The Golden Lake Hotel

We booked one of the budget rooms and it exceeded what we expected. It was clean and comfortable, with air-conditioning and towels. Room service arrived quickly and the food was tasty. The bathroom was separate from the room, but clean and private, though the shower ventilation had some problems. Breakfast was okay, and the helpful, friendly staff spoke okay English.

Breakfast was good, and the driver was very friendly, but our stay was a real disappointment. We had asked for bikes in advance so we could get around, but when we arrived, the only option was a driver. Riding that 20 lane motorway was the main reason we came to the city, and the driver couldn't stop for photos for long. At checkout, hotel staff made us walk back a fairly long way with our backpacks. The generator was incredibly loud, like trying to sleep in machinery. There are plenty of places to choose from in this city, so I'd spend my money elsewhere.

The restaurant was probably the worst part. The food was inedible, we left most of it, and it took hours to arrive despite the high prices. The staff there seemed completely incompetent. They also rent scooters and call taxis, but at wildly expensive rates. The rooms are basic and really ugly, and the bathroom is a long way away and smells bad. The hotel is in the middle of nowhere, which may be normal for this city. I don't know what other hotels are like here, but they can only be better.

This felt more like a guesthouse than a hotel. The room was small, and the old, smelly sheets and blankets made me itch. Breakfast was normal.