Thistle Johor Bahru
Jalan Sungai Chat, Johor Bahru 80100 Malaysia
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US$42
Fully refundable before Thu, 5 Oct
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US$54
US$59
US$37
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About
#20 of 219 hotels in Johor Bahru
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Thistle Johor Bahru has 381 well-appointed rooms and suites with breath taking view of the Straits of Johor or the city’s skyline. This splendid property is strategically located within easy access to the city’s business hub, commercial centres and shopping sensations. The Senai and Changi International Airport is about 40-minute and 90-minute drive away respectively. Johor Premium Outlets and theme parks are about 40-minute drive away. Appetizing eats are featured from alluring ala carte specials, sumptuous dinner and hi-tea buffets to indulging in a romantic candlelight dinner with someone special. The Hotel's ballroom can cater for up to 1,000 guests in theatre-style seating and 600 guests for sit-down dinner including weddings. Guests’ facilities include complimentary WIFI, an outdoor pool with relaxing garden view, Executive Lounge, valet, laundry & dry-cleaning service and gym.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Tennis court
Tennis court offsite
Kids stay free
Valet parking
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Shallow end in pool
Yoga room
Fitness / spa changing rooms
Coffee shop
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Kid-friendly buffet
Kids' meals
Outdoor dining area
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Poolside bar
Children's television networks
Kids pool
Highchairs available
Taxi service
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Convenience store
Executive lounge access
Outdoor furniture
Shared lounge / TV area
Shops
Doorperson
First aid kit
Umbrella
24-hour front desk
Express check-in / check-out
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Desk
Dining area
Housekeeping
Coffee / tea maker
Cable / satellite TV
Bidet
Interconnected rooms available
Room service
Safe
Seating area
Separate dining area
Separate living room
Sofa
Telephone
VIP room facilities
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Iron
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Dishwasher
Minibar
Refrigerator
Electric kettle
Kitchenware
Flatscreen TV
Walk-in shower
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Ocean view
City view
Landmark view
Pool view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Bay View
Great View
Languages Spoken
English, Chinese, Malay
Location
58Somewhat walkable
Grade: 58 out of 100
49Restaurantswithin 1 km
1Attractionwithin 1 km
Jalan Sungai Chat, Johor Bahru 80100 Malaysia
Getting there
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1667Reviews55Q+A100Room tips
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Most Recent
It has been 26yrs since we last came here. Back then, we celebrated our 1st anniversary with a staycay in this hotel (then managed by Hyatt) with a baby in tow. Fast forward to the present, the majestic hotel with expansive surroundings and resort pool still stands. True, some refurbishment to refresh the property is due, but I think the current franchisee is doing its best. We were assigned a revamped room - 1027 - new carpet, smart TV (but only 4 channels?), wallpaper and headboard. It was very nice indeed. And no, we did not encounter any roaches in our room. Hopefully, the rest of the rooms will also get the same treatment. I especially wish to highlight the exceptional service we received from the front desk manager Sam (he's so new that he doesn't yet have a calling card). We were awed by his going beyond the extra mile to make our stay memorable. Thank you once again Sam. The breakfast service is reasonable, but more could be done to improve the hot beverages. Coffee was dilute and water provided for tea was not hot enough. Perhaps an electric boiler could be provided. Likewise, a toaster oven could be added for guests who like their croissants warm and crisp. We had a good break and loved the view of SG from our room. We can't wait to be back. The next time, I would like to be assigned the same revamped room. Thanks and keep up the good work!…
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: choose sea view rooms. city view rooms are not refurbishsed.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Management Thistle Johor Bahru, Other at Thistle Johor Bahru
Responded 2 weeks ago
Dear Ming, Thank you for your valuable feedback and for sharing your memorable experience after your recent stay at Thistle Johor Bahru. It's heartwarming to hear that you returned after 26 years and still found our property as special as it was back then. It gladdens me to learn that we have generally met your expectations for your stay. I appreciate your compliment of our Front Office Manager, Sam and will surely share this with him. I have noted your comments regarding the hot beverages and addition of a toaster oven. Rest assured, I have addressed your concerns with our F&B team and will look into improvements moving forward. It is always a great motivation for all of us here to note that we have added value to a guest’s stay. I look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit! Kind regards, Robert Lee General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Stayed at room 239 on 8th Sept. There was a dead cockcroach in the bathtub. There was no additional towel for the bathroom floor. For such a nice hotel(once upon a time), there is no spa. There is no alcohol until the bar opens at 5pm. The room table chair is a banquet chair. The toilet bowl is not in alignment. Everything feels very old.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Management Thistle Johor Bahru, Other at Thistle Johor Bahru
