Though we love our durians, we understand why some places like hotels and malls have a strict “no durian” policy. The king of fruits may be a delicacy for many, but its powerful scent can be overwhelming—especially for those who aren't fans.
Photo via Xiao Hong Shu
One tourist from China learned this the hard way during her visit to Singapore. She had bought a durian for SGD13 (around RM43) but ended up paying far more than she bargained for after taking it back to her hotel room. Unaware of the hotel’s durian ban, she was later slapped with a cleaning fee of SGD200 (approximately RM657).
In a post on Xiao Hong Shu, she shared how she had picked up the fruit from a stall that didn’t have seats for customers, so she and her friends decided to pack it to go. On the way back in a taxi, she kept quiet about the strong smell, worried the driver might disapprove. Although the driver overheard their conversation, he didn’t comment.
Photo via Flickr
The next day, however, she returned to her room only to find a notice from the hotel about the odour, and the costly fee to cover professional cleaning. She admitted she was unaware of the durian ban and said many other travellers likely don’t know about it either. Hoping for some leniency, she tried to negotiate for a discount, explaining that it was an honest mistake. But the hotel stood firm, stating that the room couldn’t be used for days and required special cleaning services.
“The staff were kind about it,” she noted, adding that they told her other hotels might’ve charged up to SGD500 under similar circumstances.
She also mentioned that the durian had been tightly wrapped in plastic and placed in a bag, and staff didn’t notice it when she returned to her room.
When you travel to Southeast Asian countries, make sure to check the rules about bringing durians into public spaces. While it may be a beloved fruit for locals, its strong smell can linger and disturb others, especially in enclosed areas.
That’s why most indoor spaces like hotels, shopping malls, and public transport tend to ban it altogether, to keep the environment pleasant and comfortable for everyone.