Hotel Emilia — Hotel in Davao City

I was able to book my first time stay here through a phone call. I booked it on the same day via call, I provided my eta, and the front desk attendant I was speaking to was kind enough to reserve a room for me without asking for a card or a deposit. The parking area was in front of the hotel; I didn't understand then why it was blocked by a string of tie box, later that night I realized it was perhaps because of the arriving "VIP" guest. Anyway, the security guard hurriedly set the blocks aside when he realized that I was also an arriving guest, though not the "VIP." The staff (from the security, front desk, housekeeping, etc.) EVERYBODY was very helpful and accommodating. I love the hotel's facade. Everything was on the theme of the Spanish era. I love that this hotel is near Cafe Demitasse - one of the best cafe in Davao city (though service is slow), it's less than 2 minutes walk. It's also 10 minutes away from the university I attend (via taxi). Special mention to the security guard and the big man who was also with him during my runs in and out of the hotel, they were accommodating.||||ABOUT THE ROOM: When people arrive on certain unfamiliar places, their olfactory nerve works harder thus making our senses alert. That is why when I come to hotel rooms, I instantly smell new things. Sometimes, I smell bad things on some hotels I have previously stayed in, but in Hotel Vicente, there wasn't any putrid smell. It's just like home. I stayed in a single bedroom; I think it was a Superior room for around 1,800+ pesos. The room was super clean, nicely organized. It has a table and a desk fronting an adequately sized mirror which is a SUPER PLUS, a bedside table (look inside and you'll find a rechargeable flashlight) and a lamp (although mine had no bulb on it, weird), all the tables have drawers. They have a good sized cable TV; I hope that they had a list of TV channels printed, so I don't need to scan the channels. I like that they provide two pillows and duvet. Wooden walls, floor, and the closet are clean. I love that the owners really stuck and maintained the Spanish theme everywhere in the hotel. ||||ABOUT THE BATHROOM AND ITS AMENITIES: The bathroom is immaculate! It is almost comparable to Red Planet's but better. It has a beautifully designed sink, complete with every nook and hooks you can think of. In front of the sink is a huge rectangular mirror. The faucet, the shower, and all other metal things in the bathroom are shining like new. They also have a bidet, which I also like. Although they only have provided me with a small tube of shampoo and two small rounds of soap, I'm not complaining as I have known hotels to not splurge on soaps and stuff.||||FOOD: You know what, I might come here for the sole purpose of eating. Food is great! ||||IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED: The hotel when I visited was great, but I believe that some minor things need improvement.||1. I just realized late that night that the front desk lady should have informed me (or I guess all the guests) that the restaurant was going to be exclusive to certain guests only. I was thinking, what if I walked through it without knowing that I should not have been there? I am pointing this out because I was planning to eat there that night like I went down only to eat but realized something was off with the table arrangements, so I asked the front desk lady. She told me that it was exclusive for that night but I could get room service. Communication is the key, perhaps? It would help a lot if you could inform the guests because God forbid some embarrassing things might happen. Put a sign on the elevator or whatnot. ||2. Slippers. As I've written, the restaurant is excellent as it is but adding slippers would help solidify the "luxurious feel" tagline. ||3. Just put a bulb on the lamp. If you're going to put a lamp on the bedside table and leave it plugged in, at least put a bulb on it. I stayed in room 309, if the owner is reading this, there are light (?) switches that didn't do anything. ||||Overall, I will stay here again. It's now my new favorite hotel in Davao. Kodus to the people who make Hotel...

Positives – Friendly staff, reasonable location, modern decent sized room, has potential.||||Negatives – No TV, no toilet paper in room, dire breakfast, noisy air con (sometimes), poor wifi and sadly more. No security for valuables.||||Details||The hotel is situated a 15-20 minute walk from the centre.||||I stayed for just one night having received a refund for the other two.||||My first experience was a 20% hike in the cost as VAT and service charges were added. My second was the door key failing to work.||||The Agoda web site said the room had a safe. It didn’t nor did the hotel offer any security for valuables.||||The clean hotel room had a desk, space for clothes, a king sized and a fridge. It was large with a modern clean feeling.||||There was the usual bathroom with toiletries. There was LCD TV with only 1 channel working (apparently it had been like this for 3 days). Wi-Fi sometimes worked then dropped out.||||The staff helpful and friendly speaking some English. They responded to issues with fully apologies.||||The air con worked well but occasionally rattled which was sorted by giving it a thump. It was quiet and I slept well.||||Breakfast was dire except when I complained and they tried to put things in order. All of the hot food (mainly Philippine) was cold – no candle lights were on. The scrambled egg was cold. No condiments provided. The tea came but with no sugar or milk which they did then provide but with no spoon. The did cook me fresh scrambled egg. This was the worst organized I have ever seen – a shame as they means well, have enough staff, but no attention to detail They need to get some feedback and act a.s.a.p. ||||I have NEVER left a hotel after one night like this – I must have stayed in hundreds.||||It is under new management and has CHANGED it name to Enc?????, although much is still labelled Vincente.||||A real shame. For £30 a night it is poor – I give it 3 out of 10 and suggest that you don’t bother with it until it improves...

I travel to Davao a lot with my fiance due to his activities there, and before our last trip I would always notice this hotel going to our destinations, and the facade has always intrigued me - looked like a very cute, quaint hotel. This past week, we tried it out, and I was happy to find that the interiors matched this adorable facade.||||Considering the relatively affordable price per night of the room, it was great value for money. We were pleasantly surprised that the room, of decent size, had lovely albeit simple interior design (light wood furnishings that still resonated with the old Spanish-Filipino theme) including the bathroom. Everything looked and felt clean, and the bed was very comfortable. Wifi was decent, and worked most of the time. It was a balcony room, and though we were on the 2nd floor facing the street, we didn't experience much noise pollution thankfully. Lacking some basic hotel stuff (e.g. toothbrushes, safe) but I suppose that is to be expected considering the price.||||Another excellent factor was that the hotel also has a restaurant, Cristobal, which serves very decent Filipino food. We constantly ordered room service and enjoyed. The breakfast buffet was simple but very sufficient (eggs, meat/ fish, rice, coffee, bread)||||The location is good too - very close to Cafe Demitasse, which has good cakes and food too. Very easy to hail a cab in this area.||||My only complaint was that service was sometimes slow - if you want your room made, you must make it clear when, what time. The wait staff also needs to be reminded to smile to customers :) however the room service was always fast.||||Overall, a pleasant experience. Would...