Comoros Hotel Nightmare: BKK Connectivity Test EXPOSED! (Hotel 21)
Comoros Hotel Nightmare: BKK Connectivity Test EXPOSED! (Hotel 21) - Buckle Up, Buttercups! (A REALLY Honest Review)
Alright, folks, let's dive headfirst into the… well, let's call it interesting experience that is Hotel 21 in Bangkok. This ain’t your polished travel blog, this is the real deal, unfiltered and probably still smelling faintly of chlorine. And, yes, the "Comoros Hotel Nightmare" part is a slight exaggeration… mostly.
Seriously. I had to go to the Comoros Islands after this. Kidding! (Mostly.)
SEO Blitz! Keywords, Keywords, Keywords!
Before the fun begins (and trust me, it does get fun), let’s hit some of those juicy keywords. This "review" will be a thorough exploration of Hotel 21's: accessibility, wheelchair accessible, internet access, free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, spa, cleanliness, dining, restaurants, room service, services, security, non-smoking rooms, air conditioning, breakfast, taxi service, airport transfer, and more! We're covering it all!
First Impressions (and the Initial Panic)
The website promised a haven. The reality… well, let's just say it was a tad more "lived in." Finding the place was a fun adventure, involving a sweaty taxi ride (thank goodness for the taxi service), a few bewildered looks, and a distinct feeling of being on the verge of a breakdown. I think the airport transfer was offered, but I was so lost in the existential dread of arriving in a new country that I've blocked it out.
Getting In & Around: Accessibility & Elevator Adventures!
Okay, accessibility. This is where things get… complicated. They say they have facilities for disabled guests, and I saw an elevator. But whether it was fully wheelchair accessible remains debatable. It looked like it should be, but navigating the front entrance with luggage and barely functioning brain cells was a challenge in itself. The lack of obvious ramping was a bit of a concern. (I'm not using a wheelchair, but I’m thinking about the folks who are.) Exterior corridor access didn't help, as the hotel's design was weird.
Room Shenanigans: The WiFi Wars & Comfort Levels
Entering the room… Ah, the room! It was… a room. The air conditioning blasted like a hurricane, and the free Wi-Fi, the most crucial part of my job, was the first test. And, folks, it FAILED. Miserably. I had internet access – wireless… sometimes. It was like playing digital roulette. I'd connect, get a sliver of hope… then poof! Gone. The Internet [LAN] option was there, but I didn’t have the right adapter. This was the “BKK Connectivity Test” part, remember? It was failing HARD.
I spent a good chunk of the first day wrestling with my laptop, muttering obscenities and trying to get a signal. The complimentary tea and the free bottled water became my emotional support system. Blackout curtains were a lifesaver (and pretty much essential after the wifi struggles). At least the desk was a decent size for a makeshift office.
The non-smoking rooms was a plus, because my lungs and the smell of cigarettes are not fans. There was a safe box, which was comforting to see after all that… I had a private bathroom, and the shower worked (hot water, praise the Gods!), although the layout was a bit… tight. I saw bathrobes! I didn't use them, but they were there.
One thing the room did not have was world-class acoustic insulation. With soundproofing rated as a C-, it was a constant white-noise symphony of door slams, conversations, and the distant hum of Bangkok. The alarm clock was a lie; My phone managed to wake me up.
Food Glorious Food (Mostly): Restaurants, Dining and Near-Death Experiences
Alright, the most important part of travel: Dining. The restaurants at Hotel 21 offer up a mix bag of options. There was the main restaurant, which had the promised Asian cuisine in restaurant, and international cuisine in restaurant. The breakfast [buffet] was a mixed bag, maybe because I arrived late. The Asian breakfast selection looked… interesting. Let's say I stuck to the toast and jam. There was also a coffee shop, which was a godsend for caffeine addicts (like me).
They had room service [24-hour]. The burger was… well, it was a burger. No Michelin stars, but edible when starving. Salad in restaurant, soup in restaurant, was, again, fine. Vegetarian restaurant: Check. Western cuisine in restaurant: Double-check. I didn't try a dish there with the expectation of fine dining. Bottle of water was delivered daily, which was a very nice gesture. The poolside bar looked inviting, though I didn't actually partake. I spent most of my time trying to get the damn Wi-Fi to work.
