Johor Bahru has quietly turned into one of Malaysia’s easiest weekend escapes, and where you stay makes or breaks the trip. Hotels are fine, but a homestay gives you room to breathe, a proper kitchen, and often a private pool for a fraction of what you would pay per head at a resort. Whether you are crossing the Causeway for a shopping run, bringing the whole family down for a school holiday, or just want a comfortable base near Paradigm Mall or the city centre, JB has a homestay to match.
We did the legwork so you do not have to scroll through endless listings. Every place on this list holds a Google rating of 4.0 and above, pulled from real guest reviews, and we have left out anything that has closed or fallen off. From long-running guesthouses with hundreds of reviews to newer luxury villas built for big group getaways, here are the 10 best homestays in Johor Bahru to plan your next weekend around.
What Should You Look For in a Johor Bahru Homestay?
Start with location and capacity. If you are here to shop and eat, a homestay near Bukit Indah, Mount Austin, or the city centre keeps you close to the malls and hawker spots. If you are travelling with a big group or extended family, look for a full villa or a multi-room unit that sleeps everyone under one roof, ideally with a private pool and a kitchen for home-cooked meals. Check whether parking is included, how far it sits from the Causeway or the RTS link, and whether the host offers self check-in, which is a lifesaver if you arrive late after a border crossing.
Are Homestays Cheaper Than Hotels in JB?
For couples and solo travellers, a budget guesthouse room can undercut a hotel easily. Where homestays really win, though, is with groups. Splitting a four-bedroom villa with a pool between eight or ten people usually works out far cheaper per person than booking the same number of hotel rooms, and you get shared living space, a kitchen, and privacy on top. The trade-off is fewer hotel-style services, so you handle your own housekeeping and meals. For a relaxed weekend with friends or family, that is usually a win, not a loss.
Table of Contents
- 1. Cube8teens by Nest Home
- 2. Memory Guesthouse JB
- 3. Homestay HusnaHusni
- 4. Camellia Residence by Harmony Homestay
- 5. Suria Homestay JB With Swimming Pool
- 6. JBHomestay@ChillTime Homestay
- 7. Restahome Homestay JB @D’Summit Residences
- 8. The Luxurious 27, JB
- 9. The Luxurious 23 @ GameTopia Villa
- 10. The Luxurious One @ Grand Bali
1. Cube8teens by Nest Home
Cube8teens is the most reviewed homestay operator on this list, and for good reason. Run by the Nest Home group in the Jaya Putra area, it offers modern, self-contained units that suit couples, families, and small groups looking for a fuss-free base in JB. Guests consistently praise the easy self check-in, the clean and stylish interiors, and how close it sits to shopping and food. The 24-hour access is a real plus if you are arriving late after crossing the Causeway. It is a dependable, well-run choice when you want comfort without the price tag of a hotel.
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours (Daily)
Address: Taman Jaya Putra, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 011-1615 8738
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
2. Memory Guesthouse JB
Memory Guesthouse is a JB city-centre favourite that has built up one of the biggest review followings around. Sitting near Kampung Mahmoddiah, it puts you within easy reach of the CIQ, JB Sentral, and the shophouse food scene, which makes it a smart pick for travellers who want to explore on foot. The rooms are simple, tidy, and priced for backpackers and budget-conscious couples, and the hosts get regular shout-outs for being friendly and helpful. If you want a central, affordable landing spot rather than a full villa, this guesthouse earns its spot near the top of the list.
Operating Hours: 10:00 am – 11:30 pm (Daily)
Address: 2H, Jalan Inche Besar Zubaidah, Kampung Mahmoddiah, 80100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 017-783 7738
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
3. Homestay HusnaHusni
Set inside the Parc Regency Residence in Taman Saujana, Homestay HusnaHusni is one of the most warmly reviewed apartment stays in JB. It suits Muslim families and travellers looking for a comfortable, homely unit with the convenience of condo facilities like a pool and gym. Guests highlight the clean, well-kept rooms and the responsive, easy-going host, which makes booking stress-free. Its Masai-side location keeps you close to Molek and Austin dining without paying city-centre rates. For a relaxed family stay that feels like a second home, this is a reliable and much-loved option.
Operating Hours: Check-in by arrangement (contact host)
Address: E-09-21, Parc Regency Residence, Jalan Masai Jaya, Taman Saujana, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 019-710 5886
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
4. Camellia Residence by Harmony Homestay
Camellia Residence, run by Harmony Homestay in Taman Seri Austin, is one of the highest-rated apartment stays in JB and a great shout for families and small groups. The units are modern and thoughtfully furnished, with the added bonus of condo facilities and a location that keeps you close to Austin Heights, Mount Austin eateries, and the Tebrau shopping belt. Guests regularly mention how spotless the place is and how smooth the booking and check-in process feels. If you want a polished, contemporary home base with room to spread out, Camellia Residence delivers without the fuss of a hotel.
Operating Hours: Check-in by arrangement (contact host)
Address: Menara A, 17, Jalan Seri Austin 5, Taman Seri Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 017-810 1855
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
5. Suria Homestay JB With Swimming Pool
If a private pool is on your wishlist, Suria Homestay in Taman Mount Austin is built for it. This is a landed home aimed squarely at families and larger groups who want to splash about, fire up a barbecue, and enjoy their own space away from the crowds. Guests love that the whole house is yours, with enough bedrooms to sleep a big party and a pool the kids will not want to leave. It sits in the popular Mount Austin area, so you are close to some of JB’s best food streets and shopping. A solid pick for a group weekend.
