Monday, September 5, 2016

Top Rated Budget Hotels in Singapore

These are among some of the highly rated hotels in Singapore that are affordable, clean, safe and in easily accessible locations. They are suitable for people looking for budget accommodations that come with generally clean rooms. All reviews were by people who actually stayed in the hotels and are from different parts of the world. 

Venue Hotel The Lily

Average Rating: 7.5
Number of rooms: 100



REVIEWS

Negative:
Location is very confusing for the taxi drivers as there is another Venue Hotel 5 min away and the lift was not working the day we arrived. Not near any MRT stations.

Positive:
The hotel has a very helpful staff and is clean and comfortable.

Rating: 7.1
Pinky, Fiji


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Negative:
The lighting is insufficient for getting make up on using the mirror. I took two different rooms and the first one had shower space open which made the toilet floor stay wet.

Positive:
Location is close to many shops for trying local cuisine. 112 Katong Mall is only 15 min away and the Parkway Parade mall is only 20 min walking distance which are all v good for food and shopping.

Rating: 9.2
Tazia,  Bangladesh

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Fragrance Hotel – Crystal

Average Rating: 7.4
Number of rooms: 125



REVIEWS

Negative:
Heads up: this hotel is situated in the red light district.

Positive:
Friendly and helpful staff, especially housekeeping! Very clean rooms. Different kinds of plugs in the room, didn't need adapter. Close to bus stop, easy to take bus or MRT to all parts of the city.

Rating: 9.6
Caroline, Sweden

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Negative:
- Wifi was free but I was a bit nervous signing in where it said it cost.  True to word the hotel didn't charge me. 
- I really liked the location as lots of good cheap food and very nice local feel to it, and only about ten mins walk from train station which was dead easy to get everywhere from, however I think it may be an adult entertainment area - saying this it was pretty discreet if it was as still not certain.

Positive:
Awesome staff - when I was looking shattered with my backpack they gave me an extra bottle of water - much needed.  The hotel was just like in the pics and the shower was good :) we got a small discount as last minute but would happily paid full price.  Toothbrush and toothpaste provided.  Very clean and friendly cleaning staff.

Rating: 9.6
Jennifer, United Kingdom

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 Venue Hotel

Average Rating: 7.3
Number of rooms: 81



 REVIEWS

Negative:
I had to stay longer in the morning as I needed to catch my flight in the evening, but, sleeping was a bit difficult with sounds going through the door. But, the walls are good sound insulator.

Positive:
Lots of hawkers nearby and lots of different kinds of food to choose from. The buildings around the hotels are really colorful and unique. There's also a shopping mall called 112 nearby. The staff of the hotel are really friendly and helpful. They called me to remind me of the checkout time.

Rating: 8.8
Xavyer, Czech Republic

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Negative:
None

Positive:
Front office staff were very hospitable especially the 2-night shift staff, Fazrul and Nicky. They were very helpful with the Wifi Connection, Booking of Taxi and even lending an umbrella when I needed to walk in the rain.

Rating: 9.6
Lj, Indonesia



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 Fragrance Hotel – Sapphire

Average Rating: 7.2
Number of rooms: 50




REVIEWS

Negative:
The only downside is the room maids. Helps if she vacuums floors every day and top up more sugars, coffees and cream. Other than that they fantastic.

Positive:
The staff are very helpful and friendly. The rooms comfortable and the location is very close to airport and convenience shops and eateries.

Rating: 8.3
Suriati, Australia

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Negative:
Have to reset internet every 24 hours.

Positive:
Although compact, the room had all the amenities we needed.
Many restaurants in the area. Good public transport options close to hotel.

Rating: 7.5
Rudolph, Thailand

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Fragrance Hotel – Ruby

Average Rating: 7.2
Number of rooms: 168



REVIEWS

Negative:
The bathroom could have been a little cleaner (Hairs on the floor that definitely weren't mine). I think my room was probably a bit small for more than one person (or two people happy to be underfoot)/for longer stays.

Positive:
Room was mostly clean and tidy, and had all of the things needed for a short stay (water, tea/coffee supplies, comfy bed, TV, a private bathroom). The bed was comfortable, and whilst the room was small, there was enough room for luggage and to move about. Plenty of really cheap places to eat within a couple minutes of walking - the whole area was vibrant, and very interesting (and safe) to walk around day and night. Despite how busy it was, I couldn't really hear too much noise in my room. I would say that for the price, this is great for a budget stay, or if you just need a place for the night (as I did).

Rating: 8.3
Rebecca, Australia

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Negative:
You should be aware that the room isn't much bigger than the bed is. So with two pieces of luggage in there it's nearly no space left.
One day a group of people on the same floor ate durian fruits in their rooms. The smell all around was so disgusting that we hardly could sleep. Of course that's not the fault of the hotel...

