Thistle Johor Bahru – A Hotel with a Heartbeat (Part 2/2)

Continued from Part 1…

CHECKING OUT THE FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT IN THISTLE JOHOR BAHRU

There are 4 restaurants in Thistle Johor Bahru; Glass, Chinoise, Oasis & Steps. They serve different types of cuisine, from Western to Continental and Asian. Here’s more information about each of them.

Glass

There is a reason why they named this restaurant “Glass”. Simply for the fact that the restaurant’s tall floor-to-ceiling glass windows allowed guests to savour nature’s beauty and the picturesque poolside while dining in the comforts of an air-conditioned space and away from the scorching sun.

If I were to rank the 4 restaurants within Thistle Johor Bahru according to the most scenic views offered, Glass would top the charts undisputedly. The floor-to-ceiling glass windows (allowing diners to dine in full view of the resort-style pool), white-washed ceramic columns, combined with modernist tables and chairs, created a relaxed atmosphere and peaceful setting, quenching my thirst for serenity of the mind and allowing me to accomplish one of my objectives of this getaway, which was to find a safe sanctuary for my well-being (even while dining!).

The spread of food on the buffet tables was pretty average, I felt. Each buffet tray did not come with a description tag. I had to peep into the 2 huge pots of soup to make a wild guess as to the identity of the soup before making a calculated decision as to which pot I should scoop my soup from. I thought that the labeling of their food items, like what most 5-star hotels do, would have made the process of “navigating” through the buffet spread an easier task, something which all guests have to go through.

I liked the fact that, on top of the buffet spread, I could order a main course, whipped up with fresh ingredients and served piping hot, from the kitchen. The menu was lovingly created, with a fusion of Asian and European influences, and features 5 hearty and delectable choices for mains – Grilled Lamb Chop, Grilled Mini Steak, Pan-Fried Salmon, Fried Kway Teow and Beef Rendang. We ordered the Pan-Fried Salmon & Beef Rendang.

The Pan-Fried Salmon was nicely cooked with its meat moist and flaky. The sauce that came with it had a zesty taste, making it light and appetizing. We fell in love with the presentation of this dish.

We also tried the Beef Rendang which was delicious and tantalizing. A moment to savour was when we sunk our teeth into the tender chunks of meat, which subsequently burst with flavors of onion, tomatoes, sweet sauces and spices.

Warm and amiable, the service staff were exceptionally attentive, overseeing our needs and meeting our requests promptly (even our simple request for warm water), befitting the status and quality of a 5-star hotel. Such friendly service immediately brightened up the entire meal. Overall it was a fuss-free and pleasant lunch affair!

Heartwarming words imprinted on the usual restaurant serviette. “One thing I can’t do is wipe that smile of satisfaction off your face”. Brilliant gesture by Thistle to create bubbles of joy to our dining table through even the smallest of things!

Chinoise

This Chinese restaurant, which serves an array of sumptuous traditional Cantonese and Szechuan cuisine, is only used when the entire restaurant is booked for functions or luncheons for conference participants, or for weddings.

Entering the restaurant, I was able to get another perspective of the visually stimulating poolside and charming clock tower (2 of the reasons why I started to develop an affection for Thistle Johor Bahru, a hotel which I totally knew nothing of its existence until a few days ago).

But what caught my foremost attention was the charming and striking orange ceiling lamps, which tied in with the oriental décor and ambience, and exuded elegance into the restaurant’s dining ambience with its warm colours.

The place was being set up for dinner for a large group of church conference participants from Singapore, who were holding their 4D3N retreat at Thistle Johor Bahru. As such, we were able to freely take our pics and enjoy undisturbed views of the pool from the restaurant.

Oasis

We scheduled our dinner intentionally at Oasis, instead of the rest of the restaurants located within Thistle. Oasis was aptly named because of its unabashed views of the garden and swimming pool.

The iridescent blue pool forms a stunning centerpiece from the table where we were seated. The pool captures the changing colours of the skies and the underwater lighting punctuates the night with its own magic.

The menu featured a unique combination of Japanese Teppanyaki and Italian fusion cuisine. Diners could delightfully watch in anticipation as the chefs whipped up their signature creations through their open-concept kitchen.

