The Oriental Legazpi

The breakfast service was excellent, and staff stayed attentive and accommodating throughout our visit. The rooms, though, felt old and had a noticeable smell, possibly from the aging carpet. It set off my allergies. Housekeeping also forgot our towels, so we had to ask for them more than once. Service was great, but the rooms need renovation and housekeeping could be more attentive.

The view was gorgeous, and it was cool to see the volcano, but the pool area was the main reason we booked. The pool looked pretty, yet it was cold, dirty, and not filled to the top, so it didn’t feel like a real infinity pool or like it was filtering. The glass around the pool and restaurant was dirty and hard to see through. There were no towels available when we arrived, and until the restaurant opened at 5 pm, drinks could only be brought from the pricier bar downstairs. With staff around to make the experience work, the view could have been much more enjoyable. The check-in staff were friendly and helpful. When we asked other staff questions, they often seemed confused and not keen to help. The room’s soft pillows were a plus, but it smelled like sewage for much of the day. I had to leave the patio door open all night so I could sleep. Beside the bathroom bin were someone else’s dried contact lens and nail clippings, and the floor clearly hadn’t been cleaned between guests. The table had some kind of seeds or wood shavings on it and hadn’t been wiped either. It’s a beautifully designed place with a lot of potential, but it fell short in most areas. I’m glad we stayed only about 12 hours before our flight. For what we paid, it wasn’t worth it. In my opinion, a lot of the five-star ratings seem paid for.

The best part of our first stay at this iconic Bicol hotel was the view of Mayon Volcano from our second-floor balcony. I’ve been to the region five times, and chose this hotel for that panorama. It was spectacular. I booked two rooms, one for my wife and me and another for the kids. The hotel itself is beautiful and well located, but some details didn’t meet what I’d expect from a four-star place. Breakfast had a wide selection, which was nice, but many dishes tasted bland and needed better seasoning. The item labeled “Hungarian sausage” was actually a local chicken hotdog or frankfurter. More authentic ingredients would improve the meal. On our last morning, there weren’t any clean towels by the pool, and the pool seemed to need more frequent cleaning, especially in the morning. We also received only two small 350ml bottles of still water per room, and extra bottles cost a premium. That felt stingy for a hotel at this level, particularly since the tap water isn’t potable. More complimentary water or free refills would help. The hotel has plenty of potential, and attention to water, breakfast, and pool upkeep could help it live up to its reputation and four-star rating.

The buffet dinners and breakfasts have been fresh, tasty, and filling whenever we’ve stayed. We’ve been back a couple of times, and the rooms have always been clean, comfortable, and well kept. The staff are welcoming and helpful too. One thing to improve: please keep the ground-floor comfort room clean consistently. We’ve had pleasant stays and would be happy to return.