Hard Rock Hotel - Desaru Coast

Being an avid Hard Rock Fan for many years, it was my first experience staying in Hard Rock Hotel. If not for my anniversary, perhaps this chance of getting a stay in the newly launch hotel may not had happened.

Hard Rock Hotel

We reached there an hour or 2 before the formal check in timing and our rooms were not ready. Thus we loitered around the hotel and try to get familiar with the place ourselves.

Stand

The reception area is an opened space and looking out of the area, we got to see enjoyable moments in the Adventure Park.

Lobby Area

While exploring around, we saw that there were shuttle buses coming in. However we asked around and realized that those buses were catered for their staff.

Hard Rock Hotel

As the place was relatively new, quite a portion of the hotel were not really in operation, like the coffee lounge and we can see some parts of the rooms were still under renovation. Even the surroundings, its hard to get around without transport.

Adventure Park Behind Check In Counter

We sat around the Lobby and Bar Area, people watching while sipping some coolers waiting for time to pass by. The area was breezy and bright.

Waiting 

We checked a few rounds with the counter and finally our room was ready for check-in.

Waiting at the Lounge

A slight disappointment we had received as the hotel rooms facing the water theme park were all fully occupied thus we were told that we will get hotel facing the sea. However things are still under construction and do not expect the usual sea view we had in mind.

Hotel Facing Sea - My View from the Balcony :(

The lift level were confusing. Lift number doesn't tally the actual level indicated.

Colorful shades while waiting for Lift

We had the Deluxe King Room which is about 42 sq metres / 452 sqft with an attached balcony. As this is their soft launch period, facilities and hotel interior are still very new. The crew that showed us to the room was friendly and explained the usage of the room.

Into the Room

We were welcomed by the pair of Swans on the king bed (pre-arranged with the hotel staff). The room as well as the bed was spacious.

Swans on Bed

Love the comfort level in the hotel room, with such environment, it just make us felt relax and not stepping out of the room. Moreover it was a gloomy and cold weather. Awww... even the firmness of the bed felt so right at the correct moment.

Pillow Case with Guitar

I love the part on their entertainment system in the hotel room. With their flat screen TV and On-demand movies, I guess I can be a couch potato. Not to mention about the free Wi-Fi provided too. There is sound woofer system too. Connections like HDMI, RGB, VGA and USB were all provided.

Plugs

They have this function that if the balcony sliding door is open, the air conditioning will be automatically switched off.

Door to Balcony

Balcony

It was a good move by the hotel to go in line with the Recycling Practice. Instead of serving plastic bottles of complimentary mineral water, they had water coolers at every level for us to refill. These bottles were sanitized and each come with a carrier for convenient.

Reuse Refill Return

The Water Filling Station dispenses the water automatically when you placed your bottle at the indicated area and there is a number counter to indicate how many bottles have been saved.

Water Filling Station

Another worthy part to mention will be their mini bar, their snacks and tibits are all free of charge. Not sure if its just for its soft launch.

Mini Bar Area

Thanks to the crews that took efforts in presenting macaroons at our doorsteps instead of Cake and flowers as requested earlier. They did call up before approaching our room and if it was supposed to be a surprise to me, just too bad that I have picked up the call and they had revealed this little token from them.

From the Hotel

Breakfast at the Sessions. It looks quite empty to us as the seats were not fully occupied.

Sessions

Dining Area at the Sessions

We were not every early for breakfast and not many people there. A good point was that we did not have to squeeze with others and queue for food.

Food Counters

Varieties of food were relatively enough with Western, Chinese, Indian and Malay Breakfast. A staple dish that won't go missing from every hotel's breakfast in Malaysia would be their Nasi Lemak.

Breakfast Area

The egg station looked a little different to me from all the hotels I had visited. They had built a shelving in between and created a "barrier" between the cook and the diners. It brought a little inconvenience that we need to raise ourselves up to collect the eggs. In normal hotel, it would have been "barrier" free. 

Where we get our eggs served

Food items were well organised and kept warm in individual pots. 

Buffet Breakfast

The pots were of quality and popular brand. Some strength will be required while lifting the pots cover up.

Beef Sausages

My Breakfast

We were also free to choose our seating and I love the round table seat.

Seating in the Sessions

Overall, I would comment that their service and hospitality is really great. The only regret I had is that the weather were not too good and we miss out the free entrance into the adventure park. 

Hard Rock hotel

It will be great to return again once the area have been developed with a few launch of hotel. Perhaps another 1 to 2 years time.

Still developing

Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast
Location: Jalan Pantai 3, Desaru Coast, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia

Best Western Hotel

Hurried into the room after more than 16 hours of wait from Singapore to Germany including the waiting time to check in, I'm longing for a place to shower and have a rest. Friendly staff over reception is of great help to assist our enquiry about the surrounding.

Located in the central location between Stuttgart, Munich, and Lake Constance with its proximity to Ulm enables speedy arrival. Moreover the train station is just 350 meters away.

The first step and look into the room was undeniably comforting. Love the fact that the room is equipped with high speed internet connection and tastefully furnished.

Room to Balcony

The 4 Star hotel did not disappoint. Theme of the hotel is a mixture of wooden and cement layout, creating a different kind of feel.

Bird Eye view

I had a good comfortable 5 nights stay with individually controlled air conditioning. This is good especially during summer where the temperature can fluctuate at times.

Double Bed

Most rooms in the hotel have a balcony and mine was looking down to their beer garden.