Romancing us with the melodious harmonization of their vocals, the live-band performance also elevated our poolside dining experience to a more perky and high-spirited dinner affair.

We ordered mostly “Chef’s Recommendation” items from the menu.

The Gyuhire to Kaizen Set (Kani Salada, Miso soup, Beef Tenderloin, Crayfish, King Prawn, Scallops, Vegetables, Garlic Fried Rice & Green Tea Parfait), at a princely price of RM 99.00, was our favourite dish among the 3 dishes that we ordered. Though the price was a little exorbitant, the dishes came in good portions & well-cooked to perfection.

We liked the juiciness of the tender chunks of beef tenderloin, which combined well with the peppery fragrance. What was most interesting was that the chunks of beef were served in an egg wrap & accompanied with peppery bean sprouts.

The Pizza Vegetarian (Tomato Sauce, Zucchini, Egg Plant, Mushrooms, Fresh Tomatoes, Broccoli, Mozzarella Cheese and Oregano Herbs), at a more homely price of RM 24.00, was edible, but that was all we could say about it. We ranked this dish as the lowest among the 3 dishes that we ordered.

The only thing we enjoyed about the pizza was its thin crust. I felt that the taste, ingredients used and the presentation were pretty average and there was nothing impressionable or note-worthy about it.

The 3rd main dish that we ordered, the Baked Cod Fish (served with Green Pea Risotto and Creamy Foie Gras Sauce, topped with Shredded Dried Scallops), at a cost of RM 78.00, was delectably soft and delicious, evoking a heavenly feeling once it entered the mouth.

We loved the traditional Italian risotto, with the classic addition of sweet green peas, and it was creamy and done al dente without the sauce being too overwhelming. I really fancied the beautifully rich foie gras sauce which went well with the risotto.

We had 2 dessert dishes; the first was the Homemade Pancake (served with vanilla ice-cream topped with apple and cinnamon compotes), and at a reasonable cost of RM 18.00, was a delightful way to begin our dessert after completing our main courses. The pancake was hot and moist when we tucked into it.

The second, and my personal favourite, was the Tiramisu Di Casa, at a cost of RM 22.00. The tiramisu itself was beautifully presented, with its creamy surface generously dusted with cocoa powder.

It had an absolutely gorgeous taste – the blend of coffee, chocolate, cream, cake and liqueur was masterfully done and gave a most satisfying feeling. This careful blend delivered an exquisite taste which delighted and excited our taste buds. To be really honest, other than the presentation and the heavenly taste, I was also glad when I saw the tiramisu being served in fairly sizeable squarish dessert bowls! Excellent! Couldn’t ask for more!

We love the romantic ambience of Oasis! Splendid dinner at Oasis was perfect for our much-needed weekend getaway!

As we were dining halfway, a guy named Fadzillah (I assume he is the Assistant Food & Beverage Manager of Thistle Johor Bahru) came over and asked the usual “How’s everything?” question. Many F&B managers asked this out of obligation, but the genuine smile he naturally carried on his face certainly gave us no room for any doubt that he was “just doing his job”. We were glad that he came over to our table, to really ensure that we were ok with the food, service, restaurant setting, etc and to genuinely seek constructive feedback. He did not just fish for our responses, but also unselfishly and excitedly fed us with more information about the dishes we ordered (we ordered mostly Chef’s Recommendations), the calibre of their in-house chefs, and even a little background about himself. I must say that he really injected a dose of humour and vibrancy to our dinner. His natural flair in brightening up the atmosphere with his spontaneous and sprightly conversations with people, and his vibrant & entertaining personality gave our dining experience at Oasis a sweet, lingering after-taste.

Ayasi was the friendly serving staff assigned to our table. We really have to give the thumbs up for him. He would silently clear up our plates without being too imposing. He would bend over to humbly position and arrange our table, to make space for the next dish, without rude or rough movements which might be offensive to some or intrude into the privacy of our conversations. He would wipe our table with exacting standards of perfect cleanliness. Even though many people would brush aside the importance of such a role in a restaurant, I would say that he certainly put us at ease and provided a comfortable & safe environment in which to dine in.

