Gran Hotel Manila

The location makes it easy to get around, and our studio-style room was spacious enough to move around comfortably. It wasn’t modern, but it worked well as a place to relax after walking around Mar del Plata. The room was clean and tidy, with no musty smells, and housekeeping was thorough and on time. Some furniture looked dated, but it all worked. The TV remote was a bit troublesome, though nothing serious. Service was a real strong point. Everyone was friendly and there was no hassle, and having reception staffed 24 hours was a big plus. We came and went at all hours and always found someone awake, attentive, and ready to help. Breakfast was basic but adequate, American-style, with no cold cuts or cheese. The dining area has no windows or good ventilation. That wasn’t an issue in winter, but it could feel stuffy in summer. The elevator is small and has an outdated door system, so getting to the upper floors can be a real ordeal. We often took the stairs instead. Wi-Fi was weak, and sometimes mobile data worked better.

We could see the beach from our window, and the location was excellent. The reception team were very friendly and helpful, and breakfast service was acceptable. The bed was comfortable, and otherwise the room was fine, with a safe and smart TV. It was small, though, and the bathroom was narrow, with old fixtures; it had the essentials, including a hairdryer. The facilities feel dated. There’s a fan but no air conditioning.

I had a lovely sea view, and the hotel was nice and comfortable. The breakfast room felt very enclosed, which I didn’t like.

There are several room types, and the one we were given was extremely small, with a tiny bathroom too. We’d asked for one double bed, but instead got two double beds pushed together. The pillows were very uncomfortable.