Entree Kibbles: Atelier Hotel - Standard King Room @ Johor Bahru in Malaysia

Aesthetic is not a major criterion when it comes to hotel selection but when I saw the photographs of Atelier Hotel while searching for a night stay in Johor Bahru; I was immediately captivated by its red-brick, European inspired facade. *booked*

Hotel reception - the inside was also as memorable; signature of a boutique hotel setting that was unique yet without overdoing the interior design just to make an impression.

The key drawer had to be this skywell that allowed the tree to be illuminated by natural lighting. p.s. it would have been nicer if the tree was brimming with green leaves, and I wonder if the tree was dead.

Freeflow biscuits, coffee and tea on the ground level.

Items provided as part of our stay in the hotel, and those you can request, like sandals, ear plugs, eye masks! Those planning for celebrations can also have decorations, for a fee.

Secured our room - 203.

Sad because it's on level two. :(

Even though it was nice of the hotel to provide food recommendations, some were pretty far! I thought it would be more beneficial to suggest eateries within walking distance; like Waffle Delight.

Water dispenser at every lift lobby. You do know what that means? There's a very high, almost guaranteed chance, that the hotel will not be providing bottled water in the room.

That iconic brick facade also adorned the walls along the hotel corridor.

A refreshing look compared to other hotels.

The skywell on level two. Frankly, it would be very instagrammable if you have a few friends staying in the same hotel, and you can take a picture from the top and have them standing in the frame on the lower levels.

Room 203 - Standard King Room

At 17 meters square, it's a pretty small room although functional for just a one night stay. I did find it a bit odd to have the sink outside the washroom but come to think about it; it did give the visual effect that the room was more spacious.

Comfortable bed but pillows were too soft! I am already at the age where I am a lot more particular when it comes to the hardness and softness of mattresses and pillows, and happiness overwhelms me when the hotels have bolsters!

Provision of electric kettle, sachets of tea and coffee.

As expected, reusable water bottles instead of bottled water.

In addition to an ensuite washroom and air-conditioning, one of the must-haves for my vacation stay is the availability of windows. I did get what I want but next time, I shall be more explicit; window overlooking outside, and not inside the hotel!

Sink with the golden tap.

The washroom, like a separate, totally distinct compartment in the room, as if it was a purpose built black container brought in solely to provide the shower and toilet.

Just your normal amenities, with shower gel, shampoo, body lotion in refillable containers. Only complaint I had was the narrow glass screen between shower and toilet bowl; you are guaranteed to have wet floor, and a drenched floor mat after every shower. Oh, no rainfall shower too.

Escape plan for reference; although I also like seeing it to compare room size with others on the same level. Maybe next time can consider a bigger room. p.s. again, maybe this is age related too since I can't stand too small a room; so claustrophobic!

Stairwell taken on the 3rd level.

Rooftop Garden where guests can chill out at night! The lights would also be switched off and it would have been so nice to have beer gatherings with friends; albeit without air-conditioning.

View from the rooftop; day and night.

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Now, would I recommend this hotel? To be honest, I don't mind returning although there wasn't any shopping centres within 500 meters. It's generally a local area, and that might not be a bad thing considering the places we always visit are more touristy.

At night, there were plenty of food options, including a crowded coffee shop right opposite Atelier Hotel, and a small scale hawker centre about 400 meters. Just a stone's throw away was a popular nasi lemak store called Hantu Nasi Lemak which I would blog about soon.

There's also a thriving morning market every Mondays and Thursdays, from 6.00am till 11.00am. Rest assured, there will be another post on it in my blog soon!

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