Overall, we rate the service at Oasis 4.5 stars out of 5. Their professional service, genuineness in wanting to delight their guests, good initiative, timing and minimal level of intrusion was simply perfect! Thumbs up to the team at Oasis! They provided great finishing touches to our dining experience at Oasis and certainly made the dinner a happier one! It was indeed a great place to chill in the evening, and ideal for romantic dates. Though I found the price tag a tad on the high side initially (prior to sampling the dishes I ordered), I was totally taken aback by how delicious the food turned out to be (I would say a couple of notches above my expectations), and the impeccable service received overshadowed the initial pinch of the menu prices on my wallet. Where great food meets great service, Oasis’ gastronomical experience is not one to be missed. We took a romantic stroll along the poolside after our dinner and were simply mesmerized by the totally different night ambience, which was awesomely enchanting and was tinged with a tint of mystical lightings.

The gorgeous view of the poolside and lush greenery put me at ease and in total relaxation. I loved the feeling of gazing dreamily at the elaborately designed green landscape. I really enjoyed the poolside a lot and wished I could build my own little hut there for eternity! The way I saw it, the landscape was so beautiful that it would still look great whether it was day or night, rainy or sunny.

Steps

The open, yet cozy, feeling of Steps made it an ideal place to enjoy great company. As we sipped our Kiwi Chilled Juices and Latte (came with complimentary cookies!) and listened to favourites from the 70s and 80s and other romantic serenades from Thistle’s resident pianist, we sat back and enjoyed the experience, adding a touch of class to our supper.

We ordered the Thistle Club Sandwich (Toasted Wholemeal Bread, Boiled Egg, Beef Bacon, Poached Chicken, Cheese, Tomato, Lettuce, Gherkins & Mayo) for sharing, which was a pretty power-packed sandwich, and it came with generous servings of ingredients coupled with great vocals from the resident pianist.

There is simply no better way to sit back and relax and allow ourselves to be transported by the melodious tunes and vocals to a far, far away land.

Entertainment – The Hive

We were not able to enter The Hive as they had a dress code, and slippers & bermudas were not allowed. We did, however, ask the bouncer to allow us to go in to take a peep. There was a live band and a pretty sizeable crowd grooving to the music on the dance floor. An ideal place to hang out for night life in Johor Bahru.

The VERDICT

Overall, I must say that the experience of Thistle Johor Bahru has been deeply entrenched in our hearts, with many sweet notes injected into our romantic getaway, coupled with loads of homely & warm touches, through the food, décor & people. Our Executive Deluxe room was spacious, heartwarming and elegant, and was our refuge after a long and tiring day. It wasn’t the most glamorous hotel my husband and I stayed in, but it was certainly one of the more memorable hotels.

We left Thistle with many happy memories, and we felt glad to have stayed in and conquered this hotel. The swimming pool and the fine warm touches of its people (especially from Oasis) still linger in my heart. My initial objective was to let go of my hectic life, slow down and indulge in the pleasures of what life is really all about (together with my beloved hubby), and this objective was certainly attained. I came into Thistle wanting to be a happier person and I did, indeed, leave with a happy heart. This 5-star hotel certainly lived up to its stars, through its humble & impeccable service & luxuriant resort-style décor. I have stayed in numerous 5-star hotels before, but the only thing I remember of many of them was their “holier-than-thou” attitude & snobbish service staff. I am indeed grateful that Thistle is not one of them; it is a hotel with a heart and a glowing heartbeat.

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7 comments May 3rd, 2010

Thistle Johor Bahru – A Hotel with a Heartbeat (Part 1/2)

One common question that pops out occasionally is on which hotel to stay in Johor Bahru. In our special series write-up, we decided to cover in detail THE only 5-star hotel in Johor Bahru: Thistle Johor Bahru.    

A Hotel with a Heartbeat (Part 1/2) 

Dedicated. Super-serious office workers. Typical Singaporeans. Tired and drained of energy by our hectic and deadline-conscious working world.  

That’s how my husband and I feel most of the time about the state we are in at the end of the day, after putting up great battles at work. Because of that, we go to great lengths to maximise our precious weekends, ensuring that we play harder during the weekends than work hard over the weekdays. Having short getaways from the hustle and bustle of daily life are what we make a concerted effort to, at least once a month. Not for the fact that we are newlyweds, but for the fact that regular getaways should keep us sane amidst the volumes of emails we have to read, analyze and more often than not, act on.  

