M1 Hotel

In the middle of the city, M1 Hotel has a cozy interior and a simple, comfortable feel. It’s conveniently placed for getting to public transport, restaurants, and shopping, and made for a relaxing stay.

The rooms smelled damp and were disgusting. There was peeling paint across the walls, the beds were bad, and the towels felt damp, as if they hadn’t been washed. No complimentary water or toiletries either, such as soap, shower caps, shampoo, or Q tips. The photos make this hotel look good, but to me they seem to be from when it was brand new. Now it feels run down, more like a hostel hotel. I was surprised I hadn’t seen any cockroaches yet, maybe because of the time of year. There’s a shop selling coffins a few doors away. That’s not a pleasant sight when you’re older and on vacation. I rate the hotel, staff, and ownership poorly.

The TV wouldn’t work, and there was no toiletries kit. The room also wasn’t very clean.

M1 Hotel is very conveniently located by Exit C of Yau Ma Tei station, only a 3-5 minute walk from the MTR. There are lots of places to eat nearby, including Red Tea Cafe and the night market. The service was a real letdown. I’m not sure whether Hong Kong’s new Eco-Responsibility Law, which means there are no free disposable toiletries or bottled water in rooms, played a part, but several things were disappointing. Housekeeping could only be requested on the fourth day. After we asked for it, we came back at 9PM to find the room door unlocked, which left us very worried about our belongings. Basic toiletries and towel replacements also weren’t provided unless we specifically asked. Some reception staff were dismissive and spoke limited English, so communication was frustrating. We also found small rat bite marks on the paper bag holding our souvenirs and snacks in the room. That was really concerning and unhygienic. There’s a funeral parlor directly below the hotel, too, and walking around at night felt unsettling. We were there during Golden Week, when the hotel was packed and fully booked, which might explain the poor service, but it doesn’t excuse it. The location is a plus, but the hygiene worries, unfriendly staff, and lack of basic service took away from what could have been a decent stay. Guests deserve proper hospitality even in a busy season, especially when prices are nearly on par with a 2- to 3-star hotel.