Mayon Lodging House

The view of Mayon is great, but the stay came with too many hassles for the ₱1,400 I paid. The highway location gets noisy, especially at busy times, and our room had no working outlets. We had to run an extension cord from the next room to charge our devices. The Wi-Fi was extremely slow and unreliable. If you need to work, bring your own internet connection. The staff were accommodating when they were around, but when I booked, I was told we could leave our bags if we arrived early. We got there at 6 AM and found nobody at the desk. I called, but the front desk phone just rang and rang. The beautiful view couldn’t make up for the inconvenience. I’m not sure I’d come back unless things improve.

The cups for hot water are kept on the third floor, and because they’re short-staffed, guests are expected to serve themselves. That added to an already bad experience with customer service. The man at the front desk refused to sell me bottled water because he had no change for my 1K peso bill, and told me to find an exact or smaller bill. Good service matters at any kind of lodging, whether it’s a five-star property or an inn. The male receptionist’s behavior needs to be addressed.

The balcony was the highlight for me, with direct access from the room and a lovely view of the volcano. For an overnight stay to see it, this place is a good choice. The bed linen was clean, the air conditioning worked, and there was no damp or musty smell. The hotel is right beside the road, though, so it gets noisy at night. If you’re a light sleeper, it’s hard to sleep without earplugs.

The rooftop garden was my favorite spot. When the weather is clear, you can see Mayon Volcano well, and it’s a pleasant place to hang out. Staying here felt homey, and the staff were friendly and accommodating. The owner was helpful online, booking directly was easy, and payment was straightforward. There isn’t an in-house restaurant, so food options nearby are limited and you’ll probably need to travel to downtown Daraga to eat. There is a public kitchen if you want to cook. The double room was spacious and had everything we needed, though they don’t have solo rooms. It’s close to Cagsawa Ruins, about 15 minute wait from the accommodation, and also near Sumlang Lake and Daraga Church. The airport is closer than the capital city of Legazpi. I’d recommend it for a visit to Daraga.