My wife and I chose Palihouse for our overnight stay to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary, having heard about this newly opened gem in November 2023. The hotel is undeniably a visual masterpiece, boasting a meticulous and stunning interior design that spans from the lobby to the bar, hallways, rooms, and bathrooms. The attention to detail in architecture, cleanliness, and even the delightful aroma throughout the premises truly reflects a five-star establishment.

However, while the aesthetics and ambiance lived up to expectations, our experience was marred in ways that personally make me feel like dropping our overall rating from 5 to 3 stars.

First, by a disappointing instance of last-minute cancellation of our reservation, just as we were nearing the hotel after a three-hour drive. Initially informed of this via phone due to a plumbing issue, the reasons for the cancellation seemed to shift upon our arrival, later cited as an overbooking issue at the front desk. Fortunately, after a polite request during the call, our reservation was reinstated after a 20-minute wait, but this unexpected disruption tainted our initial excitement and left an unpleasant taste, particularly for my wife, during what was meant to be a celebratory occasion.

Secondly, the aspect where the hotel fell short was in the realm of customer service and hospitality. The staff lacked the warmth and welcoming attitude one anticipates at a high-end establishment. The front desk staff seemed rigid and didn’t acknowledge us as we would walk in and out of the lobby, and the bartender failed to extend a greeting or welcome despite our presence at the bar, contributing to an overall lackluster experience.

Another minor yet significant observation was the absence of Palihouse as a location tag on Instagram. This oversight potentially restricts guests from easily sharing their experiences on social media, which could serve as valuable, organic promotion for the hotel.

Nevertheless, despite these shortcomings, there's no denying the hotel's charm, its reasonable price point considering the exquisite rooms, and its prime location. We do thank the hotel for providing a nice touch of champagne in our room to celebrate our anniversary. I hope that the issues encountered during our stay are addressed promptly to ensure that future guests enjoy a more seamless and welcoming experience.