Swing & Pillows Hotel

The hotel feels old, and I keep running into problems with the water and the lift. Twice this year the faulty pump left us without water for an entire day. The lift also stops working, so guests have to use the stairs. I was lucky to be on level 2. Please get these issues fixed.

For five days, nobody took out the rubbish or offered to clean the room or change the linen. We weren't bothered since our expectations for the accommodation were low, and the city-centre price is affordable. The bigger issue was being charged tourist tax twice. Our trip.com booking already included it, but reception asked us for another RM40, RM20 each, saying it was a different tax. When we checked and pointed out the duplicate charge, we were told every day that the manager would sort it out the next day. At checkout they said it would be handled as soon as possible. We still haven't heard back. Why keep promising if nothing will be done? Is the tax office aware of this?

You can hear how busy Petaling Street is outside, but none of that noise got into our room. The spot is really handy, and staff like Salman were kind and friendly. A good option if you're travelling on a budget, I'd recommend it.

The location has plenty going for it, with restaurants and convenience stores just a short walk away, plus a filtered water machine on every floor. Taxis can't pull up right at the entrance because the street is closed to traffic in this tourist market, though. I have visited Kuala Lumpur four times, and this was my worst hotel stay there. My room was on the second floor, facing the street, and the walls let through a lot of noise. A woman in the next room was screaming until around 4 a.m. every night. I had booked seven nights and kept hoping she'd leave after a day or two, but she didn't. Housekeeping also never brought the shower doormat I asked for, even though the housekeeper said he would. At checkout, the front desk staff pushed me to leave a Google review right then. I was on my way to the bus station and genuinely didn't have time. There wasn't a refrigerator in my room either. I can't recommend this place because of the poor sound insulation and the unprofessional staff. If you're set on staying in Chinatown, you might be okay for a night or two if your neighbors happen to be quiet. Don't let the staff pressure you into posting a review at checkout.