Unbelievable Forest City: Johor Bahru's Hidden Gem Revealed!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into Unbelievable Forest City: Johor Bahru's Hidden Gem Revealed! and honestly, prepare to be… well, a little bewildered, a little charmed, and hopefully, convinced to book a damn room. I'm not gonna lie, this review is gonna be a wild ride. It's probably gonna be ALL over the place, just like my brain after spending a weekend exploring the ACTUAL Forest City.
First Impressions (and a little rant):
Okay, so "Unbelievable"… it's a bold claim, right? I mean, the pictures are stunning, the concept is bonkers (artificial islands!), and let's be honest, Johor Bahru itself has a bit of a… reputation. But trust me, after stumbling around in this place for a couple of days, "Unbelievable" might actually be an understatement. The sheer scale of this place, its ambition, is wild. It's like a futuristic city plopped down in the middle of the sea, and honestly, sometimes I felt like I'd accidentally wandered onto a sci-fi movie set.
Getting There & Getting Around (aka The Great Accessibility Debacle):
Right, let's rip the band-aid off. Accessibility. This is where things get a little tricky. (Accessibility, Internet access, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking) Forest City itself, with its sprawling walkways and futuristic design, looks like it should be accessible. (Facilities for disabled guests). But in pratice, and this is HUGE, you'll want to double check exactly which sections are fully accessible. Navigating can be a bit of a labyrinth, especially if you're relying on taxis or trying to figure out the bus routes (or lack thereof). Some areas felt, to me, like the walkways are too big and the distances are too long. Parking? Car park [free of charge] & Car park [on-site] yes, thankfully. Airport transfer if you need it, is good. Getting around the getting around part? A bit of an adventure.
Internet (and the Curse of Free Wi-Fi):
Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Wi-Fi in public areas, Okay, I need to vent about something. Free Wi-Fi is a godsend, right? Well YES. Thank goodness for Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! BUT. There's always a but, isn't there? The speed wasn't always consistent, which is a royal pain when you're trying to upload your Instagram-worthy sunset shots. And the Internet [LAN] is a nice touch, but who the heck uses LAN anymore? Give me a solid, reliable Wi-Fi signal ANY day. I found myself trying to connect, giving up, and then wandering aimlessly, staring wistfully at that gorgeous pool. Which is okay, right? That can count as "meditation"
Rooms & Comfort (Finally, Some Bliss!):
Alright, this is where Forest City starts to shine. Available in all rooms (Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens). My room? Pure. Bliss. Seriously. The beds were like sinking into a cloud (extra long bed!), the bathroom was spacious with all the bells and whistles (separate shower/bathtub!), and the Air conditioning blasted away that Malaysian humidity. Free bottled water? Yes, please! The Blackout curtains were a lifesaver for those early morning sunrises. Loved the Bathrobes, even though I felt a little ridiculous wandering around in one. Having a Seating area to just chill was such a bonus. AND the Additional toilet. I could actually, and I did, spend the entire afternoon in my room. I was completely content. And hey, look, Daily housekeeping! Didn't even have to ask.
Food, Glorious Food (and a few hiccups):
Dining, drinking, and snacking (A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant) Alright, let’s talk food. This is where things get… varied. The Breakfast [buffet], was HUGE (Asian breakfast, Western breakfast). The options were endless (seriously, I think I saw everything). The Poolside bar was an absolute life-saver, especially after a morning of exploring. Restaurants scattered around the property offered everything from Asian cuisine in restaurant, to international plates. BUT… and there's always a but… service at certain restaurants could be a little slow (blame it on island time?). AND the food was good, but it didn't hit the heights of culinary brilliance. I'm a foodie, I crave an experience. Room service [24-hour], now, that was a winner, though.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Spa Days & Fitness Fun!):
Things to do, ways to relax (Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]) Okay, this is where Forest City really starts to win you over. The Swimming pool [outdoor] is gorgeous, especially the one with the Pool with view. There's a Fitness center if you're feeling ambitious (I wasn't), and I spotted a Gym/fitness, too. But LET'S TALK SPA. I indulged in an afternoon of Spa. A Massage was the holy grail. And honestly? Divine. The Sauna, Spa/sauna, was a great choice. Body wrap and Body scrub? Yes, please I mean, there's a Foot bath. A Steamroom. Honestly, I felt like a Roman emperor. It's amazing and, yes, that is what I would describe as "relaxing".