Positive:
The location is "in between" the airport and the city center, connected by the green east-west MRT line. Just buy a tourist pass at the airport and you will have no problems with transportation.
We liked the small water heater with tea and instant coffee in our room. Everything was very clean and looked quite new.
For Singapore the hotel has quite a good price-value-ratio.

Rating: 8.8
Andreas, United States




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Saturday, September 3, 2016

Reviews of Top Rated Budget Hotels in Johore Bahru (JB), Malaysia – Walking Distance to Causeway

Reviews of the top rated and relatively inexpensive hotels in Johore Bahru (JB), Malaysia. Special attempts were made to focus more on those within the city center with easy and quick access to the Causeway linking Malaysia to Singapore. All reviews were independently submitted by people from around the world who actually were guests in these hotels.

While there certainly are quite a few other better rated hotels in Johore Bahru, the list chosen below are confined only to those that can be easily reached by walking from the Immigration checkpoint on the Malaysian side of the Causeway link to Singapore. There were cases when four-stars hotels in the selected list being dropped when their averaging ratings drop too drastically. 



The Puteri Pacific Johor Bahru

Average Rating:      7.5

Number of Rooms:  500



REVIEWS

Negative:
Although the hotel area is very near to the City Square Mall, but because of the construction u have to walk much further distance... :(

Positive:
The room is beautiful and clean and the most important is i love the toilet! 2 showering area (standing and bath tub) everything is good the food was nice! Many Varieties types of food from Malay food (nasi lemak), Indian food (prata n curry), Chinese food and salad plus slices of beef/ham and the hotcakes and delicious pastries! yum! The services were good! The stuffs were very friendly! Keep it up!

~ Rating:  7.5
~ Nurul, Singapore

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Negative: 
Room cleanliness could be improved i.e. edges around bathroom and shower curtain a bit mouldy at the bottom. Unfortunately, cigarette smoke permeated non-smoking part of the restaurant.

Positive: 
Value for money. Excellent food
at the hotels D'Coast Restaurant and pleasant entertainment.... enjoyable. Very
friendly & helpful hotel and restaurant staff. Despite the aspects we did
not like, would we come again? Yes, booked on line and got real value.

~ Rating:  8.3
~ Pierre, Australia

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Belllo Hotel JB Central


Average Rating:      8.4

Number of Rooms:  49



REVIEWS

Negative: 
The  surroundings of the hotel.

Positive: 
The room was very clean and the bed was comfortable. It was easy to walk to the border crossing.
City Square shopping mall was in walking distance.
Friendly service.

~ Rating:  7.9
~ Kirsi, Finland

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Negative: 
None

Positive: 
Strategic location : 5 mins walk to nearest mall ( City Square & Komtar JBCC ).
New building with unique design.
Facilities in a good condition.
Fast check in / check out process.
Receptionist willing to help me to print my boarding pass flight.
Security guard stay in front of hotel, not worry to come back at night

Rating: 9.2
Shahrul, Malaysia

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Negative: 
Some noise caused by guests.

Positive: 
Located near shopping malls and station.
Very friendly staff.
Clean.
Everything worked.
Comfortable bed.
Quite Aircon.

Rating: 10
Michael, Australia

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Citrus Hotel Johor Bahru

Average Rating:        6.6
Number of Rooms:  125




REVIEWS

Negative: 
The first morning of our stay, the hotel was run of water but they fixed it the next day. Plus need more cleanliness, the floor seems have never been vacuumed.

Positive:
The room is big, comfort bed. Great location, very close to JB Sentral
checkpoint, and lots of street foods near the hotel.

~ Rating: 6.7
~ Fhitria, Indonesia

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Negative:
1. Finding a lizard in our room.
2. One of the windows could not be shut completely.
3. Pillows were pathetic -- I woke up with a stiff neck.
4. Staff at the reception during check-in was not the friendliest (he even gave me an unhappy side glance of the eye even when it was him who was confusing me). Check-in staff could have been more knowledgeable.
5. Walls/doors are thin -- you can actually hear what's going on in the next room. However, if you fall asleep quickly like me -- it won't be an issue.
6. Although there are signs everywhere to say no smoking, the whole hotel/floor smells of it.

Positive:
1. I LOVED that this hotel is literally at the doorstep of the Malaysian customs, and that facilitated this whole trip.
2. I LOVED that this hotel was next door to both City Square and Komtar (which meant that we literally could drop our bags of shopping when we got too tired, and start shopping all over again). That’s actually what we did.
3. There is also a 24-hour Indian stall for your supper fix!
4. Kudos to the security staff who came by our room to catch a lizard. We were upgraded to a "suite", but you can see from the picture, what that meant.
5. I must say that the bathroom was huge AND CLEAN (which gets good points from me). Overall room was also clean.
6. Breakfast choices were more than sufficient -- from pasta to fried rice to toast and fruits.
7. Free wifi
8. As we were an all-ladies group, it is important to note that we felt safe during our one night stay (something that I think money can't buy).
For the price you pay, this is decent, especially if this is going to be a room where you are just going to rest for the night from all that shopping. Top quality is the location.

