Johor Bahru's Bliss: The Boutique Hotel You NEED to Book Now!
Johor Bahru's "Bliss": The Boutique Hotel That Almost Made Me Lose My Mind (in a Good Way… Mostly) - A Rambling, Honest Review
Okay, so here’s the deal. I just got back from Johor Bahru, and I’m still processing what happened at “Bliss: The Boutique Hotel.” They call it “Bliss,” and honestly, it almost lived up to the hype. But let’s be real, perfection is boring, right? This review is gonna be a messy, honest, and hopefully, slightly humorous account of my stay. Buckle up, buttercup, because we’re going deep.
First Impressions (and a near-meltdown at the front desk):
Getting TO “Bliss” was easy peasy. They have airport transfer (thank god, because after a long flight, I was a mess). The taxi driver dropped me off, and the exterior…well, it looked promising. Clean lines, modern aesthetic, and a hint of… well, something that promised a different kind of Johor Bahru experience than I was expecting.
Then came the check-in. Now, I'm not usually one for drama, but this, my friends, was almost a disaster. My flight was delayed, I was running on fumes (and questionable airport coffee), and I had a serious craving for a proper bed. Apparently, my reservation had a tiny hiccup (the hotel staff were polite, but the situation was beyond my control). There was a minor SNAFU - a minor SNAFU - with my dates. The receptionist – bless her heart – looked mortified. It took a good twenty minutes, some frantic typing, and a few deep breaths on my part before the situation was resolved.
The Room: My Sanctuary (with a Few Minor Annoyances):
Finally, finally, I got to my room. And… whew. It was beautiful. Modern, minimalist design, everything spotlessly clean (essential in this day and age, right?!). The bed? Oh, the bed was heavenly. I’m talking, sink-into-it, never-want-to-leave-it levels of comfort. They had a HUGE bathtub, which was exactly what I needed after the travel stress! They have all kinds of amenities - the bathroom had everything you could ask for, including bathrobes (SCORE!), slippers, and a full set of quality toiletries.
Quick Rundown of Room Features (because I need to be thorough, even if my brain is fried):
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning - essential in the Johor Bahru heat, Alarm clock (I turned it off immediately! I was on VACATION), Bathrobes (yes!), Bathroom phone (never used it, but hey, it's there!), Bathtub and separate shower, Blackout curtains (A GODSEND!), Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker (needed my morning caffeine!) and Complimentary tea (bonus!), Daily housekeeping (thank you, angels!), Desk, Extra-long bed (bliss!), Free bottled water (always appreciated!), Hair dryer (a must!), High floor (gave a decent view!), In-room safe box, Internet access – both LAN and wireless (double win!), Ironing facilities (yay, no wrinkled clothes!), Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar (a little pricey, but hey, it was convenient), Mirror, Non-smoking (yesssss!), On-demand movies (didn't use it, but the option was there!), Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security features, Satellite/cable channels, Scale (a little scary after all that eating), Seating area, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector (always good!), Socket near the bed (genius!), Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella (just in case!), Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens (fresh air!), Additional toilet (for fancy people, I guess!)
Okay, okay, now that's out of the way.
Areas where "Bliss" Could Have Been Better (Because, Let's Be Honest, Nothing's Perfect):
The Internet: While the free Wi-Fi was a godsend (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yay!), it occasionally… faded. Honestly, at times, I felt the Wi-Fi was acting up. I mean, it was there, then gone, or slow, or even non-existent for a little while. I really needed to email my editor to send me the rest of the project details. It was a disaster. I managed in the end, and I'm not sure why I'm being so obsessed over it.
Access: I didn’t need accessibility features myself, but the hotel seemed pretty good on that front (Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests). However, the information on exact accessibility features wasn't super clear on the website. Perhaps just a little more detail would have been appreciated!
Soundproofing: Whilst the soundproofing was generally good, there was one night when some noisy guests in the hallway kept me up, but it was no biggie.
The Food and Drink: A Mixed Bag of Delights:
"Bliss" offers:
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: A la carte in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant The Breakfast Buffet: Okay, about the breakfast buffet. The quality was good. The Asian breakfast was excellent. The coffee, however, was… well, let’s just say it needed some serious improvement.
