Friday, 25 December 2015

Two New Ramada Meridin Hotels for Johor Bahru » - Hotel in Johor Blog

Two New Ramada Meridin <b>Hotels</b> for <b>Johor</b> Bahru » - Hotel in Johor Blog


Two New Ramada Meridin <b>Hotels</b> for <b>Johor</b> Bahru »

Posted: 08 Dec 2015 11:41 PM PST

Wyndham Hotel Group's Ramada brand will open two properties developed by Mah Sing Group and to be managed by Topotels in Johor Bahru. The 322-room Ramada Encore Meridin Johor Bahru is scheduled to open in 2017 while the Ramada Meridin Johor Bahru is scheduled to open in 2018.

Both properties will be located within the Meridin Hotel Suites complex in Medini, the township development that will be Johor Bahru's central business district in the newly created southern economic zone of Iskandar in Johor Bahru.

Legoland Water Park Malaysia 3

Legoland Water Park Malaysia

This is approximately 45 minutes from Singapore and less than a kilometre from LEGOLAND Malaysia and the Water Park.

Ramada Encore Meridin Johor Bahru

Artist Impression of Ramada Encore Meridin Johor Bahru

Artist Impression of Ramada Encore Meridin Johor Bahru

Ramada Encore is a tier of the Ramada brand that offers modern and ergonomically designed accommodations. Guests can expect the signature bright, modern colours of Ramada Encore hotels which offer a refreshing, enjoyable and vibrant environment. All guest rooms feature stylish wooden floors as well as innovative bathroom pods featuring walk-in power showers and vibrant social spaces. Guests can eat, drink, work or simply relax at The Hub.

Ramada Encore Meridin Johor Bahru will offer studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Guests will also be able to dine in an on-site restaurant, work out in the gym, a fitness course with a yoga deck or swim in the pool as well as relax in a jacuzzi. There will be a business centre with Wi-Fi and 24 hour security.

Ramada Meridin Johor Bahru

Ramada Meridin Johor Bahru Artist Impression

Artist Impression of Ramada Meridin Johor Bahru

Once completed, Ramada Meridin Johor Bahru will be the fifth Wyndham Hotel Group property in Malaysia. Categorised in the upscale level, the hotel will offer deluxe rooms with facilities such as a mediation deck, yoga deck, reflexology area, swimming pool, wading pool, lap pool, aqua gym, café, oasis garden, mini amphitheatre, tennis court, playground, pavilion and an outdoor gym.

Ramada has over 830 properties in approximately 60 countries. Wyndham Hotel Group also announced this year the addition of two new properties in Broome in Australia and Auckland in New Zealand. It plans to open eight in China by end of 2017 and 17 in South Korea by 2018.

Sunday, 13 December 2015

Malaysia's booming economic zone in Johor Bahru expands with ... - Hotel in Johor Blog

Malaysia&#39;s booming economic zone in <b>Johor</b> Bahru expands with <b>...</b> - Hotel in Johor Blog


Malaysia&#39;s booming economic zone in <b>Johor</b> Bahru expands with <b>...</b>

Posted: 09 Dec 2015 05:31 AM PST

Wyndham Hotel Group today announced the signing of a new franchise agreement for the 322-room Ramada® Meridin Johor Bahru — the second Ramada to be announced for the booming city in just four months.

Scheduled to open in 2018, plans for the 26-storey hotel come on the heels of an earlier announcement in September for the development of the 322-room Ramada Encore Meridin Johor Bahru. Both hotels are being developed by Mah Sing Group and will be managed by leading property management firm Topotels.

"We see Johor Bahru as a prime location for our global portfolio and in particular our internationally Ramada brand, which is known for not only its excellent accommodations but also top tier destinations," said Barry Robinson, Wyndham Hotel Group's president and managing director, South East Asia and Pacific Rim.

Situated approximately 45 minutes from Singapore and less than a kilometre from popular international family theme park Legoland Malaysia, the Ramada Meridin Johor Bahru will be located within the city's Meridin Hotel Suites complex in Medini, a township development that will become a central business district in the newly created southern economic zone of Iskandar in Johor Bahru.

Iskandar is expected to eventually encompass an area approximately three times the size of Singapore and provide tourism, education, business and healthcare services, contributing to the rapid growth of Johor Bahru.

