Angeles City Hotels & Accomodations

[Jimmy Boy 99]

I have the option to stay in an executive room at the Pacific Breeze, a superior room at the Royal Amsterdam, and a king-bed room at the Best Western The Mint in April for about the same price. For those who are familiar with these hotels, how do the rooms and facilities compare. Do you have any recommendations as to which to stay at and why? Thanks

[BrainDrain]

Hi, has anyone used the ABC to MNL helicopter service?

Someone told me it is currently not available.

[WhatsUrName]

Hi Guys,

I just got back from my vacation week in the Philippines!

I spent 4 nights in Angeles City. I stayed at the ABC Hotel and want to post my thoughts on staying there.

I really enjoyed this hotel. I loved my room! It was huge! It looked just like the photo in the "Millennium Option. Junior Suite" section of their website:

http://www.angelesbeachclubhotel.com/accomodation.php.

I setup my reservation at their website. I didn't provide a CC number in advance (to my recollection) , but I did have to reconfirm a few days in advance via email.

They are pretty well integrated into the "Swagman Fly the Bus" shuttle service, and I was dropped off fresh from Manila right in front of their hotel. When I was ready to go back to the beautiful, tropical island paradise of Manila, I simply picked up the phone and asked the front desk to make the arrangements. They even added the 600 peso fee to my room bill for my convenience. I was picked up and dropped off in Malate. About 8 blocks from Manila Bay Cafe.

It's the fanciest hotel in "our" area and the girls love to go there. I paid a little bit more than other hotels but the VIP treatment I recieved everywhere in the city was worth it. I look forward to staying there again in the future.

WhatsurName

[PinkPearl]

I made a booking with the ABC hotel. They have confirmed my booking but are asking for credit card details to guarantee it. I am not very keen to use my credit card in the Philippines. Are there hotels in Angeles which would keep your room without credit card guarantee. I would appreciate any advice from guys who have booked hotels without using credit cards.

Be careful if that's an issue. I booked ABC online through a travel site, when I checked in they put a pretty hefty hold on my card while I stayed for 2 weeks. Three weeks after checking out they hadn't released the hold. Called them, they said it was the card issuer. Called them and they said it wasn't. Called ABC again, talked to a manager who said he'd look into it. Two days later the money was released. More hassle than I would want.

What's wrong with AC? Don't they want business? I've never had to deal with any of this crap in Thailand.

Is Manilla any better?

When I booked at the Savannah and Pacific Breeze a couple years ago they did not require a credit card, though the Savannah required me to pay in advance when I arrived.

One trick I have used when hotels and such when they want a credit card and I don't trust them is to purchase a refillable debit card (visa or mc) then put on just enough to cover the deposit. You can then give them that number pretty much worry free.

Is that like a Pre Paid Credit Card?

Pay in advance? What if the hotel sucks? You move to another hotel and lose your "advance" payment?

I'd pay only one day in advance, if the place seems ok after checking out the room.

[Jack4765]

I just went back 26 pages to see if I could see a review of the Sienpost Hotel.

Has anyone stayed there or know of anyone? The prices are excellent and the pictures look good but I have been fooled by the doctored pics before. Especially in A / C.

Thanks

[Paul Kausch]

Not in my experience Samm.

I find it always works for me if I call the hotel direct and ask for the local resident rate for XYZ dates and for the lowest rate possible for a standard double. All you need to "prove" local residency when you check in is a Phil Driver's License (or a pinay wife beside you hehehe)

If the telephone clerk does not seem "empowered" to give me the better rate then I ask to speak to the sales manager. Last time that I stayed in Waterfront in Cebu I was given a 50% discount by the Sales Manager because they had no conventions on at that time and low occupancy rate.

I always check room rates on hotel sites, Agoda and Hotels dot com first. In Philippines I always get a better rate by direct calling. Of course, for other countries, I go through the various sites.

My experience, where ever I am, is I get the best rate dealing directly with the hotel. If it's low season, a weekend in a location where most of the travelers are on business, in a convention city when no convention is going on, you can get a surprisingly low rate by asking to speak with the manager on duty and just asking that person to make you an attractive offer. That room costs the hotel almost as much when it's empty as when it's occupied. Many hotels are getting smart, they use sites like Agoda as a marketing tool. Smart travelers use these sites for the reviews and to quickly evaluate a large number of hotels. It is always best to make a note of the Agoda price and then check the hotel's website. If the hotel has a loyalty program join it before make your reservation. It just takes a few minutes. By entering your loyalty card number you will often see even lower prices. I'm about to take a trip on business. I've saved about 15% on average (relative to Agoda) by doing this.