The Pool and Spa (and the near-encounter with oblivion):
Alright, the pool. The pool with a view. Heavenly, truly. Picture this: I was at the pool, enjoying the view (Pool with view!), sipping a cocktail, getting ready for my massage at the spa. The pool area was well-maintained and relaxing.
So then I decided to try the spa (Sauna, Spa, Steamroom, Spa/sauna). The massage… oh, the massage… that was the actual "Bliss". One of the best massages I’ve ever had! The masseuse was amazing. They had also a footbath included. That footbath nearly sent me into a trance state. I was so relaxed that I almost missed my flight back home! I completely forgot about any stress I had.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (because you can’t just eat and sleep, right?):
- Fitness center: This was small but perfectly adequate for a quick workout.
- Sauna, Steamroom, Outdoor Swimming Pool: More opportunities to unwind and chill (if you're into that sort of thing).
- Body scrub, Body wrap: Didn’t try these, but the option was there.
Cleanliness and Safety (Important Stuff, Especially These Days):
I felt incredibly safe. They've gone all out with:
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, and more. I mean, wow.
Services and Conveniences (the stuff that makes life easier):
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Car park [free of charge], Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Smoking area, Terrace, Taxi service, Xerox/fax in business center
For the Kids (if you have them – which I thankfully don't, and I'm not judging if you do!):
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking. Very convenient.
The Verdict (Because You Wanna Know, Right?):
Would I recommend "Bliss: The Boutique Hotel"? Absolutely. Despite the minor frustrations, the overall experience was fantastic. It’s stylish, comfortable, and the spa is divine. If you're looking for a touch of luxury and a break, go!
Final Score: 4.2 out of 5 stars (minus points for the slightly spotty Wi-Fi and the near-disaster at check-in, but definitely plus points for the amazing bed and the killer massage!)
Escape to Paradise: Tsushima Central Park Hotel Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is a messy, glorious, probably-slightly-off-the-rails adventure at the Bliss Boutique Hotel in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Consider yourself warned.
The "Bliss-ful Chaos" Itinerary (Because Life, Like My Travel Plans, Needs a Little Spice)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Kuih Lapis Quest
- 1:00 PM - Landing in Johor Bahru! Ugh, flights. I swear, the anticipation of actually being somewhere always outweighs the actual journey. Found that tiny, almost-too-efficient Malaysian immigration officer. He actually smiled! Maybe my "I'm here to eat everything" aura is working.
- 1:30 PM - Taxi to Bliss Boutique Hotel. Google Maps said 20 minutes, the driver said "traffic," my stomach said "lunch NOW." The taxi ride was a blend of construction, swerving, and the persistent smell of durian (thank god it wasn't inside the taxi).
- 2:00 PM - Check-in and Room Reveal. Bliss Hotel… not quite the palatial haven the pics promised, but hey, the welcome fruit basket was a nice touch (and crucially, contained mangoes). The room? Clean-ish. Let's just say my standards are lower than a Malaysian satay stick. The aircon is BLASTING, so I'm gonna need a sweater, inside, in Malaysia.
- 2:30 PM - MUST FIND KUIH LAPIS. My mission? To find the most vibrantly coloured, melt-in-your-mouth Kuih Lapis in Johor Bahru. This is a serious quest. Asking the hotel staff about the "best" place got me a blank stare, and a suggestion for a Mall next door. I decided on a different path, and with a sense of wonder and purpose, I took to the streets.
- 3:00-5:00 PM - The Kuih Lapis Hunt. Okay, this is where things get interesting. First, I wandered into a local market that reeked of spices and sweat. It was sensory overload - in a good way! Found an adorable lady selling what looked like the holy grail of layered cakes. It was… okay. Not transcendent. Back to the drawing board. Then a shopkeeper, sensing my desperation, sent me to a "hidden gem" (which led nowhere. Literally. I ended up down a dead-end alley. My sense of direction, as you can imagine, is impeccable.). Finally!! A tiny bakery. The kind that looks like it's been around since the time of the Sultans. And there it was! The colour and the flavour of my dreams, finally.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner at Restaurant. After a long day I decided to eat at the hotel's restaurant. The food was good, but I will be trying to explore options the next day.