Cleanliness & Safety (Because, You Know, Real Life):
Cleanliness and safety (Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment) Let's get serious for a moment. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so this is important. The hotel seems to be taking COVID precautions seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Staff trained in safety protocol, and Rooms sanitized between stays were clearly top priority. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter was observed, and there was Hand sanitizer everywhere. And I did appreciate the Cashless payment service.
More Little Bits & Pieces (The Bits That Make a Difference):
- Services and conveniences (Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center)
- A Convenience store is very handy.
- A Concierge for arranging tours (if you can get them to work!).
- They have Facilities for disabled guests, but like I said, double-check the specifics.
- **For the kids (Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned trip to Forest City. This is gonna be a chaotic, beautiful, possibly disastrous (in a good way) adventure. Prepare for a stream-of-consciousness dive, because the only thing predictable about this is the unpredictable. Forest City, here we come!
FOREST CITY: OPERATION "LOST AND FOUND (MY SANITY)" - A MESSY ITINERARY
(Phase 1: Pre-Trip Anxiety & Optimism - The Night Before)
- 8:00 PM: Okay, packing. Ugh. I swear, I'm the WORST packer. Always overpacking. Always forgetting the crucial things (sunscreen? Passport? Underwear? Okay, maybe I checked that last one). Heart rate rising. Forest City better be worth this.
- 8:30 PM: Scrolling through Insta, seeing these PERFECTLY staged photos of Forest City. Are people lying? Everything looks so… pristine. I'm envisioning a sweaty, mosquito-infested nightmare. Maybe the perfect picture is just a filtered illusion.
- 9:00 PM: Forced myself to download a few essential Malay phrases. "Terima kasih" (thank you) and "Di mana tandas?" (where's the toilet?) are my first languages, apparently. My confidence level: soaring! (Okay, maybe not.)
- 9:30 PM: Read a bunch of blog posts. Suddenly, I’m an expert on eco-tourism and sustainable development. Time to be one with nature and all that jazz.
- 10:00 PM - Bedtime (attempted): Cannot. Sleep. This is what pre-trip anxiety looks like in its purest form.
(Phase 2: Arrival & Initial Impressions - Brace Yourshelves)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up, already late. My flight. This is gonna be a disaster, I can already feel it.
- 8:00 AM: Arrived at Senai International Airport. Immediately impressed by the air conditioning - a lifesaver. The overwhelming feeling of being in an unfamiliar place.
- 9:00 AM: (A Forest City Glimpse): Taxi ride to Forest City. My first thought is that I feel like I'm on the set of a sci-fi movie. Gigantic, sleek buildings jut out of the sea, all gleaming and… empty? It's like a ghost town with aspirations. My mind races with the possibilities, will this place be the height of relaxation or a lonely purgatory?
- 10:00 AM: Check into the hotel. Thankfully, it’s not the haunted mansion I was slightly expecting. Room is HUGE. Maybe the emptiness is a good thing. I take a long, deep breath. (Okay, maybe I'm starting to love it…)
- 11:00 AM: Lunch. Found a little hawker stall nearby. Chicken rice. Heaven. I take it all in, the air is so thick with humidity and the smells are so new to me, it's perfect.
- 12:00 PM: EXPLORING FOREST CITY - The City That Feels Suspiciously Like a Set. Walk. Wander. Gaze. I felt a pang of disappointment - it IS pristine. Almost… clinical. It’s beautiful - but too perfect. It’s like the marketing team went a little overboard with the Photoshop.
- The Beach (Attempt #1): Tried to find the beach. Got slightly lost wandering around these futuristic walkways. Ended up admiring the "art" installations (a bunch of metal sculptures, mostly.)
- Shops (A Quick Look): Peered into the shops. Most were empty. Maybe the robots haven’t quite figured out the retail sector yet.
- The Views: Stared out at the ocean. Stunning. But still, a little… sterile.
- 2:00 PM: Decided to visit a cafe. The barista was super friendly. Ordered a coffee, which turned out to be surprisingly delicious. Actually, I'm starting to understand the appeal.
