Chill-out Spot

The first thing that struck me when I step into the lobby is the cheerful ambiance created by the colourful backdrop to the reception counter and the matching brightly coloured furniture.

         

Facade of Amerin Hotel Johor Baru
in Taman Perling, Johor Baru

I can’t help being buoyed up by this paintbox of colours in the reception area and am happy to see its cheerful pattern repeated on the carpet along the corridors leading to our room.

This certainly set the tone for our stay in a family room, furnished with two king-size beds.

My sisters can’t resist inspecting every detail in our room and when I pull aside the curtain, I’m also pleasantly surprised to see that our room on level 6, opens to a private balcony where we can step out to a protected garden area!

We explore the garden where deck chairs are set up under shady giant umbrellas and I just hope the hotel’s CCTV did not catch us cavorting on the artificial grass!

The outdoor garden is indeed a smart idea to create more space, especially for the elderly and families with young children so they need not be confined to their rooms.

The en suite bathroom is separated from the bedroom by a frosted glass wall and we are tickled by how clear it looks with the lights on but I assure my shy sisters that there’s also a roll-up screen to let down for their comfort and privacy!

An extra sink and even a washing machine in some suites

All of us agree that the extra sink in the room is such a boon to a family or group who have two sinks to use among them.

The hotel seems to be thinking ahead of the guests’ needs and even provides a washing machine – complete with detergent for one or more washes – and a dryer, in some of the suites.

The hotel’s interest in their guests’ needs is also evident from the two franchise brands that were invited to open outlets here.

On the ground level, Gloria Jean’s Café offers specialty coffee, cakes and snacks as an alternative for guests who need their daily perk and there’s 7-Eleven, a convenience store for travelers who may need to pick up daily necessities.

Chill-out cool

To catch the tropical sun set, we are at the rooftop’s Chill Out Sky Bar, basking in the balmy breezes and sipping on tall chilled drinks.

A panoramic view of the Chill Out Sky Bar on the hotel rooftop

The Happy Hour crowd is trickling in so we decide against taking a dip in the adjacent pool dubbed the Sky Pool, because of its location on the hotel rooftop.

As the sun sinks down the horizon in a splash of colour, we return to our room and enjoy the private garden while we take turns to shower and dress for dinner.

The table in the Sky View Café is set for a Chinese banquet.  While waiting for dinner to be served, I learn that the café also serves Weekend Tea in a set for two persons (RM58 nett) and Steamboat and Grill Buffet (Adult RM88 nett; Child RM44 nett) on Friday and Saturday.

Our Chef recommended Chinese set menu for dinner

The chef recommended Chinese set menu starts with individual servings of soup of the day, a corn and crabmeat broth, followed by white rice savoured with dishes like steamed broccoli florets in oyster sauce, deep-fried seabass in Thai sauce, chicken in honey barbecue sauce and steamed egg with fresh shrimps.

The dishes are delicious and we thoroughly enjoy our meal in convivial chatter, almost as if we are dining at home!

After a dessert of freshly cut fruits, we head to the rooftop again.  Covered by the dark canopy of night sky, the ambiance at the rooftop Sky Bar is remarkably different from a few hours ago.

By now most of the tables are occupied by hotel and walk-in guests who are enjoying live music entertainment provided by a duo, serenading with English and Chinese lounge favourites.

Seated on bar stools to chill out over cool drinks, relaxing with a view in a striking panorama of lights like a rolled-out glittering carpet before us.

The sight is so mesmerizing that for a moment, we forget that we are in Taman Perling!

Breakfast Buffet

Nobody stirs even after the second alarm sounds its crazy tune.  I crack open my eyes to peek at the time and drag myself up from the comfortable bed to get ready for breakfast.

Finally we are all ready to go for breakfast at the Sky View Café.  I’m told that the buffet spread may not be wide but the food quality is good, so I’m going to find out if it’s true.

A twilight view of Amerin Hotel JB with the top
floors devoted to the Sky View Cafe and Chill Out Sky Bar

First I track down the egg station to place my usual omelet order.  When I collect it later, I’m impressed at how it looks.  I cut through its bouncy moist insides for my first taste and I’m glad it tastes as good as it looks!

My elder sister picks roti to savour with gravy and insists that the lamb curry is so good that she must return to the buffet for another helping.

While I sip my second cup of brewed coffee, I watch my sisters sampling a variety of items from bread to noodles and end with yogurt and an assortment of cut and preserved fruits.

From their satisfied smiles, I know they too discovered that while the spread may not be wide, the food quality is quite good!

All too soon, our staycation is over but from our experience, it may be worthwhile to return to Amerin Johor Baru soon to enjoy their weekend food promotions.

Fast Facts:

Amerin Hotel Johor Baru

No. 35 Persisiran Perling 1

Taman Perling

81200 Johor Baru, Johor

Tel: 607 – 233 0333

Fax: 607 – 233 0331

Website: www.amerinhotel.com.my

First Impression  

Contemporary, cheerful and comfortable

Main Attraction

It’s location in a city suburb keeps the hotel close to the city with a 15-minute drive directly to the Second Link into Singapore and leisure attractions in Iskandar Puteri

Rooms

176 well-appointed rooms and suites dubbed, Amerin, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Family suites as well as disabled-friendly rooms

F&B Outlets

All-day dining at Sky View Cafe with a la carte Asian and Western selections and Chinese set menus; Chill Out Sky Bar & Lounge and specialty coffee at Gloria Jean’s Cafe

Facilities

Rooftop swimming pool, wellness and beauty centre, in-room dining, in-room washing machine, function rooms, executive boardroom, business centre, convenience store, high-speed wireless internet connection and in-room safe

Getting There

From the Causeway and Senai International Airport via Jalan Skudai, exit to Taman Perling and a short drive will take you to the hotel situated opposite the Perling Mall.  From the Second Link directly into Taman Perling after the toll gates or via the Iskandar Coastal Highway from Iskandar Puteri.

Places Within Walking Distance

Perling Mall and Causeway Link bus station with direct route to Jurong East, Singapore; dining options in a range of restaurants for Italian, Chinese and Nyonya cuisine and street food in nearby shops and stalls

A version of this was published in The New Straits Times, Life & Times on 29 December 2016