Filthy hotels tarnish Singapore's reputation

• Clivebenss

  12 Feb 11, 11:15

  Feb 12, 2011 - ST Forum

  IT IS hard to believe that in modern-day Singapore, which prides itself on world-class infrastructure, amenities and facilities, there are still cases of dirty hotels ("Two S'pore hotels named and shamed"; Wednesday).

  There is simply no excuse for not maintaining the cleanliness of rooms. If the previous user had dirtied the room, the onus lies on the hotel staff to ensure that the room is hospitable and comfortable for the next guest.

  If hotels are poorly maintained, there is a higher possibility of diseases being passed on to guests. Dirty hotel rooms also tarnish the clean image of our country.

  The relevant authorities, such as the Singapore Tourism Board, should conduct annual checks and audits of hotels. Those that fail to meet hygiene or safety standards should be warned and put on probation.

  This would at least ensure that anyone who stays in Singapore hotels can enjoy a pleasant experience.

  Victor Looi

• Clivebenss

  12 Feb 11, 11:18

  Feb 9, 2011 - Straits Times
  

  In Pictures: 2 Singapore hotels Asia's dirtiest?

  By Mavis Toh

  
  

  THE walls are stained and with bits of paint peeling off. A thick layer of dust cakes the top of the air-conditioner. The light in the toilet has a single bulb with its wires showing.

  Such scenes are such a common sight at Goldkist Beach Resort - a group of chalets in East Coast Park - that it topped travel site TripAdvisor's 2011 list of Top 10 dirtiest hotels in Asia last month.

  Last year, Goldkist was ranked third on the list.

  Another Singapore hotel, The Aspinals Hotel at Syed Alwi Road, took third place on this year's list. It is a new entrant to the infamous list.

  Interior designer Ivan Yeo, 30, a Singaporean who had rented a double-storey room at Goldkist with some colleagues, said yesterday: 'They said the room has been renovated but just take a look, it's terrible.' He also pointed to a broken stool and a faulty shower.

  There are 190 rooms at Goldkist that cost between $108 and $228 a night, more than double what some budget hotels charge.