Royce Hotel & Casino

The hotel’s Clark location is convenient, but our overnight stay at Royce Hotel in Clark, Pampanga didn’t meet expectations. We chose it hoping to relax and enjoy the amenities, then found out there’s no swimming pool. Our room also had no nice view, which made the stay less enjoyable than we’d hoped. We hope the hotel improves its amenities and makes clear what guests can expect.

The old Royce wing and the new one can be a little confusing, though it’s no big deal, and rates for rooms in the new wing are on the pricey side. The dining hall has an all-day buffet, with food that tastes mass-produced, which, well, it is. The roast beef and baby back were outstanding, while the Chinese food wasn’t as good. Google classifies it as a 3-star hotel, but I’d rate it more like a 4-star or even a low-end 5. The rooms are great, with separate toilet rooms and showers, though I wish they had shavers available. You can request one. The lobby is spacious and well appointed.

The location is isolated, so you’ll need taxis to get anywhere outside the resort. There isn’t much you can walk to nearby. The casino was enjoyable, though the slot machines felt tight. The main bed was very comfortable, with good sheets and blankets, but the rollaway bed was hard and made for a poor night’s sleep. The towels looked dingy instead of clean white. The breakfast buffet was average, while the staff were excellent, friendly, and attentive. At check-in we got a helpful information sheet, but its “4-21” breakfast location note was confusing. The front desk said to go to the 3rd floor, but the elevator button didn’t work. We went to the 4th floor instead and found Kitchen 21. Clearer directions would help.

The breakfast was very good, and the staff were friendly and accommodating. The rooms were plain, though, and outside noise came through easily, making it harder to relax. The hotel uses a strong fragrance in both rooms and hallways. We’re sensitive to scents, so if you are too, ask for a fragrance-free room when booking. There’s no in-house laundry service; they outsource it and charge by the piece, which didn’t feel worth the price. They also require a ₱3,000 security deposit. If you pay by card, the refund takes 7-10 banking days after checkout. We checked out on the 19th and still haven’t received ours.