And, needless to say, the most conventional way most couples or families would go about planning their short getaways would be to conveniently use the weekends and go for the option of 2D1N in Singapore, Bintan,  Batam or Johor Bahru (or JB as what most Singaporeans would affectionately call it). This 2D1N arrangement eliminates the need to apply leave, hence allowing them to save up their annual leave for travel beyond our shores and to ideally venture into the other side of the world. The last two short trips we had were a 2D1N stay at Holiday Inn, Batam and a 2D1N stay at St Regis, Singapore. So, we thought that this time around, we should plan a short trip to Johor Bahru!  

Travelling to a neighboring country (specifically, Bintan & Batam in Indonesia or Johor Bahru in Malaysia) is good simply for the fact that it allows us the luxury of short travelling time (within an hour) and the right to brand ourselves tourists (even though home is only a short drive or boat ride away), seeking “mental asylum” in a place far enough from home and away from the cares of our world, & the harsh realities of work, deadlines, politics & demands back home.  

Thistle Johor Bahru, a totally unknown hotel to us, was a suggestion put across to us by a Lawrence Gan (editor or Limsimi.com) during one of our regular coffee sessions when we were lamenting to one another, as usual, grievances about people, could-be-better computer systems and anything & everything under the sun (that’s what friends are for!). For the fact that so far (thank goodness), most of the movies & restaurants Lawrence has recommended has delightfully lived up to our lofty expectations, we decided to step up in faith and follow his recommendation, without consulting my good friend, Google, on his opinion of Thistle Johor Bahru and to simply venture across the causeway with absolutely no clue about what our weekend hideout venue has to offer.  

8am 17 March 2010, Saturday (Where it all began)  

I woke up to the alarm tunes of my iPhone. Luggage was packed the previous night. And was glad that Thistle Johor Bahru kindly accommodated our written request for early check in! Only after coming back from Thistle Johor Bahru on Sunday evening did I realise it was actually part of the UK-based Thistle group which owns 33 hotels in UK and 2 in Malaysia.   

Thank goodness it was a breeze driving through both checkpoints! 30 minutes was all it took us to get from our home in Woodlands (yes, we live near the border of Singapore) to the main lobby of this five-star hotel, which is the only one in JB. My first impression of the hotel as we drove up the driveway was that it resembled a classy and majestically enormous model of Lego bricks, except that it was built using blocks and blocks of “glass cubes”!  

It is unlike conventional squarish or rectangular-shaped hotels which, in my brutally cruel but honest opinion, scream of an obvious lack of thought and creative juices by the people from the hotels who, more often than not, promise in their various marketing campaigns to make a difference throughout your entire stay.  

The exterior architecture is the first point of contact from where guests form their initial perception of the hotel. Two things caught my attention. Firstly, the entire building resembled the silhouette of a half crescent moon. Secondly, the bold outline of the sides of the building gave a perspective of a huge staircase to the skies.  

First Impression of Thistle – Its Architecture  

We had no problem finding “2D1N accommodation” for our 4-month old 1.6 litre Hyundai Avante. We found plenty of open lots outside the hotel’s main entrance. There was also a carpark located in the hotel basement. Walking into the main lobby, my eyes started to light up.  

I am a huge fan of architecture or anything that’s beautiful (including anyone who’s beautiful too!) and the chic interior décor certainly excited me! Entering into the heart of the hotel, I was swept away by its white-washed pillars flanking the sides of the lobby (at least 6 on each side). The 100-meter long (at least) unblocked hallway of the lobby, with its tall ceilings mounted with gigantic chic designer light fixtures, certainly gave me the freedom to delightfully feast on the panoramic views of the classy lobby.  

The one thing in the lobby that I fancied most was its majestic spiral staircase, which was such a beautiful structure to behold.  The heavenly staircase had chic art embodied in its white patterned railings and elegance brought out by its contrasting gold-coloured handle. Standing still right before the staircase, snapping multiple shots with my Canon SLR camera, I felt as if I was transported for a brief moment into the main hall of a 16^th century European palace, art gallery or opera house. It was a marriage between royalty and fine art. It was a staircase fit for a King. I will let the picture below do it more justice.  

