Cons
1. Tiny Bathtub
The bathtub is about 25 inches...
Cons
1. Tiny Bathtub
The bathtub is about 25 inches in total length and includes a tub seat which has a length of about 10 inches. There is just enough space to stand up but no space to move around. Although there are hand rails, it is still very difficult to manoeuvre around as it is very slippery and the bath tub floor has no anti-slip mats. Shower heads are positioned below the neck level, and there are rooms wherein shower heads are at a fixed position.
It is a juggling act to have a proper bath, and it is definitely not an ideal for children and elderly guests without supervision. Okay I was being nice, this is a dangerous situation for kids and elderly guests. Guests with a bigger body build will definitely be at a disadvantage.
To sum up, taking a bath was like a balancing act on a surf board in the ocean.
The only way to have a proper bath is to have a bath sitting down as the hotel recommends. But a tiny bath area means bath time is a chore rather than a relaxing time to unwind in my books
2. Food
Food is nothing to write home about. Our package came with breakfast, and the first two days was a set American or Filipino menu delivered to your room. The rest of the stay was at their cafe and buffet style. The set menu was a big, big disappointment. For example, their menu says that the American set includes two eggs any style, bacon, ham or sausage, fruit platter, hash browns, toasted bread, coffee and choice of one juice. However, guests did not have a choice of anything - it was the meat of the day, no hash browns and fruit platter, one egg cooked the way you wanted it, and it came with coffee OR juice. To top it off – it was stone cold when it was delivered. Juice was the powdered variety. We suspected that the food was pre-prepared and was assembled as needed.
During the buffet days of our trip, we overhead a guest complain of the chicken stew being bloody and not fully cooked. Stews should be simmering for a period of time, and one could just wonder how the cook managed to undercook the chicken.
On Jan 1st, their cafe was very, very full. The buffet had long snaking lines. Being Jan 1st, mcdonald’s and other nearby restaurants were closed so we were not able to avail of the breakfast included in our package. The hotel were not prepared for this situation and should have provided for contingencies. Truly a world-class WANNABE hotel.
3. Ridiculous Check out Process
Unlike 5-star hotels, this world-class wannabe hotel has a long and tedious checkout, and front staff does not allow for a guest to checkout unless the guests has left the room with their baggage, and their staff account for every nut, bolt and screw in the room they stayed in.
One of the guests had the unfortunate incident of being hassled by front desk for a missing door sign, and wouldn’t let him complete his check out unless he produces the door sign!!! As if!!! The door sign was just a cheap cardboard laminated sign, and they spent more than 20 minutes looking for the sign to no avail.
If they insist on this process, they should have guests sign a room inventory sheet upon checking in, and sign out when they check out.
Check out was definitely a slow and painful process
4. Un- Soundproof Walls and Unconcerned Hotel Staff
For guests who value peace and quiet, this hotel is not for you. Their walls are not soundproof and you could hear guests walking and talking in the corridors. Some guests in the other rooms were holding karaoke sessions and parties.
One of the nights we stayed, we did not have any sleep at all because there was a rock concert being held in an adjacent building which housed their event function hall. Not only could you feel and hear the vibrations from the speakers but you could actually hear the whole concert. ... and the concert went on till early in the morning. We called front desk, and our complaints fell on deaf ears and staff dismissed our complaints. Apparently, many other guests complained too but there was no action taken by the hotel. This was specially heard in the side of the building where rooms x15, x14, x13, x12 were located. Hotel staff was unapologetic and acted like there was nothing wrong.
Others
a. Pool
This is not a heated pool, and towels are not provided for guests. To top it off, guests are expected to use the service lift to go back to their rooms. We only knew about this when we were told off by the restaurant staff which was on the same floor as the pool area.
b. The hotel could not provide extra blankets for guest use because they didn’t have any
c. Their kitchenette only provides for two water glasses
d. Staff are hesitant to provide for extra anything
e. According to their website - The A.Venue Hotel Manila is located within minutes from these popular landmarks, attractions, and places of interest:
However, one should note that these areas are reachable by cab only. It is not advisable to reach places by walking.
f. On the side of x16, x15, x14, x13 etc. The view is that of a construction site so one could not open curtains to see the city view.
PROS
This is a condotel – the hotel part is only up to the 12th floor. The rooms have a studio configuration and have a good room layout. There is a mini kitchenette with a refrigerator, coffee maker, electric kettle and microwave. There is also a 4-seater dining seat.
Furniture is comfy and modern, and there is a small flat screen tv in the master bedroom.
There are restaurants around the area
Staff are generally friendly specially housekeeping, the doorman, the security guard, the pool guy and the odd one or two staff at front desk.
That’s about it really.
GOING FORWARD
This is a budget hotel, and guests should stay here for this reason.
As for me, I would rather stay somewhere else where I could be assured of a good night’s sleep and not be hassled by staff for a door sign.
