Carl Paul
5. toukokuuta 2025
I’ve stayed in many five-star hotels around Lapu-Lapu, and unfortunately, this property falls short of that standard. The room was relatively small and underwhelming, especially considering the nightly rate of $280 (around 15,500 pesos). Overall, the resort doesn’t compare favorably to its competitors in the area.
Upon arrival, we headed to the pool and asked for towels, only to be told to come back in 30 minutes as they were still drying, not the kind of service you expect from a high-end resort. There were also no poolside activities or amenities for children, making it less suitable for families. If you want to use the children’s play area, there’s an extra charge of 300 pesos per child per hour, and you have to walk all the way back to the check-in counter to pay. Frankly, that felt like a rip-off.
Safety-wise, be cautious walking around as there were small puddles on the floor, likely caused by condensation dripping from air-conditioning pipes above, an obvious slip hazard that should be addressed. Also, don't let your young kids near the elevator lobby windows. They are low level and open outwards.
The buffet breakfast was another letdown. The food was presented poorly, served lukewarm, and surprisingly lacked basic breakfast staples like sausage or bacon, something I’ve never encountered before in a hotel of this caliber. Even more concerning was the presence of pet dogs in the dining area during breakfast, which we found off-putting.
While the sunset views are beautiful, they’re somewhat marred by the rusting ship hull of visible just offshore, a visual distraction that takes away from the otherwise scenic waterfront.
On a brighter note, we had drinks and dinner at the sports bar twice, where the service was excellent and the food enjoyable. However, ordering would be more efficient if they adopted a QR code system instead of relying on guests to find a server.
Overall, I wouldn’t stay here again. For better service, amenities, and overall experience, I’d recommend the Shangri-La or Sheraton, both of which offer a far superior pool, beach area, and level of hospitality. In fact I find Costabella Beach Resort much better services and amenities for a fraction of the price!
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