Tanglin House Hotel

We had friendly, helpful contact with the owners, and the room was comfortable and suited our needs perfectly. The guest house was clean, too. In the room, the refreshments went beyond what we expected: a cafetiere, ground and instant coffee, and a selection of black and fruit teas.

There are no kitchen facilities, and I wouldn't consider this suitable for families. The rooms are dated, and the building needs urgent upgrading. If you're after modern living standards or an Instagramable place, this isn't it.

The location couldn't have been more convenient, with the pool and cinema both a two-minute walk away. Parking behind the hotel was free, and I could leave my car there after checking out. Julie met us when we arrived and handed over the key. My son and I had a lovely twin room that was perfect and freshly painted. Although other residents were staying there, we neither saw nor heard them, so it nearly felt like we had the place to ourselves. The price was reasonable, and hopefully we'll stay again.

The little lounge on the first floor is a nice spot for tea or coffee. Our small rooms were cosy and close to the city centre, around a 15-minute walk from the ferry and train station. Check-in and checkout are self-service, with no one at the desk, but help is only a call or text away. There's no lift, so it won't suit anyone who can't manage stairs.