Reka Hotel Genting Highlands

The smell hit us as soon as we entered the lobby. It was messy and neglected, and at night staff were cooking there, leaving the whole area stale, oily, and suffocating. The room looked okay at first, but the bed smelled damp and musty, and the toilet was mouldy and foul. The building also felt old and poorly maintained, more like a rundown lodging house than a proper hotel. Unprofessional, unhygienic, and uncomfortable. Food nearby was another problem for us. The area is dominated by Chinese restaurants, so it was inconvenient as Malay guests. Halal options were hard to find: only two Thai restaurants and one mamak stall nearby, all overcrowded, and their cleanliness was questionable. From the first minute, the stay went downhill. This level of service is unacceptable. The owner and management need to review staff training, cleanliness standards, and overall operations. Guest service, hygiene, and basic professionalism are non-negotiable in hospitality. Until major improvements are made, I can’t recommend this place to anyone.

The loudest problem was the music that blared from about 3 a.m. until morning. Sleep was impossible, and when we went to the lobby the noise seemed to vanish. It felt unsettling, and we really weren’t comfortable staying there. The place also felt old, poorly kept, and creepy. The lobby was messy and smelled awful, with staff cooking there at night. Our room looked passable at first, but the bed was damp and musty, and the toilet was mouldy and foul. Hygiene clearly isn’t a priority. Check-in was hostile from the start. The male receptionist loudly complained because we used a different Trip.com account, and was arrogant and unprofessional throughout. None of the staff wore uniforms, and they all appeared to be foreigners. It felt more like a rundown lodging house than a proper hotel. Finding halal food nearby was difficult for Malay guests. The area is mostly Chinese restaurants, with only two Thai restaurants and one mamak stall nearby, all overcrowded, and their cleanliness was questionable. This was a complete disaster and a total regret. Paying guests shouldn’t be treated with hostility or disrespect. Management needs to address staff training, cleanliness, and operations. Until major changes are made, I can’t recommend this hotel.

The receptionist was a really nice and helpful lady. There’s free parking, the WiFi worked pretty well, and plenty of eateries nearby, so finding food isn’t an issue. KK Mart and Speedmart are close too for snacks. It’s a very cheap, well-located budget hotel, but definitely good enough.

The WiFi quit after about 10 minutes, and when I asked for the password, the front desk staff was rude. There was no hot water, hand wash, or shampoo, and the towel rack was broken. Mould covered the bathroom door, with a strong bad smell throughout the hotel, even in the lobby. Hygiene and maintenance were very poor.