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.

School holidays are fast approaching, and many families are now looking for places where they can relax, enjoy good food, and spend quality time together. Recently, I had the opportunity to experience a wonderful evening at Hard Rock Cafe Puteri Harbour, and honestly, it turned out to be more than just a dining experience.

Located at the beautiful Puteri Harbour area in Johor Bahru, Hard Rock Cafe offers a lively atmosphere that is suitable not only for adults but also for families with children. From the moment we entered the premises, the hospitality shown by the staff made us feel truly welcomed. 

The energy of the place, combined with the music and warm ambiance, instantly created a relaxing and enjoyable environment.

The food selection was enjoyable, with a variety of dishes suitable for sharing with family and friends. Every corner of the cafe carries the signature Hard Rock identity, making the experience feel unique and memorable. 

One of the highlights for me was also the merchandise section, especially the collectible pins that caught my attention immediately.

Beyond the food and atmosphere, what truly made the experience meaningful was the welcoming service and positive vibes throughout the evening. It felt less like simply dining outside and more like creating small but memorable family moments together.

If you are planning activities for the upcoming school holidays, Hard Rock Cafe Puteri Harbour is definitely worth adding to your list. 

Whether you are coming for the food, music, family bonding time, or simply to enjoy a different atmosphere, this place offers an experience suitable for all ages.

The programme was part of Handal Indah’s ongoing community engagement initiative aimed at educating children and families about the importance and future of public transportation in today’s modern cities. 

The initiative allows eligible Malaysians to enjoy unlimited free rides on the BAS.MY Johor Bahru bus services, further encouraging the community to embrace public transportation as part of their daily lifestyle.

Many parents expressed their satisfaction and appreciation towards the programme, describing it as a meaningful educational experience for young minds. Beyond learning about transportation, the event also created memorable moments for the children, many of whom were thrilled by the opportunity to step inside the buses and imagine themselves becoming future bus captains.

The initiative reflects Causeway Link’s commitment towards community engagement, education, and inspiring the younger generation to appreciate the importance of public transportation in building a more connected and sustainable future.