The Concept Hotel Express

I stayed three nights, and the room was dusty with a damp, musty smell throughout. The toilet was dirty, smelled strongly and unpleasantly, and that odor reached the bedroom. The shower area had no separation between wet and dry. Kuah town is nearby, but there wasn’t a single shop around the hotel.

I spent eight nights here and really enjoyed it. I liked being away from Kuah’s bustle, with greener surroundings, fresher air, and even monkeys and squirrels around. I’d rented a motorcycle at the jetty, and driving around was fun. It’s about a five-minute ride to Kuah. The room was huge, with enough floor space for yoga, a desk and chair for work, somewhere to hang clothes, and a comfortable bed with four pillows. The AC worked well, the room was bright, the WiFi was excellent, and the TV had YouTube. The shower had good hot water pressure and temperature. There’s a water dispenser downstairs, and they encourage guests to use it instead of buying plastic bottles. Housekeeping was helpful and kept everything clean whenever I asked for service. They used a vacuum, so the dust was actually gone. I asked for extra hangers and got plenty straight away. After I checked out, they messaged to say I’d left a pair of slippers behind, even though I’d meant to throw them away. I appreciated their honesty and responsibility. Self check-in was smooth, too. The towels and sheets could be newer, and the bathroom smell needs attention. Still, I’d happily stay again. Thank you.

The place is a long way from the tourist spots, and the photos in the AirAsia app didn’t quite match the actual rooms. It needs renovation, and the bathroom plumbing is exposed on the wall. The rooms don’t seem very well planned. The AC is tucked in one corner and feels too small for a room this size, so it takes a long time to cool it down.

After eight months of travelling, this is easily the best private room I’ve had for the price, 70RM, though prices can vary. It’s spacious, with soft, comfortable sheets and bed, working air conditioning, hot water, a small fridge, and a kettle. Everything I needed was there. My one issue was the location. It’s in the middle of the island, so Pantai beach or Tanjung takes 25-30 minutes by motorbike, and there aren’t many restaurants close by. Otherwise, the accommodation was perfect.