Category: Hotel Stays

  • Lafayette Luxury Suites Baguio Review: A Costly Service Breakdown

    After more than 30 years of travelling, our stay at Lafayette Luxury Suites in Baguio ranks among our most frustrating hotel experiences. The problems involved check-in communication, an incorrect room assignment and a disputed ₱2,000 linen charge.

    Check-in and room assignment

    We arrived approximately one hour before check-in. It was reasonable that the room was not yet available, but staff said they would call when it was ready and did not do so. At check-in, I reiterated the room preference for which we had paid an additional charge. We were nevertheless assigned a lower-category room facing the main road, with traffic noise and fumes entering the room.

    Because both of us have asthma, we requested a move. A later shift initially said that changing rooms would cost extra, before it became clear that the first room was below the category we had purchased.

    Service during the move

    When the correct room was finally arranged, I asked for the new keys to be brought upstairs. The initial response was that we needed to vacate the room and return the old keys to reception first. After I pressed the issue, staff delivered the keys.

    The disputed checkout charge

    At checkout, the hotel added ₱2,000 for an alleged makeup stain on the comforter. My husband disputed it because I do not wear makeup. We were not satisfied that the basis for the charge was established or fairly explained.

    Verdict

    The incorrect room assignment, repeated resistance to basic service recovery and unresolved linen charge outweighed the hotel’s luxury positioning. Based on our stay, I cannot recommend it.

  • Royal Mandaya Hotel Davao Review: Reservation and Room Failures

    I had stayed regularly at The Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao since January 2025 because of its convenient location near my office. A late-night arrival on June 17, however, produced enough reservation, room and service failures to end that trust.

    A confirmed reservation that could not be found

    I had booked two nights and confirmed a late arrival with Lea. When we reached the hotel close to 1 a.m., Fred said there was no reservation on record. Hoping to end the delay, I asked for another room with two beds.

    We were directed to an elevator roughly 30 metres from reception, only to find it defective. After returning to the desk, we eventually reached a room—but it contained only one twin bed. A disagreement followed over whether two beds had been requested, and we were moved again about 10 minutes later.

    Room condition

    The next room had a strong odour coming from the bathroom. Other rooms shown to us smelled mouldy or felt uncomfortably cramped. After several unsuccessful room changes, I chose to leave.

    Follow-up

    The next morning, Lea confirmed that the original reservation did exist. I asked for the general manager to call me, but no return call came within the following six hours. Being routed through a service passage to another elevator further diminished the experience.

    Verdict

    Despite the hotel’s convenient location, the inability to locate a confirmed reservation, unsuitable room assignments and limited management response mean I would not stay here again based on this experience.