Silka Far East

The beds barely felt like they had mattresses, more like cardboard. Maybe my expectations were too high, but you get what you pay for, I guess. This is my first and last stay here. At check-in, the front desk told me the room was non-smoking and asked if we smoked. I said no, and she said that was good. But once we got into the room, there was a really strong smoke smell. I called the desk and was told they could change rooms, so I went back down. When I asked whether they hadn’t checked the rooms, the staff member seemed not to understand or care and just handed me new keys.

Fantastic location, close to the mall, restaurants, bus, and MTR. The room is fairly old, and not having bottled water was a downside.

The staff and receptionists were polite and helpful, and the rooms were clean and kept up daily. They’re small, though, and there’s no free drinking water or laundry service. Nearby, you’ll find parks, malls, local restaurants, and small shops. There’s a bus stop right in front, roadside parking, and the area felt clean and safe. Muslim travelers may find limited food options, as the area isn’t very Halal-friendly. Breakfast is a basic buffet, with the same things every day: bread, jam, butter, eggs, fried rice, apple and orange juice, milk, tea, coffee, soup, and fish dumpling congee. I found it simple but decent. I had a comfortable stay at Silka Far East, and it seems a good fit for budget travelers who are okay with small rooms and sorting out their food choices themselves.

The cleaning ladies were great, and the hotel’s services were adequate for most needs. The price is good, depending on the season, and local facilities are just a five-minute walk away. But even though I’m on a non-smoking floor, I smell cigarette smoke every morning. It seems some guests are smoking in their rooms. I’ve complained to several staff members, but nothing seems to have been done. They offered to move me, although the same thing could happen on another floor. Maybe the hotel doesn’t want to upset visitors from mainland China, who often don’t follow local etiquette, because they’re an important source of income. Would I recommend Silka Far East hotel? If you smoke or don’t mind breathing secondhand smoke, yes. If you can’t stand it like me, definitely not.