At LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort, creativity meets sport in a big way as BrickFest 2026 kicks off with a lively Football Edition, running now until 19 July 2026. This year’s celebration transforms the park into a playful training ground where families and children step into the “Journey of Becoming a Football Star” through hands-on LEGO experiences, interactive challenges, and themed attractions spread across the resort.

The event was officially launched through a community engagement session led by CS Lim, Vice President of LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort, who highlighted the spirit behind this year’s edition. He shared that the Football Edition blends the excitement of the football season with the creative world of LEGO play, allowing families to build, compete, and create meaningful memories together.

From the moment guests arrive, the atmosphere is set with the “Brick Off” station, where participants collect their Mission Card before embarking on a series of football-inspired challenges. Each station is designed not only for fun, but also to encourage creativity, coordination, and teamwork among young builders and players.

One of the highlights is the Brick Strike Challenge, where participants test their aim, speed, and accuracy by attempting to score goals into specially designed targets. It is a simple concept, but one that quickly becomes a test of patience and precision, especially for younger visitors eager to score.

Nearby, the Brick-tastic Arena offers a more tactical experience. Here, children dribble a football through LEGO-themed obstacles, learning control and movement while navigating playful challenges that require focus and coordination. It is an engaging way to combine physical activity with imaginative play.

The Brick Table Football station adds another layer of excitement, featuring a custom LEGO mechanical striker game where players compete to score goals. It is fast-paced, competitive, and especially popular among families looking to challenge each other in a friendly match.

Creativity takes center stage at the Build-A-Trophy station, where children construct their own LEGO trophies using guided instructions. For many, it becomes a proud moment of achievement as they design something unique to take home as a memory of their BrickFest experience.

Another standout activity is the 6 Bricks Challenge, a quick-thinking creative task that requires participants to build something using only six LEGO bricks. It may sound simple, but it pushes imagination to the limit, encouraging kids to think differently and creatively under constraint.

At the Build-A-Football station, guests get hands-on experience constructing their own LEGO mini football. The process requires patience and attention to detail, but the final result is a fun, personalized creation that families can enjoy together.

Throughout the day, the Beginning Stage keeps the atmosphere alive with live entertainment, including the Kick-Off Opening Performance and the daily Farewell Show. The excitement continues with Brick Bash & Mix, where LEGO Factory heroes bring energetic performances to life, alongside the LEGO Trophy Chase, a fast-moving teamwork challenge that keeps the crowd engaged.

To round off the experience, families can also take part in the “Goal to Win” lucky draw. With a minimum spend of RM199 in a single receipt, guests are eligible to join the draw, with winners announced daily after the Farewell Show—adding an extra layer of anticipation to an already exciting day.

BrickFest 2026 at LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort is more than just an event—it is a full-scale interactive celebration where football energy and LEGO creativity come together, offering families a memorable holiday experience filled with play, imagination, and shared moments.

Weekends are always the perfect time to gather with family and friends over a satisfying meal, and this time around, we made our way to Lada & Clove Restaurant at Trove Hotel Johor Bahru to explore their Rasa Rasa Malaysia Weekend Buffet. 

Running from April until June 2026, this buffet experience brings together a delightful combination of Malaysian favourites and international selections, making it a dining experience worth exploring for food lovers around Johor Bahru.

Located on Level 8 of the hotel, Lada & Clove welcomes diners with a warm and inviting ambience that instantly sets the mood for a relaxing dinner experience. The spacious restaurant layout together with the comfortable setting makes it suitable for family gatherings, casual dining sessions, celebrations, or even weekend meet-ups with friends.

Upon arriving at the buffet line, diners are first greeted with a colourful salad and appetiser section. The fresh greens, cold cuts, and international-style starters provide a refreshing beginning to the dining journey. The presentation itself was neat and appetising, giving guests plenty of options to start their meal according to their preferences.

Moving further into the buffet spread, the hot dishes section showcases a variety of Malaysian-inspired dishes prepared with rich local flavours and aromatic spices. From the moment we approached the counter, the aroma coming from the dishes was already enough to make us excited to try them. Each dish was served beautifully and continuously replenished to maintain freshness throughout the dining session.

One of the comforting local selections available was the Lo Mai Gai, also known as Lotus Wrapped Sticky Rice, which was freshly steamed and served warm. Together with a selection of paus, these traditional items added a familiar local touch to the overall buffet experience.

