Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Excelsior Hotel Las Piñas - Manila's Hidden Gem
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Excelsior Hotel Las Piñas - Manila's Hidden Gem
Unbelievable Luxury…That Actually Is Believable (Mostly): A Review of Excelsior Hotel Las Piñas
Okay, buckle up, because I'm about to spill the tea on the Excelsior Hotel in Las Piñas. "Unbelievable Luxury Awaits," they say. And while I wouldn't go THAT far – let's be real, nothing's unbelievable anymore after you've seen a cat wearing a tiny hat on the internet – it's definitely a solid contender for a Manila staycation. Prepare for a warts-and-all, no-holds-barred assessment. I'm talking accessibility, the food (oh, the food!), the "luxury" factor, and whether it’s actually worth your hard-earned pesos.
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Getting There & Getting In: The Accessibility Adventure (And the Initial Frustrations)
First off, accessibility. This is where the romance immediately hits a snag. The website claims it’s got the goods, but I always approach these things with the skepticism of someone who's seen a hotel lobby promising "easy access" and then discovered a flight of stairs.
The Good: The entrance is fairly level, which is HUGE. They have an elevator, and the front desk staff were genuinely helpful. (Score one for trying!)
The Reality Check: While they say accessible rooms are available, I'm not entirely certain how truly "accessible" they are. I'd recommend calling ahead and clarifying every single detail if you have mobility concerns. Specifically check about the bathroom - size, grab bars, and door widths. My experience? Let's just say, it’s almost there, but could be better. (Room for improvement, Excelsior!)
The Anecdote: Dragging my suitcase through the lobby, I noticed a slightly frazzled-looking gentleman struggling with a particularly stubborn door frame. He finally wrestled it open, muttering something about "architects and their love of aesthetic over actual functionality." I felt his pain. And then, I realized I was him!
Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], 24-hour Front Desk, Doorman: These are all present, thankfully. The speed and efficiency were decent. The doormen were polite and helpful.
The Room: A Mixed Bag of Comfort and Quirks
Speaking of the room… let's dive in.
Available in all rooms: So much! From Air conditioning, Air conditioning in public area, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom Phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], and Window that opens. Phew, that’s a LOT!
The Good: The bed was ridiculously comfortable. Seriously, I could have slept for a week. The blackout curtains were a godsend, blocking out the Manila sunshine like a champ. The free Wi-Fi was actually decent, unlike some hotels where you spend half your stay trying to get a signal. I appreciated the presence of an Ironing Service. The Room decorations were tasteful. The Quirks: The bathroom phone felt a bit… obsolete? Like something out of a 90s thriller. The mini-bar was disappointingly spartan (more snacks, please!). The soundproofing was okay, but I occasionally heard the faint sounds of… well, let's just say, hotel life. The Imperfection: I spent a solid 10 minutes trying to figure out the TV remote. Technology, eh?
Non-Smoking Rooms: This is good! Interconnecting room(s) available. Nice for families and those who want a little more space.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: An Emotional Rollercoaster
This is where things get… interesting. Food is a big deal for me. I want to know if it hits the right spot!
The Essentials: Restaurants: The hotel had a few, but I didn’t get to go to all of them. Room service [24-hour]: A blessing. I'm all about the midnight snack. Coffee/tea in restaurant: Good to have, and I like the coffee here. Bar: The bar offers various cocktails, but I didn't explore it much. The Good: The Asian breakfast was a winner. The breakfast buffet was extensive. They offered a vegetarian restaurant option. The international cuisine in restaurant, Western breakfast, and Western cuisine in restaurant were all decent enough. They have Happy hour
The Bad/The Quirky: I ordered room service one night and… well, let’s just say the delivery time was a bit… leisurely. The food, when it arrived, was a bit cold. A dessert in restaurant was just okay. The Annoying: The Coffee shop staff seemed perpetually frazzled, and getting a refill was an Olympic sport. The buffet in restaurant, while offering a wide variety, felt a bit… mass-produced. It lacked the soul and authenticity I crave. The Anecdote: (This one still makes me laugh). I tried to order a simple salad. They were out of half the ingredients. I ended up with a bowl of lettuce and regret.
Also noted: A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bottle of water, Breakfast service, Poolside bar, Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, and Soup in restaurant
The overall dining experience was solid. It just needed a bit more love and attention to detail.
Relaxation and Rejuvenation: Chasing the Zen Zone
So, let's talk about unwinding.
The Good: The Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view were all fantastic. The pool area was definitely a highlight. It was a relaxing oasis. The Massage was top-notch. They have a Foot bath. The "Meh": I'm not really a "body wrap" or "body scrub" kind of person, so I can't comment on those. The Bad: The Fitness center, Gym/fitness It was pretty small.
Cleanliness, Safety, and Peace of Mind
In the post-pandemic world, this stuff matters MORE than ever.
The Good: I was impressed. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, and Room sanitization opt-out available all showed they were taking things seriously. The Not-So-Good (Minor Quibbles): The Shared stationery removed felt a bit impersonal.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Extras
The Good: Air conditioning in public area, Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Luggage storage, and Safety deposit boxes were all much appreciated. The "Nice to Haves": Cash withdrawal, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Ironing service, Laundry service, and Smoking area are all useful to have on hand. The "Needs Improvement": Food delivery felt unreliable at times.
Also Noted: Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Invoice provided, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Seminars, Shrine, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, and Xerox/fax in business center
For the Kids: Family Fun (or Not?)
This section is for those with kids. I will include anything that mentions this.
The presence of Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal is a plus.
