Chong Ti Hotel Dili Review: A Budget Double Room for US$30 a Night

During our stay in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, we booked a double room at Chong Ti Hotel through Agoda. We paid US$30 for one night, with payment made at the hotel and a US$10 deposit requested at check-in.

Our room was spacious and reasonably clean, the bed was comfortable, and the reception staff were exceptionally friendly. The location was also convenient, with restaurants and supermarkets nearby and the ferry terminal for Atauro Island within walking distance.

There were a few drawbacks, particularly the weak Wi-Fi and a fridge with an overpowering fishy smell. Here is our honest review based on our stay.

🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む：Chong Ti Hotel宿泊レビュー｜ディリで1泊30ドルのホテル

Chong Ti Hotel: At a Glance

• Hotel: Chong Ti Hotel
• Location: Dili, Timor-Leste
• Booking platform: Agoda
• Payment: At the hotel
• Room rate: US$30 per night for a double room
• Deposit: US$10 at check-in
• Room facilities: Air conditioning, electric kettle and fridge
• Bathroom: Hot shower, toilet paper and shampoo
• Breakfast: Not included

These were the prices and conditions during our stay. Rates and booking terms may vary depending on the date and reservation.

Our Double Room: Spacious and Comfortable

Our room was spacious, with enough room to move around and organise our luggage. It was clean enough for a comfortable stay, and the large bed was particularly good.

The bed was comfortable, and despite some outside noise in the evening, we managed to sleep well.

The air conditioning was excellent, which was welcome in Dili’s warm climate. Overall, the room was simple rather than luxurious, but it met our basic needs.

The Bathroom and Hot Shower

The bathroom had a hot shower, toilet paper and shampoo.

The facilities were fairly basic, but having hot water and the essential toiletries made the room practical for a short stay.

An Electric Kettle, but No Tea, Coffee or Cups

There was an electric kettle in the room, but no tea, coffee or cups were provided.

Fortunately, we found a drinking glass in the bathroom and used it with our own tea bags. If you enjoy making a hot drink in your room, it is worth bringing your own supplies.

The Fridge Had a Strong Fishy Smell

The room also had a fridge, but unfortunately, it had an overpowering fishy smell inside.

It was so unpleasant that we decided not to use it. This was one of the most disappointing aspects of the room, especially for anyone hoping to keep drinks or food chilled.

Wi-Fi at Chong Ti Hotel

Wi-Fi was available, but the connection in our room was very weak during our stay.

The reception area might offer a faster connection, although we did not verify the speed there.

If you need reliable internet for uploading videos, working online or planning your travels, I would recommend having mobile data as a backup rather than relying entirely on the hotel’s Wi-Fi.

Very Friendly Reception Staff

One of the best things about Chong Ti Hotel was the reception staff. They were genuinely friendly and welcoming.

They could communicate in Tetum, Indonesian and English. We mainly spoke Indonesian with them, which made communication easy.

Their friendly attitude helped make our stay more pleasant and was one of the hotel’s strongest points.

Some Evening Noise Until Around 10 pm

There was some noise in the evening, lasting until around 10 pm.

This might bother light sleepers, particularly if you prefer a very quiet room. However, we slept well afterwards, so it was not a major issue for us.

Restaurants and Supermarkets Near the Hotel

The area around Chong Ti Hotel has restaurants and supermarkets, making it convenient for meals and everyday essentials.

For dinner, we walked about 15 minutes to Uma Sabor, where we ordered a pizza.

The pizza was tasty, and a small one cost US$5. The staff were very friendly and spoke English, so ordering was easy.

The main downside was the number of mosquitoes around the outdoor seating area. If you plan to eat outside, bringing insect repellent is a good idea.

Walking to the Atauro Island Ferry Terminal

The ferry terminal for Atauro Island was approximately an 18-minute walk from Chong Ti Hotel.

As we were planning to travel to Atauro, being within walking distance of the terminal was useful. It meant we could reach the port without having to arrange transport.

Bear in mind that walking may be less appealing in the heat or with heavy luggage. Check your departure details in advance, including which terminal your boat uses.

Pros and Cons of Chong Ti Hotel

Here is a summary of what we liked and what could have been better.

Pros

• Affordable double room at US$30 per night
• Spacious and reasonably clean room
• Large, comfortable bed
• Air conditioning and a hot shower
• Very friendly reception staff
• Restaurants and supermarkets nearby
• Around an 18-minute walk to the Atauro Island ferry terminal

Cons

• Weak Wi-Fi in the room
• Strong fishy smell inside the fridge
• No tea, coffee or cups despite having a kettle
• Some evening noise until around 10 pm
• Breakfast not included

Is Chong Ti Hotel Worth Staying At?

I would consider Chong Ti Hotel a practical budget option for travellers visiting Dili who want a spacious room and a convenient location without paying for luxury facilities.

It could be particularly useful if you are spending a night in Dili before or after travelling to Atauro Island.

However, it may not be the best choice if you depend on strong Wi-Fi, need a usable fridge or are particularly sensitive to noise.

For us, the highlights were the comfortable bed, spacious room and genuinely friendly staff. Although the weak Wi-Fi and unpleasant fridge smell were disappointing, Chong Ti Hotel was a reasonable option at US$30 per night, especially given its convenient location.

➡ Atambua to Dili by Bus: Timor Travel, Border Crossing & Visa

➡ Telemor SIM Card in Timor-Leste: Prices, Data Plans and Internet Speed

➡ Dili to Atauro Island by Ferry: Timetable, Ticket Prices and Our Travel Experience