Pelangi Capsule Hostel
This property is a very basic, no-frills option for those seeking the lowest possible price for a single night in Johor Bahru, provided expectations are set extremely low regarding cleanliness and facility upkeep.
Pelangi Capsule Hostel in Johor Bahru offers enclosed capsule accommodation for budget-conscious travellers. While the location is frequently praised for its proximity to local eateries and shops, the property struggles significantly with maintenance and cleanliness. Guests often report issues with dirty shared bathrooms and common areas, as well as broken amenities within the capsules, such as non-functional air conditioning and charging ports. Staff presence can be inconsistent, leading to self-check-ins and difficulties with communication. The overall experience suggests a property in need of substantial refurbishment, suitable primarily for very short stays where price is the absolute priority.
Stations & airport.
Distances measured from the hotel. Walking times assume a gentle pace with a backpack.
- Sembawang Air Base7.1 km
Eleven dimensions of capsule life, read from 135 reviews.
Noise & sleep
Noise is a recurring issue, with complaints about general noise, noisy room doors, and sounds from other guests, including staff. The capsules themselves are described as fragile and prone to making noise.
“Noise”
“The door to the room where the capsules are so noisy. The capsule is rundown, the door cannot lock, and the steps to the upper capsule are broken down.”
“The Philippines lady staff stayed up until midnight clipping her nails for like 30 mins straight until someone in the next capsule said something about it.”
Pod comfort
Guests frequently report issues with the in-capsule air conditioning being either too hot or too cold and uncontrollable. Sockets and charging ports are often broken, and the capsules themselves are described as rundown and fragile, contributing to noise.
“Sockets in capsule didn't work”
“The capsule AC was not controllable, I was sweating like hell, as i cannot control the temperature, when I woke up in the morning it was showing 28° Temp. The hostel was overall hot which made my stay very bad.”
“The air conditioner is too cold to sleep. No spare thick blanket provided proactively, need to ask the waiter for it.”
Privacy
While some guests appreciate the privacy of a capsule over a dorm and the ability to lock it, others report broken capsule doors that cannot be locked, compromising security and privacy.
“Broken door, can't lock from outside, which mean when u go to toilet or anywhere else your capsule must be open.”
“Capsule door didn’t close.”
“It's more private in a capsule than in a dorm. The interior of the capsule is clean. The lighting options are fun. Fast charging of phone and mirror. Inside capsule. Capsule can be locked when you leave.”
Cleanliness
Cleanliness is a major and pervasive issue, with numerous complaints about dirty and messy conditions in the capsules, washrooms, toilets, and common areas. Several guests describe the property as unhygienic and poorly maintained.
“It was dirty, and messy”
“NOT MEANT FOR CLASSY CLEAN PERSON..”
“Not tidy and clean.”
Shared bathrooms
Shared bathrooms are consistently described as dirty and messy, with specific complaints about unclean toilets and a lack of basic amenities like soap or water hoses. There are also reports of long waits due to a limited number of bathrooms.
“Toilet needs improvement”
“The washroom is not clean.”
“The toilet and bathroom are dirty.”
Staff & check-in
Staff service is inconsistent; some guests found staff friendly and helpful, and check-in via WhatsApp easy, even without staff present. However, many complaints highlight unresponsive staff, lack of presence at reception, and poor customer service, with one instance of staff behavior negatively impacting guest experience.
“It was easy to check in by WhatsApp”
“Friendly staff”
“Even if there were no staff for check-in, it was easy.”
Location & access
The location is consistently praised for its convenience, with many food stalls, restaurants, shops, and a laundromat nearby. Guests find it easy to access and a good base for exploring the area.
“Wonderful experience with a lots of food stall and restaurant that u never lost ur way.. Korean Bbq cross the road..”
“The location was good.”
“convenient location，many restaurants around.”
Wifi & working
One review mentions good WiFi in the capsule area, but there isn't enough information to form a comprehensive opinion on this dimension.
“AC and WiFi by capsules area assigned to me was very good”
Atmosphere
The atmosphere is generally described as unkempt and untidy, with one guest noting it's not for 'classy clean persons'. While one review mentions it being quiet, another highlights disruptive staff behavior impacting the overall vibe.
“NOT MEANT FOR CLASSY CLEAN PERSON.. Overall Value for 🤑.. Feels like homes..”
“The Philippines lady staff stayed in the capsule below me and she was talking loudly into the night, she also kept her stuff in front of the capsule. Pots, pans, food etc. Everything looks unkempt and untidy.”
“Everything looks unkempt and untidy.”
Value for money
While many guests acknowledge the low price, several feel that despite being cheap, the overall experience, particularly due to poor maintenance and cleanliness, does not offer good value compared to other hostels at a similar price point. It's considered acceptable for a very short stay.
“Overall Value for 🤑..”
“If you want something cheap for one night it’s okay but I would like to stay here longer.”
“Low Price”
The honest drawbacks, from guests.
- poor cleanliness throughout
- broken capsule amenities (AC, sockets, doors)
- unresponsive staff
- noisy environment
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