Royal White Elephant Hotel

The room, breakfast, and price were great. The towels, though, looked old and smelled of chlorine. They should check the towels after room service and make sure they’re in good condition.

The room was just okay, and there is a large car park. The food had no taste, and the bathroom water looked dirty. The place felt more like a construction site than a hotel. The staff weren’t kind in their manner or expressions, and seemed more like house owners than hotel staff, as if we were staying in their home for free. They smiled at foreigners, but not at local guests.

On my return in December, prices had gone up while the quality and service had fallen a lot. I couldn’t see myself staying here again. I first stayed for five nights in April 2014. It’s a simple place in the middle of a residential area, decent for budget travelers who just need somewhere to sleep. The amenities were adequate, but little else stood out. At $40/night it felt fairly cheap, though things were old and poorly maintained, if maintained at all. Still, it was adequate for a short stay. Breakfast was included and not bad. Wi-Fi was included too, but unreliable. The country’s infrastructure wasn’t very reliable then either, so I thought that might improve as the country did. I’d also like to see some updates.

The staff were friendly and replaced the dirty bedsheet as soon as I asked. A blackout happened a few minutes after check-in. The floor was so dirty my soles turned black when I walked barefoot, though luckily there were slippers in the room. During my three-night stay, I saw a baby cockroach twice. It seemed like renovations were happening nearby. The hotel is close to Inya lake, but not to other tourist attractions. There were a few taxis waiting outside, so getting one was easy.