Relaxation (Or, How I Spent My Time Avoiding the WiFi)
The swimming pool was a definite highlight. It was clean, and offered a great view – a nice respite from the digital torture. There was the spa/sauna, which I definitely used to unwind and calm myself. The massage service was… okay. Maybe I’m used to something else. There was a gym/fitness, but I didn’t have the heart.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Tale of Two Sanitizers
Okay, let's talk about the important stuff in the post-pandemic world. Cleanliness and safety were taken seriously. I saw hand sanitizer everywhere! Daily disinfection in common areas. Though, one could argue the room wasn't cleaned as thoroughly as I'm used to. The staff seemed trained in safety protocol. The rooms sanitized between stays seemed to be the case, so that's a plus! I saw the first aid kit. The fire extinguisher was in place, which, again, is a win.
Services & Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Completely Random
They do have a convenience store. There was a luggage storage space. The elevator worked. The front desk [24-hour] staff, bless their hearts, were friendly. Then there was the almost-too-many options: dry cleaning, laundry service, ironing service -- they were there, if you wanted them. I didn’t.
Bottom Line: Should You Book? (My Honest, Messy Verdict)
Look, Hotel 21 is not a flawless paradise. But I didn’t die. It’s a decent option if you're on a budget and don't need a super-luxurious experience. The location isn't the greatest, but you can make it work (after a few existential crises).
The PROS:
- The swimming pool is great for a relaxing dip
- Friendly Staff
- Free Wi-Fi eventually (maybe?)
- Central location
- Affordable
- Rooms that meet the minimum to be livable
The CONS:
- Spotty Wi-Fi, which is a dealbreaker for digital nomads like me!
- Rooms could use a little TLC.
- Accessibility can be improved.
- The breakfast is… well, let's just say it’s not worth rushing for.
THE BIG OFFER: (Because Everyone Loves a Deal!)
Want to experience the "charm" of Hotel 21 for yourself? Here's the deal!
SPECIAL OFFER: Get 15% OFF Your Stay PLUS a FREE Wi-Fi Booster!
That's right! Book your stay at Hotel 21 through this review, and we'll give you a sweet deal! We’ll make sure the free Wi-Fi works this time with a special booster in your room. (Or maybe we’ll replace it!)
Here's What You Get:
- 15% OFF your entire stay.
- FREE Wi-Fi Booster to counter the internet issues. (Maybe. Fingers crossed!)
- A chance to laugh at my misfortune… and maybe even have a few of your own.
How to Claim Your Offer:
- Click the link below (I’m not putting a link here because this is for demonstration purposes, but in an actual review, I would) and book your stay at Hotel 21.
- Use the promo code "BANGKOKADVENTURE" at checkout.
- Prepare yourself for an adventure! (In the best way possible… hopefully.)
Note: This is a limited-time offer, so book now! And hey, if you see me there, buy me a beer. I'll need it. I’m pretty sure there’s a bar.
**Hotel 21. You've been
Escape to Johor Bahru: 62-JY's Amazing Austin Regency Getaway!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. We're going to "BKK Connectivity Test Hotel 21" – which sounds super exciting, right? (Spoiler: it probably isn't). And then… Comoros. Yeah, the real island nation, which if you're like me, probably comes with a vague notion of "somewhere in Africa, maybe?" Let's get real. And let's not book anything in "Test City." Got it.
BKK Connectivity Test Hotel 21: "Arrival in the Land of Questionable Wi-Fi and Unclear Purposes"
(Day 1: The Abyss of the Unknown)
- 7:00 AM (ish): Wake up, because the internal clock, after a ridiculous red-eye flight, is a fickle beast. Scream into pillow about the jetlag, because it is already hitting hard. Consider ordering room service and thinking this time change is what's making me feel so weird.
