ARRIVING quite late, all I can think of is a quick check-in, as my 8-months daughter has been a little tired after a four-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur.

Ready with everything (Identification Card as well as Vaccination Certificate of everyone staying), I head straight to the counter, while my parents take my child, Aamina to see all the dazzling Christmas decorations at the lobby. 

At the reception, the sleek-looking guy behind the counter hands me a packet of cookies.

"Here you go miss, our welcome snack, Doubletree's signature chocolate chip cookies. Please enjoy while we do the check in for you," he smizes behind his mask.

Check in process goes swiftly, and before we know it, we are already heading up to our room on a higher floor of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru.

 

BASIC AND SLEEK

Safe to open our mask, I take a bite of the still-warm giant cookie, which is crunchy on the outside but chewy on the inside, seriously yummy! 

Interestingly, these delicious cookies are available to purchase for you to take home at The Food Store located at the ground floor.

I have booked two rooms - one with a king bed and the other is a twin guest room (with two super-single beds), connected to each other. 

My room is spacious and most importantly clean and well-maintained - so I'm not worried about letting my child roam around on the floor. 

The room is tastefully designed but quite simple, which I love - because with a baby moving around, we don't need too much furniture in the room. 

Plus, our rooms are located on a higher floor which gives us quite a stunning view of the capital of Johor.

 

SO MANY CHOICES

Once we freshen up, we then head down for dinner at Makan Kitchen, the hotel's all-day dining restaurant located on the ground floor. 

Featuring regionally inspired interior design and serving famous local specialties that are prepared right before your eyes, Makan Kitchen is a must for visitors wishing to experience some of Malaysia's finest cuisine.

The restaurant is already bustling with guests despite that it's not on the weekend, which amazes me!

To my surprise, the outlet is actually offering the Festive Treats until Dec 30, which means there will be a special festive menu.

Priced at only RM118 per person (RM59 per child, and half price for senior citizens), there are plenty of choices from the buffet which includes Roasted Turkey Breast, Beef Stroganoff, Chicken Schnitzel, Raspberry Macaron, and even Christmas Mince Pie. 

But besides the festive dishes, there are other delicious choices from Malay, Chinese, Indian and Peranakan dishes.  

Some eye-catching food to try include Szechuan Seafood - which is seafood in a spicy broth cooked in huge kuali, served hot!

But, if you don't like spicy food, there are other varieties too including pasta, noodle and many more.

 

AFTERNOON IN THE ROOM

On the next day, after a tiring morning outdoors, we opt for a simple afternoon tea in the room at around 3pm.

It is just us girls, since my dad is still out, so my mom and I ordered an afternoon tea set for two. 

It isn't long since we placed our order, our doorbell rings and a sweet lady comes in with a three-tier tray of everything sweet and savoury sandwiches.

Also served together is a teapot of English Breakfast and Gingerbread Man scones with butter and strawberry jam.

It is such a lovely day to have a private tea session with my mom, while Aamina is napping on the bed. 

While my mom starts with the sweet nutty pie, I on the other hand begin with the smoked salmon sandwiches. 

Being a slow-eater, and with lots of talking, it takes us more than an hour to finish everything in the set.

We in fact make some more tea (thanks to the provided kettle inside the room) and coffee to fully-enjoying our time.

 

AN ITALIAN FEAST

The hotel also boasts an Italian restaurant, known as Tosca, located on the 13th floor, which not only offers good rustic Italian cuisine in the menu but also the stunning view of the Straits of Johor.

The staff is super friendly, in fact, they help us explain more about the menu and dishes they are offering, 

According to one of the servers, wood fired specialties and the extensive antipasto table are popular features of the restaurant.

We ask for the chef to surprise us with his recommendation and since we are in no rush, we go for the four-course menu.

For appetiser, we are served with a basket of bread with Italian dips of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, as well as a sharing Antipasti Misti, which is an Italian Artisan Board of Turkey Chorizo, Air Dried Beef, Turkey Pepperoni, Shaved Pecorino, Buffalo Mozzarella and Sun Dried Tomato Bruschetta, Goat Cheese, Marinated Olives, Red Onions and Mostarda - which comes in huge portion! 

Next on the menu is the Zuppa di Vongole e Cozze soup which is basically mussel soup with a tomato-ish base - which is surprisingly delicious. It has that sour and sweet taste of the sun-dried and cherry tomatoes with a little spice of fresh herbs. 

For main, the chef serves us the Spigola Intera Cotta Al Forno, which is an oven-baked whole seabass, served with grilled Tuscany vegetables and tangy tomato emulsion. 

We are already full for dessert, but the chef wants us to try out the special Christmas tray of everything sweet (and sour) such as ice cream, apricot, strawberry and marshmallow.

Here at Tosca, you can also enjoy dinner al-fresco style overlooking the pool or for a special dinner or relaxed and intimate business lunch, a private dining room is also available. However, bookings are recommended for the private dining.

 

FAST FACTS

DOUBLETREE BY HILTON JOHOR BAHRU

12, Jalan Ngee Heng, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor

TEL 03-2723 1188

WEBSITE www.hilton.com/en/hotels/jhbdtdi-doubletree-johor-bahru

STAY You can opt for Standard room, Deluxe room, a one bedroom suite, or a Presidential suite. The hotel also offers Executive rooms with Lounge Access.

EAT Plenty of variety including Makan Kitchen, Axis Lounge, The Food Store as well as the Italian restaurant Tosca.

DO Chill out by the pool, and enjoy the city sight.

GO The hotel is just walking distance to many malls and hipster cafes.

HIGHS Location!

LOWS Can't think of one.

 

 

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