Grand Regal

The rooms look much nicer inside after the upgrades, and the new TVs have Prime, YouTube, and Netflix. We also saw more renovations underway in other parts of the property, which I hope will make our next visit even better. We've stayed here several times for short visits and have always enjoyed it. Everyone, from the security guards through check-in and room service, goes out of their way to help. Breakfast is included with the rooms. 😊

The rooms have become so dark that working on a computer is difficult. Ours had just one table lamp and a small recessed light. The toilet was disgusting, and the bed left me waking up with back pain. It's the most uncomfortable hotel bed I've had, even compared with backpacker hotels like Red. The hotel is also a construction site while they remodel some areas, which we understand. We used to be regular clients of Gradd Regal before the pandemic and always had great stays. These last two visits were nothing like those earlier ones. If you're PWD and need parking help, go somewhere else. The security guards will NOT HELP YOU AT ALL. Someone with a disability who has trouble walking shouldn't have to climb in and out of the car to move the PWD sign just to park. Some top level service! This will probably be our last stay. We celebrated Christmas and New yeat here with our family before the pandemic, and those were good times. Sadly, it isn't the same now. It feels like management doesn't care about clients' comfort and welfare anymore. Grand Regal changed its color, and its management and customer service have changed too, making the experience unpleasant for once loyal clients. Things change, that's reality. Goodbye to those good memories.

The location is the one bright spot, close to malls and the airport. The rest was a mess. The rooms are dated, and the toilet tiles need a deep clean. The AC started out quiet, then got so loud it sounded like a pump boat crossing Samal Island. I had to get up in the middle of the night and switch it off. Since we had an early flight, changing rooms at that point seemed pointless. They'd even collected a deposit at check-in, before we knew we'd have such a traumatic night. I had a good stay here years ago, but it's not the same hotel now. It isn't well maintained.

I got the rest I needed over two nights, and I'd consider staying again for a staycation. The shower pressure was fantastic, breakfast was a Filipino buffet, and the hotel smelled nice. Our room was big, they gave us the large bed we requested, there was plenty of parking, and blackout curtains. The location was close to where we needed to be. I slept comfortably, even though the bed looked a little deformed. I thought it might be lumpy, but it wasn't. There were small stains on the sheets; I'm sure they'd been washed, but they may need replacing. The place looks dated, and I spotted tiny cockroaches in the bathroom. I didn't mind much because they were so small, but it'd be better not to have any. The shower drain needs unclogging, and the walls are thin enough that you can hear people talking outside. During our two nights, I heard three loud bangs somewhere in the building, including one at night. The hotel is renovating, and we'd mainly chosen it for the pool, but it wasn't open. I hadn't seen the notice on Agoda. I don't need much as long as the basics are there: a great shower, good breakfast, clean towels, and a comfy bed. It was a good stay since I got the rest I needed. We may try again when the pool is open and hope the experience is better after the renovation.