Carlton Star Hotel

My room was surprisingly decent: spacious, spotless, and looking out over that odd artificial lake. The bed was really comfortable, the air con worked well, the bathroom was perfectly fine, and the Wi-Fi stayed reliable. Naim at reception was warm and helpful when I checked in. The hotel itself looks pretty run-down, and the lift felt dodgy, but the central spot puts you just minutes from the bus and train stations. For such a low price, it gives you a friendly welcome, a good location, and a comfortable room. Looks can be deceiving.

For the price, it was okay, and the location is handy for both the KTM station and bus terminal. There’s a lift, though the hotel is old and the room walls really need a good scrub. They require a RM50 deposit in cash. Toiletries were sparse: just a bar of soap, with nothing on the shampoo rack. The different staff members I dealt with didn’t say thank you at either check-in or check-out.

I paid RM 86 a night, and it turned into a lesson for me. There were bed mites on both the floor and the bed, so my family and I left within 30 minutes without asking for a refund. The toilet light didn’t work, which made the room feel haunted, and the receptionist told my husband there was no maintenance worker on the night shift. Even at a budget hotel, the room should be clean and all the lights should work. 👎👎👎

The room was really spacious, but the bathroom leaked, so water dripped on me while I was using the toilet. It was also difficult to get the hot water to a steady temperature, and the lift was in terrible condition.