Once developed, the Ramada Meridin Johor Bahru will become the fifth Wyndham Hotel Group property to open in Malaysia.

Renaissance <b>Johor</b> Bahru <b>Hotel</b> – Cafe BLD Breakfast Buffet | The <b>...</b>

Posted: 24 Nov 2015 03:34 PM PST

Surely you all remember our posts about the time we visited Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel right? In fact, we know for a fact that some of you have even made your way over for a short getaway since we originally posted!!

Well, we're back to give you the rundown on what to expect at the hotel's breakfast buffet!
Prepare to wake up to good things at Cafe BLD!!

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First things first we came across the pancakes!!
Choose how many you want and then dress it up with fresh fruits, a whole array of compotes and jams plus finish off with maple syrup!!!

But pace yourselves! This is just the beginning and we know it's hard to resist such yummy treats but there is so much more!

'LIVE' Eggs Station

'LIVE' Eggs Station

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Hash Browns

Breakfast Chicken Ham

Breakfast Chicken Ham

Chicken Sausages with Onions

Chicken Sausages with Onions

Bakes Beans

Bakes Beans

Cheesy Baked Tomatoes

Cheesy Baked Tomatoes

With those dishes above plus some bread (which we will feature a little later on), you can already create a perfect and complete Western breakfast platter!!

Choose your style of eggs first – scrambled? Sunny side up? Poached? Omelette? Or even Eggs Benedict!!
Top off with some hash browns, tomatoes plus some sausages and chicken ham and you are all set!!

But that's just the Western side…

Nasi Lemak Kukus

Nasi Lemak Kukus

Nasi Lemak Condiments

Nasi Lemak Condiments

Sambal Kupang

Sambal Kupang

Ayam Rendang

Ayam Rendang

Kway Teow Goreng

Kway Teow Goreng

How about some good ol' Nasi Lemak!
What's more it's done the traditional way – packed into small packets of banana leaves and then kukus (steamed) to perfection!

Accompanied with the usual suspects of egg, cucumber, ikan bilis and peanuts of course! Plus some spicy Sambal Kupang and Rendang Ayam for good meaure.

If rice is not your thing then have some Kway Teow on the side!

Idli

Idli

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Coconut Chutney

Coconut Chutney

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More local delights abound!
Indulge in some Idli and Roti Canai from the LIVE Roti Canai station!

Fresh Juices

Fresh Juices

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Assorted Cereals

Assorted Cereals

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If you're planning to have a light and/or healthy breakfast, also can!

Cafe BLD has it all in store for you. Freshly squeezed juices, yoghurt, muesli, cereals plus all sorts of other assorted goodies too. To be honest, after we whacked all the food from the other sections, we still had some stuff from this section because it's just too good to pass up!

And as if that's not enough…
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Did you know that Cafe BLD has a section that specially makes just freshly baked goods? That's right! And it's all open concept with clear glass so you can see the experts at work!

They freshly make the many varieties of breads, pastries and other baked goodies you'll enjoy during the breakfast buffet at Cafe BLD.

Breads, doughnuts, Danish pastries, croissants, French pastries, muffins and all come complete with a spreads of spreads! LOL Jams, preserves, various spread including Nutella too! How lah to resist?

As you can see, the breakfast buffet at Cafe BLD in Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel is top notch and a force to be reckoned with! After all, we're talking about a 5-star hotel here right! What else could we expect except the very best!

Even if we were stepping out for the day during out getaway at Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel, we'd probably still make sure we go for the breakfast first because it's just too good to resist!! So when you make your reservations, be sure to get the one with the breakfast included!

IMG_5322Cafe BLD

Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel
Lobby Level
2, Jalan Permas 11, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya
81750, Masai, Johor, Malaysia

Tel: +60 7-381 3333
www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/jhbbr-renaissance-johor-bahru-hotel/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RenaissanceJohorBahruHotel
Instagram: @renaissancejohorbahru

 
All information (including prices, availability of item on menu and Halal status of establishment) are accurate at the time of posting. All photos used in this site are property of The Halal Food Blog unless stated otherwise.

