Appleton Boutique Hotel Cebu

The location is handy, with restaurants, supermarkets and outlet stores all within a five-minute walk. The hotel is good, especially for the price, with large rooms, very friendly staff and a convenient airport shuttle. The airport is six kilometers away, and at night the drive took us 10-15 minutes.

The free airport transfer was convenient, and the hotel is just a few steps from SM supermarket and gaisano mall and shopping. But I missed my trip to hilongos, which was meant to leave from pier 3 at 7 AM. I checked out at 6 AM and asked the receptionist to call a taxi. They kept saying it would come in three or five minutes, or that traffic was slowing it down, and I waited over 30 minutes without a taxi arriving. They could have told me earlier so I could find one outside. I raised my voice in the lobby because I needed to reach the pier before 7, and then they helped find a motor ride. Thanks to the person who helped, though I still missed the trip. The staff seemed busy chatting and didn't pay attention to my request. My room also had cockroaches everywhere, and the sink was clogged. I didn't get breakfast because they said ordering started at 6:30. I hope the hotel improves and listens to guest requests.

The hotel itself was fine, but I wouldn't recommend booking with them. About four days before my booking through booking.com, I started receiving messages claiming to be from the hotel and asking me to make another payment through a sketchy website or my reservation would be canceled. It was a scam. I contacted the hotel, and they said it wasn't them and that it was probably a security issue with booking. I think it was more likely an issue at the hotel or someone there stealing client information to extort guests.

The food was delicious and the staff were very kind. It's a good three-star hotel. I'd recommend it and would come back another time.