Golden Phoenix Hotel Boracay

The beachfront setting, clean surroundings, and relaxing feel were the best parts of our stay at Golden Phoenix Hotel. The pool stays open until 10 PM, useful since swimming at the beach isn’t allowed after 9 PM. Night Chill Bar had a live singer, and the food was surprisingly good with large portions to share. Toiletries, even cotton buds, were provided. Be ready for the ₱2,000 security deposit. Service and coordination didn’t live up to the expectations created by the reviews. We arrived around 3 PM and only one receptionist was handling guests; it took about 20 minutes for another to come, and the lobby was already crowded. We faced long lines and slow processing again at checkout. The front desk needs more staff. Our key card didn’t work, so after the long wait we had to go back downstairs and upstairs to sort it out, then later step out again for another update. A roaming staff member with a universal key helped temporarily. When we returned from lunch around 4-5 PM to wash up and rest, there was a doormat but no towels. The room also had no slippers, so bring your own or buy some outside. Breakfast had the usual Filipino options, but refills were slow and kitchenware kept running out, making the dining area feel disorganized. The location and amenities are good, though the service needs to improve.

We spent the night of December 24 here, hoping for a pleasant stay, but it was miserable. The building smelled strongly of sewage. There was no bathroom water, the shower and TV didn’t work, the sheets were damp, and the room looked nothing like the photos. We had only half a roll of toilet paper, no water in the minibar, and a broken telephone. When we asked for help with the water, we waited in the room for over an hour. Downstairs, nobody apologized. They moved us one floor below, but that room also had water trouble and only cold water. The staff were inefficient and unhelpful. I don’t recommend this place.

The beachfront location and pool were definite pluses, but the hotel didn’t feel like a four-star stay. We arrived to find no towels or pillowcases, and the room was only acceptable, with poor lighting that made it dark. The bathroom was dirty and the toilet blocked. Breakfast was average, and the buffet took too long to refill. Receptionist Deo was particularly rude. Overall, the service and upkeep let the hotel down, and the experience felt closer to one star.

The room was clean, though the property is old. The TV was broken, there were no room slippers, and you need ₱2,000 cash for the security deposit at check-in. Breakfast was disappointing, and with only two small complimentary water bottles for the whole stay, the amenities felt lacking. There’s also a ₱50 charge to reheat food. Housekeeping was the biggest problem. We asked twice for the room to be cleaned, and both times waited for hours with nobody showing up. We cancelled one request because we needed to sleep. On the other occasion, the room was still untouched when we returned in the afternoon, even with housekeeping carts parked right outside. The stay was manageable, but service and amenities need work.