SHopping tips-- go to GREENHILLS for bargains more pricey here tahN DIVISORIA in Manila but less hectic and clean. The noise is untolerable to novices, but bear with it if you want to shop.
Custom made dresses, gowns suits and mens wear- done in some shops at Greenhills- recommend some reputable stores- LORD WEST- pricer than others nut quality work.
Check in security guards -- they are all over the malls-- dont ask them for directions-- they dont know where the stores are,etc. BEst to get to the INFORMATION BOOTH in that mall and they can direct you properly.
Watch for pick pockets and quick money changers in the stalls. ALWAYS count your change in front of the vendor for correct change before leaving the area.
Do not exchange foreign currencies on the weekends and holidays-- MONEY CHANGERs will give you a lower rate esp in out of town areas, banks are closed and they have less competition.
I booked at TRADERS HOTEL 4 nites after the DISCOVERY SUITES -- its much classier and cleaner hotel. FOr the same price I paid-- I got into the Executive floor- booked by of a ftravel agent friend.
If you are craving for great food-- go to SEASIDE area-- they have lots of fresh seafoods, meat, etc, you pick and choose the amt u want to consume and ask any restaurant to cook them for you for a fee. The recipes will be up to you or the cooks recommendations.
Best Features: vERY LOCATION very good for busy travellers and with familes. Convenient to walk anywhere to the malls,stores. Taxis easy to flag down at front of hotel- Bellhops will do it for you. Employees very polite and eager to please. Many will listen to your request and issues and help resolve within their capacity.
Needs Improvement: CHECK INProcess:Very poor! Categories for diff rooms --VERY MISLEADING! not you might expect it to be.DISCOVERY SUITES' Website needs to be updated to avoid BIG disappointments when getting in the rm you're assigned. I booked for Junior suite with 2 beds fro 2 adults.. Bellhop warned me its a sm room and said" it is a studio suite not a junior suite".They added a twin bed into a studio room with a qn size bed. Front desk kept on asserting it was their Jr suite-- later heard her say to AGODA it is a stuido suite but it is considered junior category- AGODA clerk did not offer any help- did not return call as promise after 2 days and I already asked to be moved to another room, another hotel or reimburse my money. I prodded athe recpt desk daily, I was moved to another room with a diff configuration -same footage only has 2 fullsz beds..Local booking agents puts a bad name to AGODA if they publish misleading facts like this on the website-it disappoints their customers and put the blame on AGODA! The junior suite is more likely a studio or deluxe category in a 3-4 star hotel. discovery suites over inflated their category - the junior suite rm.charge did not commensurate with the real junior suite category.I'ves tayed at PEARL MANILA hotel in Ermita 2 yrs ago and it far exceeds what this hotel have to offer on the dame room category.
.BREAKFAST: poor quality , not enough variety/choices, fruits were skimpy in supply. fruits not fresh- mushy, melons not ripe. Clients were made to wait for utensils and food supply at front line --many times. 10days in these hotel --service did not improve-- it got worse everyday. My room smelled musty with cigar tinge, other times it was like wet rice field. The ventilation and air flow was a real problem. My well controlled asthma problem re- activated the entire time I was there. I spent less time in the room only to return at nite. Sleepless nites from hacking cough and shortof breath every nite-- the uncontrollable smell coming form the hallway carpet seeping throught the bottom crack of my front door.I was able to avoid ER trips using my meds.The housekeeping and engineering crew were summoned daily for diff problems-- air condtioning probs,light bulbs out, phones not working, Tv not working- did not use it till 3rd day, shower doors falling out x3- missing and loose screws each time they came.Carpets very soiled and room spot cleaned after I requested. They were not able to resolve the hallway carpet smell seeping through the bottom crack of my front door. I sealed my door with bath towel at nite and kept the smell at tolerable level.I asked Housekeeper to keep my door shut at all times.The bedroom walls are not noise proof-- you can hear private conversations next door esp at nite.So much for privacy! SPA and massage service: ALSO a BIG disappointment! The service ladies were inexperienced and had unsafe technique-Perhaps bec Im very familiar with giving massages and had rec'd many facials from experts. I expected "good "service for what they charged.Desperately needing one after all the probs I had with this hotel, I ended up giving a show and tell demo/ hands on tips to the (2) employees so they can do it to me properly.They seemed thankful to my quick n simple instructions, but I was very disappointed overall with that whoel episode. I told them to tell their boss what happened and how they can improve.I still gave them a FAT tip- 12-15% of the total bill-- which was outrageous.
INTERNET Service: very slow connection and key boards needs to be replaced badly. Employee told me they are due to replace them soon.BEST THING: IT was free to use if available.
Hotel tip Dont lawys trust what you see in the internet- pcitures are deceiving. GET UPDATED info abt the hotel,e tc or read the reviews of the customers who recenlty stayed there.
Visitors rating for this hotel:| Value for money |  |
| Location |  |
| Staff performance |  |
| Hotel condition / cleaniness |  |
| Room comfort / standard | |
| Food / Dining | |
| Overall performance | |
Stayed in JUNIOR SUITE on 11FEB 2008-20 FEB 2008
Traveller type: Business Traveler Age: 51 - 60