The Readers' House

There’s plenty of space here, and the location is excellent.

Right below the window is the popular old town, so you can sit back and enjoy the interior. The lodging is in an old mansion in the historic district, which gives you a glimpse of life in a wealthy merchant’s old building. If you’re after the latest services, it may not be the right fit. There are extra beds upstairs, like in a condominium, so it could work well for a large family or group.

Chloe was very welcoming, and the room had a distinctive design. There wasn’t daily room service, though you could message Chloe through the Line group to have trash removed or toiletries replenished. Getting there was a little inconvenient, about a 10-minute walk from the MRT station.

The atmosphere was what drew me in, and it was nice, but the service was lacking for the price. I’d think of this as an expensive private lodging rather than a hotel, since there are plenty of places at the same price with better service. I was asked to check in earlier when I booked, but the place was closed when I arrived at the agreed time. They moved me to a spacious room, but its TV didn’t work. They said they’d contact a repairman, then never got back to me. It seems you check out by leaving your key on the desk, so staff are only around when you arrive. There was no housekeeping either. To ask staff anything, you have to get their personal social media accounts and message in English or Chinese. The first-floor restaurant stayed open late, and noise from drunk customers often kept me awake.