De Mesra Villa

The room was comfortable, with a big TV and air conditioning that worked perfectly. There wasn't a window, but at this cheap price I was okay with that. The receptionist was a very shy young boy, which might not suit a picky tourist, though it was fine for me. The bathroom could use some maintenance: the hot water wasn't warm enough in the morning, and the sink pipe was leaking. That's all, thanks.

The staff were pretty friendly, and the place had a “muslim” hotel vibe. But the cleanliness needs work. It felt almost like entering a bunian place, everything beautiful inside, while outside the hotel looked like it hadn't been used for ages.

My second room had a working air conditioner, but some floor tiles were cracked and covered with carpet. I noticed the same thing in the waiting area. The cupboard in my room was broken too. Shoes aren't allowed, but there wasn't a shoe rack, despite what the receptionist had told me. Getting into the hotel took a while. The main door was locked when I arrived, and after waiting several minutes, a man nearby suggested I call. I called to say I was there, then waited around 15 minutes for someone to come so I could check in. The process itself took another 15 minutes or so, and the young receptionist asked for a RM50 deposit but wouldn't give me a receipt. He said it was refundable, but I wanted proof of payment for getting it back at checkout. My first room's air conditioning didn't work at all. I went downstairs to report it, and the same receptionist checked and said it was fine, asking me to wait. When it still wasn't working after a few minutes, my dad went down too. A second person checked and said they'd move us to another room.

The rooms, bedding and bathroom were clean, the air conditioning worked well, and the TV was okay. They supplied shower gel and a bar of soap. The water heater didn't work, though, and a liner in the bin would be useful. The reception area smelled musty, unlike the room. Maybe an air freshener would help. This is a budget motel, so don't expect a kettle or mini fridge. There is a Coway water machine at reception, but moving it upstairs would save guests trips up and down the stairs. Bring a bottle to refill and a cup if you want hot drinks. There's also an ironing area in the upstairs lounge. A mini market is just around the corner, and Grab food is easy to order, with a few good food options nearby if you have transport. Shoes aren't allowed inside, so you'll need to leave them outside or carry them with you. The check-in staff was a young teenager, perhaps because this is a family business. He wasn't rude, but could be more welcoming, with a smile or a greeting. I had let them know I'd arrive late at 6:30 pm, yet still had to wait for my room to be ready. I hope the motel improves, and that these points help the owner and future guests.