Top 10 Hotels Near Istana Besar in Johor Bahru for 2026

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Our top choices for Istana Besar hotels

A Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel with a modern design, featuring a prominent sign and a well-lit entrance.

A water park with multiple water slides and a pool area.

A modern cafe with a curved wooden bench, a buffet counter with various food items, and multiple pendant lights.

A spacious lobby with a curved reception desk, multiple seating areas, and a staircase leading to an upper level.

1. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Johor Bahru by IHG

Johor Bahru Old Town, 0.7 km from Istana Besar

Abdul Ghani

RM190

RM254 total

includes taxes & fees

5 Nov - 6 Nov

A rooftop pool area with lounge chairs, a small pool, and surrounding greenery.

A modern hotel lobby with a reception desk, seating area, and a decorative plant display.

An outdoor café with wooden tables and chairs, surrounded by potted plants and a view of a building.

A modern hotel room with a large sofa, a coffee table, a TV, and a city view through large windows.

2. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru Old Town, 1.2 km from Istana Besar

Alfred

RM286

RM347 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Oct - 19 Oct

A rooftop infinity pool with lounge chairs and a glass ceiling overlooking the ocean.

A modern bar area with a marble countertop, red bar stools, and a beverage display.

A modern restaurant with a long counter, bar seating, and a patterned floor.

A hotel room with a large bed, a chair, a nightstand, and a view of the city.

3. Holiday Inn Johor Bahru City Centre by IHG

Johor Bahru Old Town, 1.1 km from Istana Besar

"Fantastic location and comfortable stay! The location of this hotel is unbeatable—it’s right next to Komtar JBCC and City Square, making shopping and dining incredibly convenient, especially after crossing CIQ. The room was spotless, modern, and quiet with a very comfortable bed. Check-in and check-out were smooth, and the front desk staff were friendly and efficient throughout our stay. The breakfast buffet had a great spread with plenty of variety. Would definitely stay here again on my next...

Albee

RM332

RM404 total

includes taxes & fees

19 Oct - 20 Oct

A modern restaurant with a central bar, multiple dining tables, and a large window offering a view of the outdoors.

An aerial view of a rooftop pool with a tiled floor, a white border, and lounge chairs.

A modern hotel room with a bed, bedside table, and a view into the dining area.

4. Capri by Fraser Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru Old Town, 1.6 km from Istana Besar

Nicole Jia Hui

RM365

RM394 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Oct - 14 Oct

A rooftop bar with outdoor seating, a city view, and a bar area with bottles and glasses.

A bar area with a bartender, shelves of bottles, and a menu board.

A swimming pool with lounge chairs and umbrellas, surrounded by high-rise buildings.

A modern reception area with marble countertops, decorative wall panels, and a skylight.

5. Amari Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru Old Town, 1.1 km from Istana Besar

ShengJia

RM320

RM388 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Oct - 19 Oct

A modern hotel lobby with a central bar area, seating arrangements, and a city view.

A swimming pool with a water feature, surrounded by lounge chairs and umbrellas, with tall buildings in the background.

A modern living room with a dining area, large windows, and a city view.

A spacious lobby with a modern chandelier, comfortable seating, and a city view.

6. Sheraton Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru Old Town, 1.9 km from Istana Besar

Cristal Su Yin

RM650

RM712 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Oct - 8 Oct

A modern interior with a round table surrounded by green bar stools, a red hanging light fixture, and a seating area with cushioned benches.

A modern building with a green sign reading 'ibis Styles' above the entrance.

A hotel room with a bed, a nightstand, a bedside table, a wall-mounted lamp, and a wardrobe.

A modern restaurant interior with wooden panel ceilings, marble walls, and a long counter with seating.

7. Ibis Styles Johor Bahru City Centre

Johor Bahru Old Town, 1.1 km from Istana Besar

Kay Heok

A modern dining area with tables set for meals, a large window offering a city view, and a potted plant adding greenery.

A modern hotel entrance with a glass facade, prominent pillars, and a well-lit exterior.

A rooftop infinity pool with a wooden deck, surrounded by glass walls offering city views.

8. Shama Suasana Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru Old Town, 1 km from Istana Besar

Andrew

RM227

RM255 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Oct - 9 Oct

A modern hotel room with a curved window, a sofa, a small table, and a kitchenette.

A modern dining area with a wooden table, wicker chairs, and a potted plant.

A gym with various exercise equipment, large windows, and a wooden floor.

A modern indoor lounge area with wicker furniture, a wall-mounted plant shelf, and a large potted tree.

