My reason for choosing Royal Asia Lodge was that among the hotels left after screening for location and price, it had the highest "guest ratings" at HotelsCombined. Otherwise there were many whose descriptions and photos seemed similar with nothing to differentiate.

The point about age of a hotel is well taken, but I don't know if booking sites would provide this info.

Anyway, I'll find out what it is like, hope it will be at least adequate, and there will be other times for other choices in future.