The First Clark Hotel & Residence

The hotel’s service and quality are good, and it worked well for my race since it’s the closest one to the start line. Without the race, though, I might not stay here. Clark Global City feels empty, with little to do within walking distance and no nearby restaurants. You’ll need to eat at the hotel restaurants, which are a bit pricey.

The bathroom was my favorite part of the room, which was nice overall. Staff were very hospitable and helpful, including when I asked them to book a taxi to the nearby mall. You do need a car to reach the mall and other nearby places. There’s a cafe, a convenience store, and two restaurants on site, though, so you don’t have to go far for food unless you’re craving something particular.

I stayed five days at this newly opened hotel inside Clark. The room was a decent size, and the bed and pillows were comfortable. The hot shower didn’t work on the first night but was fixed the next day. At check-in, staff gave me a paper with the set breakfast menu for each day. It doesn’t work for guests with dietary preferences, and the restaurant wasn’t flexible about making changes. At checkout, I could only return one key card because I’d left the other in the room, but staff couldn’t find it. I had to pay 500php for the lost card, which felt quite pricey compared with hotels that don’t charge for one. A bit disappointing.

Bathrooms are clean and high-tech, and there’s a coffee shop, Korean mart, spa, and restaurants on site. The location is good, though barricades make getting in a bit tricky. Basement parking is limited.