Second Impression of Thistle – Check-In  

The check-in took us about 15 minutes, not exactly the most efficient, but the pretty face + chirpy voice + genuine smile of the lady at the reception certainly made the 15 minutes a more bearable wait. My request for 2 room access cards (my usual request) was met with an almost immediate response of “Yes”. Great, I like that. It affirms me that making extra requests is a right of every valued guest and was glad that it was not met with an obligatory response and an indifferent facial expression! One thing I thought, however, that would have sweetened this entire waiting process and which I have also seen being practised in various 5-star hotels is that after handing over the access card, the reception lady would walk the guest to the lift and along the way, feed the guest with a mental map as to the locations of the gym, swimming pool, spa, breakfast area and other places of note. I do know for a fact that some hotels have their reception staff walk their guest right up to the room, while verbally giving a mental orientation of the hotel’s facilities.     

Anyway, the lift floor buttons were activated by the access card, a usual security hotel feature. But what was cool was that the button to each floor could only be activated by the cards of guests who stayed on that floor. Talk about intelligent systems and tight security! Not that Thistle Johor Bahru is located up on a hill or in a danger zone area, but it made us feel good that the hotel management valued not only our safety, but also our privacy.  

Room Review 
Our weekend sanctuary was an Executive Club Room on the 16^th floor. Inside the room, there was a complimentary plate of fruits and cookies placed on the coffee table, seemingly greeting us with a warm, hospitable welcome. 

The room was spacious and clean, with trendy and chic as its room décor theme. 

The king-sized bed came with a generous supply of 4 classic pillows and 2 metallic gold throw pillows and homey bed linens. 

We love the contemporary design of the bathroom, which came with a large glass partition between the bathroom and bedroom that left the shower in full view. It made the room bigger by leaving sightlines unobstructed and maximizing natural light from the bedroom windows.  

We loved the cosy and homey feel of the room, especially the superb views that came with it! Our room came with a breathtaking view of the Straits of Johor and an adorably cute-looking yellow clock tower built on a contrasting huge green pitch. It is actually a landmark clock tower in Dataran Bandaraya, built to commemorate the proclamation of Johor Bahru as a city in January 1994. I was madly elated with the views that our room came with! We also had loads and loads of sunshine, thanks to its floor-to-ceiling glass windows!  

The Executive Club room we stayed in came with complimentary access to the Thistle Club lounge located on the same floor.  

There we could have access to the internet with wi-fi connection, and with free unlimited servings of canapés, brewed coffee, bottled drinks in their mini-bar and, last but not least, beautiful balcony views of the Straits of Johor.   

What a perfect place to chill and to soak in all that Thistle Johor Bahru’s surroundings have to offer!  

Checking out other places  

Conference Rooms  

We managed to get a few shots of their conference rooms as we went about exploring every turn and corner of Thistle Johor Bahru, but we were unable to snap pictures of their grand ballroom as there was a Christian women’s conference going on, organised by Covenant Evangelical Free Church from Singapore!

We had also learnt earlier, from the hotel reception, that the hotel was fully booked, no mean feat for a hotel that was only about 9 months old. Gauging from the fact that the rooms were fully booked, and from the observation of the numerous groups of people we saw at the lobby, the various hotel restaurants and in the lifts, it seemed like Thistle Johor Bahru was a popular choice for organizations (both profit & non-profit) to hold meetings, conferences & events, as well as for couples & families to plan short relaxation trips or romantic retreats.

Love the different layouts of the conference rooms. They were named after species of flowers – Ixora, Rafflesia, Jasmine, Dahlia & Kenanga.

Wedding Room
Tucked in a quiet corner of the longish lobby of Thistle Johor Bahru was a room specially designed for couples intending to have their once-in-a-lifetime wedding dinner at Thistle Johor Bahru.  

It was interesting to observe the various displays of chair and table layouts and plush sofas for wedding couples to hold their discussions with the hotel’s wedding team.   

To top it off, there were 2 gorgeous gowns displayed in the room, courtesy of Dreams, a bridal boutique in JB.  

