R&F Princess Cove Apartment Johor Bahru

Rooms and decor

We'll close the list with the option that is genuinely the cheapest — R&F Princess Cove Apartment Johor Bahru isn't a hotel in the usual sense. These are units inside the R&F Princess Cove condo project that owners rent out by the night, in a building attached to R&F Mall and close to the CIQ checkpoint. The overall score lands around 7.7/10. The units are apartment-style with a small kitchen, and many have city views, which makes them a good fit if you want to cook for yourself and stay several nights. The better reviews say much the same thing: the room was clean, well equipped, good value.

Food and amenities

Because this is a condo project, guests get to use the shared facilities — a pool and a gym that punch well above the price. The catch is that they belong to the whole development, so at peak times (Friday and Saturday evenings) they get crowded. The real advantage here is R&F Mall right next door — take the lift down and you're there, with a supermarket and restaurants on hand, so you never have to walk out in the heat. On the service side, this isn't a hotel: there's no 24-hour front desk, and you'll need to sort out check-in with the owner in advance.

Location and getting there

It sits very close to the CIQ checkpoint — that's the main reason people choose this area, and anyone who crosses the border often will appreciate the position. R&F Mall is attached to the building, and there's parking if you're driving yourself. The old town center and the other malls are a short ride away, and LEGOLAND is about 30 minutes by Grab.

Things to know before booking

This is the part to understand clearly before you book: units in the same building belong to different owners and are kept up very differently. One can be spotless, almost hotel-grade; the next has worn linens and a grubby kitchen — and that's not unusual. The only way through is to check the reviews for the specific unit or owner, not the building name alone. The shared pool and gym also get busy at peak times, and there's no front-desk service to lean on — coordinating check-in is on you.

Our take

This is for backpackers and budget travelers who set out to cross the border at the lightest possible rate — and who accept that room quality is a lottery that depends on the owner. If you're willing to read the unit reviews carefully before booking, it's very good value. If you want the certainty of a hotel — a front desk, real service, a consistent standard — look at the nearby chains like Holiday Inn Express or Capri by Fraser instead; they're a safer bet.