Suasana Suites Hotel: A Convenient and Affordable Stay in Johor Baru

My family and I decided to celebrate Hari Raya in Malaysia to visit our relatives, whom we haven't seen in three years due to the border closure. We knew that finding the right accommodation was crucial as we needed a place that was both convenient and spacious enough to fit our entire family comfortably, without breaking the bank. After careful research, we decided on Suasana Suites Hotel Johor Bahru.

One of the things I appreciate most about the Suasana Suites Hotel is the friendliness and professionalism of the hotel staff. They always go above and beyond to make sure that my stay is as comfortable as possible. Though the hotel lobby was quite small, the staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. The check-in process was smooth and seamless, as all we had to do was show our booking from Agoda and we were able to check in smoothly.

Watch our video review below or continue reading and scrolling for more pictures of our stay!

Where is the hotel located?

Suasana Suites Hotel boasts a prime location in Johor Bahru, situated right in front of the JB CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine) complex. Most Singaporeans or travellers from Singapore would prefer staying in this area as it has easy access to Singapore, with CIQ as the main entry point into the city-state. For those who are not driving, getting around is a breeze as well. The bus terminal and train station are both within walking distance from the hotel, providing convenient access to other parts of Johor Bahru and even other states of Malaysia such as Kuala Lumpur and even Terengganu. Alternatively, you can use ride-hailing services like Grab to hail a private driver and explore the Johor area at your own pace.

In addition to its proximity to the CIQ, Suasana Suites Hotel is also conveniently located near several malls. You'll find that shopping options are aplenty, with City Square Mall, Komtar JBCC, and R&F Princess Mall all within walking distance. These malls offer a wide range of shopping, dining, and entertainment options to suit all tastes and preferences. As a Muslim traveler, you'll be pleased to know that halal food is readily available in the area surrounding Suasana Suites Hotel. There are numerous halal restaurants and eateries within a short walking or driving distance, so you can easily satisfy your hunger without having to venture too far. You can also take a short walk to Jalan Wong Ah Fook, where you can find tons of instagrammable spots and cafes, as well as Pasar Karat, a well known night market that is open after sun-down.

Comfortable living room area of our serviced suite.

What are the rooms like?

We booked a 2-bedroom suite, which was incredibly spacious and very comfortable for four people. It featured a complete kitchen area, dining area, living room, and two bedrooms and toilets. Additionally, an ironing board was also provided, making it easy to get ready without having to call room service.

Twin Bedroom

The twin bedroom was equipped with two single beds and an open concept wardrobe, with extra towels and pillows. It was very spacious, as you can see from the pictures below. I loved that there is a huge window so the natural sunlight can come through. This room also has it’s own air-condition, which isn’t pictured.

Master Bedroom

The master bedroom comes with a king sized bed, a vanity area, as well as a built-in wardrobe so if you are planning to stay for a longer term, there is ample closet space. There is also a small balcony which you can open the sliding doors to, but due to the construction that was ongoing outside, we had these door closed throughout our stay. Nonetheless, it was nice to have the large doors that allow natural light to flood the room.

Bathrooms

The suite at Suasana Suites Hotel featured two bathrooms, each equipped with a shower, toilet, and built-in vanity area. However, we noticed some dirty stains in the shower area that could benefit from some maintenance. Despite this, the bathroom was still usable and served its purpose adequately, which was a relief. While it would have been preferable to have the shower area cleaned more thoroughly, it was really convenient to have two separate bathrooms so we didn’t have to rush or share one.

The Kitchenette

My family loves it when there is a kitchenette. Whenever we are on holiday, we prefer to get takeaway food for supper and eat from the comforts of our home away from home. Suasana Suites Hotel’s kitchenette was well-equipped with all the essentials we needed for meal preparation, including a full-sized fridge, microwave oven, electric stove, and crockery.

However, we did notice that some of the appliances were not as clean as we would have liked. In particular, some of the appliances like the toaster was piled with dust, which detracted from an otherwise pleasant stay. While the kitchenette provided all the necessary amenities, the cleanliness definitely could be better.

Dusty toaster

A fully equipped kitchenette.

Plenty of crockery provided.

Room Service

We had planned to eat out one day, but we were feeling tired and decided to opt for room service instead. We were impressed with the variety of options available on the room service menu, which offered a wide range of dishes to choose from including local cuisine and Western favorites. The food was delicious, and the service was prompt and efficient.

What other amenities do they have?

The hotel has a well-equipped gym that's perfect for travelers who want to maintain their fitness routine while on holiday, a cafe/restaurant that guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at, as well as a rooftop pool with a small jacuzzi on the side. We didn't get the chance to take a dip during our stay but my mum and I did take a stroll to admire the stunning views from the pool deck. The pool and jacuzzi were both well-maintained and clean. We hope to come back and enjoy a swim during our next visit!

What can they improve on?

Other than the lack of cleanliness that I’ve shared above, to be honest, the only major downside upon check in was finding out that parking was not free. The multi-storey carpark is shared amongst three different hotels and we had to pay RM20 per day to park our car. No doubt, we felt secure parking our car in their carpark as it uses an automated gantry and there is security patrolling the area but this small cost could’ve easily been added into the room booking or as part of the nightly rate.

Rooftop swimming pool at the top of Suasana Suites Hotel Johor Bahru

The final verdict:

I do hope that the hotel management would look into the suggestions above but overall, I would still revisit because the Suasana Suites Hotel is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an affordable and convenient place to stay in Johor Bahru. The perfect base for families or groups visiting Malaysia. The hotel's location in the heart of the city made it easy for us to get around and visit our relatives, while its spacious suites were perfect for accommodating our entire family. The hotel's amenities and services were also top-notch, making our stay comfortable and enjoyable. There were a few setbacks, but all in all, it the pros definitely outweighed the cons.