Circle Inn - Iloilo City

We went to Iloilo to catch Dinagyang 2015 and for our accommodation, we chose Circle Inn because of the good feedback we read in Tripadvisor.We learned that the hotel is about 2 years in operation.

We stayed for 4D3N in a deluxe room with one queen size and single bed. We were just two and surprisingly the room was spacious. It has a flat screen, cable and mini ref.

The toilet and bath room was clean. Unfortunately, no bidet but it’s alright. Hot and cold shower is available.

We were at the third floor and had a street view hoping that we can see part of the Dinagyang parade. Unfortunately, parade can not be seen from our window only some stores frequented by students who were at times noisy .

 Wi-fi was available both in our room and at the coffee shop.The hotel has a swimming pool. Water is a bit cold though but clean.

 

The staff was accommodating , cheerful and helpful.  Although , two ladies at the front desk were a bit inattentive. One asked me if we could settle  in full and I said that we would pay in full upon check out which most hotels do. I was quite irritated of this policy. The staff has to confirm with another colleague who said my request was alright. ( And upon our check out, the staff asked how many of us in the room which I found silly because all my emails mentioned 2 pax and upon check in we were just two). It was really irritating when a staff called our room to inform us to pay up because our credit is over the limit !!

The  hotel lobby was nice and there’s a computer and a printer which were available for a fee. Internet is Php60 per hour.

 The elevator caught my attention. It has a touch screen glass though there were only four floors to serve. It’s the first time I saw a touch screen elevator.

The hotel’s location is very strategic. It is walking distance to the public market, Gaisano Supermarket, the rotunda where multicabs (which is similar to Manila’s  jeepney )  abound. It is near Iloilo University and Ateneo Grade School. Also, it is about two blocks  by foot to  Ortiz wharf ( where you can get a ferry to Guimaras Island).

Note that the fire alarm system of the hotel is very sensitive. We experienced the alarm sounding off and we wondered if there’s a fire. The staff knocked on our room to ask if we were smoking. Of course not and we don’t smoke. We were already advised during checked in of the no smoking policy and the penalty for violating this policy.

Like one reviewer’s comment , we have to request to make up room, ask for toilet paper and replenish the coffee and have new set of mugs.

We were told that since we used Reseliva to reserve the room, we had no free breakfast. This was very frustrating for us. We charged all our breakfast to be paid out at check out. My partner has an obvious disability and during bill out the food attendant didn’t even bother to ask us if we have pwd discount card and charged us for the full cost of all of our breakfast. We contested this and got the discount upon check out. 

Despite a couple of misses, we still liked the hotel because it was affordable , clean and the approximity to grocery, transportation and the wharf.

Cost:

Php 2300 per night

Php 160 Filipino breakfast

Php 20 coloured print out

Php 500 airport transfer one way

Website:http://www.circleinn-iloilo.com/