Raja Villa, Jemaluang

We booked this hotel for two nights, payment on arrival. When we arrived at the property our hearts sank - dead shurbs, mossy exterior, huge bees nests hanging from balconies, restaurant was shut and parts of the hotel looked incomplete. We asked the receptionist if we could see the swimming pool and our rooms before checking in. She called her manager who told us we had to pay upfront before we could view anything. He claimed that they would return our money if we didn't like what we saw, but at the same time wouldn't commit to when he would come to take us around - we would just have to wait for him. I negotiated to advance one night's payment instead of two, and he declined this. At that point we walked out and drove home. I don't know why the man was so arrogant and unfriendly, but I suspect they knew that we would not have stayed after seeing the hotel close up. Hence the demand for money upfront. Narrow miss, don't get caught the same way.