- 4:00 PM: The Beach (Attempt #2: Triumph!): Okay, I finally found the beach. It's… lovely! Not the manicured, Instagram-ready beach. This is more like a real beach and not just the pristine image for everyone. The sand isn't perfectly white, there's a few shells and some seaweed. Bliss. I sat there for an hour. Just. Watching. The waves. Feeling like I can breathe again.
- 5:00 PM: Wandered along the beach. Spotted a few locals, laughing and enjoying themselves. That’s the feeling I craved.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Found a restaurant with a perfect sea view. Sat there and watched the sunset. It was, genuinely, magical. The colors, the sounds… I finally felt like I was in Forest City, not just observing it.
(Phase 3: Immersing Myself - The Good, The Bad, and the Unexpected)
- Morning: Breakfast in the hotel. Standard. But, you know what? Fine.
- 9:00 AM: Headed to the mall, hoping to buy a new pair of headphones. Found a local market, got lost in the chaos, and emerged victorious with three pairs of knock-off sunglasses and two bottles of ridiculously potent chili sauce. Score!
- 10:00 AM: Visited a local attraction. Enjoyed it. It was a good time.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Ate at this place nearby. The food was so good.
- 2:00 PM - The Forest City Hotel Experience (A Deep Dive): Decided to fully embrace the "luxury" of the hotel. I went to the pool. It was freezing. Then I went to the spa. The massage was… interesting. Let's just say, my masseuse had… strong hands. Walked out feeling both relaxed and slightly bruised. Went back to my room. Decided to just stay in bed.
- 4:00 PM: The Food Court Epiphany. Okay, this is where things get REAL. I’d been avoiding the food court, but hunger called. OMG. So, so many options! I dove in. Sat down at the noisiest, busiest stall, surrounded by locals. I ordered everything. The food? Phenomenal. Flavor explosions I can’t even describe. It was pure, unadulterated food heaven. The best meal of my life, hands down. The best thing about Forest City.
- 7:00 PM: Evening: Strolled by the beach again. Found a little pop-up food stall. Fresh coconut water. The sweet, creamy taste of the coconut was a perfect ending to the day.
(Phase 4: The Reality of Forest City - Reflections and Goodbyes)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast (trying not to overeat). Okay, feeling a little full, and exhausted.
- 10:00 AM A little shopping.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. So now, I'm really starting to realize that I don't want to leave. I want to stay in this place forever.
- 2:00 PM: The Truth About Forest City: Forest City isn't what the brochures promise. It’s not perfect, not always convenient and the marketing team may have oversold it a bit. But it’s… captivating. It’s a place of contrasts – futuristic architecture and raw natural beauty. It’s a place where you can be completely alone, or completely immersed in the local culture. I'm leaving full of weird observations, emotional roller coasters, and an intense longing to come back.
- 4:00 PM: Last-minute stroll. Strolled around and took a deep breath. The beach one last time.
- 6:00 PM: Packing (attempted again). This time, I’m including a bottle of that deadly chili sauce. Gotta have it.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. One last meal at the food court. (I feel a tiny pang of regret that I didn't try ALL the stalls.)
- 8:00 PM: Taxi to the airport. Goodbye, Forest City. You complicated, fascinating enigma. I’ll never forget you – even if I don’t fully understand you.
- 9:00 PM: Flight. Exhausted, happy, full of amazing food, and already planning my return.
(Final Thoughts – AKA, The Post-Trip Brain Dump)
- Forest City is… complicated. It's not what you expect. It’s better. It’s weirder. It’s more real.
- Embrace the imperfections. The empty shops, the slightly strange architecture, the over-the-top perfection… it’s all part of the experience.
- Talk to the locals. They are amazing and will make your travels a hundred times better.
- Eat ALL the food. Seriously. Don't be shy.
- Most importantly: Get lost. Wander around. Get off the beaten track. That’s where
So, what *is* this whole "thing" about anyway? (And please, keep it simple, I'm hungover.)
Alright, alright, no judgement on the hangover. We've all been there. Look, in essence, it's all about... well, let's just say it's about facing a giant pile of stuff. Stuff that makes you itchy, stuff that makes you excited, stuff that makes you want to crawl back under the covers and pretend the world doesn't exist. But basically, it's about wrestling with this giant pile of experiences and emotions.
Why should I even *care*? (Because, honestly, my life is already a chaotic mess. Do I need *another* thing?)
