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Inside the Tune Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Where: 316 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 50100

So uniq isn’t a fan of the Tune Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. But it must be doing something right, because it’s about to open three more branches, and then some, across Malaysia. Here’s what we thought.

Tony Fernandes is a clever man. Not only has he pioneered low cost flying in Asia and now cross-continent to Australia and the UK, but he’s also started the Tune hotel brand – a bit like an even more budget easyHotel.

The idea is simple – charge rock bottom prices for a room (current offers range from 0.05 Malaysian ringgits, or $0.01) to a max of about 75RM ($20). Keep said room as basic as possible. Then ratchet up the bill by charging for the extras, and top up by turning the hotel into a giant billboard with ads everywhere –from the rooms to the lift.

For instance, we just spent three nights there. Our room rate? 75RM, or $20, a night. But add in a service charge, tax, admin fee, wifi, aircon and towel rental, and we spent 382RM ($104) in all. Was it worth it?

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Guess the Hotel Revealed: The Tune Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Where: 316 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 50100

Guess The hotel Revealed!

Last time we wrote about Kuala Lumpur’s Tune Hotel, it got a roaring thumbs up. But while its success is about to spawn three new hotels (in Penang, Kuching and KL’s low cost airport), is the original starting to let itself go a bit?

We only ask because when we first arrived, we were a bit disappointed. For a start, the room is small. We paid a little extra (£25 a night, rather than about £22) and ordered a double for ourselves because we read on TripAdvisor that the singles were really weeny – but we still got a bit of a shock.

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Tags: Malaysia Hotel Reviews / Singapore Hotel Reviews / Hotel Openings / Tony Fernandes / TuneHotels / → All Tags

Tune Hotels In-Tune With No-Frills

Where: 316 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 50100

This week we decided to take a look at some of the newer hotels that have opened up in Malaysia and Singapore, which we know is bit of a random decision. But we're always trying to broaden our hotel coverage, so if you know of a can't-miss hotel in either country (or really, anywhere for that matter), hit us up on the tipline with your suggestions or questions.

First up is Tune Hotels chain, which is expected to open next month in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and with four other locations in the country expected to open by 2008.

The man behind Tune Hotels is Tony Fernandes who helped bring low-cost aviation to Malaysians through AirAsia. His vision for Tune hotels centers around the capsule hotels (popular in Japan) and the idea that everyone should be able to afford a clean, hip and comfortable hotel stay at low prices. Indeed these prices are low, ranging from US $3- $30.

Yet keep in mind that the hotel will operate on the "no-frills" level to keep those prices low.

Tune Hotels.Com operates a "no frills" concept, therefore there are no telephones, television, radio, safe, mini bar, tea and coffee making facilities in the rooms.

You may also be subjected to some advertisements from other companies displayed in the hotel (We have no doubt there will be some AirAsia cross promotion.) Something to look forward to? All rooms have their own bathrooms and housekeeping cleans on a daily basis. However, one thing to note is that Tune Hotels will not provide refunds for any bookings made.

So far, Tune Hotels look like they will have a lot of personality to make up for the amenities they lack inside. The company's colors are bright red and white which they have used for the hotel's exterior so you will always know where the building is. Their web site is engaging with each aspect of the hotels' information depicted in a different manner, such as the "Vision" page in the comic book style (minus the pows! and ka-booms!) We particularly like the tabloid theme for the "Mangament Bares All" aka the "About Us" page.

Our only question is, if these are capsule hotel rooms how come the web site keeps showing a father and a son in a pillow fight? Can there really be that much room?

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D2 Chiang Mai

Where: 100 Chang Klan Road, Chiang Mai, Amphur Muang, Thailand, 50100

I Travel, I Shop recently stopped in the D2 Hotel Chiang Mai in Thailand which just opened in January 2006.

When we checked into the D2 recently, we were handed glasses of iced lemongrass juice. As a porter ushered us towards the elevator, about twenty staff members broke into an old fashioned, Fred Astaire-style choreographed dance routine.

The hotel will appeal to young at heart travellers who want a stylish place to stay without any pretentiousness. The decor is hip and modern, with the signature colour being orange. Like many boutique hotels, the lobby also doubles as the hotel's bar/lounge, so there's plenty of people-watching, hobnobbing and yes, occasional dancing.

Rates start at $154 which is really a bargain for an impromptu Fred Astaire routine.

Unfortunately, the review doesn't come with any candid photos, just regular hotel website pics.

Related Stories:
· D2 Chiang Mai [ITravel, I Shop]
· D2 Chiang Mai reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Thai High Design [HotelChatter]