9. Z Hotel Johor

Johor Bahru Old Town, 1.1 km from Istana Besar

Mona

RM129

RM162 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Oct - 8 Oct

A hotel lobby with a check-in counter, seating area, and a 'WELCOME' mat.

A tall hotel building with a modern design, featuring a grid of windows and a prominent sign at the top.

A reception area with a green sofa, a red chair, a patterned floor, a ceiling fan, and a view of the outside through large windows.

A hotel room with a bed, a bedside table with a phone, a TV mounted on the wall, and a window with curtains.

10. Citrus Hotel Johor Bahru by Compass Hospitality

Johor Bahru Old Town, 1.1 km from Istana Besar

Tan

RM144

RM180 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Oct - 8 Oct

A multi-story hotel with a prominent sign reading "Bella Hotel".

A multi-level interior with a wooden staircase, white walls, and a tiled floor.

A hallway with a wooden floor, white walls, and a metal railing. There are potted plants along the railing.

A reception area with a marble floor, a reception desk, framed portraits on the wall, and a potted plant.

11. Belllo Hotel JB Central

Johor Bahru Old Town, 1.1 km from Istana Besar

KOTA

RM167

RM167 total

includes taxes & fees

19 Oct - 20 Oct

A hotel room with a large bed, a wooden headboard, a window with curtains, and a wooden table.

A staircase with red railings and shutters, leading to an interior space.

A hotel reception area with a check-in counter, a wooden chair, a suitcase, and a motorcycle.

12. CIQ HOTEL at Jalan Trus

Johor Bahru Old Town, 1 km from Istana Besar

Michael

RM139

RM160 total

includes taxes & fees

5 Nov - 6 Nov

A hotel with a prominent neon sign, large windows, and a red and white facade.

A reception area with a glass partition, a reception desk, and a door.

A hotel room with a bed, a laptop, and a magazine on the bed. There is a window with curtains, a television on the wall, and a door.

A buffet with various dishes and a person serving food.

13. T Hotel Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru Old Town, 1 km from Istana Besar

Bryan

RM99

RM127 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Oct - 8 Oct

A rooftop pool with lounge chairs, potted plants, and a view of the cityscape.

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a desk, a chair, and a view of a cityscape through large windows.

A restaurant with tables set for dining, a view of a river and buildings, and blue walls.

14. Suasana JB Central by TPL

Johor Bahru Old Town, 1 km from Istana Besar

Farooq

RM198

RM224 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Oct - 14 Oct

A hotel lobby with a reception desk, seating area, and large windows.

A multi-story building with a colorful facade featuring diagonal stripes in red, blue, yellow, and white. The ground floor has a sign for "HOTEL SHOBI" and another sign indicating "NOW OPEN."

A hallway with a wooden door, a potted plant, an elevator, and a sign indicating the direction to the kitchen.

A clean, well-lit lobby with a sofa set, a small table, a potted plant, a fire hose reel, and a refrigerator.

15. Shobi Hotel Johor Bahru Near CIQ JB

Johor Bahru Old Town, 1.6 km from Istana Besar

Daryl

RM69

RM75 total

includes taxes & fees

14 Oct - 15 Oct

A modern living room with a sofa, a TV, and a pool view.

A buffet setup with various food items and a counter with stacked plates.

A modern hotel lobby with a reception desk, two lion statues, and a large screen displaying an indoor golf simulator advertisement.

A long, well-lit hallway with a reflective floor, large chandeliers, and vertical wooden panels on the walls.

16. KSL Hotel & Resort

Taman Century, 3.5 km from Istana Besar

Tang Mui Rachel

RM204

RM220 total

includes taxes & fees

19 Oct - 20 Oct

A hotel entrance with a glass door, a welcome mat, and potted plants.

A multi-story hotel with balconies, a red building with a 'Link Postpaid' sign, and a 'Bangunan KAHIM' sign.

A hotel room with two beds, a desk with a TV, a ceiling fan, and a window with curtains.

A hallway with a tiled floor, a fire alarm, a number 6 sign, and a 'KELUAR' exit sign.

17. Hotel J.B.

Johor Bahru Old Town, 1 km from Istana Besar

Mohamed

RM102

RM120 total

includes taxes & fees

20 Oct - 21 Oct

A hotel room with two beds, a desk with a kettle and water bottles, and a large mirror above the beds.

A modern hallway with wooden paneling and white walls, leading to a door at the end.

