Sandpiper Hotel Dunlop Street, SHORT HOURS, 7am to 3pm OR 7pm to 7am

The location is the main draw, close to shops, clubs, liquor stores, train stations, and bus stops. For the price, the rooms are cozy, the bathrooms are nicely laid out, and everything was very clean, though there aren't many extra amenities. My interaction with the receptionist was disappointing. She seemed disengaged and impassive while welcoming guests and handling reservations, and I noticed a similar manner with other guests. I can't tell if it was a particularly busy day or her usual attitude, and I can't say for sure whether there's a pattern. I noticed low-rated reviews from guests with backgrounds including India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Bangladesh describing similar concerns. Perhaps she was just having an off day, but this did affect my impression of the hotel's service.

Patra at the front desk was pleasant and helpful throughout, and we'd be happy to stay again. The hotel's location is central, and the room was adequate, though a bit small and without windows. There was only one outlet, far from the bed, which was inconvenient. We heard pipe noises throughout the stay, along with other guests making loud hallway noise late into the night. Still, it wasn't bad overall.

Everything was clean, the water was hot, and the air conditioning worked well. There's an elevator, plus an electric kettle, hairdryer, and basic 2-in-1 shampoo and shower gel. The bed and pillows are firm, which some people may like. We got a surprise upgrade to a room with a window, and Patra at reception made checkout pleasant and courteous. There are food places and convenience stores all around, but the hotel itself felt safe and wasn't noisy. Rochor MRT is about a five-minute walk away.

The rooms were clean and comfortable, and Patra always served our breakfast with a smile. We had a very nice stay and will come back with our family. Thank you.