DTHJB celebrates 7th anniversary

Ah! How time has flown and it was seven years since I shared my story Reinventing Jalan Ngee Heng in April 2014.

My choice of flower tea to go with High Tea

I can recall the exciting experience being escorted on a walk-about of the hotel in its pre-opening days, by none other than the hotel’s General Manager.

He remembered what I shared with him about growing up in grandfather’s house, which was once located at No. 154, a site directly opposite Wisma Maria.

The bungalow with a badminton court beside it, was demolished to make way for the construction of Jalan Tun Abdul Razak and what is left of it is only part of the driveway which is now occupied by an enterprising warung operator.

The Red Ruby High Tea set to
celebrate 7th anniversary of DTHJB

Locals know that Jalan Ngee Heng was once a long road that used to span from where Jalan Ngee Heng meets with Jalan Sulaiman right up to the intersection for Jalan Larkin, Jalan Kebun Teh Lama and Jalan Ulu Ayer Molek.

Now the road is much shorter, reduced to a portion that ends in front of Wisma Maria, while the main expressway that joins Jalan Larkin was renamed Jalan Tun Abdul Razak.

The arrival of DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Baru (DTHJB) in Johor Baru was a big deal to me because its presence on a heritage street like Jalan Ngee Heng, gave new life to a familiar old road.

What was left on this short road is a row of pre-war shophouses while all the other old buildings gave way to new sites like (the former) Tropical Inn, Wisma Maria and Landmark Mall which is linked to DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Baru.

Very soon, the landscape along this road would be further transformed when the now-under-construction Coronation Square is completed and opened.

A message for me!

I can never forget the thrill of a stay experience in the DTHJB just ahead of its opening to welcome in guests, one which I documented in Return to Jalan Ngee Heng because once again, I had the pleasure of waking up in this neighbourhood after leaving grandfather’s house some 37 years ago.

At the end of this stay, I had the task of providing feedback on various sections of the hotel for the management to make necessary improvements and adjustments, and I was pleased that my constructive comments were much valued and respected.

From then on, my friendship and partnership with this hotel developed steadily as I was often invited over for food reviews at their restaurants and cafés.

I became more familiar with the hotel because it was a preferred choice of venue to host events and I had the privilege of being a guest at these prestigious and exciting events.

Sweet and savoury treats in 
The Red Ruby High Tea set

From club meetings, weddings to live performances and even fashion runway events, I was delighted to be part of these special occasions held at the hotel.

On January 4, 2017, my friend Gwen and I were at the Axis Lounge to indulge in a High Tea treat and to discuss my book project, the first in the My Johor Stories series.

As the project progressed, it crossed my mind that it would be meaningful for my book launch event to be held in this hotel that was located on the same road as where I grew up in grandfather’s house…

To find out if it was possible, I wrote to the hotel with a request and soon received a favourable reply:  Yes! The date and time I requested for, was approved!

After this confirmation, the next message I received from the hotel stated that General Manager, Simon McGrath, offered to sponsor the venue as well as light refreshments.

My Johor Stories: True Tales, Real
People, Rich Heritage, was launched
on 15 July 2017 at DTHJB

Thrilled with this generous offer, I sent an email to express my appreciation to Simon and his gracious reply read:

“We are most happy to support your book launch, which is a further reaffirmation of the relationship we have enjoyed with you since the pre-opening of the hotel. We share your passion for the heritage of Johor and the stories that support the fabric of its history.”

Then on July 12, just two days before my book launch event in 2017, Gwen and I kept our date for a delightful time together at the Axis Lounge again, to enjoy High Tea in the theme a Tropical High Tea with Tea Drop tea.

In November 2017, I shared a summary of the many exciting happenings with the hotel that year in, DoubleTree by Hilton in my momentous year.

So I have what we call, a bit of history with the DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Baru.

Fast forward to July 2021 when the hotel invited me to celebrate its 7^th anniversary in JB with a kind offer to send over a High Tea set in the theme The Red Ruby for afternoon tea on July 12.

A photo memento from five years ago, 
captured at my book launch event held
at DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Baru

How uncanny! It was for the very same date exactly five years ago…

This Red Ruby High Tea was indeed a timely celebration for DTHJB’s 7^th anniversary and to commemorate five years since my bestseller, My Johor Stories: True Tales, Real People, Rich Heritage, was launched at DTHJB on 15 July 2017.

Served with Dilmah Tea, it was a joy to savour this High Tea set made up of a selection of sandwiches, scones and pastries, with my mum and eldest sister, Ruby.

It is now my pleasure and great privilege to wish a very Happy 7^th Anniversary to DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Baru with every good wish for many more anniversaries to come.

Thank you for being part of my journey in My Johor Stories.

Priced at RM58 nett for two persons, The Red Ruby High Tea set is available from 12pm to 6pm daily until August 31.

DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Baru is located at No. 12 Jalan Ngee Heng, 80000 Johor Baru, Johor. Tel: 607 – 268 6868 or Email: JohorBahru.Info@hilton.com