storage room from the main door, the next door on your right was the kitchen.
We were impressed with the amount of appliances and cookwares available. You would find a microwave, medium sized fridge, water kettle, a Nespresso coffee machine (2 capsules were provided) and lastly a washing machine with dryer feature. Cutleries and plates were provided too.
This is our first hotel stay with an in-room washing machine.
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Deluxe King Suite Room – Bathroom
The bathroom was located in between the living room and the bedroom. It was a simple setup, you get all the basics. There was no bathtub in our room, I’m actually not sure if other rooms have it here but we thought maybe this was why the living room was so spacious too.
You get the usual hotel amenities. From toothbrushes to shower cap, perfect for a day’s stay or more. There was a note indicating that if you needed anything just call their care line. We liked the smell of their body lotion.
Deluxe King Suite Room – Bedroom
The bed was really comfortable, we had a good sleep here waking up refreshed the next day. There were 4 pillows provided but if you wanted a specific pillow like a memory foam pillow you could also request it from them.
While two power outlets were offered on the bedside, we thought it would be nicer if there was a USB port for charging.
There was also a small work desk which we did not utilize. I would imagine if I wanted to do some work, I would do it in the living room.
DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru – Gym and Pool
The gym had standard equipments and weights. Pool closes at 8pm, we did not had the chance to try it that evening and the next morning we were too full to go for a dip after breakfast.
The pool was a kids friendly pool, more of a fun pool than a lap pool.
There were lockers within the gym bathroom together with a small Jacuzzi and a Steam room. When I was using both the faculties there were no one there.
If you are particular about your toiletries, the gym offered only a one soap fits all solution for body wash and shampoo. I suggest bringing your room’s shower amenities to the gym if you have your own preference.
DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru – Executive Lounge
The Executive Lounge was located at the 29th floor, elite members can check-in and check-out here instead of the lobby. Cocktails are served every evenings here too.
DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru – Makan Kitchen Breakfast
Breakfast was served at the Makan Kitchen from 6-10.30am during weekends. We were there around 9.45am and it was really crowded, we guessed everyone was trying to get some additional rest over the weekend or was partying hard in Johor Bahru.
If you are into trying out local Malaysian food but not willing to travel around the city, this is definitely the right place. I liked the idea of the Makan Kitchen. Each booth offered a different type of food and some has description beside it.
I took quite a number of photos at the Makan Kitchen. Here’s a couple of photos:
I working on creating a Photo Gallery: Breakfast at Doubletree by Hilton Johor Bahru to showcase the Makan Kitchen restaurant and its breakfast offerings.
DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru – Overall Impression
Needless to say, our standard award booking room being upgraded to a suite was a pleasant gesture from Hilton and no one would say no to that. If we were to stay longer, the washing machine and kitchen would have been useful too.
All the staffs that we met during check-in, at the lounge, breakfast restaurant and check-out were very polite and with smiley face. The widespread of breakfast varieties offered and gym facilities available attract us to go back. Surely, we will return to this hotel in near future.
Have you stayed at DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru before? How was your experience?
Overall Impression
value for money
Room Cleaniness
room features
Staff friendliness
breakfast quality
