Cardinal Lucky Star Hotel Batam

The staff were great, but the whole hotel is in terrible shape. It feels like a filthy, underfunded relic rather than a hotel. Everything was dirty, and the workers didn’t even have a vacuum to clean the floor. There wasn’t a hairdryer anywhere in the building.

The room smelled strongly of cigarette smoke and wasn’t clean, so the stay was disappointing. I had to ask staff to replace the pillowcases because they smelled bad too. Nothing felt fresh or properly looked after. I hope management improves the hygiene and cleanliness for future guests.

My room on the 5th floor had a lovely view, and the extra space, two windows, desk and comfortable chair were welcome after a cramped stay elsewhere in Batam. The kettle was useful, the air conditioning kept working, and staff were consistently willing to help. Grand Batam Mall is nearby, too. Those things helped, but after 10 nights I can’t see how this deserves the 5-star impression its ratings give. Most days there was no hot water, and the shower head was old with poor pressure. Cigarette smoke hung around the hallways and sometimes drifted into my room. I was also surprised that smoking and vaping seemed allowed in parts of the hotel. The lingering smell bothered my breathing. The room and bathroom hadn’t been properly cleaned before I arrived. I had to wash the cups and glasses, clean out the fridge, and wet-mop the floor myself. Dust covered surfaces, and that also affected my breathing. Painting was going on through the building, but the work looked amateur and added to the run-down feel. Wi-Fi was weak, kept dropping, and was barely good enough for checking messages. Working or streaming would be frustrating. It wasn’t unbearable for the full stay, but this felt closer to a 2-star place trying to do more than it can manage. The location and staff have their merits, yet the upkeep and cleanliness problems are hard to overlook. As a budget choice for a short visit, it might do if you can accept these issues. Anyone expecting what those 5-star ratings suggest will be disappointed.

The location worked well for me, close to Grand Mall Batam, shops, and restaurants. It’s a budget-friendly option that still felt comfortable. My room was clean and well kept, with the basic things I needed, and the staff were warm and helpful throughout. I had a wonderful stay at Townhouse Oak in Batam and would recommend it. I’d be happy to come back on my next trip.