Monday, 16 November 2015

Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel | The Halal Food Blog - Hotel in Johor Blog

Renaissance <b>Johor</b> Bahru <b>Hotel</b> | The Halal Food Blog - Hotel in Johor Blog


Renaissance <b>Johor</b> Bahru <b>Hotel</b> | The Halal Food Blog

Posted: 25 Oct 2015 12:01 PM PDT

So you might remember that we visited Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel awhile back. We'd heard this was a really popular choice for a quick getaway for several reasons so we were really honoured and excited when we were invited for the weekend! A chance to experience the hospitality at Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel ourselves!

Hmmmmmm…. wondering how it went?

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The first thing you're gonna say when you step into the lobby is "WOW!"
It's a HUGE sprawling lobby with this really interesting centerpiece on the ceiling too. So far, we're definitely impressed! Well, what did you expect from a 5-star hotel right?

Oh and by the way, the right side of the photo is a little dim because as I was taking this Panorama shot, at the last part they dimmed the lights in the lobby for some reasons LOL perfect timing

Anyways, up to our rooms!

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When you first get to your room, some welcome treats await you to ensure a sweet start to your stay at Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel. A very nice touch that we really appreciate. Not just because it's food but also because it's always the small touches that make the biggest difference right?

Anyways, we're up in the Junior Suite so let's take a look!

Entry way

Entry way

Work / Dining & Refreshments space

Work / Dining & Refreshments space

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You can see what a huge area it is in the living space. Great little space for work (if that's what you're there for) and a great space to just relax and watch something on the telly (which is a big ass TV i didn't manage to squeeze into the photo by the way)

The Junior Suite is definitely prefect for a small family. Lots of space for kids and really comfortable too.
And we haven't even covered the whole room too LOL

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Great big comfy bed! And in case you were wondering… those pillows are SOOOOOO SOFT AND FLUFFY!!!!
To quote my Darling Wife, she said "it's like laying your head on clouds" before burying her head in the pillows.
True story!

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And in case you didn't spot it in the corner of the first pic there, they have cribs which is great if you have babies, toddlers, children or maybe even childish adults (LOL) just chuck them in there! Just kidding *blank stare*
You can tell our Little Princess was obviously enjoying herself.

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They have a space before you enter the actual bathroom which is where you will find the dresser and a huge mirror which everyone will enjoy gazing into (we definitely did LOL) and these quality toiletries available for your grooming pleasure.

And we didn't mention it before but there's actually a small powder room in the living area too so there's actually 2 bathrooms in the Junior Suite!

And besides a shower, they also have a bathtub!
Bet you can already imagine yourself soaking in a nice warm bubble bath just enjoying the quiet relaxing time…

Well, in case you want a different perspective, you can watch this handy video tour we did LOL

Wow what a room right?
But if you're looking for something a little smaller but no less lexurious then maybe the Deluxe Room?

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Even the Deluxe Room is still so big! If you're travelling as a couple with a kid, still more than enough space to be honest! And even though we were at a hotel, it was still such a comfy feeling.

The bathrooms have a rain shower by the way (we forgot to mention it earlier) and the Deluxe Room has clear view to the room which I always consider quite kinky LOL but you can of course pull down the blind for some privacy.

Anyways, clearer view in this video.

So what do you think? Power right so far?
They actually have other rooms too (which we will take a look at later) but for now let's take a look at some of the amenities and facilities around this gorgeous hotel.
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If you're staying in a Club Room, Junior Suite or the *ahem ahem* Presidential Suite, you can enjoy access to the Club Lounge where you can get some light finger foods and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea (among other refreshments) while you enjoy the spectacular view.

When we visited, it was pretty hazy so we didn't get any good photos but let us assure you – the view is really amazing because the Club Lounge is situated on a really high floor so you can see far and wide! They have indoor or outdoor seating so take your pick and enjoy.

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Yeah that's the pool and it looks soooooo inviting! Even our Little Princess was obviously looking forward to taking a dip in the pool! But maybe a little later okay…

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If you've gotta get a workout in even when you're on holiday or a business trip, then we know it's pretty important that you have a good gym at the hotel you're staying at. Well, at Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel, you're definitely in good company!

They've got a great gym so you can get a workout in any time of day you please.
Be it taking a run on the treadmill or maybe some weight-work, sweat it out any way you please!

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And speaking of sweating it out, a new addition to the facilities at Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel is the sauna! Relax and turn up the heat after a dip in the pool or a workout in the gym!

