Travelite Express Hotel La Union

There was plenty of parking, and the room was spotless, from the floors and bedding to the bathroom. The design was simple but lovely, the staff were friendly and helpful, check-in was easy even as walk-ins, and the air conditioning stayed cold. The Smart TV was a nice extra, and the rates were affordable. Still, we came hoping to rest and recharge, and the shower water was freezing. There was hot water at the sink, but not in the shower. We’re used to cold baths and tried to be flexible, but this was painfully uncomfortable. Staff suggested heating water in a kettle, which we appreciated, though that's a hassle after a long day. The bidet was part of the shower setup, with no separate one by the toilet, and that felt unhygienic when using the shared area barefoot. We could hear the hallway and next room because the room wasn't soundproof, which made sleep difficult. There were no guest keycards for the elevator, so we had to call staff each time we went up. I understand that may be for security, but it was inconvenient. Hot water is a basic comfort, and fixing it could make this a five-star stay.

The room was clean, the bed comfortable, and the staff friendly, so the stay was okay overall. But we booked expecting a hot shower, and the water never warmed up. There was no intercom, and the bidet was awkwardly placed inside the shower. The hotel is also a bit far from the plaza and beach areas.

The room was decent, but it was missing basics like a chair, hair dryer, and clothes rack. The bidet would be more convenient beside the toilet instead of in the shower area. Guests also don't get individual keycards for the elevator, so using it depends on hotel staff. I've booked here several times, and the hot shower has been unavailable every time, with “maintenance” given as the reason.

The hotel opened in 2023 and sits on the main highway near Robinsons' La Union mall. There's ample parking behind the building, and the place feels safe and functional. The Wi-Fi was pretty fast, though the analog TV signal was poor and only a few channels were watchable. Air conditioning was just adequate. The rooms are austere, really only set up for sleeping. My ensuite shower had no hot water, which they blamed on maintenance; based on older reviews, I suspect they may simply have switched it off. There were no floor towels or slippers, making the floor slippery, and no chairs, desks, wardrobes, clothes hangers, irons, or hair dryers. I had to force my room door open and shut because the wood had expanded from the heat. It could be a much better hotel with more attention to guest needs. At US$38 a night or less, though, it was okay value for a one-night stopover. Right now, it feels like they ran out of money and opened anyway.