Mabuhay Hotel

You get what you pay for. The hallway and elevator were dirty and run down, since the room is inside Chungking Mansion. At least the room itself was clean. The hot water didn’t regulate properly and could burn your skin. The TV had no remote, so it was basically just a display. The air conditioning was cold, but the fan wouldn’t turn.

When I arrived at Chungking Mansions to find the flat at D5, 11/F, Block D, the lift signage didn’t show Mabuhay Hotel. I was confused about whether I was even taking the right lift, and the environment downstairs was very bad, like hanging a sheep’s head while selling dog meat. I asked the ground floor security customer service about Mabuhay Hotel, but they didn’t know it. The cleaners at Chungking Mansions weren’t familiar with it either, and the complex felt confusing and unsafe. At D5, 11/F, Block D, there was no reception. It looked like nobody was staying there, and a note on the wall directed guests to a reception area on the 3rd Storey of Block A. But when I went there, the hotel reception staff said it wasn’t Mabuhay Hotel’s reception. I went back to D5, 11/F, Block D. A local resident tried calling the service person for us, but nobody answered. He checked and knocked on every room in the unit, but nobody came out. We also saw a notice at the flat directing D5 “Mahubay Hotel” customers to the D8 Marrigold Hostel Reception Area. It all looked like a scam and was confusing. We messaged Mabuhay Hotel and were told to change to unit 16, which left us disappointed and feeling it wasn’t safe for someone to stay there. Mabuhay Hotel also never checked whether we wanted to check in or offered us any other option.

They decide which room to give you on arrival, and if someone pays more, they’ll get the room. The staff also wanted an extra fee to keep our luggage while we waited for our flight. They didn’t follow our booking dates and asked us that day to cancel or find another hotel. The owner is Indian. They say yes even when they can’t provide room service or a refund, so don’t book this hotel.

Avoid booking here. It’s in a dangerous area, Harlem.