[Red Kilt]

It is expensive to book through the hotel direct.

Not in my experience Samm.

I find it always works for me if I call the hotel direct and ask for the local resident rate for XYZ dates and for the lowest rate possible for a standard double. All you need to "prove" local residency when you check in is a Phil Driver's License (or a pinay wife beside you hehehe)

If the telephone clerk does not seem "empowered" to give me the better rate then I ask to speak to the sales manager. Last time that I stayed in Waterfront in Cebu I was given a 50% discount by the Sales Manager because they had no conventions on at that time and low occupancy rate.

I always check room rates on hotel sites, Agoda and Hotels dot com first. In Philippines I always get a better rate by direct calling. Of course, for other countries, I go through the various sites.

[Sammon]

Spot on. A percentage of the hotel's rooms are blocked off for the various hotel websites (agoda, asiatravel, priceline, orbitz, hotel. Com, etc). The rest of the rooms are saved for the actual hotel. This allows the hotel to allow for walkins, previous guests, whales, etc. The actual hotel can also sell any open rooms normally blocked off for the various sites. When the rooms that are blocked off for the various outside websites are sold, the hotel appears to be "sold out" for the night on those sites; but calling the hotel or trying the actual hotel website might show rooms available. Thought this was common knowledge.

To add to this certain websites have kind of exclusive deals with a perticular hotel. In such cases they give very good discounts. One clear example is asiatravel for rooms at bayview park in Manila. Nobody can match their prices including hotel website.

It is expensive to book through the hotel direct. But in AC it is a different story. Besides taxes are included in the quoted price and if you pay cash it is further discounted.

[WestCoast1]

My own theory is that OI saves some rooms to avoid any commission they have to pay Agoda, or possibly to satisfy any repeat customer that might show up. They get enough word of mouth biz / repeat biz and in high season they are fully booked with or without Agoda.

Can anyone shed some light on the business arrangements between hotels and web sites?

Spot on. A percentage of the hotel's rooms are blocked off for the various hotel websites (agoda, asiatravel, priceline, orbitz, hotel. Com, etc). The rest of the rooms are saved for the actual hotel. This allows the hotel to allow for walkins, previous guests, whales, etc. The actual hotel can also sell any open rooms normally blocked off for the various sites. When the rooms that are blocked off for the various outside websites are sold, the hotel appears to be "sold out" for the night on those sites; but calling the hotel or trying the actual hotel website might show rooms available. Thought this was common knowledge.

[X Man]

Interesting theory and it hadn't crossed my mind. It could be possible.

My own theory is that OI saves some rooms to avoid any commission they have to pay Agoda, or possibly to satisfy any repeat customer that might show up. They get enough word of mouth biz / repeat biz and in high season they are fully booked with or without Agoda.

Can anyone shed some light on the business arrangements between hotels and web sites?

Tried booking Orchid Inn via Agoda hoping to get a promo rate, however according to Agoda; Orchid Inn was fully booked. Checked with the hotel website direct and Chona had me a room in minutes with a prompt response to emails. Somebody is getting chocolates. Wonder what the deal is with Agoda pulling porkies like that?

Agoda favouring alternatives?

[AfAsia]

Tried booking Orchid Inn via Agoda hoping to get a promo rate, however according to Agoda; Orchid Inn was fully booked. Checked with the hotel website direct and Chona had me a room in minutes with a prompt response to emails. Somebody is getting chocolates. Wonder what the deal is with Agoda pulling porkies like that?

Agoda favouring alternatives?

[Puskas]

Hi, any information about this hotel?

Thanks!

[Osuul]

Hey all,

I'm going to Philippines for ten days and will be in angeles city for 2-3nights. Can't wait. Will report on my excursions.

Looking for a hotel in the $30-50 range. Just looking at hotels. Com I noticed a couple. Has anyone stayed at the century hotel?

Dude, my post is just 3 posts down.

[Mngr18]

Hey all,

I'm going to Philippines for ten days and will be in angeles city for 2-3nights. Can't wait. Will report on my excursions.

Looking for a hotel in the $30-50 range. Just looking at hotels. Com I noticed a couple. Has anyone stayed at the century hotel?

[Osuul]

To Osuul,

The roof top pool at Devera open yet they still offer the standard JR at 1200 php rate but I try to book it for March, they didn't respond back to me and I email them 3 time.

Fast Eddie 48

I booked it via Expedia.

I don't think the construction will be finished by then. I don't recommend going there till its finished.