Hotel Granada Johor Bahru

From the outside, Hotel Granada’s age shows; its exterior is quite dated and the property could use a facelift. However, on the inside, it’s relatively clean and well maintained, with just a few bits of furniture in the lobby’s lounge area and other common spaces showing signs of wear and tear. The hotel lobby features design elements that are typical of Johor accommodations -- glossy marble flooring, wooden panels with white walls, patterned carpets and warm lighting from a high ceiling chandelier. Hotel Granada doesn’t ever really feel crammed or get too crowded -- this is probably due to the fact that the place draws leisure travelers that are often out shopping or exploring in the day, only returning at night to rest. 

The Hotel Granada Johor Bahru's Bukit Indah location is great. Even though this region isn't exactly pedestrian friendly, getting to the nearby Aeon Mall (and the many restaurants and entertainment outlets located within) on foot is possible and takes about five minutes. There are also several eateries near Hotel Granada, including a Korean restaurant, a noodle stall, and a 24-hour McDonald’s that are all less than five minutes away on foot. For families, theme parks like Legoland are just 15 minutes away by car.

To reach areas like the city center, a car or taxi (it’s easy to get one here) is required. City Square in downtown Johor is about 30 minutes away, and KSL City is 20 minutes away. For those visiting Singapore (or going back to Singapore) via the Johor-Singapore Causeway, Woodlands Crossing is a 30-minute-drive away. Buses and trains that travel to Singapore and other parts of Malaysia, like Kuala Lumpur, depart from JB Sentral -- a 20-minute-ride away. Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru is a 30-minute drive from the hotel, and Changi Airport in Singapore will take about an hour to reach by car. 

The hotel follows a pretty cookie-cutter formula and provides straightforward accommodations that have standard amenities and features for its various categories, ranging from Deluxe to Club Rooms and Suites. All units have a neutral-toned palette of white and brown, with wooden flooring and large, wide windows that let in plenty of natural light. However, one notable extra that’s available in all rooms is the free-to-use Handy Phone that allows guests to send messages and make local and international calls to select countries for free. Aside from that, amenities include mini-fridges, coffee- and tea-making facilities, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, safes, and wardrobes. Bathrooms are simple, with light-colored marble tiles and dark surfaces. All bathrooms have toiletries like soap and shampoo, plus hairdryers and walk-in showers. Suites come with bathtubs.

Guests considering booking the Club-level rooms should note that aside from getting additional toiletries, and having a larger room on a higher floor (read: better views of the city), there aren’t many other perks to enjoy. The hotel’s Executive Lounge isn’t quite what one might expect and is really only for meetings and events. So, unless the aforementioned in-room features are crucial, perhaps settling for an entry-level room is good enough. Also, during our visit in 2018, we were told the hotel would be removing the Presidential Suite, so that room option will no longer be available.

The two restaurants at Hotel Granada Johor Bahru, Olla and Spanish-inspired QQ Bistro & Cafe, are good, with many positive reviews about the quality of local and international food for the daily buffet breakfast at Olla. The hotel also has a spa on-site that offers a range of treatments. There are a couple of function rooms here that can double up as ballrooms (or be split to become smaller meeting spaces). Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and parking is complimentary for all hotel guests.

There's a fitness center and an outdoor pool on-site as well, but both are shockingly tiny. The fitness center is in a small, hot room with just four machines in a corner. On the other side of the room there’s a random chair or two for hair-washing, making the space look disorganized. The changing rooms here have a steam room and a sauna, but these facilities are also quite underwhelming. The pool, located on ground level, looks like something you’d expect to see at a motel; it’s a little, shallow body of water in a raised wooden platform. Plus, it’s located next to a busy road, so it’s hardly inviting. On top of all that, towels are not provided at the fitness center and pool, so guests have to bring them down from their own rooms.