Okay, point taken. You're probably thinking, "Great, another thing to add to the already overflowing plate of 'to-dos' and existential dread." And you're not wrong. But here's the thing: it's *because* your life is already a chaotic mess that you *should* care. Think of it like this: it's a way to, I don't know, maybe find some kind of order in the chaos. Or at least, a way to understand the mess a little better. Or, okay, maybe just a way to feel less alone in your mess. I mean, we're all messes, right? Trust me, I'm a walking, talking, slightly disheveled embodiment of that. It might even be *fun*. (Maybe. Occasionally.)
Is this gonna be, like, *therapy*? Because I’m not sure I’m emotionally ready...
Look, I am NOT a therapist. No degrees, no license, no professional-grade couch. That said, some days it sure *feels* like therapy. I mean, you're gonna poke at feelings. You're gonna dig. You might want to bring a tissue or twenty. It's messy, it's raw, and sometimes it’s downright cathartic. But it also might be hilarious. It is, after all, life, isn't it? The whole rollercoaster. If you're generally averse to self-reflection, well, maybe ease into this. Or jump in headfirst. Your call. But proceed with caution, and maybe keep a chocolate stash handy. You'll need it.
Okay, so maybe I'm intrigued. But like, what *specifically* am I supposed to... do?
Ah, the million-dollar question! Well, it's like this: there's *thinking* involved. A *lot* of thinking. And maybe some writing. Journaling, if you're into that. Or doodling. Or just staring at the ceiling and letting your brain do its weird thing. Seriously, it's about letting your thoughts flow. Think of it like you're taking your brain on a field trip. You'll explore different angles and ideas. Take some notes about feelings, and then take some more notes about those feelings. Then maybe laugh at yourself. It sounds silly, I know. I've been doing this for years. The results? Well, they vary wildly. But one thing you can be sure of - the ride is never boring. And also, bring snacks. Brains run on fuel.
Can I do this with my best friend? My sister? My dog? (Because, frankly, I’m not doing this alone.)
Absolutely! If you're like me, you'd rather have a companion on your journey. Sharing it would be even more fun. Having a friend to process thoughts and feelings together is so much better than going at it alone! If your dog can handle deep, existential conversations (and mine sometimes seems to), then by all means, include them. As long as they're not too judgmental. The important thing is support: find a friend who's in your corner, ready to share their feelings, and keep your spirits up!
What if I mess it up? (Because, let's be honest, I'm good at that.)
Oh, honey, you *will* mess it up. Repeatedly. That's the whole point! There's no "right" way to do this. There's no exam at the end. You're not trying to achieve perfection; you're trying to understand yourself better. And trust me, I've been through some *epic* screw-ups. Whole notebooks filled with ramblings that make absolutely NO sense now. The point is to keep going. Laugh at your mistakes. Learn from them. And then… mess up again. It's a cycle. Embrace the glorious imperfection of it all. It's what makes you, *you*.
Okay, I'm IN. But... where do I even *start*? (I'm overwhelmed just thinking about it.)
Deep breaths. Put down the phone. Actually, put down *everything*. The very *idea* of starting can be paralyzing. Here's the easiest entry point. It's what I wish someone had told me YEARS ago. Just... start. Pick a time. A day. Just five minutes. Set a timer. And then… free-associate. Write whatever comes to mind about something happening right now, anything really. The smell of your coffee. A memory. The weird noise your fridge is making. Just don't stop writing. And then, see where it takes you. And don't be afraid to be utterly and completely ridiculous. Those are usually the best bits.
Is this *actually* gonna make me feel better? (Because I need a win, man.)
Look, I can't guarantee rainbows and unicorns. Life doesn't work that way. Sometimes, you're gonna feel worse before you feel better. You might dig up some ancient trauma you'd rather forget. You might end up crying on the floor. Again. (Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Actually, I have *several* t-shirts.) But here's the thing: feeling your feelings, even the yucky ones, is *vital*. The alternative? Bottling them up, letting them fester, and eventually exploding like a volcano of unresolved issues. And trust me, that's even less fun. This? This is about learning to navigate the mess, to find some strength in the chaos. Sometimes, that's a win in itself.
What if I'm just, like, *bored*?
Boredom is a legitimate emotion. And sometimesLocal Hotel Tips