Getting Around: The Logistics
**Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge],
Escape to Paradise: Luxury Seminyak Villa & Spa Awaits!The Excelsior, Oh Manila, My Manila! (A Messy, Opinionated Itinerary)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn’t your average, sterile travel itinerary. This is a diary of my attempted zen-and-lazing-about-in-Manila, specifically at that… exciting… Excelsior Hotel in Las Pinas. Pray for me.
Day 1: Arrival & Disillusionment (or, "Where's the Aircon?!" )
- 14:00: Touchdown at NAIA. The humidity slaps you in the face like a wet fish. Honestly, I'd forgotten what truly sweltering felt like. My perfectly ironed linen shirt already feels like a damp, crumpled mess. Note to self: Pack ALL the baby wipes.
- 15:30: Taxi ride to The Excelsior. Traffic is, as expected, a glorious, honking free-for-all. I swear I saw a dog riding a motorcycle. Or maybe it was the jet lag kicking in.
- 16:30: Check-in. Okay, the lobby is… grand. Sort of. Lots of marble, a chandelier that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe, and a distinct smell of… something. Can't quite place it. Old magazines? Incense? Mystery.
- 17:00: Room Reveal! Oh. My. God. The room is… fine. Cleanish. But the aircon. The aircon is plotting against me. It's wheezing and sputtering like an asthmatic grandpa. Deep breath. You can do this. Think of the pool.
- 17:30-18:30: Attempt to adjust aircon. Fail. Call reception. Wait. Wait some more. Finally, a very sweet, very apologetic staff member comes to… adjust things. It gets slightly cooler. Progress? Barely. Fume about the AC for a solid 20 minutes. Consider moving to Antarctica.
- 19:00: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. The menu is… extensive. So many choices! Order Adobo. It's a Filipino classic, right? And it's… okay. A little bland, actually. I'm starting to suspect my taste buds are still back on the plane. And the music. The elevator music is playing in the restaurant. Forever.
- 20:00: Head back to the room. The aircon is still a menace. Decide to embrace the heat. Settle in bed, with a book and a glass of (very warm) water.
Emotional Temperature: Mildly Aggravated.
Day 2: Pool Day and Regret (or, "Where's the Sunscreen I Swear I Packed?!")
- 08:00: Wake up drenched in sweat. Thanks, aircon. Decide to make a beeline for the pool before the sun turns me into a crispy critter.
- 08:30: Poolside. The pool is… smaller than I imagined. But hey, clean water! Jump in, feel instantly refreshed. Bliss!
- 09:00-11:00: Hours dedicated to actually enjoying the pool. Ah, the sweet, sweet relief of the water. That is… until I realize I've forgotten sunscreen. Whoops.
- 11:00: Brunch. The hotel offers an okay breakfast buffet. Eggs, pancakes, some questionable sausages… I try everything. End up with a stomach full of weirdly sweet cereal.
- 11:30: Red, puffy, and feeling like a cooked lobster. Head back to the room, defeated by the sun.
- 12:00-15:00: Nap (mostly from exhaustion from the heat). And dreaming of air conditioners…
- 15:00: Explore the area. Las Pinas. Not exactly bursting with excitement, but I venture out anyway. Found a local market that was a assault of the senses! The smells! The sights! The noise! It was glorious! Got some mangos that were so sweet and delicious.
- 17:00: Get back to hotel… Shower with cold water…
- 19:00: Dinner. Try the restaurant's "international" options. It was a mistake. Pizza that tastes like cardboard. At least the people in the hotel are very sweet.
Emotional Temperature: Sunburned, Hungry, and Slightly Bitter.
Day 3: The Unbearable Lightness of Being (of Very Little Accomplishment)
- 07:00: Wake up. Aircon is still a cruel joke. The hotel staff has been working on it for days… No luck.
- 07:30: Try to order room service. Phone barely functions but I somehow manage to order a morning coffee. The coffee… arrives cold.
- 08:00: Stare at the pool from my room. Consider going, but the thought of further sun damage is too much. Decide to stay in and read.
- 08:30-11:00: Try to read. Fail miserably. The book feels heavy. My eyes hurt. Everything hurts.
- 11:00: Call reception to complain about the AC again. They promise to "look into it." Again.
- 12:00: Lunch consists of crackers and the lukewarm coffee that was delivered some hours ago.
- 13:00-17:00: A feverish attempt to write a travel blog. It's going terribly. My mind drifts. I watch the wall. Sigh.
- 17:00: Decide to go for a walk. Explore around the Excelsior Hotel.
- 19:00: Order a pizza from a nearby delivery place.
- 20:00: Stare at the aircon, and it stares back.
Emotional Temperature: Existential Dread, with a Hint of Pizza Greasiness.
Day 4: Departure & (Possible) Redemption (or, "Goodbye, Excelsior… Maybe?")
- 06:00: Wake up. The aircon is still mocking me.
- 07:00: Check out. The staff is genuinely sorry about the aircon situation. Everyone is polite and nice – a redeeming quality.
- 08:00: Airport. The familiar humid air greets me.
- 09:00: Flight home.
- 10:00: I feel like I am still at the Excelsior, even though I'm not.
- 17:00: Reflecting on the trip. The Excelsior had its issues. But hey, it was a unique experience. I now have several stories to tell.
- 18:00: I would go back to the Philippines again.
Overall Impression of The Excelsior Hotel : A truly “memorable” experience. The hotel experience was uneven. The hotel itself wasn’t exactly a palace. But the staff? Absolutely lovely. And hey, the adventure made for some great stories. And the pizza was good.
Would I go back? Maybe. With earplugs for the aircon.
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