Cebu

I arrived this morning to spend a single day and night on business in Cebu. Based on skimming some reviews and on location, I chose the Park Lane Hotel, which I think bills itself as a four star but is at best, a three, and were it not for the attractive blue glass facade, I would rate it a two star.

The service is essentially indifferent and inept. It took me more than 20 minutes to check in, with two people "helping," and there was no one in line in front of me. First, I was told that the type of room I had booked, and for which I had paid in advance was "not available." When I responded that this was the hotel's problem, not mine, and received the panicked, "deer-in-the-headlights" look in return, I knew I had a problem.

I told the staff that since the hotel could not honor my guaranteed reservation, I should be upgraded, and, after checking twice with an unseen supervisor I was upgraded to the "Executive floor." Now if this is the executive floor, I'm not sure I want to see how the other half lives. The room is small, the bathroom about the size of a walk-in closet , and the TV, while adequate, is nothing much. The furnishings are attractive, but cheap and the bed is at best a queen size. This room pales in comparison to the executive rooms in the Dusit.

The price of the room, with tax, via Expedia is about $73 (60+13), and it's simply not worth the money in my opinion. The next time, I'll listen to my own advice and stay once again at the Marriott.

GE

[QUOTE=Dragon Slayer].... and my dick was the size of a small island now.....
Dragon Slayer[/QUOTE]God damn it, DS, I've gotta get online and find a contest for that line...a world-class winner.

I often times find your words as entertaining as your exploits; a true gift from the Hibernian gods you've received, my man.

Thanks for all you do here.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough]I arrived this morning to spend a single day and night on business in Cebu. Based on skimming some reviews and on location, I chose the Park Lane Hotel, which I think bills itself as a four star but is at best, a three, and were it not for the attractive blue glass facade, I would rate it a two star.

The service is essentially indifferent and inept. It took me more than 20 minutes to check in, with two people "helping," and there was no one in line in front of me. First, I was told that the type of room I had booked, and for which I had paid in advance was "not available." When I responded that this was the hotel's problem, not mine, and received the panicked, "deer-in-the-headlights" look in return, I knew I had a problem.

I told the staff that since the hotel could not honor my guaranteed reservation, I should be upgraded, and, after checking twice with an unseen supervisor I was upgraded to the "Executive floor." Now if this is the executive floor, I'm not sure I want to see how the other half lives. The room is small, the bathroom about the size of a walk-in closet , and the TV, while adequate, is nothing much. The furnishings are attractive, but cheap and the bed is at best a queen size. This room pales in comparison to the executive rooms in the Dusit.

The price of the room, with tax, via Expedia is about $73 (60+13), and it's simply not worth the money in my opinion. The next time, I'll listen to my own advice and stay once again at the Marriott.

GE[/QUOTE]I should have posted my thoughts on the Parklane after my trip. I initially booked the Parklane room, and was pretty disappointed. I immediately went back downstairs and upgraded to the Boutique room for an additional $15/day. The difference was night and day. So glad I upgraded.

GoodEnough / Wicked Roger,

Thankyou both. I have learned to follow GE's advice on hotels as I long since found out that he tends to always be correct on this. It IS here in the Phils that you frequently get this kind of RIPOFF, usually from smaller, privately owned Hotels. IT IS ILLEGAL AS HELL! But they are counting on you not realizing this or their being able to con you into thinking this is correct.

When a Hotel joins the Expedia network they sign a Contract, as in binding agreement, to honor the published rate at the level of service stated. The customer pays in advance for this. I DO hope that GoodEnough files a Complaint with Expedia. He DOES need to publish this in the other Cebu Board in the Philippines Forum.. Our guys need to be aware of this fucking shithole!

The idea is what I term the FILIPINO HUSTLE! It is a scam I have encountered many times and I have had to stand my ground and, as at the Ninoy Aqino Int'l Airportt that one time, Take Decisive Action. I wrote about what happend there and how I succesfully handled it in a way the cocksucker filipino aswipes never anticiapted (scared the fucking shit out of them).

You must CALMLY STAND YOUR GROUND. Do NOT even blink! Show your confrimed (and paid) reservation and inform them that you will NOT leave or accept anything less than the room you paid for in advance. Inform them that you will call the Police, if necessary.

In my case this is NOT a mere threat. Last June in Cebu I ran into the Mayor by chance. He came over to grab and shake my hand happily (knows a supporter/contributor when he sees one). One of his bodyguards took two photos of us together, arms around each other, like brothers. But all you need to do is refuse to budge and get on your cellphone like I did at Ninoy Aquino Int'l Airport. No fucking way do they EVER want the Police of Mayor to hear of a western businessman or visitor getting cheated. BUT IF YOU LEAVE YOU WILL LOSE!

