Aozora Seaside Mactan

The staff were so lovely that I gave the place two stars, and the bed was surprisingly comfortable. The rooms were clean, but I still checked out and moved hotels. The area felt unsafe to walk around at night, with people approaching for money, and there was nothing to do nearby. Hundreds of roosters from the cockfighting farm next door crowed through the day and much of the night. The advertised beach was just a small, slimy rocky spot where the water meets the shore. The fit-out seemed about 40 years old, and only four holes in the shower head worked. Rooms were only cleaned if you specifically asked each day. The pool was out of order, and looking at the photos, I was afraid I might contract cholera if I used it.

The staff and restaurant were decent, and I hate writing reviews like this, especially in the Philippines, where I know how hard people work to give good service. But the room and property didn't match what Expedia's pictures showed. The carpet was disgusting, with stains, even though the website showed nice wood floors. The room was dusty, and there was dried black hair on the tub. Outside, the pool was a disgusting green and stayed that way for the two days we were there. The property also looked in disrepair. We checked in at Aozora for a week over New Year's Eve, decided after lunch that we wouldn't stay for the holiday, and ended up staying two nights because our next choice had no week-long availability. I was extremely disappointed by the misleading Expedia information and the condition of the room. I wouldn't recommend it.

The sea-view room Kris and Aira at the front desk upgraded us to made our stay at Aozora Seaside Mactan feel extra special. My son and I first ate at the seaside restaurant before checking in. Roland was our waiter, and his friendly manner and genuine smile made us feel at home. The whole staff were courteous and welcoming, and we were so impressed that we booked a villa. Daghan kaayong Salamat, six stars from us. They all deserve a raise! The resort felt peaceful and homey among the busy streets and tall hotels of Mactan. The gardens, walkways and surroundings were beautifully kept, and the pool was sparkling blue with staff maintaining it around the clock and adding fresh water. The sea is swimmable, though I recommend walking farther out on the footbridge, where the water is crystal clear and breathtaking. There are a few friendly cats around, so keep that in mind if you have allergies or don't like pets. We loved our stay and will definitely return. Salamat Po.

Our team activity was able to go ahead thanks to AS resort. We had booked a low-key stay at punta engaño exclusive beach resort and paid a down payment, but later learned the owner didn't know about our booking, so we had been scammed. AS resort helped us out with a place at a very affordable price. We're grateful, and their customer service was really good. They were very accommodating.