Hotels generally are cheaper in Balai then what u get in BTM. So for me i will personally prefer to pay a few dollars more to get a more cleaner and cosy room to conduct my activities hehe.
Balai (Puakang) isnt really a very big town so getting around town isnt a very expensive affair. With 10K rupiah on a Ojek you can get around to any part of the town. Travelling around town from point A to point B is only minutes apart normally.
So choice of hotels to me is primarily comfort above everything else.
Just my 2 cents.
cheers