Picking up a wedding booklet by Dreams from inside the room, we finally understood why Thistle Johor Bahru was already booked in advance for wedding banquets even before it opened its doors in July last year! We were impressed with the contents in the wedding booklet as we had never seen one as extensively compiled as this. We have met many wedding planners from hotels such as the Fullerton Hotel, Grand Hyatt, Marriott Hotel and Swissotel (our final choice for our wedding venue held in July last year) but have never seen a compilation as detailed as this. The wedding team at Thistle Johor Bahru had taken the initiative to offer loads of information upfront, including the price tag and details of the various wedding packages. I loved their tagline “Where dreams come true at Thistle Johor Bahru…” The minimum and maximum seating capacities for every restaurant, poolside and ballroom were also listed in the marketing brochures.  

Poolside
The cobalt blue poolside deck with its stunning views of the magnificent hotel building is a signature feature of Thistle Johor Bahru. The charming garden landscape, with its generous spread of soaring palm trees, has to be the main attraction amidst the countless views and perspectives of the hotel’s surroundings and facilities.   

We fell in love with the poolside the moment we laid our eyes on it. It is our ideal spot for an experience of ultimate relaxation and indulgence.  

We loved the slide structure and dramatic curves of the swimming pool, with the picturesque arched bridge over the water allowing us to cross over the swimming pool without needing to get around it. Of course, it was fun swimming under the beautiful bridge.   

We also liked the fact that, swimming in the pool, we were able to have a wonderful view of the magnificent hotel building.  

On top of that, we were also able to spot all 4 of the hotel’s restaurants – Glass, Oasis, Steps & Chinoise & vice versa. We were also impressed by the way the wading pool’s steps (a total of 10 steps) were built into the water, allowing guests to make their way into the pool without needing to strain their knees or bend their backs.  

These steps also ensured that guests were able to sit on the pool’s ledge before lifting their bums off the ledge and thrusting their bodies into the pool, the way a swimmer enters into an Olympic-sized pool.  

We had fun dipping and swimming in the pool. It gave us an alluring and luxuriant experience amidst an ambience of peacefulness and serenity. We were glad that we found a peaceful haven and tranquil respite where we could free our minds in the pool’s pristine natural surroundings, and simply soak in the natural beauty of the lush greenery & unique collection of flora and fauna.  

Providing an extremely refreshing atmosphere, Thistle Johor Bahru’s poolside area is indeed an ideal venue to hold events and would even be perfect for weddings and other special occasions.  

(continue to part 2 here…. ) 

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23 comments April 18th, 2010

Johor Bahru Bridal Package Hunts – Diary of an Anxious Bride-To-Be

Never in my sanest mind have I ever imagined that I would even think about taking up a wedding bridal package across the causeway in Johor Bahru (Johor Baru, Johore Bahru, Johor Baharu), Malaysia. Stories of words spelt wrongly imprinted in bridal albums, stories of couples risking their lives and wallets at the mercy of robbers and snatch thieves, all in a bid to save a few thousand, but ended up losing more. Stories after stories that do nothing except to reinforce my impression that it is a trip that is not worth even a thought in my mind.

I was (as you would have probably guessed) WRONG.

Firstly, I was proven wrong by the beautiful album layouts and designs that I saw with my OWN EYES. My own brother and my best pal, both had their wedding/bridal photo shoot taken with Johor Bahru Bridal studios and the album design was so awesome and captivating, that it gave me a little second thought of pursuing an album in Johor Bahru. And hence, this second thought catapulted me into my first investigative action of prying for insights and valuable information in the internet realm. I went into several online forums with still, a cynical mindset. It was a battle of words between satisfied couples and couples who felt that they were ‘conned’ into signing, given utterly bad service by the bridal studio after paying the initial deposit. I also learned what to negotiate for, which bridal shops to look out for, etc.

Equipped with weeks of ‘information download’ into my brain memory space from the internet, I embarked on my maiden journey across ‘THE BRIDGE’ totally prepared to tussle and wrestle with every breathe that I have, with any sales person from the bridal studio in a quest for my most “Value-For-Money” PLUS top quality album package. Kiasuism at work!!

I had already shortlisted 7 bridal studios, namely:

Superstar Wedding @ CitySquare
Printemps Wedding @ CitySquare
Dawn’s Wedding @ CitySquare
Mona Lisa Bridal Palace @ CitySquare
Fables Bridal Couture @ Taman Sri Tebrau (near Taman Sentosa)
Venus Bridal Selection @ Taman Sri Tebrau (near Taman Sentosa)
Inspiration @ Taman Sentosa

After visiting the 4 bridal studios in City Square, none really caught my attention. None of the salesperson I came into contact with gave me the assurance I need to take that leap of faith in signing on the dotted line. It seemed like everyone of them just wanted to clinch another deal and I could see $$$ in their eyeballs. For Superstar and Mona Lisa, the layout of the place is like any typical bridal studios, with little brains put into the design and layout of the store. It was simply boring and served little to ignite further interest to know more about their package.

