Hotel National

There’s a Starbucks, Sogo shopping mall, and a convenience store nearby. The hotel feels dated, and getting drinking water is a hassle. If your room is on level 7, you have to take the lift down to level 6 just to refill.

The room stayed quiet even though the hotel is in a busy area, close to Civic Square and the pedestrian street. It’s on the small side, but I liked the powerful hair dryer, which is better than the weak ones I usually find in hotels. There was a persistent paint smell drifting into the room. I wasn’t sure whether it came from a new installation or fresh paint somewhere. If you’re traveling with kids, it may be worth checking with the front desk. I was only there for two days, so I didn’t ask to move. I’d still be happy to come back.

The location is the one thing this hotel has going for it. My room felt very old, with little space and a small, awkwardly placed window. The bed wasn’t comfortable, so I won’t return.

The breakfast was a highlight, especially the range of dumplings. Just across the road, the pedestrian area came alive with families and young couples for Friday’s Christmas festivities. There are plenty of shops and places to eat around the hotel. The room was pleasant but had a few oddities. There was tea and coffee, though no milk, sugar, or spoons, and drinking water had to be collected from a cooler. The bathroom had shampoo and a basic toiletries kit, but from 2025 these need to be purchased under new government conservation rules.