Chim Palace Hotel

The blackout blinds were the best I’ve ever seen, and I could keep my bike in the room even though I’d booked a standard double. The place was spotless and well maintained, and the staff were very attentive.

Construction noise was everywhere around me, roughly from 10am to 5pm. It sounded like jackhammers were drilling into my own room, above me and beside me, though I don’t know exactly where it came from. I’m speechless that guests would be put through that. If work is happening next to a room, don’t rent it; if it’s outside the hotel, warn people first. The room was like a big white hospital space, with awful bright lighting and almost no furniture. There was no kettle or bedside table, and no electricity besides the bed. Nobody explained the Wi-Fi, so I had to find a staff member who showed me the password on his phone. The shower was useless, with only a tiny flow at full setting. The larger one had no hot water.

Our two rooms were far apart, and nobody told us in advance. The walls were thin, the rooms weren’t very clean, and they felt empty and creepy. There was no microwave, and we couldn’t work out how to use the TV. The person showing us the rooms and taking our keys made us feel rushed. Not foreigner approved.

The room was clean, the mattress was good, and I could park my motorcycle right outside. I’d give it five stars if they sorted out the mosquitoes.