The garden hotel

You know what? I wasn’t expecting much when I first pulled up to The Garden Hotel – honestly, the name made it sound like one of those generic places you’d find anywhere. But there’s something genuinely charming about this 3-star spot that kind of sneaks up on you. The entrance actually does have this lovely little garden area (hence the name, I guess), and I mean, it’s not going to win any landscaping awards, but there’s something refreshing about seeing actual greenery instead of just concrete and glass when you walk in.

The lobby has this lived-in feeling that I actually prefer to those sterile chain hotels – you can tell real people stay here, not just business travelers passing through. Check-in was pretty smooth, though the front desk staff seemed a bit overwhelmed during the evening rush when I arrived. The room itself was clean and honestly more spacious than I expected for a 3-star place. Sure, the furniture’s seen better days and the bathroom could use some updating, but everything worked fine and the bed was surprisingly comfortable. What I really appreciated was how quiet it got at night – you know how some hotels you can hear every door slam and conversation in the hallway? Not really an issue here.

The 7.4 rating makes total sense to me because this isn’t a place that’s trying to be something it’s not. It’s solid, reliable accommodation without any pretense. The housekeeping staff actually seemed to care about their work, which you notice in little details like how they arranged the towels and made sure the coffee setup was properly stocked. I stayed during what felt like a busy period, but the elevators weren’t constantly packed and I never had trouble getting hot water. Look, if you’re expecting a spa experience or fancy restaurant downstairs, you’ll be disappointed. But if you want a clean, comfortable place to sleep that won’t break the bank and has staff who seem to actually work there (not just show up for a paycheck), this place delivers. The garden area is actually nice to sit in during quieter morning hours with coffee – there are a few tables tucked between the plants that most people seem to miss.