Day 2: The Sultan's and A Near-Disaster with a Durian
- 9:00 AM - Sleep In! I was exhausted! I got more sleep than normal and felt great as a result.
- 10:00 AM - Breakfast at the Hotel. Food was fine, nothing to write home about.
- 11:00 AM - Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque Visit. Holy moly, this place is stunning! The architecture is just breathtaking. I spent an hour just staring up at the minarets, wondering if I could live inside one.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch. The Mall. I hate malls. But the Kuih Lapis mission left me with a need for a good mall lunch. I ate chicken rice and it was… acceptable.
- 1:00 PM - The Durian Incident. This is where it gets messy. I, against all better judgement (and the warnings of literally everyone), decided to try the durian. Durian. The "King of Fruits." The thing that smells like old gym socks and rotting garbage. I bought a small one from a fruit stall. I took one bite. JUST ONE. My face crumpled. I felt like I was being simultaneously punched in the face and experiencing a chemical peel. Then, in my haste to escape the putrid smell, I tripped. The remaining durian exploded all over my pristine white t-shirt. The shame! The stench! I ran back to the hotel, showered for about 30 minutes, and then burned the t-shirt. Durian: 0, Me: 0 (in terms of style points).
- 4:00 PM - Hotel Pool. And Regrets. I tried to relax by the pool, but all I could smell was lingering durian-adjacent aromas.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner at a Hawker Stall. The Real Deal!. So, after the durian debacle, I needed something to redeem the day. Found a bustling hawker stall selling char kway teow. And oh. My. Goodness. This was it. Smoky, spicy, utterly perfect. It was so good, I ate two plates. I may have even ordered a third. Don't judge me.
Day 3: Farewell, Bliss (and the Mystery of the Missing Toothbrush)
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast. Yes, I missed my alarm. Yes, I was late for breakfast. Yes, I had to beg them to make me another egg. Hey, I'm on vacation.
- 10:00 AM - Shopping/Exploration. Walked around the area I stayed in to explore the shops and find things to buy. Was great.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch. Ate at a restaurant that was recommended by a friend, was solid. Ate a delicious meal.
- 1:00 PM - The Case of the Vanishing Toothbrush. Okay, this is just weird. I swear I brought a new toothbrush. Now? Gone. Poof. Vanished into thin air. My only theory is the hotel's ghost, a particularly picky poltergeist with excellent dental hygiene.
- 2:00 PM - Check-Out and Departure. Farewell, Bliss Boutique! You were… an experience. The durian may have almost destroyed me, and the toothbrush incident remains unsolved, but hey, at least I have stories. So, as the taxi pulls away, I'm already planning my return. Next time, I'm packing extra toothbrushes AND a hazmat suit for the durian.
- 2:30 PM - Flight. Time to head back!
Oh My Goodness, You HAVE to Know This About Johor Bahru's Bliss! (Seriously, Book Now!)
Okay, Okay, I'm intrigued. What *is* Johor Bahru's Bliss, anyway? Is it just another hotel?
Girl, no. It's... an experience. Okay, maybe I'm going overboard, but I just got back, and I'm still buzzing! Think cozy boutique vibes, like, *really* cozy. It's less about cookie-cutter rooms and more about feeling like you've stumbled into some secret, stylish hideaway. Imagine those Instagram inspo pics, but actually *real*. I'm talking thoughtfully designed rooms, a killer breakfast (we'll get to that), and a staff that genuinely seems to *care*. Seriously, my first impression? "Wow, this isn't just another hotel, it's... intentional." And that intention, my friend, is to make you feel pampered. Which, let's be honest, is exactly what we all deserve.
What kind of rooms are we talking about? Are they, like, tiny boxes? Because I need space to breathe.
