The Cave by Cactus Hotel Skudai

There were some useful things about the stay: the bathroom was bigger than I expected, the hot water pressure was nice, and we were allowed to check out late. They didn’t take a deposit either. The location was convenient, with a 7-11 a few shops away, an Indian-Muslim restaurant opposite and a Kopitiam around the corner that’s good for breakfast. But the room needed better cleaning. It was dusty enough that particles were visible in the air and settled on the fridge and desk. The fridge had been switched off and wasn’t cold, so I wasn’t even sure it had been cleaned and avoided touching it. The rough, uncomfortable mattress and bedsheet made my sensitive skin itch. A black fly or maybe a mosquito kept buzzing around and was annoying. Sewage stink came from the toilet and sometimes spread into the room. Management should look into the cleanliness, replace the mattresses and check the water pipes for guests’ health and safety. We stayed one night while visiting a family member in Skudai town. The room we booked seemed decent at first, but the cleanliness concerns became clear. I’d recommend it for a one-night stay only if those issues don’t bother you. Otherwise, there are surely better options. Thanks for reading.

The room didn’t smell of smoke, and the setup was one queen bed plus a single, comfortable for three people. For RM99, that was good value for our Saturday night at this affordable 2-star hotel. It was decent overall, and the staff were friendly. There’s a RM50 deposit, so keep the receipt to get it back at checkout. They give you a key for the main door as well as one for the room, which felt fairly safe, though I still wouldn’t leave valuables there. The towels were a little worn, so I’d bring my own toiletries. A nice, budget-friendly choice for one night.

The staff member at reception was friendly and helpful, and suggested a few places to eat. For getting to malls and other places, you’ll need GRAB or a car. There’s no kettle in the room, but there’s a dispenser with hot and cold water in the lobby. You can ask the staff for a hairdryer. The shower is in the room, while the toilet is shared. I booked a single room for two nights, with no windows, but the Agoda description wasn’t clear. It was cramped and smelled foul, and it took me a while to get used to it. I didn’t sleep at all the first night. There were mosquitoes and small bugs too, which concerned me. If you want to leave your bags early, call the hotel first. When I called, they told me I couldn’t. It’s doable if you’re not fussy.

Thankfully, Agoda refunded me after I contacted customer service and explained what had happened. The room was listed as a single room without a window, and the listing mentioned a shower, but its photos showed a full toilet. In the actual room there was only a shower, no private toilet for using the toilet, and I had to go to a shared one outside. I found that really misleading. When I asked the receptionist, who was Indonesian and not Malaysian, she looked confused and rudely told me to speak to her boss. If sharing a toilet is a problem for you, call the hotel to confirm before booking. Be careful.