Havona Hotel -Permas Jaya -Self Check-In

It’s 3am, and I’m writing this because I still can’t get a decent night’s sleep. My wife and I booked two nights, from 30th May to 1st June, in a deluxe queen with windows after seeing the positive Google reviews. I think we got that wrong. I’m considering cutting the stay short and heading back to Singapore now. This has been a terrible experience. The biggest problem is the noise. There’s no sound insulation, music with heavy beats plays outside through the night, and very loud vehicles keep zooming past. The room’s condition hasn’t helped: tiles are cracking, the vinyl floor is popping up, toilet tiles are loose, grout is mouldy, and dirt is stuck in the uncleaned corners. See photos. There was no housekeeping, and no sign or instructions explaining how to request it. I’m itching all over while trying to sleep, and had to refill water from the hallway dispenser. The water pressure keeps changing, and the heater control doesn’t work. Parking isn’t reserved for hotel guests either, so you take whatever you can find. The TV needed to be set up manually to get some channels, with no guide or instructions. The one positive is the location, near other places to eat. There are other hotels nearby that I think are worth paying a bit more for a good night’s sleep. Staff were friendly when I first checked in, but after that there wasn’t much to say since everything is mostly self check-in. I know this is a budget hotel, but I still expected certain standards.

What stayed with me most was how patiently the staff helped after I realised I’d left my belongings behind. I contacted them, and they were warm and helpful while arranging the courier with me, making sure everything was handled properly. Their honesty and willingness to help felt rare and precious. The service was excellent throughout. At checkout, the woman at the front desk smiled brightly and wished me a “Happy Chinese New Year.” Hearing that greeting in a foreign country really moved me. We had a language barrier, but she patiently used a translator to communicate and never seemed impatient. This was the warmest stay of my Malaysia trip. Everything felt perfect, and I’d strongly recommend staying here for the genuine hospitality.

The room had a TV and hair dryer, and there’s a hot and cold water dispenser by the lift for refills. The AC was cold, the toilet was clean, and the water pressure was good. Shampoo and body wash were supplied, though they were the same very basic product. There’s a lift, which helped with luggage, even if the walkway was narrow. Check-in was easy, either at the counter or the self-service machine, or by booking online, depending on availability. Be ready to pay a RM50 deposit. My bedsheet and pillow had stains, so I wasn’t sure if they’d been changed or reused. They didn’t smell bad, though. The floor felt a little sticky from people wearing shoes inside, but it wasn’t a big issue. No fridge or water heater in the room.

The room and toilet were fairly spacious for the price, and the furniture seemed quite new. There are lots of restaurants nearby, and the open parking area felt reasonably safe. Check-in and check-out were very quick, whether using the easy self-service machines or getting help from the friendly, helpful staff and night security. The room has no kettle, fridge, or iron, but shared ones are available in the common corridor. The RM50 deposit has to be paid in cash and is refundable at check-out. You can pay for the room in cash or by card.