Operating Hours: 7:00 am – 9:00 pm (Daily, enquiries)
Address: 1, Jalan Mutiara Emas 9/21, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 019-333 7893
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
6. JBHomestay@ChillTime Homestay
ChillTime Homestay in Taman Bukit Mewah, Skudai, is the pick for anyone who wants to be near Paradigm Mall and Hyatt Place without the hotel bill. The unit is styled for a relaxed stay, and guests give it top marks for cleanliness, comfort, and a host who keeps communication smooth from booking to check-out. Its Skudai location puts you within a short drive of the mall, plenty of eateries, and the main routes toward the Second Link. It works well for couples and small families who want a quiet, comfortable retreat that is still close to the action. Easy, hassle-free, and highly rated.
Operating Hours: Check-in by arrangement (contact host)
Address: Jalan Mewah Ria 2, Taman Bukit Mewah, Skudai, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 013-886 5750
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
7. Restahome Homestay JB @D’Summit Residences
Restahome sits inside D’Summit Residences in Kempas, a modern condo that comes with the facilities most families want, including a pool and secure parking. The apartment is set up for a comfortable stay, and guests praise how clean, well-equipped, and value-for-money it feels. The location is handy for reaching the Tebrau highway, AEON malls, and the wider Austin dining scene, so you are never far from a meal or a shopping run. With warm reviews for its responsive host and cosy interiors, Restahome is a strong mid-list choice for families and couples who want condo comforts at homestay prices.
Operating Hours: Check-in by arrangement (contact host)
Address: Menara B, D’Summit Residences, Jalan Kempas Utama 2/6, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 010-411 0178
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
8. The Luxurious 27, JB
The Luxurious 27 brings a proper villa experience to Taman Abad, close to the city centre and KSL City Mall. This is a full private house aimed at big groups and multi-generational families, with generous living space and a stylish fit-out that photographs well for the group trip. Guests rave about the comfort, the space to gather, and how central it sits for shopping and eating. If you are travelling with a large party and want everyone under one roof rather than scattered across hotel rooms, this is the kind of stay that makes the weekend feel special. Book early, as villas like this fill up fast.
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours (Daily)
Address: 27, Jalan Wakaf, Taman Abad, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 011-1082 3456
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
9. The Luxurious 23 @ GameTopia Villa
The Luxurious 23, known as GameTopia Villa in Kempas Baru, is built for groups that want their stay to double as the entertainment. Beyond the comfortable bedrooms, the draw here is the games and activities packed into the villa, making it a hit for friends’ getaways, birthday weekends, and family reunions. Guests love that there is plenty to do without leaving the house, plus the space and privacy of a full villa. The 24-hour access makes coordinating a big group arrival easy. If you want a homestay that keeps everyone busy and together, GameTopia is a genuinely fun choice.
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours (Daily)
Address: No.23, PTD 40071, Jalan Banjaran 10, Kempas Baru, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 011-1082 3456
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
10. The Luxurious One @ Grand Bali
Rounding out the list, The Luxurious One brings a Bali-inspired villa vibe to Taman Coronation, near the city centre. Themed around a resort-style getaway, it is designed for groups who want their homestay to feel like a mini holiday in itself, with tropical touches and space to lounge. Guests appreciate the central location, the comfortable rooms, and the sense of occasion the Grand Bali theme adds to a family trip or friends’ reunion. Being close to town means easy access to shopping, food, and the crossings back to Singapore. A relaxed, characterful pick to end your weekend on a high.
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours (Daily)
Address: 1, Jalan Loyang, Taman Coronation, 80200 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 011-1082 3456
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
Johor Bahru gives you the full spread of homestays, and the right pick comes down to who you are travelling with. For a fuss-free, well-run base near the shops, Cube8teens and Memory Guesthouse are safe bets. For families who want condo comforts and a pool, Homestay HusnaHusni, Camellia Residence, and Restahome hit the mark. And when you have a big group ready to make a proper weekend of it, the private villas from Suria Homestay and The Luxurious range give you space, privacy, and plenty to do under one roof.
Availability, prices, and house rules do change, especially around school holidays and long weekends, so it is always worth messaging the host to confirm before you lock in your dates. Sort out your stay, plan your food stops, and get ready to enjoy one of Malaysia’s most rewarding weekend destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which area is best for a homestay in Johor Bahru?
It depends on your plan. For shopping and food, Mount Austin, Bukit Indah, and the city centre keep you close to the malls and hawker spots. For quieter family stays with condo facilities, Kempas, Skudai, and Seri Austin are popular. If you are crossing to Singapore often, a central spot near the CIQ or one with easy highway access to the Second Link saves you time.
Are there homestays in JB with a private swimming pool?
Yes. Landed villas like Suria Homestay JB come with their own private pool, which is ideal for families and big groups. Many condo-based homestays such as Homestay HusnaHusni, Camellia Residence, and Restahome also give guests access to a shared pool and gym as part of the building facilities.
Are Johor Bahru homestays good for large groups and families?
They are one of the best-value options for groups. Full villas like The Luxurious 27, GameTopia Villa, and The Luxurious One sleep large parties under one roof, with shared living space, a kitchen, and often games or a pool. Splitting a villa between eight or ten people usually works out cheaper per head than booking the same number of hotel rooms.
Do JB homestays offer self check-in for late arrivals?
Many do, which is handy if you arrive late after crossing the Causeway. Operators like Cube8teens by Nest Home and several of the villas offer 24-hour access and self check-in. Always confirm the exact arrival process with your host in advance so you are not left waiting at the door.
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
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