Hotel Sentral JB offers early-bird entry to Legoland, writes Peggy Loh
I remember this hotel because the last time I was here, my old car refused to start just as I was about to leave. Instead of trying to tinker around with the engine, I called my trusted mechanic over to sort the problem out. Now I’m back again, driving my new car, and am delighted to see that Hotel Sentral Johor Baru is rebranded and refurbished, all geared up to give guests a better experience.
Situated at Tanjung Puteri, a place of historical significance, puts it at the spot that gives guests the best of both worlds — the old and the new. It is close to the city’s places of interest and heritage attractions. And as an official hotel partner of Legoland Malaysia, guests have an early entry advantage.
General Manager, George Lee, who also oversees the group’s hotel in Malacca, says the hotel is a popular choice for regional visitors who book their reservations with the Legoland package.
“You only need to book seven days in advance for the theme park package,” says Lee, saying the package is valid for three months, “which is good news for guests who have to cancel their stay for some unavoidable reason.”
THEME PARK ADVANTAGE
I don’t like waiting in queues and can understand the advantage of entering the theme park half an hour before the 10am opening because it means there will be no crowd and no queue. And as daily entries are limited, official hotel partner guests are assured of priority entry. I have this distinct advantage in mind as I request for an early wake-up call.
The wake-up call gets me up to answer the phone but as I roll back under the covers in my comfortable bed, I’m tempted to snuggle down for a few more minutes. I know it’s a bad idea because I may just doze off again so I’m up quickly to dress for breakfast at Terrace View, the ground floor cafe.
The hotel van, to ferry guests out to Legoland themepark, will leave by 9am and a quick check on the time tells me I have enough time to enjoy my breakfast buffet with an order for freshly-made eggs.
Wearing layers of sunblock lotion and armed with my hat, I join other guests in the lobby before boarding the hotel van for a smooth drive to the theme park. When the driver drops us off at the porch of the Mall of Medini, we agree on the return pick-up time from the same spot and we walk through the mall to the park entrance.
We remind each other to produce our room key card for the park entry and within moments we are in the park before the crowd arrives.
CITY WALKABOUT
Besides fun in the theme park, hotel guests are also encouraged to have a glimpse of Johor Baru’s heritage sites and city attractions in a walking tour. Upon request, reception staff will refer guests to the required tour services or guests can just pick up a walking map and follow the routes to visit nearby places of interest. I sense that Lee, who is familiar with walking tours in Malacca, is keen for guests to see a bit of old JB.
He does not hesitate to join us, so our city walkabout that afternoon starts at Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Walk with a visit to the Johor Baru Chinese Heritage Museum to learn more about Johor’s early development and the city’s former name, Tanjung Puteri.
A walk down the street takes us to Hua Joo, a traditional charcoal oven bakery where third generation Lim family members continue with the business. Like most visitors, Lee cannot resist buying some freshly baked banana cake so we stop at a nearby coffeeshop for a drink and a taste of the delicious cake.
From the coffeeshop we walk up Jalan Trus, pass the Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple and Gurdwara Sahib Sikh Temple, to the Gu Miao or Chinese Ancient Temple. Then we cross Jalan Wong Ah Fook to the section of JB formerly known as Kampung Wong Ah Fook, to visit the Kwong Siew Heritage Gallery, housed in the former Cantonese clan house, donated by none other than Wong Ah Fook himself.
After the walking tour, we head back for a cool dip in the hotel pool and later that evening, we find our way to Jalan Segget and browse around the night market or JB Bazaar and fill our bags with souvenirs and other knick-knacks.
FAST FACTS
Hotel
Hotel Sentral Johor Baru, No. 17 Jalan Tenteram, Tanjung Puteri, Johor Baru, Johor
Tel: 07 - 222 7788 Fax: 07 - 223 7788 Email: cres@hotelsentral.com.my Website: www.hotelsentraljb.com.my
Getting There
Walking distance from JB Sentral, the train and bus terminal from Singapore and northern States and accessible by a public taxi transport facilities in the city
Rooms
A total of 138 well appointed rooms and suites
Main Attraction
Location
First Impression
Cosy and convenient
Overall Service
Friendly and attentive
F&B Outlets
All-day dining at Terrace View cafe and in-room dining
Facilities
Swimming pools, function rooms, business centre, tour desk services, laundry and dry-cleaning, in-room safe, convenience store, no-smoking floors and high-speed wireless internet connection
Places Within
Walking Distance
JB Sentral, JB Bazaar, Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Walk, Johor Baru Chinese Heritage Museum, Kwong Siew Heritage Gallery, Gu Miao or Chinese Ancient Temple, Gurdwara Sahib Sikh Temple, Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple, Masjid India, Johor Baru City Square and Komtar Johor Baru City Centre