Mona Lisa was the only bridal boutique that did not even allow us to take notes of their package details.  Printemps and Dawn (actually are sister companies) are the more impressive of the lot. They had more upclass feel upon setting foot into their store, especially Dawn’s. They had a more urban and zen touch to their store layout, with gowns ‘parked’ in built-in cupboards which could easily be ‘pulled out’ from the wall.

It was at Taman Sentosa area that I was convinced why heaps of Singaporean couples braced themselves to travel to JB despite the massive traffic jams and the large amounts of time spent travelling across the causeway over several weekends, flocking willingly (and perhaps happily) to the Johor Bahru bridal studios. Venus and Fables Bridal Couture.. we were totally swept away by their photography studios, which convinced us straight on the spot that it had to be either one of them.

 We finally found the reason why Johor Bahru bridal studios are worth the trouble. We had taken a photography album at French Bridal in Singapore before and were utterly disappointed with the results. It was lack of digital design (as we had to pay more to include digital pages) and were mainly pictures of us with white, orange, brown, red coloured paper background. We finally found ourselves on the opposite poles! As we toured bridal studios in Johor Bahru (Taman Sentosa area), I started imagining myself and my hubby posing with the various studio settings they had – Rose Garden, Winter Forest, Roman Colosseum, Sunflower Garden, Chinese Lanterns, Victorian Candlesticks, Florence settings, etc. Lovely!

My heart, for once, starts to beat a tad faster. We were sold by the enchanting and diverse backdrops we saw at these two bridal studios. Fables had 6 different backdrops, while Venus had 13. No more plain backgrounds anymore! Yippee!! Understand from both studios even that they actually update their backdrops every few months, to avoid couples all having the same album designs. Mmm.. for once, I smelled the aroma of ‘customer service’ seeping into the air at last. At Venus, one of the photographer said that to change a backdrop (they recently took away ‘Cinderella Castle’ backdrop) costs them at least RM 10,000!!! Gown selections and package wise, both were competitive enough.

We were more convinced by Venus, kudos to an experienced sales person, Ivy, who took the time to let us ‘tour’ the studio and to comb through every gown in all their racks. She gave me the liberty to try out any gowns I desire (think about more than 25 gowns), even though I hadn’t signed on the dotted line. Considering the fact that some studios at City Square didn’t even allow me to try any!!! So, my vote and $$$ goes to Venus, mainly because they had more background settings in their studio. This is their ultimate differentiating factor.

A word of caution for potential Inspiration patronisers. I have read much about the salesperson there and his crafty salesman tricks in Singapore Brides Forum. For more than an hour, Eric (the salesperson) spoke more about their service rather than to tell me what is in the package. He was full of words, giving analogies, quoting Chinese proverbs, etc, rather than telling me facts. I do not feel comfortable at all with him and hence, striked out Inspiration among my shortlisted studios. 

And there you have it!! Step One. The shopping experience was an eye opener and a great learning experience. No doubt the hassle, I am confident that this will be a step forward towards the formation of a terrific bridal album, which no doubt, will collect dust over the years (as what many have told me and dissuaded me from spending so much time on this, when I could have easily taken the pictures in Singapore), but I am also very sure that one day, there will be a time, perhaps decades later, that I will chanced upon old albums like this, and look back at the precious memories embedded behind the pictures, coming alive and helping me to relive the happy moments of the past and putting that million dollar smile on my face, saying “It is worth it.”    

And finally, a great thanks to the staff at limsimi.com (Lawrence.. Thanks!! and Florence.. many thanks to you too!!) for their kind recommendation and encouragement. Thanks for taking the time to reply to my incessant email queries!

-pipi

Editor’s Note: And thanks to you too, Pipi! Your candid feedback is certainly very informational (and I hope inspirational) to fellow brides-in-waiting. Enjoy the upcoming photoshoot!

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123 comments January 6th, 2009