~ Rating: 7.1
~ Shehnas, Singapore

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Baguss City Hotel

Average Rating:        7.1
Number of Rooms:  261




REVIEWS

Negative:
Major construction was underway during time of visit, my room was facing the construction workers hostel, dirty n sight to behold.

Positive:
The hotel was infront of shopping mall.

~ Rating: 6.3
~ Saadi, Malaysia

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Negative:
The hotel requires a deposit of rm50. Could just do off with the deposit. Only one proximity card was issued and it was not usable.

Positive:
Breakfast were of local flavor. There's even an egg station where the staff prepare fresh scramble or sunny egg for you.

~ Rating: 5.8
~ Edison, Singapore





Top 5 Boutique Hotels for Formula One Singapore

Top Pick of Boutique Hotels for Formula One Singapore


The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore

Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore offers luxurious accommodation within a 10-minute walk from the Raffles Place MRT Station. Offering free Wi-Fi and free parking, it boasts a rooftop landscaped pool and great rooftop bar. The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore is a 25-minute drive from Changi International Airport and an 8-minute drive from the night-life area of Clarke Quay.

The very spacious rooms at Hotel Fullerton Bay feature classy rosewood and chrome textures and floor-to-ceiling windows. Each room is fitted with an iPod dock and Nespresso coffee machine. En-suite bathrooms offer a bathtub and feature Molton Brown toiletries.




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The Forest by Wangz

Located in the heart of Singapore, this boutique aparthotel is within 5 minutes of City Square Mall, National Orchid Garden, and Peranakan Museum. National Museum of Singapore and Raffles City are also within walking distance. All 38 individually furnished apartments provide free WiFi, free wired Internet, and DVD players. Guests will find kitchenettes with refrigerators, stovetops, and microwaves.




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Klapsons The Boutique Hotel

Located just 5 minutes by foot away from the Tanjong Pagar MRT Station, Klapsons Boutique Hotel will impress anyone right from the start due to its easy accessibility to transport and places of interest.

Foodies should also be excited about the location of the hotel: there are great stretches of food hunts just a stone’s throw away from the hotel – the famous Maxwell Food Centre, and China Town Food Market and several shopping malls and F&B outlets are all nearby.






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Lloyd's Inn

If there ever was an Instagram-themed hotel, this would be it. Lloyd's Inn is undoubtedly among the hottest new boutique hotels in Singapore. Trying to make a reservation for most weekends is often not to be taken for granted.

Lloyd's inn has a very light, minimalist style environment with a fantastic location - they're located a 10 minutes’ walk from the Sommerset MRT. Prices are very reasonable with their super beautiful skyroom being just $250. Just remember to book in advance because rooms are often sold out.






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Studio M Hotel

Conceptualized and conceived by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Studio M Hotel is Singapore's first fully loft-inspired designer-hotel where style and functionality are key. Created as a solution for those seeking an urban sanctuary in one of Asia’s most exciting cities, Studio M is the natural habitat for the adventurous, industrious, and discerning cosmopolitan traveler. Savvy and chic, the hotel’s design sensibilities exude stylish comfort, privacy and technological connectivity.








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Review of Top Boutique Hotels in Hanoi Vietnam

Reviews of the top boutique hotels in Hanoi, Vietnam. These were independently submitted by people from around the world who actually were guests in these hotels. The hotels are also in the center of the city; the Old Quarters.


Oriental Suites Hotel & Spa

Average Rating: 9.5
42 rooms


REVIEWS:

The location is central to all the shopping in the Old Quarter and the hotel is very new and clean. We get new set of fruits and snacks every day and the bed is comfy too. The noises on the streets cannot be heard from the hotel rooms. The staff even helped us buy tickets to the water puppet show and made all the reservations at the different restaurants for us; complimentary & excellent service!
The massage and facial at the spa was perfect too.

The breakfast choices are good too; small buffet selection of 5-6 Vietnamese & international dishes & fruits plus ala carte orders of sandwiches, pancakes, egg omelets, pho, etc.
The hospitality and the attention from the staffs is highly commendable. They could remember our names the moment we stepped out of the lifts and remember the requests we made without us telling them our room number; simply amazing!

And on the day of checkout, we were even gifted with coffee powder and the Vietnamese coffee drip cup. We would definitely stay again when we return!

