The Apo View Hotel

This hotel, a landmark established in 1948, offers a blend of historical charm and modern updates, making it a notable choice in the city. Guests frequently highlight its central location, which provides easy access to key attractions and transportation. The hotel is also praised for its spacious rooms and the generally friendly staff who contribute to a welcoming atmosphere. Its recently renovated pool is a popular feature, offering a refreshing escape. This establishment is particularly well-suited for business travelers seeking convenience, families looking for comfortable and large accommodations, and couples desiring a relaxing stay with good amenities. Sightseers will also appreciate the hotel's proximity to various points of interest. To enhance your experience, it is advisable to request a recently renovated room for a more contemporary feel, and be prepared for potential delays at the front desk during busy periods.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of facilities, though guest experiences are varied. The swimming pool is generally well-received, described as nice, clean, and a great addition, especially after its renovation, and is exclusively available for in-house guests until 9 PM. However, some guests have reported the pool being under maintenance or closed during their stay. The hotel also provides spacious function halls suitable for various events and a relaxing Blue Room bar. While a massage room service is available and noted for its affordability, the hotel's Wi-Fi connectivity is a significant point of concern, frequently described as very slow, almost useless, or spotty. Furthermore, the presence of a casino within the hotel has led to issues, particularly with parking availability, as casino patrons are often prioritized, and some guests found the lobby warm due to its proximity. Issues with consistent hot water supply in showers have also been noted.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally commend the hotel's cleanliness, describing rooms as impeccably clean and well-maintained. The spacious rooms are a consistent highlight, often noted for their generous size and comfort. While the hotel is recognized for its historical age, many areas, including rooms, have undergone renovations, presenting a mix of older structures and newly updated spaces. Some guests found their rooms to be a bit dated or worn, with issues like cracked bathtubs or older furniture, and occasional unpleasant odors in bathrooms or from the air conditioning. Bed comfort receives mixed reviews; many found the beds comfortable, but some described them as hard or worn. In-room amenities like bathtubs are appreciated in some rooms, but issues such as missing towels or slippers, and inconsistent air conditioning performance, have been reported. Noise levels from hallways, other rooms, or early morning cleaning staff can also be a concern for some.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining experience, particularly the breakfast buffet, garners mixed but generally positive feedback. Many guests praise the breakfast buffet for its variety and delicious options, considering it a great start to the day. However, some express disappointment with the consistency of food replenishment, noting that food trays can become empty quickly, and that the menu tends to be repetitive daily, offering little variation for longer stays. The overall food quality in the hotel's restaurant and through in-room dining is often described as good and reasonably priced, with some specific dishes like the burnt cheesecake receiving high recommendations. Conversely, a few guests found the food to be very average or disappointing, opting to dine elsewhere. A specific concern raised by some guests was the quality of coffee served at breakfast, which was occasionally described as tasting like warm milk.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is a significant advantage, consistently highlighted by guests as being well-situated in the heart of the city. This prime position offers easy access to various attractions and essential services, making it convenient for both leisure and business travelers. Guests appreciate its proximity to popular spots such as People's Park and Gaisano Mall, which are often within walking distance or a short ride away. Access to public transportation, including taxis, is readily available right outside the hotel. However, a recurring and notable challenge for guests is the parking situation. The hotel's parking space is frequently described as very small and often full, particularly due to the presence of a casino which prioritizes its patrons. This can lead to difficulties, with security sometimes directing guests to park off-premises without clear guidance.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff generally receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and accommodating nature, with many guests highlighting their polite and attentive service. However, the front desk service is a frequent point of contention, often described as frustrating, disorganized, and slow. Guests have reported long waits during check-in and check-out processes, feeling unnoticed despite multiple staff members being present, and experiencing a lack of coordination. Some have also noted instances of rudeness or unhelpfulness from front desk personnel. While the general staff are commended for their attentive service, particularly in housekeeping and overall guest interactions, some restaurant staff have been observed clustering together, requiring guests to actively seek attention. Despite these specific areas for improvement, the overall impression of the staff's willingness to assist and their professional demeanor remains largely positive.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of a few specific details that may impact their stay. Some rooms are provided with only one key, which can be inconvenient for multiple occupants. The hotel also notably lacks irons for guest use, which can be an issue for those needing to press clothes. While the hotel strives for smooth operations, there have been isolated incidents, such as a past situation where the hotel system experienced issues, preventing immediate check-ins and requiring guests to be relocated, though the hotel did offer compensation in such cases. The presence of a casino within the premises, while a feature for some, can contribute to the aforementioned parking challenges and a warmer lobby environment. These points, while not fitting into other categories, are important for a comprehensive understanding of the guest experience.