Another highlight that truly caught our attention was the live grilling station featuring satay selections. The smoky aroma from the freshly grilled skewers filled the dining area and created an even more enjoyable buffet atmosphere. The beef satay in particular stood out for its tender texture and flavourful marinade, especially when paired together with the accompanying peanut sauce. 

Alongside the satay, the Korean Honey Chicken Wings also became one of the crowd-pleasing dishes with its balance of sweetness and savoury flavours.

To balance out the heavier dishes, diners can also enjoy tropical cut fruits prepared fresh at the fruit station. The refreshing fruits make a perfect ending before continuing on to the dessert section.

Speaking of desserts, the sweet treats counter at Lada & Clove offers a wide variety of bite-sized cakes and local desserts suitable for guests of all ages. From colourful cakes to local favourites such as ABC, the dessert station provides a fun and enjoyable ending to the buffet experience. It was especially delightful to see children enjoying the dessert section while creating their own sweet combinations.

Priced at RM78 nett per adult and RM58 nett per child or senior citizen, the Rasa Rasa Malaysia Weekend Buffet offers a reasonably affordable dining option considering the extensive variety available. Lunch buffet options are also available at different pricing for those who prefer daytime dining.

Overall, our experience at the Rasa Rasa Malaysia Weekend Buffet at Trove Hotel Johor Bahru was enjoyable and satisfying. The combination of Malaysian flavours, international dishes, live cooking stations, and warm hospitality creates a buffet experience suitable for all kinds of diners. 

Whether you are looking for a place to enjoy a weekend dinner with loved ones or simply searching for another food discovery around Johor Bahru, this buffet is certainly worth considering.

School holidays are always the perfect opportunity for families to slow down, reconnect, and create beautiful memories together. This time around, our family decided to experience a relaxing staycation at Trove Hotel Johor Bahru, and honestly, it turned out to be a memorable family getaway filled with comfort, fun, and meaningful bonding moments.

Located strategically within Johor Bahru city centre, the hotel is conveniently close to various major shopping malls and attractions around the city. Because of its central location, it makes travelling around Johor Bahru very easy and suitable for both local and international visitors looking for a convenient place to stay.

From the moment we arrived, the check-in process was smooth and hassle-free. We simply provided our booking number, and the friendly hotel team assisted us efficiently with the necessary arrangements. Right away, the kids were already excited knowing that they were about to begin another fun family staycation adventure.

For this trip, we stayed in their spacious Family Suite, which was definitely one of the highlights of our experience. The suite comes with two bedrooms, making it highly suitable for families travelling with children. 

The kids had their own comfortable bedroom setup, while the master bedroom was equally cosy and well-prepared by the housekeeping team.

What truly impressed us was the spacious living room area. It provided a relaxing environment for the children to enjoy their favourite family cartoons and entertainment together. Sometimes, the best family moments are simply sitting together comfortably, laughing and enjoying each other’s company away from busy daily routines.

Another feature that the kids absolutely loved was the bathtub available in one of the bathrooms. After a long day of activities, they were very excited to enjoy a warm bath session. Small moments like these often become the most memorable parts of a family holiday for children.

One of my personal favourite moments during the stay was waking up early in the morning and opening the curtains to witness the beautiful cityscape of Johor Bahru glowing under the morning sunlight. 

The peaceful overview of the city created such a calming and relaxing atmosphere. I even woke the children up so they could also enjoy the lovely morning scenery together with us.

Breakfast at the hotel’s Lada & Clove Restaurant was another enjoyable experience for the family. The breakfast buffet offered a good variety of selections suitable for both adults and children. 

Everyone was excited exploring the different food choices while starting the morning with a satisfying meal.

Located in the peaceful waterfront area of Puteri Harbour, Iskandar Puteri, Pinetree Marina Resort offers a comfortable and relaxing escape for families looking for a short getaway away from the busy city environment. 

With its spacious apartment-style accommodations, calming surroundings, and family-friendly facilities, this property has slowly become one of the ideal staycation spots for families visiting Johor.

The unit itself was spacious, cozy, and thoughtfully designed to accommodate families comfortably. From the moment we stepped into the room, we immediately appreciated the peaceful atmosphere together with the beautiful views overlooking parts of Iskandar Puteri and Puteri Harbour.

