Rivera Hotel Tagaytay

Our family had an enjoyable vacation here. The hotel was comfortable and affordable, and close to a 7/11, laundromat, K mart, and restaurants.

We checked in around 2 AM after arriving in Tagaytay, and stayed for two nights. The hotel is central, with restaurants within walking distance, and accepting pets was a big plus for us. We had initially planned to look for somewhere else if we weren’t comfortable, but ended up staying. The room wasn’t very modern and could use renovations, though it was clean. We appreciated the bidet, refrigerator, and swimming pool.

The pool needs cleaning or filtering, since kids use it a lot. Sleeping was also noisy because the hotel is near the road and the flooring is wood, so you might disturb someone. The bed and linen were nice, though I hope they add another pillow for two people. There’s a refrigerator and cable TV in the room, plus a bidet and hot shower. We were the last to stay here, in a standard room at 2500 pesos. That felt kind of expensive, but it was okay. Complimentary American breakfast was included, which seemed like something more should be expected at that rate. It’s served in the dining room from 7-10 am, where you can also get free drinking water. Parking in front and at the back is secured with CCTV, and the Wi-Fi was fast, with its password posted in the lobby. The hotel has lots of cross-stitch displays and a kind of modern style. Staff were good and accommodating, and will help if you need it. There’s a convenience store and restaurant nearby. It was foggy outside with zero visibility, so be careful out there and while driving. We didn’t explore the hotel services much, since we just needed somewhere to stay and rest before traveling for work, so I’m rating it fair.

The rooms and bathrooms were clean, and the swimming pool was clean too. The room design was decent apart from the creepy dolls, which were also displayed at the front desk alongside a cremated marble jade jar. The AC worked, and so did the Wi-Fi, though its speed was average, like hotel Wi-Fi usually is. The shower was partly broken, with water leaking from the shower chord and only a little reaching the shower. Bathroom windows wouldn’t close, so the cold breeze was bothersome. Breakfast felt lacking: corned beef, eggs, rice, a few tomato and cucumber slices, and packet coffee. Even at a cheap price, they should serve properly cooked meals instead of canned and packaged food. It’s not a modern hotel, more country and rustic. If you like creepy dolls, go for it, but I wouldn’t recommend the place.