- 7:30 AM: Attempt to find the "breakfast" offered. I’m picturing a sad croissant and a suspiciously yellow fruit salad at this "BKK Connectivity Test Hotel 21." Seriously, what even is this place? Is it a hotel? An alien testing ground? I have a sinking feeling it could be both.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast (if I'm brave). The croissant is sad, the fruit salad is yellow. But the coffee is… well, at least it exists. I'm going to try to not think about the mysterious origin of the food.
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Connectivity Test. My mission, should I choose to accept it (I have no choice), is to test the Wi-Fi. Prepare for the internet's potential to be slow and my rage to rise. Try to download an episode of something to distract me from the feeling of being trapped in this place
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: "Hotel Exploration." Walk around the hotel. Document. Look for hidden clues or the emergency exit. I'm prepared to find absolutely nothing, which is probably an accurate prediction. I bet it's more unsettling than anything else. Maybe I'll run into the front desk lady. I have a feeling her name is Brenda.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Hopefully something that’s not from the same kitchen that provided the breakfast.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: "Daydreaming about Comoros." Start vaguely researching Comoros. Probably a good idea, since that's the destination. Google Maps time. Get a mental image of beaches, landscapes, and the general vibe. I'll probably get distracted by something shiny on Pinterest.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Consider exploring the surrounding area. But let's be honest, at this point, I'd rather be stuck inside the hotel.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Then, a long, drawn-out shower to wash away the general "BKK Connectivity Test Hotel 21" feeling.
- 7:00 PM - onwards: Collapse into a state of exhaustion, try to catch a movie. The Wi-Fi will probably fail. I'll attempt to sleep.
(Day 2: A Comoros-Shaped Glimmer of Hope. Sort Of)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up again. Jetlag strikes back even harder.
- Morning: Repeat breakfast and the Wi-Fi torture test. The internet will probably be worse, or perhaps the same level of terrible.
- 11:00 AM: "Departure" from BKK Connectivity Test Hotel 21. I escaped! I'm free! (Hopefully).
- Transportation: Flight to the real airport? Pray that my boarding pass isn't a fake.
- Afternoon: Arrival in Comoros. (The real Comoros! Excitement begins!). Find my accommodation. Find a real coffee. Get a local mobile SIM card.
- Evening: Wander. Soak in the sights. Maybe I’ll trip over something and stumble in the dark. I'm sure something will go wrong because it always does.
Comoros: "The Real Deal (Hopefully Not Literally)"
(Day 3: Coastal Chaos and the Search for Paradise)
- Morning: Wake up in Comoros! (Yay!). Find the beach. Try to get some early morning swim.
- Late Morning: Start exploring the Comoros. Depending on where I am, I'll try to visit any potential places -- a tiny market to experience the local culture, a walk through the town, etc.
- Afternoon: Lunch at a small restaurant. Attempt to communicate with the locals. Hopefully, I can use my limited French.
- Evening: Watch the sunset.
(Day 4: The Volcanic Heartbeat and the Battle with the Beast)
- Morning: A day trip to somewhere. Maybe a hike, maybe another town. More research needed.
- Afternoon Try to get some local food.
- Evening. Prepare for the next travel.
(Day 5: Farewell (Maybe) and the Return to Reality)
- Morning: One last walk. One last look at the sea.
- Afternoon: Departure.
- Evening: Travel.
(The Truth: It's All About the Unexpected)
Real talk? Life's messy, and travel is even messier. This itinerary is a suggestion, a skeletal framework for adventure. The best moments aren't planned – they're the spontaneous ones. The wrong turns, the language barriers, the unexpected encounters… THOSE are the stories.
So, embrace the chaos. Expect the unexpected. And try not to be too disappointed if the Wi-Fi at the BKK Connectivity Test Hotel 21 is actually, truly, ridiculously awful. After all, you'll have a story to tell, won't you? And that's all that matters.
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Comoros Hotel Nightmare: BKK Connectivity Test EXPOSED! (Hotel 21) - You HAVE to Hear This!
Okay, Spill! What *Exactly* Went Down at Hotel 21 in Comoros? Did the "BKK Connectivity Test" Doom Us All?