This piece of shit Park Lane Hotel is to be AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS! I stay at either the Marco Polo Plaza or another to be kept anonymous as my daughter stays with me frequently and I have enough to be concerned about without ______/.

I have never had this sort of experience at either Hotel EVER.

Dragon Slayer

[QUOTE=Dragon Slayer]GoodEnough / Wicked Roger,

When a Hotel joins the Expedia network they sign a Contract, as in binding agreement, to honor the published rate at the level of service stated. The customer pays in advance for this. I DO hope that GoodEnough files a Complaint with Expedia. He DOES need to publish this in the other Cebu Board in the Philippines Forum.. Our guys need to be aware of this fucking shithole!

This piece of shit Park Lane Hotel is to be AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS! I stay at either the Marco Polo Plaza or another to be kept anonymous as my daughter stays with me frequently and I have enough to be concerned about without ______/.

I have never had this sort of experience at either Hotel EVER.

Dragon Slayer[/QUOTE]Ds,

I have experienced same at many world class hotels from the Shangri La (who eventaully had to bus to another hotel), various InterCons and Starwood properties as well as smaller groups.

Parklane IMHO just cocked it up as I have stayed there many times and is great VFM for me if compare prices to Marriott. MP is too far out of town and PL is a quick walk to Ayala where I sit and admire and flirt. Well if you call what I do flirting!

So I will defend PL as is an OK hotel, better than Mango Park and few others I can name but it does depend on ones budget. If corporate, stay Marriott but I can get the PL for $60 (2800 pesos net net) per night so I am happy, staff know me and and are good to me. But I agree sometimes things don't go as we expect and you, me GE do expect a lot. But maybe as the younger of all of us, I am more relaxed and chilled out. LOL

Have sent you an email etc so please can you read as for GE and me.

Would you guys please stop whining about hotels. My fav is the CheapCharlie Budget Econo LoveHotel. Whatever money I save goes to "support a sexy model" fund. X

[QUOTE=X Man]Would you guys please stop whining about hotels. My fav is the CheapCharlie Budget Econo LoveHotel. Whatever money I save goes to "support a sexy model" fund. X[/QUOTE]XMan

You are right we should stop whining but I blame that crotchety old pensioner GE for starting this.

We all have different needs and tastes but at the same time we all have the same needs - nice Filipina pussy, so any money we do save is spent wisely I agree

Have fun in Cebu and was good to catch up

Guys,

Right! And who the fuck started this hotel nonsense? of me, uh sorry. I still want to know if the Park Lane has a fine dining restaurant inside it and a decent bar to hang out at. For the price and location is should. If not, for a little more money the Marco Polo is close by.

I still think of Cebu as "home of the threesome" as I had my first genuine threesome (not in a Club with pros) here and a dozen more since, all with different ladies. The same ladies would be fine but I seldom run into them.

This is a decent city, although the traffic, crime and abundance of slums make it less desirable than other places. And the worst this the abundance of fucking lowlife expats that we would not want to waste five minutes talking with ever.

I do have a couple places that I like to go here and the price/dress code eliminates the lowlife expats. But my primary reason to be here is my Son. Aside from this the likelihood of getting a threesome setup in the late moring or afternoon is alwas nice.

Dragon Slayer

[QUOTE=Dragon Slayer]Guys,

Right! And who the fuck started this hotel nonsense? of me, uh sorry. I still want to know if the Park Lane has a fine dining restaurant inside it and a decent bar to hang out at. For the price and location is should. If not, for a little more money the Marco Polo is close by.

I still think of Cebu as "home of the threesome" as I had my first genuine threesome (not in a Club with pros) here and a dozen more since, all with different ladies. The same ladies would be fine but I seldom run into them.

This is a decent city, although the traffic, crime and abundance of slums make it less desirable than other places. And the worst this the abundance of fucking lowlife expats that we would not want to waste five minutes talking with ever.

I do have a couple places that I like to go here and the price/dress code eliminates the lowlife expats. But my primary reason to be here is my Son. Aside from this the likelihood of getting a threesome setup in the late moring or afternoon is alwas nice.

Dragon Slayer[/QUOTE]Ds

The short reply to the PL question is no to the restaurant and likely no to the bar but I have never tried it (is on the mezzanine floor). I always prefer to eat outside when I am in Cebu and Maya is excellent as you FR sometime earlier. Marriott does not have a decet resturant or bar either IMHO but I tend to eat out unless I am at Toscanas at the Dusit Makati. Lots of choices

Most places for me are "home of the threesome". Well I am a decent upstanding gentleman who would never discriminate with towns/cities when it comes to threesomes. And for me if is MMF or FFM. I like variety sometimes as does my lovely lady. Or foursomes/moresomes (well at my age I need varierty guys)

Also I have seen a number of 'ferals' but can't say if there are more in Cebu than other places, I just spoend more and more time here than other palces (for reasons that you have met). Maybe the nice weather etc attracts them, the abundance of nice Cebuanas. But I do many would not wear a vest (or muscle t shirt) as this does put me off my latte and cake when am in Ayala

Speak soon

[QUOTE=Irony Monger]I should have posted my thoughts on the Parklane after my trip. I initially booked the Parklane room, and was pretty disappointed. I immediately went back downstairs and upgraded to the Boutique room for an additional $15/day. The difference was night and day. So glad I upgraded.[/QUOTE]But you know. They have a nice and liberal door policy. Easy in.

