Sheraton Johor Bahru Review: Family Stay, Marriott Points & Singapore Gateway Tips (2026)
If you’re planning a road trip from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore and need a one-night base in Johor Bahru, the Sheraton Johor Bahru belongs near the top of your shortlist. We stayed here as a family of four — two adults and two children — after driving up from KL, parked the car, crossed into Singapore by train the following morning, and returned to collect it the next day.
My husband redeemed Marriott Bonvoy points for the full stay, so we paid nothing out of pocket. But even setting that aside, this Sheraton Johor Bahru review covers what the hotel delivers on its own terms: the room in detail, the facilities, a parking situation that went beyond what we expected, and practical tips for anyone using JB as a stepping stone into Singapore.
1. Sheraton Johor Bahru: Key Information at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Star Rating | 5-Star |
| Opened | 2025 |
| Room Types | Deluxe Twin, Deluxe King, Family Room, Two-Bedroom Suite |
| Nearest Checkpoint | Woodlands / Johor Causeway — short drive |
| Nearest Station | JB Sentral (KTM / RTS Link) |
| Parking | Complimentary in-stay; extended parking subject to availability |
| Breakfast | RM 58 / adult · RM 29 / child (6:30 AM – 10:30 AM, Daily Social) |
| Loyalty Program | Marriott Bonvoy |
| Adjacent Mall | SKS City Mall (opened after our visit) |
2. A Brand-New Hotel with an Unlikely History
The Sheraton Johor Bahru opened in 2025, making it one of the most recently launched 5-star hotels in the city. What the polished lobby doesn’t reveal is the building’s background: it was originally built as a large-scale shopping mall, but construction came to a halt following the 1997 Asian financial crisis — the same regional collapse that South Korea experienced as the IMF crisis. The structure sat unfinished and largely abandoned for the better part of three decades.
We spent a month in Johor Bahru back in 2020 while deciding whether to relocate to Malaysia, and I remember this building sitting idle even then — an enormous, half-completed shell with no visible future. Seeing it converted into a polished luxury hotel was a genuine surprise. Once you’re inside, there’s no trace of that history. The interiors feel freshly fitted and well-maintained throughout, and the atmosphere carries the specific calm of a hotel that hasn’t yet accumulated years of wear.
3. Location: The Practical Case for Singapore-Bound Travelers
The Sheraton Johor Bahru’s most important advantage for many guests isn’t the rooms or the pool — it’s where it sits. The hotel’s proximity to the Singapore checkpoint means that an early-morning border crossing doesn’t require navigating unfamiliar roads under time pressure.
1) How We Used the Location
We drove in from KL, checked in, and the following morning walked to JB Sentral to take the train into Singapore. The logistics worked precisely because the hotel is close enough to the station that the journey felt manageable rather than rushed. We covered our full train crossing experience — border procedures, ticketing, and what to expect at the checkpoint — in a separate post. (👉 Link to JB-to-Singapore by train post)
2) Nearby Attractions Worth Knowing
If you have time before check-in or after checkout, the surrounding area holds several of JB’s better-known landmarks within easy reach: the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque, the Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple, and Bazar Karat — a weekend flea market worth visiting if your timing aligns.
3) SKS City Mall — New Since Our Visit
SKS City Mall opened directly adjacent to the Sheraton Johor Bahru after our stay, adding a connected shopping option to an already convenient location. This makes the hotel even more self-contained for guests who want options within walking distance.
4. Sheraton Johor Bahru Parking: Flexible in Ways That Mattered
1) Standard In-Stay Parking
Complimentary parking is provided for in-stay guests — expected at a 5-star property, but worth confirming when you book, particularly now that SKS City Mall has opened and parking demand in the area has likely increased.
2) Extended Parking Beyond Checkout
What genuinely impressed us was how the hotel handled our non-standard request. We needed to leave the car parked for an additional day after checkout while we were in Singapore. We explained this to the front desk, offered to pay, and were told the hotel could accommodate it at no extra charge — citing available capacity at the time, as the mall hadn’t yet opened.
3) A Note for Future Guests
With SKS City Mall now operational, the same flexibility may not apply. If you’re planning to park at the hotel while crossing into Singapore, raise this directly with the front desk at check-in and don’t assume the extended arrangement is automatic. That said, the fact that the staff handled the request without friction — and without charging us — left a strong impression of how this hotel operates.
5. Sheraton Johor Bahru The Deluxe Twin Room: A Detailed Look
We stayed in a Deluxe Twin Room. Here’s a thorough breakdown for families and detail-oriented travelers who want to know exactly what to expect before arrival.
1) Room Capacity for Families
The official occupancy is three adults, with children under 12 counted as one adult for capacity purposes. Two adults and two children under 12 fit within the standard allocation — which is exactly how we used it. It was a snug arrangement for one night. Families with older children or anyone wanting more space should consider the Family Room or Two-Bedroom Suite options.
2) First Impressions: New-Hotel Condition
Walking in, the most immediate quality of the room is the freshness that only a genuinely new property delivers. No worn corners, no faint persistent odours — everything was in the condition it should be. After a long drive from KL, that made an immediate difference.
3) Room Design and Atmosphere
The design uses warm wood tones throughout with a neutral, understated palette. A restful-looking room is exactly what you want at the end of a highway journey. The layout is functional without feeling cramped, and natural light is well distributed throughout.
