Grand Luley Manado

The hotel itself has plenty of space, a pool, a pier full of lovely fish, and a great view. The front desk staff were friendly and helpful, too. But our stay had some frustrating moments. A security guard shouted at me when I tried to take a photo from the pier, even though there was no sign saying I couldn't stand there. Our room was uncomfortably hot because the AC wasn't working. I reported it, and reception said they'd fix it, but nobody did. There were also ants all over our bed that could have bitten us. At breakfast, I asked for a sunny-side-up egg and the staff member refused to make one, pointing me to eggs he'd prepared earlier. I don't think the service meets a 4-star standard. I've had better service at 3-star hotels. I hope they review how they serve guests and make real improvements.

The place had a creepy feel, with more staff than guests. There seemed to be at most 10 guests, while staff stood lined up watching people eat breakfast. There isn't anything to do near the hotel, and we got no information at check-in. The food was nowhere near 4-star quality. Even the pizza we ordered for a quick meal was awful. The grounds and rooms are falling apart: broken tiles, a leaking pond, a pier in terrible shape, a moldy room, and poor water pressure. From outside and in the photos, it looks fine, but the rest is in decay. I can't understand why its rating here is so good. Save yourself the trouble and book somewhere else. You've been warned 😂

The mangroves around the hotel have been preserved, which is lovely, and the pool is beautiful. They offer professional scuba diving to Bunaken reef, and the breakfast buffet is excellent. For all that, the price is very reasonable. The concrete jetty could have been much smaller, but we really enjoyed the place and would definitely come back.

The restaurant was the one letdown for me. I tried the rice noodles and fried rice; the portions were big, but both lacked flavor. Maybe the other dishes are better. Still, staying at Grand Luley was a really pleasant experience. The rooms were clean and comfortable, with nice cool air conditioning. It's a peaceful spot for couples, friends, or family, with a lovely sea view. You can stroll out to the jetty, relax to the sound of the waves, and watch the sea and mountains at sunset.