Responded 2 weeks ago
Dear Matthew, Thank you for your valuable feedback after your recent stay at Thistle Johor Bahru. I have taken note of all the issues that were highlighted in your review. The details you have provided helps us greatly in identifying the service shortfalls you experienced during your stay. Your remarks with regards to the room cleanliness and amenities have been duly noted. The Housekeeping team has taken corrective actions to address the pest issue in room 239. I hope you will visit us again and look forward to welcoming you back under better circumstances in the future. Kind regards, Robert Lee General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is the WORST hotel I’ve ever stayed at in JB. Please do yourselves a favour and DO NOT stay here. - stayed 4 days 3 nights here and housekeeping did not clean my room, not even once! There was even a day where I saw housekeeping cleaning the room next door and I left my room and placed the ‘please make up room’ sign at the door and left. 5 hours later, I came back to the sign still outside the door and the room not made. - the hot and cold water taps in the bathroom are super outdated and very irritating to use. They seriously need to upgrade the bathroom sanitary fittings. Sink and bathtub are very very dirty and gross. Mould growing on bathroom walls. - room stinks like hell, smells like musty old carpet. Very bad for your lungs. My sinusitis flared up badly while I stayed here. - swimming pool was under maintenance for the whole 4d3n I stayed here! - Service is horrible. “Most” employees here are damn lazy and unmotivated to work. They look professional but they don’t act like it. Front desk didn’t even tell me my stay came with breakfast! I had to ask! Too bad for me I didn’t believe the terrible reviews and I chose to believe the good reviews instead when I did my booking. Fair warning to all! Come back when you hear news that they have done major works in the hotel.…
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Management Thistle Johor Bahru, Other at Thistle Johor Bahru
Responded 3 weeks ago
Dear nuraB768ZJ, Thank you for taking the time to provide a detailed feedback of your stay at Thistle Johor Bahru. I am deeply saddened to learn of your disappointing experience during your stay. We are genuinely sorry that your room was not cleaned during your stay and we will investigate this matter to ensure it does not happen again in the future. I have noted your feedback regarding our bathroom and room condition as well. Rest assured, I have addressed your concerns with our team and will ensure we focus on improving our product quality and attention to detail in the areas you have highlighted. I will look into the unprofessional manner in which our staff handled your check-in and will focus on lifting our service standard. I hope you will reconsider to visit us again and look forward to welcoming you back under better circumstances in the future. Kind regards, Robert Lee General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The hotel is $98sgd and when the receptionist opened the booking my request was written that it was my birthday and my passport too had it but I wasn't even wished happy birthday. There is no personal touch. I booked n requested for simple birthday Deco if possible they replied they don't have it. I emailed n asked for high tea they said they don't have it. I went there check in n asked about pool it's closed till tuesday The hotel phone in room is not working I asked for late checkout they said not able to. Receptionist mentioned tat breakfast at 7am alot is the best to go since not so crowded and said pls don't complain if long queue if u go at a later timing in the end of was till 10.30am just for this I placed an alarm n woke up 8.30am and 9.15am there was no queue. There was a problem with the shower head and I had to use towel to tie the tap so tat the water shower will work. The restaurant at around 6.30pm was empty and had no lights that I had to ask if it's open then they switched on the lights. The view was stated as city view more like carpark view. Not worth at all. …
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Don't bother
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Management Thistle Johor Bahru, Other at Thistle Johor Bahru
Responded 3 weeks ago
Dear Pavitra C, Thank you for providing a detailed feedback of your recent stay with Thistle Johor Bahru. I regret to learn of the unpleasant experience throughout your stay. It was disappointing that our staff did not acknowledge your special day appropriately. I have noted your feedback about the inconvenience caused by the pool closure, non-functional room phone, and unavailable late checkout. We strive to accommodate our guests' requests whenever possible, and it is disappointing that we were unable to meet your expectations in these instances. Rest assured, I have addressed your concerns with our team and will ensure we focus on making improvements moving forward. We take guest satisfaction seriously and greatly appreciate your valuable input. We hope to welcome you back under better circumstances in the future. Kind regards, Robert Lee General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Its a good hotel in the locality, a little old one but neat rooms, sleep was good and a beautiful city view from the room. Its pool was big and deep but needs a lil bit cleaning. Breakfast was quite a good spread and the restaurant is beautifully designed. Could not find much to do in the city so staying back in the hotel was fun.