I will arrive in Cebu 11-14-10. BFD right

I will book at the parklane if there are openings. They have in room safes, In room internet jack, No hard door policy, and I have been told by a local a nice restuant. And it is the least expensive with these services. Oh yea a pool also.

I will travel to Butuan for a few days to see the Grandmother of my children and some of my childrens clan. I am divorced so it will be interesting. Then back to Cebu till my flight out. I will look at other hotels my first week and decide where to stay when back from Butuan.

I fly out on the 28th. Hope to meet some of you guys. I am on the living in Cebu form and there is allways good talk about local places there on the form. El Greco seems like a nice pizza joint with the coldest beer in town. I will buy you guys one if in town. I am in AA so I will be drinking water.

I got married in Cebu in 91 and spent a week there then. So, I know my way around some.

[QUOTE=Redman69]I will arrive in Cebu 11-14-10. BFD right

I will book at the parklane if there are openings. They have in room safes, In room internet jack, No hard door policy, and I have been told by a local a nice restuant. And it is the least expensive with these services. Oh yea a pool also.

I got married in Cebu in 91 and spent a week there then. So, I know my way around some.[/QUOTE]Hi Redman,

I should be there same time same place, PL is nice hotel.

Ever tried Maya. I like the place, nice food. Also have taken my favourite to Plantation Bay and she has also been Shangri La but these are a tad expensive but very nice

Hope to see you there

Me too, I am sure we will meet up. I am 55 and from the states. I have been in touch with the nurse that GL is helping on the net some times and want to see her. Have an appt. with a lady I have known for a year on the isatory board. A Cebu board mostly of Cebueno's. And I have some family that will want me to take them places after I return from Butuan. But the first week I am going to have a great time. And really hope we can hook-up and I can be your wingman a couple of nights.

GL said a resturant named lighthouse is good also. I like crispy patda and they have it.

The nursing student has had her baby and maybe depending on how things play out with her I will go to a babptisim for the little girl. I think I am a little wild for this girl. But there are plenty of fish in the sea. I had lap band surgery so I can not eat like I use to. But do love to eat. Sea food soups in cocunut milk is always good.

Look forward to meeting. Maybe if we are lucky GE and DS will be in town. I owe DS a cold glass of Richards wild Irish Rose. Him having some paddy in him like me.

WR, thanks for all the common sense info you post.

[QUOTE=Dragon Slayer]Guys,

Duggins, Thankyou for posting. Long post making it difficult to read all of it in one sitting. As to fine dining here in Cebu City, the Place is full of great places to eat. I think your work hours limit your availability on this. I dined last night at Maya, a magnificent Restaurant, together with my daughter and her mother. Tonight we will go to Olios's.

For guys wanting outstanding food in elegant surroundings, check out Crossroads Complex on Archbishop Reyes or IT Park. For Japanesel food Mikado on Archbishop Reyes is good.

Cebu if fun but falls far short of Davao City for meeting regular women and far short of CDO for Clubs to visit for pros. I met one of these Pros last January as I posted. She has been my woman and ALL MINE since then. She left Davao to see her mother/sisters in CDO and we meet up there now.

Dragon Slayer[/QUOTE]Thanks DS. I wish I had sent you an email for some restaurant suggestions. It's good to know that good food can be found in Cebu. My perception that the food was better in Davao, aside from the fact that I love the Mindanao-style adobo, was based on places in Davao that you and GE recommended, like De Bonte Koe.

Admittedly, most of my restaurant experiences in Cebu centered around my neighborhood (Guadalupe) and mall options, few of which were very good.

I'm now planning my next trip to the PI for Jan-Apr 2011 and am trying to decide between Cebu and Davao. The last time I went to Davao, I had a hell of a time finding a decent apartment to rent and ended up leaving for Bangkok after about a week as a result.

I definitely respect your opinion about Davao being even better than Cebu for meeting regular girls, because your experiences in the two cities far outweigh mine. You've given me some food for thought. I'm still trying to decide between the two. I had such a great time last year in Cebu that it's hard to imagine going anywhere else.

Mikado. Is a good place to eat. However. Go early. I think half of japan eats there. Last time when I went. No seat available. I think Japanese find it much cheaper to eat in Cebu than Tokyo.