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. This wasn't just a bad hotel experience, it was… well, it was a thing. Picture this: Comoros, a name whispered in hushed tones of tropical paradise. I was there on a supposed work trip (more like a semi-vacation, let's be honest). And Hotel 21? Supposedly the best option. Yeah, right. The “BKK Connectivity Test”… well, I’m not entirely sure what that even *is*, but apparently it was supposed to magically guarantee internet connectivity. Ha! It was a phantom, a unicorn, a goddamn lie. The internet was slower than a sloth on tranquilizers. Trying to send a simple email could take, like... a week? I swear I aged a decade just trying to upload a single picture!
Let's Talk Details: The Rooms? The Food? The Staff? Were They *All* In Cahoots to Drive Us Insane?
Oh, the rooms! Where do I even begin? Picture a room that looked like it hadn’t been updated since the fall of the Berlin Wall. The air conditioning wheezed like a chain smoker with emphysema. And the "view"? Let's just say it was a spectacular panorama of... the back of another building, complete with a questionable assortment of laundry flapping in the breeze. The food… oh, the food. Let's just say I lost about five pounds from a combination of starvation and the sheer terror of eating anything that looked vaguely edible. And the staff? Bless their hearts, they *tried*. But they seemed to be running on Comorian time, which moves at a speed only slightly faster than that internet. I asked for extra towels three times. Three times! I think they may have forgotten. Or maybe they ran out of them entirely? This is Hotel 21 after all.
The Truth (And Possibly the Lies): I asked to switch rooms and was told 'no'. I thought 'no' was a universal concept? Maybe not!
Okay, But What *Specifically* Went Wrong with the Internet? Was It Just Slower than Molasses?
Slower than molasses? Honey, you’re talking about the *universe* of molasses. It was like trying to stream a movie over a dial-up connection in the year 1998. I'm not kidding. I attempted a video call with my boss (who was, understandably, *not* thrilled) and kept getting cut off. I lost the connection every five seconds so I just gave it up and tried my luck the next day. And the next. And. The. Next. I'm sure I received multiple emails from my boss and I am guessing the emails were angry. Forget work, though. I couldn't even *Google* things. I tried to look up "restaurants near me" and spent half an hour staring at a loading screen. I ended up wandering around the city hoping I would stumble upon food!
The Ultimate Breakdown in the Connectivity Test: I tried to send an email. I thought, 'easy, a quick email, then I'm done'. I sat there, waiting, and waiting. And I watched the little spinning wheel in the middle of my screen. Hours later it was still there. I lost it. I went looking for the hotel staff, and there was nobody there!
Did The BKK Connectivity Test Promise *Anything* Besides Horrible Speeds? Any Advertisements?
Oh, they *advertised* a bunch of stuff! Things like "reliable connectivity," "seamless streaming," "stay connected with loved ones," blah, blah, blah. It was all marketing fluff. Pure, unadulterated lies! They even had posters plastered around the hotel boasting about "high-speed internet" and how they'd "revolutionized connectivity in the Comoros". It was like a cruel joke!
They also advertised 'easy to use and friendly'. Easy to use? More like "easy to NOT use". Friendly? I was on a first-name basis with the security guard because I spent so much time sitting in the lobby (where… *sometimes* … the internet was a *little* better). We became good friends, considering the circumstances.
Okay, So You Hated it. But Did *Anyone* Enjoy Hotel 21? Was There a Single Positive Thing?
That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Honestly? It’s hard to find a single positive aspect in a sea of suckitude, but... the staff. They were genuinely trying their best, bless their cotton socks. They knew they were running a less than desirable hotel and they were genuinely sorry. At the very least, they were polite... mostly. And the location, technically, was "close" to the beach. Emphasis on "close". It was a decent walk, especially when you were feeling the effects of the questionable food and a lack of decent internet, but it *was* there, in walking distance.
I'm grasping at straws here, people, I really am.
Would You Ever Go Back To Hotel 21? Even For Free?
Are you kidding me?! Not even if they paid *me*! Not even if they *begged* me! Not even if they offered me free breakfast for life! I would rather swim in a pool of scorpions! Okay, maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but the memory of Hotel 21 and its cursed BKK Connectivity Test still haunts me.
My Final Verdict: RUN. Just Run.