What makes Pinetree Marina Resort stand out is its apartment-style concept that allows families to stay together comfortably under one roof. The property itself features 107 contemporary apartments housed within a spectacular 25-floor building. 

Guests can choose from various room categories including Deluxe, Executive, Premier, Penthouse, and Duplex Penthouse units ranging from one-bedroom apartments all the way up to spacious five-bedroom layouts suitable for larger families or groups.

For families travelling with children, the facilities available here certainly add value to the overall experience. One of the first things that excited our kids was the bathtub inside the bathroom, which quickly became one of their favourite little moments throughout the stay. Simple family experiences like these often become the most memorable moments during a holiday getaway. 

Beyond the room itself, the resort also offers several facilities suitable for both adults and children. The kids especially enjoyed visiting the mini library located on the third floor of the property. 

It provided a quiet little corner for children to browse through books and explore something different during their stay. Right beside it was the fitness room, which naturally sparked their curiosity as well. Although children should always be supervised around gym equipment, it was still a fun experience for them to explore the facilities around the property.

Of course, one of the highlights of our staycation was definitely the swimming pool experience. Since the weather during our stay was warm and sunny, it created the perfect atmosphere for pool time with the kids. 

The swimming pool area was clean, well-maintained, and relaxing, making it suitable for families wanting to spend quality time together outdoors. Safety-wise, we also appreciated how the surrounding flooring was designed with anti-slip surfaces, giving parents additional peace of mind while the children enjoyed themselves.

The next morning, we woke up to a calm and refreshing view of Iskandar Puteri before preparing ourselves for breakfast. We headed down to Fraser Place’s restaurant where the breakfast buffet was served, and the variety available honestly surprised us. The buffet offered a wide range of local and international breakfast selections suitable for all ages, making it a pleasant dining experience for the entire family.

One thing that stood out personally was their healthy juice selection, which included fresh juices such as beetroot, bitter gourd, cucumber, orange, and many more refreshing choices. It was certainly a refreshing and healthy way to conclude our staycation experience.

Overall, our stay at Pinetree Marina Resort was truly a pleasant and relaxing family getaway experience. The peaceful environment, spacious accommodation, family-friendly facilities, and relaxing atmosphere made it a wonderful destination for families planning a short break, especially during the upcoming school holidays.

For those looking for a quieter and more relaxing staycation experience within Johor, Pinetree Marina Resort at Puteri Harbour is definitely one worth considering for your next family escape.

There are moments during travel when all you really need is a place that allows you to slow down, breathe, and simply enjoy the beauty around you. That was exactly the kind of experience we had during our recent stay at Mercure Kota Kinabalu City Centre.

Located right in the heart of Kota Kinabalu, this hotel offers guests a comfortable and convenient stay while being surrounded by the charm and vibrant atmosphere of Sabah’s capital city. 

From the moment we arrived, the ambience already gave us a relaxing feeling calm, welcoming, and perfect for those looking to unwind after a busy schedule or simply enjoy a quick escape from daily routines.

One of the things we appreciated most during our stay was the overlooking environment surrounding the property. Whether during sunrise or late afternoon, the views of the city created such a peaceful atmosphere. 

There is something special about watching the city slowly come alive while enjoying a quiet moment from above. It felt soothing and refreshing at the same time.

Of course, no staycation is complete without enjoying the hotel facilities, and we definitely had a wonderful time at the pool area. The pool ambience was relaxing and enjoyable, making it a great spot to spend quality time while appreciating the Kota Kinabalu skyline. It was simple, peaceful, and honestly one of the highlights of our stay.

Another pleasant part of the experience was the breakfast buffet. While the breakfast spread may not be the grandest compared to larger luxury hotels, we can honestly say that it was just right for a satisfying breakfast experience. 

The selection was decent, fulfilling, and enough to start the day comfortably. What made it even more enjoyable was the dining atmosphere overlooking the city streets, giving us a calm and cozy morning before heading to our next destination.

What makes this hotel memorable is not about extravagant luxury, but rather the comfortable and relaxing experience it offers. Sometimes, it is these simple and genuine moments that leave the biggest impression during our travels.

For travelers planning to visit Kota Kinabalu, whether for business, leisure, or a short staycation, Mercure Kota Kinabalu City Centre is definitely a good option to consider while enjoying the beauty of Sabah.