Copacabana Apartment Hotel

The loud party in the next room has gone on nonstop for two full days and is still going. I called the front desk at 1:30 in the morning, got an “oh, sorry,” and the music kept blaring. I don’t know how anyone can keep that up, it’s awful. The TV signal is so poor I can barely see the picture, even though the TV itself is new. There’s no room service sign for the door, and I’ve had to call each day for garbage pickup and coffee packs. The air conditioning also cut out, though they fixed it, which I can understand. I also don’t get why there aren’t two free bottles of water. I’ve been coming here at least twice a year for 14 years. I’m glad the security guard still remembers me, and I’ll miss my friends at security and the pool if I have to find somewhere else. The front desk seems to have new people every time, unlike other hotels where the same staff remember their guests. Oh well, customers don’t seem to matter anywhere anymore. I can always stop by and say hello.

It’s close to NAIA, and you can watch planes go by while swimming. The rooms are nice, and having a kitchen is a rare plus. At 6,500 a night it’s pretty expensive, but I’d say it’s worth it.

Our room was on the 11th floor, but the elevator only reaches the 10th, so you have to take the stairs for the last floor. It wasn’t a big deal, though it’d be a workout with lots of luggage. We also noticed planes flying overhead every 12 to 15 minutes or so while at the pool. You can hear some engine noise there as they take off. Inside the room, it was quiet and peaceful, so light sleepers shouldn’t worry. The staff were the highlight. They greeted us with a smile everywhere, with thoughtful “good morning,” “good afternoon,” and “good evening” greetings that made the place feel welcoming. When we called for drinking water, a hair blower, and tissues, everything arrived quickly despite our being on the 11th floor. The room was cozy, the AC worked well, the bathroom was spotless, and the appliances were in good condition. I’d expected a breakfast buffet, but they served individual plates instead. That was my misunderstanding, since Agoda only said “free breakfast.” For the price, it was a good deal anyway. My Longsilog, my wife’s Tapsilog, and my son’s Tocilog were all tasty and filling. I stayed here last June 9 and, honestly, hadn’t expected much from a 3-star hotel or its entry-level studio room. We had a great experience, with warm service and a score of 8.9 out of 10. I’d stay again, maybe with less luggage.

The only disappointment was the hot water. Pressure was low at the kitchen sink and almost nonexistent in the shower, so I had to let it trickle until it got hot, then add just enough cold water to shower. Still, I’d recommend the place and would stay here again. It’s a good value, with nice room amenities. My wife and I had a deluxe room with a kitchenette and mostly cooked for ourselves. The staff were very helpful, the pool was lovely, and the restaurant looked like it had a good menu at reasonable prices, though I didn’t eat there. The property itself was good.