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Management Thistle Johor Bahru, Other at Thistle Johor Bahru
Responded 3 weeks ago
Dear aquarian_India, Thank you for your valuable feedback after your recent stay at Thistle Johor Bahru. It gladdens me to learn that we have generally met your expectations for your stay. I have noted your comments regarding our swimming pool. Rest assured, I have addressed your concerns with our recreation team and will look into improvements moving forward. I look forward to welcoming you back for a future stay. Kind regards, Robert Lee General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The only perks is the service given and the pool view. The rest is below average. Tbh, I can't really sleep well as the room is really outdated and everything just look old. I can't even list it as classy, it's just old. I don't understand how it is even rated so high. It's my first time experiencing Thistle and if they don't do any renovation on the room, I can guarantee you I am not coming back to stay ever. We ordered In-room dining during our stay, the service concierge and the room attendant is friendly, service is good. It's the quality of food that bring the standard down. Our stay comes with a breakfast option, as I mentioned the pros is just the pool view during breakfast, apart than that the buffet option is bare minimum. Taste wise is also bare minimum. My advice, unless it's newly renovated, don't bother to go over for a stay. Overall, my experience in thistle is indeed bare minimum. …
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: The only pros is the pool view. Nothing else
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Management Thistle Johor Bahru, Other at Thistle Johor Bahru
Responded 16 Aug 2023
Dear Paradise57806714698, Thank you for taking the time to leave a review after your recent stay with Thistle Johor Bahru. Your feedback regarding our rooms and breakfast is well-noted and have been shared with our team. Rest assured we will focus on improving our product quality and attention to detail in the areas you have highlighted. I’m pleased that you found our service staff to be friendly and attentive, and we'll certainly pass on your compliments to our team members. We take guest satisfaction seriously and greatly appreciate your valuable input. We hope you will visit us again and look forward to welcoming you back under better circumstances in the future. Kind regards, Robert Lee General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I stayed 3 days 2 nights at this hotel recently and I have to say it was a very2 pleasant stay. The room that we stayed was in fantastic condition, the breakfast and lunch buffet were amazing (we love the food soo much), the pool is huge n clean and we the Conference package is beyond expectation. Special thanks to Joshua and Izwan for the great hospitality. Highly recommended for leisure n business stay!
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Management Thistle Johor Bahru, Other at Thistle Johor Bahru
Responded 8 Aug 2023
Dear Dr Mimi, Thank you for your glowing feedback after your recent stay at Thistle Johor Bahru. It is great to know that you had such a wonderful experience during your stay. It pleases me greatly that our conference package and services were able to meet your expectations perfectly! I appreciate your compliment of our team members Joshua and Izwan and will make sure to pass on your special thanks to both of them for providing you with excellent hospitality. We look forward to welcoming you back very soon! Kind regards, Robert Lee General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Check in at night around 8pm. We were given a room that is non functional at all. Room without towels, bedside lights not plug on, tv not working, room smells bad and very dusty. Called reception 8x went unanswered. I went down to inform the receptionist. She replied as though its a common defects. She arranged a room change to 1504. Worst, another nightmare. Aircon was leaking, nails between the toilet door entrance, tv remote not working, molds everywhere. Wardrobe is ‘very’ dirty full of dust and ceiling was with leaking stained. Terrible condition. Cannot wait to check out now.
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Skip this hotel, many more others you can find. Unless their rooms and staff are well maintain.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Management Thistle Johor Bahru, Other at Thistle Johor Bahru
Responded 8 Aug 2023
Dear Merdaneeh, Thank you for providing your valuable feedback after your stay with Thistle Johor Bahru. I am deeply saddened to learn of your disappointing experience during your stay. I have noted your feedback regarding the room condition and the air-conditioning issues, which have been addressed immediately by our housekeeping and engineering team. Rest assured we will focus on improving our product quality and attention to detail in the areas you have highlighted. We take guest satisfaction seriously and greatly appreciate your valuable input. I hope you will consider to visit us again and look forward to welcoming you back under improved circumstances. Kind regards, Robert Lee General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Despite the mixed reviews by previous guests, we stayed at Thistle Hotel and discovered for ourselves that the oft-mentioned complaints of pests, broken fittings and furniture, mouldy tiles and grouting and aged linen were sadly true. The property seems to have been envisaged for grandeur, but once past the lobby and the imposing flights of stairs that lead to the Glass Restaurant and the sweeping views of the pool and garden, the uninitiated are in for a rude awakening in the form the aforementioned problems. What was unbearable for us was the lingering odor in the room, and a change of room brought some relief. Don’t expect too much in the refurbished rooms though - apart from a fresh coat of paint and new cabinetry and carpet, attendant problems were not resolved. The obviously old fridge didn’t work, housekeeping was not done during our stay, wi-fi reception was poor, bathroom fittings and fixtures remain woeful. Repeated requests were met with promises which failed to be delivered. In short, anything that requires service from supporting staff, or extensive renovation, could not be remedied. One saving grace - the staff. John Dean at concierge desk, Wa Wa and her front desk colleagues, the efficient and friendly gentleman at Glass Restaurant (restaurant manager?) and chef who helms the egg station, and their crew - they were all exceptional! Hopefully they were not part-timers engaged for the busy holiday period only, as they were the bright sparks in our dismal hotel stay. Perhaps some guests would rate Thistle favorably and choose it over other JB hotels despite its run-down condition and relatively isolated location, as there are other hotels in JB which are far worse.…
