Casa Rafael Business Inn

The room was small but super clean, and toiletries were provided except for a toothbrush. Staff were attentive and hospitable, and the price was very affordable. There’s parking, and SM Gensan is within walking distance. The main concern was security. Most of the lights in the common areas were off, maybe to save power. Our room also had a small extra door that seemed to lead to a maintenance area. I don’t know what it was for, but it felt scary, and we actually couldn’t sleep because of it. Service and cleanliness were 5/5, price 5/5, and security 3/4.

The staff were friendly, but a lot went wrong. They hadn’t processed the reservation I’d made months earlier when I arrived. They gave me a larger room at the same rate for one night, though. In the new room, the CR exhaust fan ticked nonstop. I asked them to fix it, and they said they couldn’t, but somehow they did make it quieter. The bigger issue was how easily outside noise came through the room walls. One day a politician was blasting propaganda at 5:30 AM. On Sundays there was a church convention on the third floor, with kids running around the halls and making all kinds of noise while nobody told them to stop. Mildly disappointing, to say the least.

The food was superb, and the rooms were comfortable. Casa Rafael Business Inn and Events Place also has a convenient location and service that went beyond what I expected. I’d happily recommend it for a business or leisure stay, and I’m looking forward to coming back.

I went to a function on the third floor, though I didn’t stay overnight. There’s no elevator, which could make access difficult for seniors and people with disabilities. The rates seemed reasonable for a small hotel tucked along the Osmena Street extension, with inexpensive places to eat nearby. Parking fits only about 3-4 cars, so I left mine farther down the street, across from GKK Chapel. #GensanHotel #DowntownHotel #LetsGuide