The Regent Plaza is the best value in Karachi, where bargain rooms are extremely scarce. Buffets are great too, cooked in a glass-walled kitchen where guests can see how clean the kitchen is.

In-room Internet connections can be speedily arranged with generous tips for the techie and perhaps his supervisor too.

I spent lots of time walking through the informal neighborhoods nearby at night, dressed like the white American business person that I am, and never felt uneasy.

If your firm is not paying your bills and you are on a limited budget, the Regent is your best option for a non-luxury hotel.

I had come with very low expectations. So when everything worked, I was happy. My room was clean; I could get internet access.

Service was somewhat inconsistent esp. at the coffeehouse: one table would have tea and coffee poured a couple of times while I would frantically waving my hands for a cuppa.

Never Again!

This hotel is not geared towards the business traveller. My biggest complaint with the Regent Plaza is their internet/business centre. It took me over six hours and seven different technicians to secure an internet connection in my room. This slow and often rude service is completely unacceptable for a hotel catering for the business market. Alternatively to internet in the room, would have been access to a business centre. Unfortunately the centre is a small, smoky room with very dated equipment which is also impractical.

The lobby and restaurant are fine. The rooms are bright and airy, however they are in desperate need of a good cleaning. The carpets are filthy and covered in dust and hair and the bathrooms are mouldy.

The hotel may have been glamorous 20 years ago, but now it is dated and dirty. Not recommended at all!