THANK. GOODNESS. No tiny boxes! I stayed in the "Sunlit Suite"... yes, I splurged a little, don't judge! And it was worth EVERY. SINGLE. PENNY. I'm talking oversized bed, a balcony that actually had *sun* on it in the morning (a rare and glorious occurrence in my life!), and a bathroom bigger than my entire first apartment. Picture this: fluffy robes, a rainfall shower that literally washed all the stress away, and a view that made me want to stay in bed forever (which, let's be honest, I almost did). But seriously, even the more standard rooms looked lovely in the photos. They all seem to have their own character and style, which is a huge plus. They avoid the generic hotel rooms!
And about that breakfast... you teased it. Spill the beans!
Okay, buckle up, because this is where I LOST. IT. The breakfast buffet at Johor Bahru's Bliss is not just breakfast; it’s a freakin' *event*. They do this thing where they serve a mix of local delicacies and Western favorites. Now, I'm not a morning person. Frankly, I *detest* waking up before noon. But this breakfast? This breakfast made me *want* to roll out of bed (and I'm talking rolling, not stumbling) at 8 AM sharp. I went for the nasi lemak EVERY DAY. It was so good, so fragrant, with the perfect balance of spicy and creamy... I still dream about it. And the pastries? Oh. My. GAWD. Flaky, buttery heaven. I may have eaten three croissants one morning. Don't judge me! And the coffee? Seriously good. It was enough to make me forgive the fact that I'm eternally sleep-deprived. The staff also makes a mean fresh juice, too.
Alright, alright, I'm getting convinced. What about the location? Is it actually convenient? I don't want to spend my whole trip stuck in traffic.
Okay, so here's the thing. Johor Bahru isn't exactly known for its traffic jams... wait, scratch that. Johor Bahru IS known for its traffic jams! But the location of Bliss is surprisingly good. It's central enough to get to the main attractions, like the shopping malls and the local food scene, without feeling like you're in the absolute thick of it. I think you can get good deals with Grab around the city, it is quite convenient. I even walked to a nice cafe nearby one day (okay, maybe it was more like a 20-minute stroll, but hey, it's good exercise!). Plus, the hotel staff is super helpful with recommendations and arranging transportation. I mean, the location isn't *perfect*, but the convenience + the vibes = total win.
What about the staff? Are they friendly? I've had some *awful* hotel experiences with rude service.
Okay, listen up. The staff at Johor Bahru's Bliss is a *game changer*. Seriously. They're not just polite; they're genuinely *nice*. They remember your name, they go out of their way to help, and they actually seem happy to be there. One time, I was struggling to find a specific shop, and this lovely woman at the front desk spent, like, 15 minutes drawing me a map and giving me all sorts of insider tips. I felt like I was staying at a friend's house, not a hotel! I can't stress enough how great the service was. They made me feel so welcome and took care of everything. This is what makes this hotel shine.
Okay, let's get REAL. Is there anything about Johor Bahru's Bliss that I *didn't* like? Because nothing's perfect.
Okay, you got me. There's *one* tiny, TINY thing. The Wi-Fi, at times, was a little… temperamental. It wasn't a deal-breaker, but there were a couple of moments where I wanted to scream into the ether because my social media feed wasn't loading. I mean, first world problems, right? And maybe the air conditioning could have been a *touch* colder. But honestly, those are seriously nitpicky flaws. The good FAR outweighed the… Wi-Fi issues. Really, it's barely worth mentioning. Consider it my one, tiny, totally insignificant complaint.
Is it expensive? Because my budget’s tighter than my jeans after that breakfast.
This is the best part! It's not ridiculously expensive, especially for what you get. It's a boutique hotel with excellent service and a luxurious feel, but it won't completely drain your bank account. I actually found deals, and they are pretty good. I thought it was a total bargain for the quality. Seriously, check their website, compare prices, and prepare to be pleasantly surprised. Trust me, it's worth every penny. Consider it an investment in your sanity and happiness!
So, overall... Should I book it? Be honest!
YES! Run, don't walk! Book it RIGHT NOW! Seriously. I'm already planning my return trip. It's the kind of place that makes you feel like you've actually *escaped*. It's the perfect blend of style, comfort, and genuine hospitality. You'll feel pampered, happy, and probably a little bit sad when you have to leave. Just go. You deserve it! And tell them I sent you… maybe they'll give me a discount next time (kidding… mostly!).
