Hotel 81 Palace

This hotel is consistently praised for its recent renovations, modern aesthetic, and exceptional cleanliness, offering a functional and comfortable stay. Its signature feature is providing a high-value, no-frills experience in a bustling urban environment. The hotel is particularly well-suited for budget travelers, solo travelers, and those on short stays or layovers who prioritize affordability and a clean base. Business travelers and couples seeking a convenient and well-maintained accommodation will also find it appealing. To enhance your stay, guests recommend utilizing the extensive public transport network for city exploration and considering bringing earplugs if sensitive to noise, as some rooms may experience sound from corridors.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests generally find the hotel's facilities functional and well-maintained. The air conditioning is effective, though some guests noted it could be loud or difficult to regulate to a comfortable temperature. Wi-Fi connectivity is generally strong and reliable, allowing guests to stay connected, although a few experienced intermittent issues. Rooms are equipped with a kettle, a safe, and a hairdryer, adding to guest convenience. A unique and highly appreciated feature is the filtered drinking water tap available in the bathrooms, providing easy access to potable water. Most rooms feature a television, which some guests found large and modern, though a few noted difficulty with operation or limited English channels. Many guests mentioned the absence of a refrigerator in the rooms, which was a notable inconvenience for some.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for its cleanliness and modern appearance, with many guests describing rooms as spotless, tidy, and well-decorated following recent renovations. However, the small room size is a consistent point of feedback, with many guests finding them compact and offering limited space for movement or luggage, making it challenging to open large suitcases. While some guests found the beds comfortable, others described them as hard beds or noted issues with flat pillows. The bathroom design, often a wet room style where the shower, toilet, and sink are in a single, unscreened area, means everything gets wet during showering, which some found inconvenient. Noise insulation is a recurring concern, with many guests reporting corridor noise and sounds from other guests or even the air conditioning noise impacting their sleep.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel does not offer breakfast services, which is a common point noted by guests. However, this is largely mitigated by the hotel's location, which is surrounded by an abundance of local eateries and hawker markets. Guests consistently praise the wide variety of food options available within a short walking distance, ranging from cheap local fare to diverse international cuisines, making it easy to find meals at any time. Many appreciate the convenience of nearby snack bars and supermarkets. The in-room coffee and tea provisions are typically limited to single-serving 3-in-1 packets, which some guests found insufficient or not to their preference.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is a significant aspect of guest feedback. It is conveniently situated within a 5 to 15-minute walk to an MRT station and very close to numerous bus stops, providing excellent access to public transportation for exploring the city. While not in the immediate city center, guests find it easy to reach major attractions within 20-30 minutes by train. The neighborhood is frequently identified as a red-light district, which initially concerned some guests, particularly solo female travelers. However, most guests reported feeling safe and found the area to be vibrant and authentic, with no issues encountered. The area is also lauded for its plentiful eateries and shops, offering diverse and affordable dining and shopping options. Parking is available and often noted as ample and free for guests.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high praise for being exceptionally friendly staff, helpful, and professional. Guests frequently highlight their willingness to assist with various requests, including providing directions, helping with taxi bookings, and printing documents. The check-in and check-out processes are described as quick check-in and smooth check-out, contributing to a positive arrival and departure experience. While most feedback on housekeeping is positive, noting daily room making and fresh towels, some guests mentioned minor inconsistencies like un-swept floors or un-changed coffee cups. The availability of luggage storage before check-in and after check-out is a highly valued service, and many guests appreciated being offered early check-in when rooms were available.

Additional Information
A notable and frequently appreciated feature of the hotel is the filtered drinking water tap located in the bathrooms, providing a convenient and eco-friendly source of potable water for guests. The hotel is widely regarded as a budget-friendly option, offering excellent value for money in a city known for its high accommodation costs. Guests often recommend it for its affordability combined with its clean, modern facilities. The hotel's policy regarding identification for check-in was a point of confusion for a few guests, though this appears to be an isolated issue.