D'concept Hotel Kulim

I understand checkout is at 12 noon, but I was only eight minutes late and showed the time to reception. They still wanted RM15. If I'd checked out at 12:30, I could understand paying, but I've stayed in plenty of budget hotels and this is the first to charge me RM15 for eight minutes. The staff weren't flexible at all. Ridiculous.

At check-in I couldn't find my Agoda receipt, so I paid the RM10 tourist tax at the counter. When I checked out the next day, I showed the receipt, but the counter guy said it was already the next day and they couldn't refund it. He said it was my problem for not showing it earlier, so I ended up paying the tourist tax twice.

It's a basic hotel with working facilities, and good enough in that sense, but I could get better accommodation elsewhere for the same money. What made the stay unpleasant was the security guard, an older Malay man who was grumpy and rude to me. I hope the owner considers letting him go. I won't stay here again.

The staff were friendly at check-in, and the room was clean and comfortable. Kulim Sentral is right beside it, less than a minute's walk, and the lift makes it suitable for elderly guests. There's a Coway water filter in the lobby and a microwave for reheating halal food. Towels, a bath mat, 3-in-1 coffee and a kettle were provided, but no other amenities. A RM50 deposit is needed at check-in. There are only two power outlets in our room, so we had to take turns charging phones and other things. One outlet by the bedside needs urgent replacement, as shown in the photo. Parking is limited and charged during the day, but after 10 pm there are open lots and you can park anywhere.