Gervasia Hotel Makati

The receptionist and the staff member who showed us to the room were friendly. We booked just minutes before arriving because we only needed somewhere to rest for a short while. We expected one queen bed and one single, but got two queen beds instead. The room was tiny and didn't seem suited to a longer stay. The AC worked well, though the bathroom was messy, with a rusty faucet and a damaged bidet that leaked. For a budget stay of a few hours it was okay, but I wouldn't choose this hotel for a vacation or an extended visit.

There's a Japanese restaurant at the back, plus other kinds of restaurants nearby. Laundry, a convenience store, and shops are all within walking distance. There's also a rooftop terrace restaurant and bar, reached by a separate elevator. The hotel could be much better if the owners put money into proper maintenance staff and materials.

Breakfast came right on time at 7AM, and it was included in the price, which made this a good deal for my one-night stay. The room was clean, decent, and well maintained, with towels and a toothbrush and toothpaste kit. The staff were accommodating and friendly, and the location was handy for restaurants, fast food, and other businesses. There was no electric kettle for hot water, and I spotted a few small cockroaches, so pest control could use attention. I'm not too fussy, and for a short, affordable stay I found it convenient and would recommend it to budget travelers.

We were moved three times because so much in the rooms wasn't working. The phone system was out, there was no hot water, the refrigerator didn't work, the lights had broken switches, and the toilet leaked across the floor. The broken bidet sprayed water everywhere too. Some windows couldn't be shut because their latches were missing. There were bugs in the beds, which was another reason for a move. The rooms are extremely small, barely larger than the bed, and the breakfast that came with the stay had little choice and tasted horrible. The front desk staff seemed uncaring, and when we asked to speak with a manager, they wouldn't let us. It seemed the manager was never there. There were electrical outlets hanging out of the wall, a serious safety and fire concern, and the light switches could expose you to electric shock. They should keep the rooms functional, prevent bed bugs, and describe the rooms better. I know this isn't an expensive or high-end hotel, but that doesn't excuse these problems. In my twelve trips to the Philippines, this was the worst hotel and worst travel experience I've had. Stay far away from this trash heap.