📸 [Room interior / overall layout photo]
4) The Beds
The twin beds are properly sized and dressed in good hotel bedding — not the synthetic or over-stiff variety that lower-tier properties sometimes use. Pillows and linens were fresh and well-maintained. Everyone in our family slept well, which after a long travel day is genuinely the most important test a hotel room can pass.
5) The Sofa and Seating Area
The room includes a sofa and side table near the window — useful as a secondary space where the children could sit and wind down without being on the beds. For families spending a few hours in the room before sleep, that extra seat makes a practical difference.
6) Power Outlets and Connectivity
Outlets at the desk and bedside covered both USB and standard plug types — no adapters needed, which matters more than it sounds when you’re traveling with a family and multiple devices to charge overnight. The Wi-Fi was stable throughout our stay.
7) The Bathroom
The bathroom was clean, well-lit, and fully stocked with Sheraton’s standard amenity range — shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and disposable toothbrushes. The toothbrushes meant we didn’t need to pack our own for a short stay. Shower pressure and water temperature were both consistent and comfortable.
6. Facilities: Pool, Gym, and Dining
1) The Kids’ Pool
For families with younger children, the kids’ pool is one of the strongest points in the hotel’s favour. It’s larger than the typical hotel children’s pool and includes a water slide — a detail that will significantly shape the experience if you’re traveling with young children who have energy to burn after a journey.
2) The Main Pool
The main pool is well-sized, with sunbeds positioned across multiple areas offering both sun and shade throughout the day. During our visit it didn’t feel crowded, and the layout provides enough space for guests to settle comfortably regardless of timing.
3) Fitness Center
The fitness center is properly equipped and housed in a usable space — not a token room with a few machines along the wall. For guests who want to maintain a training routine while traveling, it functions as a legitimate option.
4) Dining Outlets
The Sheraton Johor Bahru has four food and beverage outlets on site: Daily Social (all-day dining and breakfast), &More by Sheraton (café and bar), Soo Noodles (Asian noodle specialist), and Unspoken Bar (evening drinks).
We didn’t dine at the hotel on this trip — we had an early departure and chose to eat outside before crossing. For dinner options in JB the evening before your Singapore crossing, we’ll be covering our restaurant visit in a separate post. (👉 Johor Bahru Vietnamese Restaurant Review: Chimmy Chummy at Plaza Mentari)
5) Breakfast
Breakfast at Daily Social runs from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM, priced at RM 58 per adult and RM 29 per child for stays without a breakfast package. If you’re doing an early train crossing into Singapore, the 6:30 AM start gives you a workable window to eat before heading to JB Sentral.
7. Marriott Bonvoy Points Redemption: What This Stay Actually Costs
1) 14,000 Points Per Night — Full Redemption, No Cash
Our stay was redeemed for 14,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, with no cash payment required. For Bonvoy members building toward free nights, this is a useful reference point for what a JB 5-star redemption looks like in practice.
2) How Bonvoy Compares to Accor ALL
We also hold Accor ALL Platinum status, and the two programs handle redemption differently. With Accor, points typically reduce part of the room rate, with the remainder paid in cash. Marriott Bonvoy allows complete redemption — the entire room cost can be covered by points with no cash top-up required.
3) Points Requirements Vary
The 14,000 points reflects our specific booking window. Requirements shift by date, room type, and availability — check the Marriott Bonvoy app for current redemption rates before planning around this figure.
8. Who Should Book the Sheraton Johor Bahru?
Based on our stay, the Sheraton Johor Bahru is a strong match for travelers crossing from Malaysia into Singapore by road or rail, families looking for a newly opened 5-star property with a good kids’ pool, Marriott Bonvoy members seeking a solid points redemption in Malaysia, and anyone who wants a comfortable, low-friction overnight stop in JB without paying Singapore-side hotel prices.
The combination of location, room quality, family-friendly facilities, and genuinely flexible service made this one of the more memorable overnight stops we’ve had — even for just a single night.
FAQ: Sheraton Johor Bahru
Q1. Is the Sheraton Johor Bahru good for families with young children?
Yes. The hotel offers Family Rooms and Two-Bedroom Suites for guests who need more space. The Deluxe Twin Room fits two adults and two children under 12 within the standard occupancy allowance. The kids’ pool is larger than average and includes a water slide — one of the hotel’s strongest family-oriented features.
Q2. Can you park at the Sheraton JB while crossing into Singapore by train?
Standard in-stay parking is complimentary. During our visit, the front desk allowed us to keep the car for an additional day after checkout at no charge while we were in Singapore. With SKS City Mall now open nearby, parking availability may be tighter. Discuss extended parking directly with the front desk at check-in rather than assuming it applies automatically.
Q3. How many Marriott Bonvoy points does the Sheraton Johor Bahru cost per night?
Our stay was redeemed for 14,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, with no cash payment required and breakfast not included. Points requirements vary by date and room type — check the Marriott Bonvoy app for current rates.
Q4. When did the Sheraton Johor Bahru open?
The Sheraton Johor Bahru opened in 2025. The building was originally constructed as a shopping mall but was left unfinished after the 1997 Asian financial crisis before being redeveloped as a 5-star hotel.
Q5. What is the breakfast price at the Sheraton Johor Bahru?
Breakfast at Daily Social is priced at RM 58 per adult and RM 29 per child for stays without a breakfast package. Service runs from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM — early enough for guests crossing into Singapore by train in the morning.