~ Rating: 10
~  Moguin, Singapore

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We loved everything during our stay at Oriental Suites. The staff is extremely nice and cares about everything we need, the service is outstanding (for the checking in, out for the breakfast, for arranging a taxi to go to museum & airport, for allowing us an early checking in after a long flight from Paris, and giving us an upgrade for the last two days). The rooms (with or without window are comfortable with large bed and modern bathroom. The breakfast is very good (large choice). We used the laundry service and it was  quick and well done. Lastly the hotel is well located is the old Hanoi, close to restaurants etc.. I recommend this hotel when staying in Hanoi!! (Excellent price for value)

~ Rating: 9.6
~ Karena75, France



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Hanoi Emerald Waters Hotel & Spa

Average Rating: 9.7
50 rooms



REVIEWS:

Everything about the hotel is great!
A group of 4 Irish girls on the last leg of our trip through South East Asia.
The staff were amazing! Bruce and his team went above and beyond to help make our trip amazing! Bruce helped us book an amazing trip to Halong Bay tailored to our needs- it completely exceeded our expectations. He was also able to recommend a local tailor for us to get dress made within 24 hours.
The hotel itself was beautiful- we loved it from the minute we walked in.
If we are ever back in Hanoi we will definitely book there again!

Rating: 10
Kelly, Ireland

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The negative points - because of the great and central location, it tends to be noisy in the morning and the room was on the smaller side if we had to be picky!

The positive points - The room was tastefully decorated, cleaned daily, extremely clean.
The staff went out of their way to converse with us, super friendly and organized well priced shuttle to airport for us.
Buffet breakfast included and great variety and quality.
Many thanks to the staff especially Thi (Tommy) & Bruce for looking after us

Rating: 9.2
Simone, New Zealand


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Golden Sun Moment Hotel

Average Rating: 9.4
16 rooms



REVIEWS:

The room was stylish and comfortable, the breakfast was fresh, tasty and healthy, with a lot of choice. The hotel was in a perfect location and was easy to find the best parts of the city from there. But best of all were the staff, who were friendly, helpful and genuinely kind. I felt that they couldn't do enough to help me; when my wallet got stolen they were sensitive, pragmatic and made me feel like everything was under control. They even didn't charge me for a new room key and offered to post me the cards that were found internationally! Can't stress enough how amazing they were! Would go back any time and would recommend anyone to give Golden Moment a visit!

~ Rating: 10
~ Lana, United Kingdom

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- located in the heart of Old Quarter
- most landmarks are within walking distance, even if not, within US$1-2 taxi ride
- helpful and friendly staff
- Bia Hoi Junction is only a 5 minutes walking distance away
- great breakfast (you can order as many dishes as you want if you wish)
- view from our room balcony!

~ Rating: 10
~ Aya, Japan

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Hanoi Glance Hotel

Average Rating: 9.4
31 rooms


REVIEWS:

Didn't like the road at front, always cluttered with motor bikes and on one occasion two vans and motorbikes blocked the entrance. I couldn't get to the front door. Fridge didn't keep things cold so couldn't buy extra beers and keep them in there, which was a bit disappointing. More for show.

The staff always had a smile and ready to help. The suite was a good size with a balcony at a reasonable price. Breakfast was always good and plenty of variety. Rooms where very quiet, couldn't hear street noise on 5th floor.

~ Tim, Australia
~ Rating: 9.6

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The hospitality at the Glance Hotel was the best of anywhere I've traveled to in SE Asia, New Zealand, Iceland and Spain.  Everyone was wonderful and made the stay so enjoyable!  Michael in particular went way above and beyond to help me after my phone was stolen (at the night market, not near hotel) by taking me to the police station twice and helping to fill out the forms for me and translate to the officers.  The location of the hotel itself was great, the breakfast had a lot of options and the staff overall is wonderful.  I'll definitely stay here again on my next trip to Hanoi.  Thanks!

~ Parker, United States
~ Rating: 10


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Hanoi Elegance Emerald Hotel

Average Rating: 9.6
21 rooms


REVIEWS:


Beautiful hotel in a perfect location!! This is the best hotel I have stayed in the whole of Vietnam.
The staff and service was beyond exceptional, so so caring and helpful. I was unwell and they put together a takeaway breakfast for me. My fellow travelers said that the FREE breakfast was superb.
The room was very very clean, has wonderful extras, and the beds were insanely comfortable.
I can't rave more about this hotel and I would definitely stay again next time I'm in Hanoi. Can't beat it!!
Thank you again
Jessie Newton

~ Rating: 10
~ Jessie, New Zealand

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This hotel couldn't get much better!

We have stayed at Elegance Emerald several times over a 9 day period. The hotel is well located in the Old Quarter, beautifully clean & comfortable and serves a wonderful buffet breakfast. The hotel staff are outstanding, from  the cleaning staff, the chef, the young men on the door, the wonderful desk staff & the manager Mr Thuc. All those working in Reception could not be more helpful, knowledgable and friendly. We highly recommend this hotel.

~ Rating: 10

~ Duncan, Australia