View from my balcony

The most not accessed area of my stay but good for morning breather if you need some fresh air.

Balcony Seats

I'm served with a glass of 0.75 liter bottle of mineral water daily free of charge. However there are some tibits in the glass placed on the desk and chargable if you have them.

Desk

The best thing I like about the room is how bed and desk with cushion chair are all at one place with me moving about in the hotel room (Oops, the lazy me).

Bed linking to working desk and chair

The mounted television near the writing desk makes working easy ~ you can enjoy working and watching TV programs at the same time.

Television Mounted

Ditching the main streams built in furniture that most hotel has, they have this all in one island for electronic safe, clothes hanger, shoe rack and mini pantry area.

All in one

The hotel is link to a brewery and if you want some beer, it can be purchased. However you can earn it for free by participating in the "no make up room" exercise.

Crate of Beer

Interestingly, handsoap at the vanity is their house product where main ingredient of the soap is beer. The handsoap is refillable and it doesnt comes in disposable bottles that you can take home as sovenirs. Should you be interested in owning them, one can go to the reception for further enquiries. They have a white range of beer products that might sweep your feet off.

Vanity

Shower room is modernly renovated and gave me a comfortable feel as well.

Shower Area

Bed

Look at the sides of the basin, there are 2 pockets, one keeping the box of tissue paper and the other for the hair dryer.

Toilets

Similar to the shower room, the toilet is simple and clean.

Toilet

What a great stay I had. I don't mind visiting them again if there is chance. Departmental store like Muller is just a few minutes walk away and make things convenient.

Best Western Hotel
Location: Schwanengasse 18-20, 89584 Ehingen (Donau), Germany

Amari Hotel Johor

After uncountable day trips to Johor Bahru, its finally for a staycation! I have been longing to stay in Amari Hotel after my 1st sight of the Hotel one day as I was at Komtar JBCC.

Amari Hotel Johor is conveniently located within 10 minutes walk from Singapore Immigration CIQ and of course for the shoppers, Johor Bahru City Square. This place is also ideal for a short family stay as they are located near to the Angry Bird Activity Park.

Hotel is link to Suasana Suites and Zenith Mall. The latter was not fully opened but the crowd for the few eateries as well as pubs there looked relatively decent.

Check into the hotel was smooth and easy with the assistance of staff over the counter.  The stylish designed lobby just make me feel comfortable and happy even before going into the room.

Main Lobby Area

All rooms are non smoking rooms. When I looked down out of my room, I can see the pool. Room was clean, neat and spacious. We were given 4 pillows and they were soft!

King Bed

Besides enjoying the comfort of the room, WiFi connection is pretty stable here as compared to another hotel near KSL. Other than that, there are ample of electrical sockets on their wall too.

Writing Desk

If you are looking for hard copy of TV menu, waste your time no more. Find it all in the 40 Inch LED TV with your remote control. You will get to find complimentary drinks in fridge located in the TV Console.

TV Console

The toilet is bright and magnifying mirror with light will come in handy.

Vanity

Toilet Bowl

The standing shower area is spacious and come with pockets in the wall to put your toiletries.

Showering Area

Room is also thoughtfully designed with a 2-way cupboard for easy access from the bedroom and near the toilet. You can find robes, Ironing board, iron, hair dryer, bed room slippers and electronic safe in it.

Cupboard

Checking out the facilities in the Hotel and we went into their Library located right next to the lobby.

Library

Library

As our hotel stay did not include breakfast, we bought breakfast for the day over the check in counter and was told it was cheaper to do so.

Amaya

Amaya is also a signature of Amari providing local street food. Do check out the latest event by the hotel for their promotional dining. Personally, I hope to be back for their high tea.

What's after Breakfast in Amaya

The spread of breakfast was good enough considering a 5 Star Hotel. We overslept and only had half an hour before the dining place closed.

Buffet Spread

I did not take much pictures as most of the food were almost depleted and I'm rushing through my breakfast. Blame it to the hotel room that is so comfortable that we had overslept. Hahaha.

Interior of Amaya is tastefully designed in the modern classic theme. There are a few stations to pick up your breakfast. One part that caught me by surprise is that they actually have a Tea Tarik Drink Station.

Interior

While at the breakfast omelette making counter, we have Chef Andy Oh serving us.

Chef Andy Oh on the job

Freshly Made Apam Balik 

Food variety ranging from Local Nasi Lemak to American Breakfast. Ta-Da, I have a bit of everything here. 

Food I took

Good standard omelette. Runny Egg wrapped with the usual ingredients and not too dry.

Omlette

Porridge

If you are searching for some body relaxation, you may want to try out their spa sessions provided in house. Ha, by walking into such walkway is already therapeutic with its welcoming air fragrance.

To Breeze Spa

To enhance your staying experience, you may want to consider having a room with direct pool access. This makes it very accessible to those who love soaking in water whenever they feel like going for a swim.

Direct Pool Access

You can also rest and relax at the Cabana right at the end of the pool. Cushions that are originally there were removed due to rain the previous night.

Cabana 

Pool Area

Sharing the same level, Gymnasium is opened for hotel guests 24 hours around the clock.

Treadmill

Equipment is new and area is spacious.

Weight Lifting

Gym with picture taken from the entrance

Being the 2nd time staying in their chained hotel, I find that the standard is above average. I will not mind staying with them for my next vacation. 

Amari Hotel Johor
Location: 82C Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru City Center, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, 80000