EL Navi Surftown

There was no water when we arrived at 10 pm, and we had to use the bathroom in the hallway to bathe. Talking to the staff downstairs was stressful because we had to keep going up and down, and they didn’t seem professional. The next morning there was still no water, so we had to use that same bathroom again. The room listing on agoda was misleading. It said a standard room without a double deck, but we got a double deck room on the third floor, and the air conditioning was very weak. Early in the morning, people were working on the next door and making a lot of noise on top of the already loud traffic. We put up with it for a while because it came and went, then they knocked on our room twice to fix the doorknob. We were trying to rest! Better to get a transient than book here. Super annoying. If zero stars were an option, that’s what I’d give.

My friend had booked two rooms. When I checked the toilet in my room, there was a clump of hair in the bowl. I asked for room service, but it took a while for someone to come, and he only flushed it without cleaning. It was frustrating. The room was dusty, poorly lit, and unwelcoming, and the smell irritated my nose. My friend and I decided to leave right away and didn’t get our money’s worth. It felt like a scam. Very disappointing.

The room worked well for our group of five, with a double bunk bed, another double bed, a small closet, and a clean bathroom and toilet. We arrived an hour after check-in, but staff showed us straight to the room. The air conditioning was so cold it nearly froze us, yet we could still hear the road noise from our room at the front of the building. We also had mosquitoes inside and couldn’t figure out how they got in. The shower heater’s temperature was hard to control, so we turned it off and took cold showers. We got towels, but no replacements during our stay. The door used a key card lock. Parking only fits three cars. On our last night, after a day of tours, another guest had been given our spot, so we parked in a nearby paid lot instead. The hotel arranged it, and the fee was refundable. One thing I regret is leaving important belongings unattended when we went out. Something went missing. They tried to help after I reported it, but I didn’t feel they were very sincere about what I’d lost. There’s CCTV in the building, though I don’t think it was working. I can’t fully recommend the place because of my own carelessness, but if you stay, keep an eye on your things throughout your visit.

We had a pleasant overnight stay. The location is handy for walking to the beach, restaurants, convenience stores, public transport stops, surf lessons, and nightlife. El Navi is right on McArthur highway and easy to find on Google Maps. Our quadruple room felt a little tight for three people. It had a double bed, bunk bed, small table with two plastic chairs, and a clothes cabinet. The bed and duvet were comfortable and clean, the towels were fluffy and fresh, and the air conditioner worked well. Wi-Fi was strong enough to reach the restaurant across the road where we had a late lunch. There aren’t many toiletries, so bring your own. Guests check in at the cafe counter since there’s no hotel reception, and a 2,000 deposit is required. Breakfast comes with coffee or a cold drink. The silog meal tasted good, though the serving may feel small if you usually have a big breakfast.