JO Hotel Johor Bahru

The hotel's strategic location is its most significant advantage, placing guests within easy reach of major transport hubs and shopping centers. This makes it particularly appealing for budget-conscious travelers and sightseers looking for convenient access to the city's attractions. While the hotel offers a practical base for exploring, guests should be prepared for an older building with a distinct vintage feel. Recurring themes in reviews highlight concerns about cleanliness and the condition of some facilities, particularly the lifts. The staff generally receives praise for their service. To ensure a smoother stay, it is advisable to confirm your room's condition upon check-in and be aware of potential issues with the aging infrastructure.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel's facilities are described as basic and showing their age. The lifts are a frequent point of concern, often reported as old, slow, rattling, and prone to malfunctions, causing significant inconvenience and long waiting times, especially for guests on higher floors. While Wi-Fi is generally available and functional, the overall impression of the building's infrastructure is one of being run-down. Rooms typically include a refrigerator and kettle, along with complimentary water. Televisions are provided, though the channel selection may be limited. Water heaters are present, but some guests have reported issues with inconsistent water temperature or pressure. Irons are available, but guests may need to collect them from the front desk.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Many guests report significant issues with room cleanliness and overall condition. Common complaints include dirty walls, stained carpets, mold, and leaking ceilings. Pests such as ants, flies, and even cockroaches are frequently mentioned. The bathrooms often receive criticism for being old, dirty, having rusty taps, stained bathtubs, or broken showers, and some guests have reported yellow or muddy water from the faucets. While some guests find the beds comfortable and linens clean, others have experienced itchy beds or bed bugs. Noise levels can be an issue, with guests reporting disturbances from construction, prayer calls, or fireworks due to poor soundproofing.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is consistently highlighted as its strongest asset, being within walking distance of JB Sentral, the CIQ (Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine), and major shopping malls like Komtar and City Square. This makes it highly convenient for travelers crossing the border or exploring the city center. However, ongoing road construction in the surrounding area has made the hotel difficult to locate and access for some guests, impacting initial arrival. Parking is available and generally appreciated, with guests noting it is often free and guarded, though the process for validation can sometimes be confusing.

Staff & Service
Most guests describe the staff as friendly and helpful, particularly the front desk team, who are often praised for their responsiveness and willingness to assist with issues like room changes or luggage. The check-in process is generally reported as quick and easy. However, some guests have experienced isolated incidents of unhelpful or rude behavior from specific staff members. There are also recurring comments about a lack of proactive housekeeping service, with rooms not being cleaned daily or water not replenished unless specifically requested. Issues with staff availability, especially during late hours, have also been noted.

Additional Information
Guests frequently note that the hotel is an old building, often appearing to be a former office tower converted into a hotel, with offices still occupying lower floors. This contributes to the perception of an aged infrastructure. A deposit is typically required upon check-in, which some guests found was not clearly stated during booking. A common point of feedback is the absence of daily housekeeping, meaning rooms are not cleaned or amenities replenished unless guests specifically request it. Furthermore, the hotel has experienced significant issues with lift malfunctions and power outages, leading to guests having to use stairs from high floors, sometimes in dark conditions, raising safety concerns.