Located in the core of Johor Bahru city, Mutiara Hotel is an ideal choice for travellers who want convenience and yet, do not want to compromise on privacy. It is an easy drive to top-rated golf courses and the Causeway, and is just 30 minutes away from the Sultan Ismail Airport by car. One of the hotels under the Mutiara Hotels umbrella, the tourist haven seeks to provide comfort and a sense of home for the frequent traveller.

Its 330 rooms are spacious, sporting comfortable king or queen-sized beds which will provide a good night’s sleep to the weary traveller. Offering views of the Johor Bahru city, all rooms are equipped with private baths, in-room safes, coffee and tea-making facilities, minibar, and IDD telephones. Writing tables are large, which will serve the business traveller well.

One distinctive feature of Mutiara is its Junior Club Suites, which are suitable for families of four comprising two adults and two children. The suite’s concept is that of a room-within-room, and has a small corner just for children, furnished with a comfortable double-decker bed complete with a small television, soft toys, board games and even a Playstation.

Hungry guests may make their way down to any of the restaurant’s 6 food and beverage outlets, namely, Meisan Szechuan Restaurant, Capri the Continental Restaurant, Seri Mutiara Restaurant, Polo Lounge, Mutiara Terrace and Deli Corner, as well as the Poolside Bar.

• Meisan Szechuan Restaurant
  Offering a range of dishes from China’s Northwest provinces, Meisan Szechuan is a good choice for a business lunch or dinner. Decorated with ornate Chinese vases, mahogany panels and gold-etched latticed screens, the restaurant exudes an exotically Oriental charm. Some specialties include the shark’s fin soup with crabmeat, spicy sautéed prawns with dried chillies, hot and sour Szechuan soup as well as camphor and tea-smoked duck. Lunch is from 11.30am to 2.30pm while dinner is from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.

• Capri the Continental Restaurant
  With a repertoire of Western dishes and selection of fine wines, patrons will be spoilt for choice at Capri. The interior has touches of Mediterranean influences, with intricately-designed wrought-iron railings and exquisite art pieces. Highlights of the menu include whole pan-fried seabass, osso bucco(braised veal shank on spaghetti) and a wide assortment of pizzas. Open daily for dinner 6.30pm to 10.30pm.

• Seri Mutiara Restaurant
  A 24-hour coffee house, Seri Mutiara serves daily buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. Both local and international favourites are available at this down-to-earth eatery. On weekends, a buffet high-tea is available from 12pm to 4pm. Guests can also enjoy the “longest buffet trunch” on the first Sunday of the month.

• Polo Lounge
  Hosting a live band which performs every night, the Lounge provides the perfect surroundings in which to relax over a drink or two. Happy hours are from 5pm to 9pm daily, while it closes at 1am.

• Mutiara Terrace and Deli Corner
  An ideal place for teatime, it serves a selection of cakes, breads, pies and pastries. Open from 10am to 11pm daily.

• Poolside Bar
  Light refreshments, drinks and ice cream are available here after your swim at the pool. Opens daily from 7am to 9pm.

No matter the reason for travelling, Mutiara will cater to every guest’s need, be they business or leisure travellers. While the hotel is aged, with some of its facilities due for upgrading, its excellent location, spacious rooms and tentative service more than compensates. Occupancy during the weekdays is often high as it is frequented by both interstate and international travellers.

Singaporeans looking for a quite weekend retreat with excellent shopping will do well to consider a weekend getaway at Mutiara.