My parents bought a platinum card last year with almost PhP 9.000 worth of vouchers which we could use to stay and dine in Astoria Plaza Ortigas, Boracay, and Palawan. Since we’re not planning to go out of Metro Manila anytime soon, we booked one overnight stay in a long weekend last April. We had a family staycation in Astoria Plaza in Pasig last April 7-8. We expected two things: the comfort of home and the excellence of service. Which one was dreadful and not up to standard? In this post, I’m sharing all about our experience.
Review of Astoria Plaza Ortigas (J. Escriva Drive, Pasig City)
Ambiance:
The reception area looked cramped and busy. The seats were not sufficient and the counters were only enough to accommodate up to two groups of visitors at a time. Café Astoria on the ground floor was undergoing renovation, so to dine, guests can help themselves to a temporary area transformed from a large function room.
Upon check-in, we received the complimentary WiFi access for our suite (limited to one device only). As we entered the room, we found welcome fruits, newspaper, and bottle mineral water on the dining room’s table.
The one-bedroom suite featured all the amenities a family would need to stay relaxed and entertained. The spacious living room was equipped with a 32-inch LCD television, DVD player, and a comfortable sofa bed. The fully functional kitchen was fitted with a microwave oven, induction stove for cooking, refrigerator, coffee and tea making facility, and some plates and glasses.
The bedroom had one queen-size bed and a shower room with bath tub. It wasn’t particularly tastefully decorated or stylish, but it was clean, with a pretty good view of the city. All in all, the one-bedroom suite had all the expected staples to deliver a personal “home away from home” vibe.
Since we’re four and there was only one bed, we converted the sofa into a sofa bed. Three of us shared the bed in the bedroom and one person stayed in the living room.
Service:
My mom booked on our preferred day weeks before for an overnight accommodation. When we got there, the receptionist said that no room was available at the moment. Even the other two groups of people who were in queue received the same feedback, and they also had confirmed reservations beforehand.
First impressions last, and they were not good. We felt annoyed and frustrated at the level of their service and professionalism. Why did they accept our booking in the first place? There must be a problem with their system. We were advised to wait like “chance passengers”; we could get a room only when someone else cancels reservation or checks out earlier than usual.
Luck must be with us that day. In less than one hour, the staff called us in and told us one guest backed out. However, instead of getting a two-bedroom suite (since we’re four people), the offer was a downgrade: one bedroom suite. It was still disappointing but we thought it was better than having none at all.
Food:
Café Astoria temporarily set in one of the function rooms serves buffet featuring local and international dishes. À la carte dishes are also available throughout the day. Pasig is a great choice for travelers interested in culturally diverse food, but dining in the hotel cafe can be more convenient if time or transportation is limited. Food selections and tastes were pretty decent, but not above and beyond delicious. A band played music and sang familiar songs during dinnertime, which gave entertainment to the dining crowd at the hall.
Price for Value:
A night stay in the one-bedroom suite (60 sqm) in Astoria Plaza in Pasig costs P3500++. Although the bedroom is intended only for two people, the room was quite spacious and well-maintained. Thankfully, the sofa can be turned into a bed. Reception area can be better controlled, especially during peak times, and there’s a lot of room for improvement in service. Given the price, we weren’t dismal with the staycation experience but not blown away. Check out this link for the virtual tour.
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
Always nice to use points and be able to stay at some really great looking places. Beautiful big suite and the food is out of this world.
This looks like a comfy and cozy place to stay. I really like the style. Plus the food they offer looks spectacular!
Your suite definitely looked modern, clean, and comfortable. Too bad the service wasn’t exceptional, but overall it sounds like a solid experience.
I love to have an efficiency unit in my room when I go away because the kids are always hungry when we get back to the hotel. The music and great food during dining looks amazing here.
I honestly believe I could live in that space. The clean design and well organized furniture placement. I am always looking for a wonderful place to land when we travel. Bookmarking.
Wow this sure looks like a wonderful place to stay! The suite looks so welcoming!
Really modern, clean and roomy. The food looks pretty tasty too!
I like the honesty in your review, such as the reception area being busy. That would not deter me from going, but I like expecting things like that up front!
This looks like a really great place to go and stay, it seems really good value for money and I most definitely want to try that float it looks delicious.
I would be disappointed on the downgraded room, but the food looks spectacular. Sometimes things like that happen when you travel.
The room looks spacious and clean. I like to stay in mini suites like this because I love the convenience of the mini kitchen and room for kids to play.
You make great reviews of places, you tell it like it is! 3,5oo isn’t so bad and I like that it is spacious, it isn’t the most grand but you get what you pay for.
Now this looks like a fantastic trip! All of that food and those drinks look amazing!!
WOW! That room looks amazing and the bed looks cozy. I would love to visit. That food is certainly drool worthy too!
Staycations are always such fun. The Astoria Plazza Ortigas seems really tailor-made for staycations. Love the spacious hotel and its elegant interiors. Can see you had a perfect family getaway there.
It looks gorgeous but sounds like there were a few flaws in the stay. Also not sure that room looks big enough for all of you. What did you think? Not quite large enough.
This hotel looks so beautiful, and the food looks incredibly great! Thank you for sharing this hotel review.
I love how excited everyone looks in the photos. I bet it was nice to have everyone there.
What a great review! I would definitely consider staying here.
I also purchased the same promo from Astoria but I dont think that a 2bedroom suite is promised, because what was specified on the vouchers is a deluxe room good for 2pax. We didnt get a suite room like yours, so u must be lucky! Be grateful for a better accomodation.
Yes, it was a two-bedroom suite that was indicated. We’re grateful for the suite with one bedroom anyway since there’s a sofa that could be turned to a bed. The accommodation was fine.