GV Hotel Maasin

Rooms can be dusty enough to make you sneeze, the toilets need better upkeep, and some rooms stay warm because the air conditioner doesn't always cool them to the temperature you want. The location is very convenient in the city center. Fast food, a church, grocery store, mall, and bank are all within walking distance, and Maasin Sea Port is just behind the hotel. Getting around is easy, though public transport comes less often at night. Rates start at ₱920 and are very affordable. Booking at the hotel can sometimes cost a little less than booking online.

Location is the main draw, with everything you might need close by. The rooms have high ceilings and dim lighting that give them a vintage feel, though the building is showing its age. The comfort room is decent, but there's no bidet. At ₱600-700 a night, I found the room a bit expensive for its condition. It could work if being close to everything matters most, but you may find better value elsewhere.

It's handy being near my workplace, but the hotel, rooms, and bed are all old. There was no hot water or free water, and the elevator wasn't working. Once the water stopped altogether, and the staff didn't know how to fix it. They weren't hospitable either and need proper training. Renovating the place is key.

During the three days I booked through Agoda for a matrimonial bed, the supervisor wouldn't give me the complimentary mineral water bottles advertised for guests. Make sure you discuss your requests when checking in. Otherwise, the supervisor may put you in a poor-quality, impractical room without cable TV, on the top floor. The supervisor also sets a bad example for new employees and doesn't train them well.