Citrus Hotel Johor Bahru by Compass Hospitality

From the bright single-tone wall colors (mostly lime-green, befitting of the property's name) to the slim features and basic amenities, the Citrus Hotel is a no-frills property through and through. The place looks a little run-down, and there's been some guest feedback regarding maintenance and cleanliness in the rooms -- possibly a deal-breaker for some. For those who aren't staying in the club-level rooms (and don't have access to the Club Lounge), there's a shortage of common areas beyond the lobby -- making this hotel best for those who just need a place to sleep at night. 

Citrus Hotel is within walking distance of numerous office buildings, as well as the Persada Convention Center (10 minutes away on foot). City Square Mall is just opposite the property, and major streets like Jalan Wong Ah Fook and Jalan Tun Abdul Razak flank either side of the hotel. They're lined with well-known restaurants. Nearby theme parks include the Angry Bird Activity Park (four-minute walk), and other venues such as Puteri Harbour Theme Park and Legoland Theme Park can be reached under 30 minutes via car. Those visiting Singapore can enter the country via the Woodlands Crossing (via the Johor-Singapore Causeway), which is about 10 minutes away by car (depending on traffic conditions, of course). The JB Sentral Train station is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. It's a 40-minute drive to Senai International Airport and an hour's drive to Changi Airport in Singapore.

The hotel's 125 rooms are spacious (except for the Standard Rooms -- which are on the small side) and cheery, with striking single-tone walls in hues like orange and blue. It does feel a bit cheap, especially since these brightly colored walls have white chandelier wall decals stuck to them. There's a good range of room categories and configurations, all the way up to higher-tier Club Suites, but there are odd inconsistencies with facilities and amenities between rooms. For example, in Standard Rooms, there are no minibars and safes, and in the Standard Plus Rooms, there are no universal socket-outlets. There's been some feedback regarding maintenance and cleanliness in rooms, and some units lack windows.

In-room amenities across the hotel include air-conditioning, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs with cable channels, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and free Wi-Fi. Hairdryers are standard in the club-level rooms, but for all other categories they're available upon request. Bathrooms have plain white walls and, again, feature a bright, single-tone palette for the tiled floors. Expect only walk-in showers no matter the room category, and basic toiletries here include shampoo and soap. Club-level rooms have additional dental kits. 

Citrus Hotel has its own restaurant, but do note that only breakfast and lunch are served here. For club-level guests, there's the Club Lounge on the 11th floor for free all-day refreshments, and the lounge has a pool table, board games, and a workspace with a free-to-use, Internet-ready laptop. Also on this level are two meeting rooms, with audiovisual equipment available upon request. A simple fitness center has cardio machines and free weights, although the space is quite small and can be a bit stuffy. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.