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Opt for a refurbished room, which may cost more, as the works seem to have started from the...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from The Management Thistle Johor Bahru, Other at Thistle Johor Bahru
Responded 8 Aug 2023
Dear Tubbydubs, Thank you for taking the time to provide a detailed feedback of your stay at Thistle Johor Bahru. I sincerely regret the inconvenience you encountered upon your check-in. We take all guest comments seriously and appreciate the help in identifying areas that require more attention and necessary changes. On a positive note, I am delighted to hear that our team members such as John Dean, Wa Wa and a few others managed to brighten up your stay with their exceptional service. I have conveyed your compliments to them as exemplary staff. We hope to welcome you back with much improvements! Kind regards, Robert Lee General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had made a booking a total of 6rooms. Which 4 rooms are made under 2 names & another 2rooms under individual names. We encountered many issues during our stay. One of our family members had arrived around 12plus & asked if she can check into the room, if there's any availability but was declined as c/in time is at 3pm. It's understandable. So we went to town, had lunch & did a bit of shopping & arrived around 6plus. Now, that's 3hours later. We were in the Queue waiting for 15mins before someone attended to us & the staff allowed another guest to skip the Q. For my reservations, rooms were not ready at all. I was informed that they have my rooms on separate floors. Of course, I declined as we travel with young children. FO Fendi had a hard time assigning our rooms on the same level. I asked what options does he have? To be on the same floor, he can upgrade our rooms to Executive floor but downgrade one of the rooms to a City View facing. Our booking were for Deluxe SeaView Rooms. Honestly, we are being shortchange. Even so, one of the rooms is still not ready. Do we have a choice? None. I've been in a hotel industry for a total of 11yrs & I worked @ Ritz Carlton Singapore. Room allocations & planning should have been done at least 2days prior to guests arrival. Having rooms not available at almost 7pm is quite ridiculous too. We got to the room that was ready & there isn't any ventilation in the room. We thought the aircon needs some time to activate. We went for dinner & came back, the aircon is still not working. Request for the technician to take a look at it. They came & left. Went into my daughters' room an hour later, there was no ventilation at all! I called the reception & was informed to switch on the aircon using the side panel next to the bed. So what's the purpose of the technician coming to the room then without rectifying the issue?? 1 of the rooms condition was really bad. Stains on the carpet & the cupboard door was unhinged. We requested for a room change & was faced with reluctancy from your front desk staff, indicating that we are just staying for a night. So.. are we suppose to accept it? We are a paying guests, we expect a certain level of service from your staff as well & good condition room to stay for our short holiday. In a whole, it was an unsatisfactory stay. We would be reluctant to return to this hotel again. …
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Management Thistle Johor Bahru, Other at Thistle Johor Bahru
Responded 21 Jul 2023
Dear Nomad59497601359, Thank you for providing a detailed feedback of your stay with Thistle Johor Bahru. I regret to learn of your disappointment throughout your stay. I have noted your feedback regarding the check-in process, condition of our rooms and the air-conditioning issues. I have addressed your concerns with the relevant departments and will ensure we focus on improving our product quality and attention to detail in the areas you have highlighted. We take guest satisfaction seriously and greatly appreciate your valuable input. We hope you will reconsider to visit us again and look forward to welcome you back under better circumstances in the future. Kind regards, Robert Lee General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
US$37 - US$54 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
thistle johor bahru hotel johor bahru
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Hyatt Regency
LOCATION
MalaysiaJohorJohor Bahru DistrictJohor Bahru
NUMBER OF ROOMS
381
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Frequently Asked Questions about Thistle Johor Bahru
Which popular attractions are close to Thistle Johor Bahru?
Nearby attractions include Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque (1.0 km), Grand Palace Park (Istana Besar) (0.9 km), and Johor Art Gallery (Galeri Seni) (1.0 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Thistle Johor Bahru?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Thistle Johor Bahru?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Thistle Johor Bahru?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and a poolside bar during their stay.
Is parking available at Thistle Johor Bahru?
Yes, free parking, a parking garage, and secured parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Thistle Johor Bahru?
Conveniently located restaurants include Chakra, Tepian Tebrau, and Restoran ZZ Sup Tulang.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Thistle Johor Bahru?
Yes, guests have access to a pool, a fitness centre, and locker rooms available in the fitness centre during their stay.
Are any cleaning services offered at Thistle Johor Bahru?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does Thistle Johor Bahru offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers meeting rooms, a banquet room, and conference facilities.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Thistle Johor Bahru?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Chinese, and Malay.