Centtro Residences

The rooms are roomy, but could be cleaned better and the hygiene needs work. Outside, the building looks unfinished, as if construction is still going on or was left behind.

We booked for the 17th through the 26th but left early because of problems with the room. This felt more like a motel than a hotel, since you enter the room from outside rather than from inside a building. There was no hot water, and the air conditioner wasn’t powerful enough to cool the room. For two people, we got one small roll of toilet paper. The WiFi was turned off for two days, leaving us without internet for work. The rooms are old compared with the Google pictures. There was no privacy because the window had no covering. The front desk didn’t provide curtains or offer to move us, so we covered the outside windows with empty shopping bags. The bedding looked dirty and unwashed, the pillows were flat, and it all seemed due for replacement. The towels were old, and nobody asked whether we needed more or replacements. We had the same towels for three days. There weren’t enough outlets for charging devices, and a sign in the room said not to charge overnight to avoid accidental fires. There are no refunds, so I’m going to dispute the charges with the banks.

For a competitive price, the very spacious triple-sharing room had a great king bed plus a single bed. They provided bathrobes, bottled water, a coffee set, a fridge, and hotel slippers. The soap came in good-sized bars, and the shampoo tubes were enough for two uses. I’d book this again over a hot spring resort room because I like the room amenities.

We’ll likely return because we travel back and forth between Manila and Los Banos, and the location is very handy for visits to UPLB. That convenience is really the main reason. It’s fine for a short stay, but the whole facility feels old and dated. Our spacious room was rather tacky, and a hallway-facing window had no blinds, so we asked for a cover and ended up using a towel as a makeshift curtain. The bath mat could have been cleaner. There are positives: strong WiFi, cable TV, a cold fridge with a working freezer, and a layout with separate shower and toilet that we liked. Our room had a veranda. Staff were friendly and well trained. Centtro Mall is nearby, with SaveMore grocery, BonChon, Cafe Ella, Shawarma Shack, Belgian Waffle, and others. Parking is ample behind the mall, but uncovered, so cars are exposed to the weather. There’s no covered drop-off area, and the elevator is at the far end of the hall by the parking lot.