Hotels in Pontian District

Pontian is one of the districts in southwest of Johor Bahru. The name of Pontian transformed from a Malay word "Perhentian" which means a stop. Back then, Pontian was a stop for both merchants and pirates and acts as the landing point for Indonesian navy during Konfrontasi Malaysia-Indonesia during the 1960s. The district also was formerly a fishing village which has developed into a small town. Pontian is populated by Malays of Bugis and Javanese descent and the Chinese community in Pontian originally belongs to the Fujian (Hokkien) dialect group.

The name Pontian is used in the names of two towns in the district, Pontian Besar and Pontian Kechil, of which the latter serves as its district capital. Other notable towns in Pontian include Ayer Baloi and Benut, north of Pontian Kechil and to the south and east of Pontian Kechil respectively are the towns of Teluk Kerang and Pekan Nanas. Kukup is a famous fishing village about 20 kilometres from Pontian Kechil and there is national park in Pontian include Tanjung Piai. This town is also site as the observatory to look for the crescent moon to mark the beginning of Muslim month of Ramadhan, Shawwal, and Zulhijjah, to celebrate fasting month of Ramadhan, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Pontian is also noted for its variety of seafood which is sold at a reasonable price.

How to Get There

By Car

From Kuala Lumpur city centre, it takes usually 3 hours 30 minutes using North- South highway to reach Pontian by car or taxi.

By Plane

From Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Senai International Airport, the journey is approximately takes 45 minutes by using any available flights such as AirAsia, Firefly and Malindo Air. Once you arrive at airport, you can rent a car or take a taxi from Senai Airport to Pontian for another 55 minutes using Second Link Expy road or Sawah road or North- South highway.

The common languages used here at Pontian are Malay with Javanese accent, English and Chinese Hokkien and Mandarin dialect by the residents here.

Tourist Attractions

Pulau Kukup

Pulau Kukup is located 30 minutes away from Pontian town and declared as a RAMSAR site on 31 January 2003 as well as it is protected as a national park under the Johor State Park Corporation Enactment 1989 on 1997. Kukup Island or Pulau Kukup is one of the biggest inhabited mangrove sites in the world and there are various species of wildlife such as monkeys, wild boar, mudskipper and many more. The island was declared as “Wetland of International Importance” aimed at preserving the natural beauty of the island and it has a wonderful view and walkway through the forest which has five levels of elevated platforms giving a bird’s-eye view of the island. Pulau Kukup is also a kilometre away from the mainland with boat trips to the island costing RM5 and admission to the National Park costing another RM5. From Kukup town, tourists can reach Kukup Island by boat from Kukup Jetty.

Tanjung Piai

Located 90 kilometres south of Johor Bahru's city centre and around 34 minutes away from Pontian town, Tanjung Piai is one of the largest mangrove habitats in Malaysia and is the home for around 20 different species of mangrove plants. There are also some wild animal such as monkeys, mangrove crabs and various species of birds. Tanjung Piai has a national park which is Tanjung Piai Johor National Park which allows visitors to observe the habitats of mangrove plants. There are platforms built in the park so that visitors can walk and observe the habitat of mangrove and unique fauna in comfort. The entrance fee for the national park is RM3 for Malaysian adults and RM5 for international visitors. While in Kukup, do not miss the chance to try the fresh, delicious and cheap seafood. Coastway restaurant is one of the best and recommended restaurants to enjoy fresh seafood such as fish, crabs and prawns. There are also local seafood and international cuisines to enjoy here. Besides that, there are local shops selling local products such as ikan bilis, salted fish and belacan and also shopping centre which tourists can buy local things.

Hotels

The Oikos Hotel

The Oikos Hotel is situated in Pontian Kecil and takes around 25 minutes to reach Kukup island by using Kukup road. The hotel consists of 21 rooms and suites, all rooms from standard single room, deluxe room and family room come ensuite with its own bathroom and toiletries, Astro channels and with free WiFi throughout this place. Some of the rooms feature a seating area to relax in and rest. You will find a 24-hour front desk at the property to help and assist you and other services when requested.

Sunflower Express Hotel

The hotel is only a 20-minute drive to Kukup Golf Club, and a 30-minute drive to Kukup Fishing Village as well as Tanjung Piai National Park. Each room is elegantly designed and furnished to the highest standard of comfort. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, flat-screen TV and an electric kettle as well as private bathrooms for hot and cold shower. Sunflower Express Hotel also can assist guests with laundry and car rental services. Newspapers are provided for reading and non-smoking rooms are also available.