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So we are headed to the pool but it's not to take a dip. Instead, we would like to show you how you can have access to take a dip any time at all and it is just a few steps from your room!

We know you can see the pool in that photo above but see those rooms along the flanks?

Pool Terrace Room

Pool Terrace Room

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Yeah the Pool Terrace Rooms may not be as big as the Deluxe Room and up but it's still spacious and it's still cozy plus you're literally a few steps away from the pool. To be honest, I'd probably be spending most of my time either at the pool or lounging on the patio.

This is kind of room which is perfect for lounging and if you're really planning on spending some time swimming, tanning or just all-round slacking LOL

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And I guess it's pretty obvious that our Little Princess approves LOL
Yeah she's still trying to get into the pool!

Well, maybe we can take her mind of the pool by taking a sneak peek at the Presidential Suite?

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The Presidential Suite

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It was such a treat that we were allowed to take a peek at The Presidential Suite.
It's so HUGE and it's literally like a house lah LOL

Who knows maybe one day eh? 😛

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Full living room complete with an area big enough to hold a meeting and conference.
And we haven't even come to the bedroom and bathroom yet!

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LOL I think the look on our Little Princess' face says it all.
But, it is called the Presidential Suite for good reasons and it's obvious that no expense is spared here.

You're literally in a world of your own here and it's got pretty much everything you'll need.
So if there are any presidents or royalty who happen to be reading this – look no further because this is the one!

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Well besides the rooms and all the fun stuff like the pool and gym etc, Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel is also a great choice when it comes to Corporate matters too.

They've got great meeting and business facilities so you can definitely consider this a great choice for such purposes.

On top of that, they've got HUGE ballrooms so you can have functions like Family Day, Dinner and Dance etc with no problem at all. Perhaps some offsite activities like Team Building or workshops? And when we say huge, we mean really really huge so even large groups can be accommodated.

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Needless to say, there are also plenty of dining options within the hotel itself.
We've already covered Wan Li Restaurant and we've also got reviews on Cafe BLD which also happens to be where you'll enjoy a sumptuous buffet breakfast coming up soon.

Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel is literally a 5-minutes drive away once you pass the immigration. Just follow the directions and you can't go wrong. We're not kidding – it's literally 5 MINUTES away. No wonder it's such a popular choice! You don't waste time travelling so far – it's so nearby and so worth the trip.

There are lots of other attractions which are a short drive away from Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel. Unfortunately, we didn't get the chance to explore much because we only had the weekend and totally spent it all just slacking at the hotel LOL but there is plenty of information at the hotel itself. Just look out for and ask any of the 'Navigators' on hand and you will not be disappointed :)

Alas our stay has come to and end. Even though it was just a weekend, it was definitely a memorable experience for us. We got to enjoy the famous Marriott-Renaissance hospitality firsthand. All the staff at the hotel were exceptional, service was impeccable and Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel definitely lives up to its reputation as a top 5-star hotel.

A very special thanks to Ms Joanne Chung, Ms Natrah, Ms Fazi and the whole team at Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel for having us over! Looking forward to dropping by again soon!

PS oh yeah… I'm looking at YOU – Presidential Suite! LOL

201503251938284377Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel

No. 2, Jalan Permas 11 Bandar Baru Permas Jaya
Johor Bahru  81750  Malaysia

www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/jhbbr-renaissance-johor-bahru-hotel
Tel: +60-7-3813333
Instagram: @renaissancejohorbahru

All information (including prices, availability of item on menu and Halal status of establishment) are accurate at the time of posting. All photos used in this site are property of The Halal Food Blog unless stated otherwise.

November Drill: Joanne Chung – Renaissance <b>Johor</b> Bahru <b>Hotel</b> <b>...</b>

Posted: 29 Oct 2015 08:14 PM PDT

Drill: NIA Beauty Academy

^C99D03376FF774BF52551B3D1A41B7849002B05FFCEBD24116^pimgpsh_fullsize_distrFull Name of CEO/Director:  Joanne Chung

Designation:  General Manager

Name of Establishment/ Agency: Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel

Born in Pearl Island, Penang in 1966, Joanne Chung began her career in 1986 at the Ken Air Incentive & Convention Planners, Kuala Lumpur. She then the joined hospitality industry as the Director of Sales in Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok and joined Marriott International as the Director of Sales & Marketing in 2010 where she and her team successfully opened the first flagship of the Renaissance brand, Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa in Thailand. Her leadership prowess helped pave the way to winning the "Best Design Award" from the Royal Princess of Thailand. She also led the resort's sales team through challenging economic conditions and improved the hotel's business in every aspect. She has attained the Sales Leadership Award Renaissance Asia Pacific and Sales Leadership Award Renaissance Global. Joanne has been in Johor Bahru (JB) since June this year and is thrilled with the robust development in the southern city where the development of Iskandar Malaysia has positioned JB to become a hub for cultural and urban tourism.

Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel is the seventh Marriott property in Malaysia. How is the performance of the hotel in comparison to the other six?

Early this year we won the REVPAR Index Excellence Award 2014 at the Global Leadership Regional Awards in Hanoi. I feel this is a clear and direct result of the hotel's steady growth. I'm glad that it took less than a year for the Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel to ramp up to its fair share of performance. Who would have thought the first 5 star international lodging in Johor Bahru can do this well?

Placed in Permas Jaya at the crosshairs of Pasir Gudang, how has the hotel benefitted by the strategic location?

We are truly blessed in terms of location and just minutes' drive to Woodlands Checkpoint. Pasir Gudang area has kept us in business since May 2013 and our property is constantly packed with tired business travelers to oil and gas workers. I can say that our occupancy is growing despite the economic uncertainty.

 What can Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel offer that other hotels can't offer? Tell us your unique selling points

Renaissance Hotel has strong name recognition. We anticipate immediate strong demand due to Renaissance's exceptional reputation for defying business travel conventions for guests who crave unexpected experiences. Moreover, we are located within the 5 flagships zone of Iskandar Malaysia with great potential for further growth as a tourism destination and new commercial hub.

We noticed that you've actively replied to comments and feedback on TripAdvisor.com.my but how do you handle a difficult guest who simply refuses to accept your explanation?

Thank you for observing this! I value every guest's feedback on TripAdvisor. It took us couple of months to be ranked number 1 hotel in JB since the day we opened. Review sites and other social media have become essential tools for many travelers who are increasingly using them to share their customer experiences online. It can be tempting to respond harshly to criticism, but we always believe that it is best not to lose sight of the fact that our audience is wide, as well as the individual reviewer. We believe that the vast majority of people recognise that not all guests raise reasonable concerns, and not everything will always be perfect. Some give us a lot of credit for offering a courteous and thoughtful explanation, especially when the criticism is unwarranted.

At this digital age, do you think promotions on social media alone will suffice or are traditional advertising and promotional methods needed as well?

Social media is often misunderstood and is deemed to be supplementary to traditional media. For us, social media provides the perfect opportunity to do within its real time nature. It is not only more cost-efficient than advertising, but it also offers great opportunities for innovative engagement with our guests. However, we still believe in traditional advertising, and we are not ditching it completely but just minimising it.

Tell us more about Marriott International's Spirit to Serve social-responsibility and community-engagement initiatives in Johor?

We are committed to investing in the community through these initiatives. For example, in 2014, we provided lodging support to Sarawak Children's Cancer Society's Wishing Star Project. The Society has assisted more than 700 families since its inception in 2001, and this mission speaks to the hotel's commitment to create a more compassionate community. We are the first hotel in JB to work closely with Kechara soup kitchen in providing quarterly food giveaway to the homeless and we are taking small steps towards more community engagement and enrichment. Recently, we have partnered with the local TV station to record the journey of Tunku Laksamana Johor, Tunku Jalil Ibni Sultan Ibrahim and his cancer foundation, Yayasan Kanser Tunku Laksamana Johor and there'll be a special event in the pipeline soon.

Anything our readers should look out for in 2016 from Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel?

There'll be more to come in 2016! Global Day of Discovery (GDOD) for instance will let the guests and the local community to be involved in exclusive hotel events to experience hot spots for food, bars, nightlife and entertainment. Renaissance's GDOD also marks the official launch of Evenings at Renaissance. Evenings at Renaissance kicks off with a signature Bar Ritual centred on local craft beverages, curated by the hotel bartender and local beverage experts. We'll do it in a local flair and don't be surprised to see Johor's infamous Air Katira Mocktail at our hotel's bar! The Bar Ritual is the signal that the 9 to 5 working day is over and it's time to have a transition into an incredible evening of discovery.