A multi-story hotel with a colorful facade and a sign reading "HOTEL CIQ".

A room with two chairs, a small table with a vase of flowers, a shelf with jars and containers, and a wall-mounted air conditioner.

18. Hotel CIQ @ Wong Ah Fook

Johor Bahru Old Town, 1.1 km from Istana Besar

Yap

RM89

RM105 total

includes taxes & fees

11 Oct - 12 Oct

A building entrance with glass doors, two potted plants, and a sign.

A hotel room with a large bed, a nightstand with a lamp, and a wall-mounted wooden decor piece.

A modern lounge area with a brick accent wall, a round table, and a sofa.

A conference room with a long table, chairs, a potted plant, and a fire extinguisher on the wall.

19. Kingston Hotel 7 @ Johor Bharu

Johor Bahru Old Town, 1.2 km from Istana Besar

"The hotel lobby, lift and bathroom had a humid, sewage smell. The moment we entered the room, we were hit with an overpowering air freshener smell that gave us a headache. Hotel room flooring was sticky and we resorted to wearing the paper thin slippers (there would be dust/hair stuck on your feet if you didn’t). Soundproofing is very bad - you can hear the people from other rooms, in the hallway and the parking lot behind the hotel. Bathroom water was not warm at all - it was cold. Towels had a...

Liping

RM106

RM114 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Oct - 16 Oct

A modern pool area with lounge chairs and planters, surrounded by glass buildings.

A modern dining area with a large table set for four, a sofa, and a city view through large windows.

A modern living room with a sofa, coffee table, and a dining area with chairs and a table.

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a view of the city, and a large abstract painting on the wall.

20. Suasana Suites by Subhome

Johor Bahru Old Town, 1 km from Istana Besar

"The 3-bedroom property was not sufficiently clean - there were trails of ants crawling all over the place. Ants would crawl up on us when we were on the bed and sofa. The common shower had no hot water despite us switching on the water heater. Our repeated messages to Subhome regarding the water heater issue were ignored and the issue was not resolved during our 2-days stay (6 of us ended up sharing one bathroom). There were also no toiletries except two bottles of cheaply-scented body shower...

Anonymous traveller

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Compare popular hotels close to Istana Besar

Property	Property class	Guest rating
R&F Princess Cove by FUJU & 5mins to ClQ	9.4 Exceptional 182 reviews	View
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru	9.0 Wonderful 1,001 reviews	View
Holiday Inn Johor Bahru City Centre by IHG	8.8 Excellent 775 reviews	View
Havona Hotel @ CIQ Johor Bahru - Self Check-In	8.6 Excellent 18 reviews	View
Amari Johor Bahru	8.8 Excellent 1,001 reviews	View

Top Istana Besar Hotel Reviews

Shama Suasana Johor Bahru

10/10 Excellent

"NA"

Capri by Fraser Johor Bahru

10/10 Excellent

"Convenient location, spacious and clean!"

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Johor Bahru by IHG

10/10 Excellent

"The 2-room suite (for 4 of us) was smaller than I expected but is comfortable and clean. The staff at the counter were most supportive, helping us with Touch n go related requests, among others. Location was easy to find, and is accessible without being in a crowded area. Breakfast is moderately good, there were better options on the 2nd day for vegetarians."

Holiday Inn Johor Bahru City Centre by IHG

10/10 Excellent

Grand Paragon Hotel Johor Bahru

10/10 Excellent

"We love staying at Grand Paragon Hotel and visit almost every month. It is a very child-friendly hotel, which makes it perfect for our family. The rooms are clean and comfortable, the staff are warm and welcoming, and the breakfast has a good variety. The air conditioning is great, and our children always enjoy their stay. It feels like a home away from home for us, and we always look forward to coming back. Highly recommended for families with children! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"

Citrus Hotel Johor Bahru by Compass Hospitality

10/10 Excellent

"Great location , staff there friendly and very good aircon ."

Suasana JB Central by TPL

10/10 Excellent

"Breakfast at level 34 was nice. highest cafe in all of JB"

CIQ HOTEL at Jalan Trus

8/10 Good

"Night can get quite noisy"

T Hotel Johor Bahru

8/10 Good

"Nearness to train station"

Other attractions near Istana Besar

A pelican standing on a railing by a green body of water with trees and buildings in the background.

Johor Zoo

7.0/10 (15 reviews)

Hang out with the animal kingdom to encounter a rich variety of wildlife at one of the oldest zoos in Malaysia.

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A white building with a blue roof and a tower.

Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque

6.4/10 (8 reviews)

Visit the state mosque of Johor, a beautiful old building that was commissioned by a sultan and boasts a mix of architectural styles.

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A red colonial-style building with white trim, ornate balconies, and traditional lanterns.

Tan Hiok Nee

Find out about the history of Bandar Johor Bahru when you spend time at Tan Hiok Nee. While in this family-friendly area, find time to visit its shops.

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Royal Abu Bakar Museum

You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in Royal Abu Bakar Museum in Johor Bahru. Wander the area's picturesque gardens or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

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Masjid Negeri Sultan Abu Bakar

Learn about the local history of Johor Bahru when you spend time at Masjid Negeri Sultan Abu Bakar. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

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Sultan Ibrahim Building

7.4/10 (3 reviews)

After visiting Sultan Ibrahim Building, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Bandar Johor Bahru. Wander the area's picturesque gardens or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

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Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum during your trip to Bandar Johor Bahru. Make time to visit the area's shops or simply enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

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Sri Raja Mariamman Temple

After visiting Sri Raja Mariamman Temple, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Bandar Johor Bahru. Visit the area's shops or amble around its picturesque gardens.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the area like around Istana Besar?

Istana Besar is located in a welcoming area of Johor Bahru known for its array of dining options and bird watching. If you're looking for a convenient place to stay, take a look at the 128 hotels and other accommodation options you'll find within a mile.

What's the best hotel to stay close to Istana Besar?

Amari Johor Bahru is one of the top choices for your stay based on our traveller data, and this hotel offers a full-service spa and a restaurant. It's located just a short 0.7 mi (1.1 km) from Istana Besar. Other good options close by include Capri by Fraser Johor Bahru and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru.

How many hotels are there close to Istana Besar?

Expedia has 128 hotels and other accommodation options within a mile from Istana Besar.

If I need to cancel the hotel reservation for my stay near Istana Besar, will I receive a refund?

Yes! You'll find that most room reservations are fully refundable as long as you cancel prior to the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which in most cases is within 24 or 48 hours of your check-in date. If you have a non-refundable reservation, you might be able to still cancel and get a refund within a 24-hour period of booking. Enter your dates, click on "Search", then use the "fully refundable" filter to review the best deals available near Istana Besar.

What can I see and do near Istana Besar?

You'll want to browse the exhibits at Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Palace Museum and Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum. Sights like Tan Hiok Nee and Sri Raja Mariamman Temple highlight some of the local culture. Spend some time wandering around Danga Bay Park, Woodlands Waterfront Park and Marsiling Park.

How can I get to Istana Besar?

To see more of the larger area, hop aboard a train at JB Sentral. There might not be many public transport options to choose from near to Istana Besar so consider renting a car to see more of the area.

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Flights to Johor Bahru

Hotels near Istana Besar

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Treat yourself

Be picky

Check prices for these dates

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Our top choices for Istana Besar hotels

1. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Johor Bahru by IHG

2. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru

3. Holiday Inn Johor Bahru City Centre by IHG

4. Capri by Fraser Johor Bahru

5. Amari Johor Bahru

6. Sheraton Johor Bahru

7. Ibis Styles Johor Bahru City Centre

8. Shama Suasana Johor Bahru

9. Z Hotel Johor

10. Citrus Hotel Johor Bahru by Compass Hospitality

11. Belllo Hotel JB Central

12. CIQ HOTEL at Jalan Trus

13. T Hotel Johor Bahru

14. Suasana JB Central by TPL

15. Shobi Hotel Johor Bahru Near CIQ JB

16. KSL Hotel & Resort

17. Hotel J.B.

18. Hotel CIQ @ Wong Ah Fook

19. Kingston Hotel 7 @ Johor Bharu

20. Suasana Suites by Subhome

Compare popular hotels close to Istana Besar

Top Istana Besar Hotel Reviews

Shama Suasana Johor Bahru

Capri by Fraser Johor Bahru

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Johor Bahru by IHG

Holiday Inn Johor Bahru City Centre by IHG

Grand Paragon Hotel Johor Bahru

Citrus Hotel Johor Bahru by Compass Hospitality

Suasana JB Central by TPL

CIQ HOTEL at Jalan Trus

T Hotel Johor Bahru

Other attractions near Istana Besar

Johor Zoo

Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque

Tan Hiok Nee

Royal Abu Bakar Museum

Masjid Negeri Sultan Abu Bakar

Sultan Ibrahim Building

Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum

Sri Raja Mariamman Temple

Frequently asked questions

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