Oriental Zen Suites - Manila — Hotel in Manila

Let me recount our experience and tell me whether the 1 star rating is generous.

Booked 2 deluxe rooms via Agoda, specifically requesting quiet, adjacent, non-smoking rooms on a higher floor. Arrived at the premises to find 1 room at the 5th and the other on the 3rd. Nonetheless, glad to have been accommodated for a downgrade of the 3rd flr room, willingly forefeiting any monetary re-imbursement just so we can have 2 rooms on the same floor - finally got rooms 501 (standard) and 503 (deluxe). Incidentally, this marked the start of our troubles. The hotel couldn't get us the key to rm 501......... because it was on short notice???? Apparently, it was the manager that programs the room card keys. Sad to say we didn't get the key even at check out. There's free room WiFi but had to request a reset to get it online. Room size is OK, sheets are clean but there's this sewery/musty smell on both the rooms' toilets. On our way out to celebrate my son's graduation that night, the front desk told us to come back before 9pm (the frontdesk is operational 6am-9pm only), else the rm 501's occupants can't get inside. Wow! Anyway, we came back half past 10pm, with the after-hours duty security guard opening rm 501. What a relief! Again, both rooms' WiFi are non-fuctional so we asked again for a reset. Expectedly, the guard didn't have a clue, and so had to call the manager who gave all sorts of excuses. In the end, 5 poor people didn't have net connectivity the whole night, forcing one of our companion to do his online internship interview at the lobby which had WiFi. Pls note all 5 of us have mobile data, but for some reason (probably structurally induced), we all had patchy data reception in the rooms. During the night, we were constantly bugged by horrendous noise of building/ road construction. One can't complain with construction and improvement. However, it is lamentable that Agoda was not upfront in stating these issues on their website, else we would have looked elsewhere. Lost the cable TV signal at 5am (still no internet). Ughhh! there seems to be roach infestation in rm 501 (saw numerous baby ones). Rm 503's toilet ventilation fan is soooo noisy and may about to fall (hotel maintenance, also pls take note). BEWARE!!!! Contrary to what's stated in the booking website, this property doesn't have free breakfast and their FREE PARKING consisted of only 2 slots. Nighttime and probably up to 7am, it's "park at your own risk" in front of the hotel along A. Mendoza Ave. Eventually, had to wake up at 6am (per manong guard's prior advice) to shift to a paid street parking slot (a good 2 blocks away), rather than risk the car getting towed.

All in all, what an unplesant business. On the plus side, the staffs are all courteous and somewhat professional.

Probably my first and last time in this hotel.

Agoda, shame on you for not fact-checking...

I'll start with the most important issue: the room is NOT soundproof! There's a construction site across the road and it's a racket ALL day long! Traffic, random shouting, every single noise can and will be heard very acutely in the room. The room doors seem to be soundproof, meaning people outside of your room won't hear you, but the big window panes looking out on the street and the construction site are not soundproof.

We had to hunt for earplugs and a facemask for sleeping, because we were getting so tired every single day from the lack of sleep. You can find those in the Japanese Home Center, by the way.

The "kitchenette" is a joke. It's just two small cups, two glasses, two teaspoons and a water heater. There's no plates or cutlery of any kind. Not even a portable gas grill/stove. Forget about making even the simplest foods here.

The staff was kind enough to provide us with two spoons and forks, but they had no plates or bowls to spare.

Internet is just a straight out scam. It's abhorrently slow and cuts off every few minutes. It's completely unusable. Just forget about it, treat it like the hotel doesn't have WiFi. Fortunately, I got really cheap and fast unlimited data at the airport. Even the staff themselves told us we shouldn't count on having internet.

The TV is very small and its speakers are really bad. They're very low volume, and the sound clips at any louder volume. Forget about immersing yourself into watching something on it.

Electricity. Something isn't quite right with it. When hot water is running, one of the lights randomly turns on and off. That seems like a disaster just waiting to happen. Aside from that, you have a grand total of one (1) available outlet, since all of the others are occupied by lamps, routers, TVs, etc. I've plugged out the router, lamps and the TV since they were useless anyway. All of the outlets are flimsy.

Again, the staff was kind enough to provide us with a cord extender.

The room we had was on the uppermost floor. Every time it rained, water-stains would show up on the ceiling and walls. My girlfriend left her backpack leaning on one of the walls. After it rained, the wall and her backpack were completely wet. If you have respiratory problems, have in mind additional health costs after your stay here.

The staff is very, very helpful. You get a daily...

Nestled in the vibrant University Belt of Sampaloc, Oriental Zen Suites offers a serene escape amidst the bustling cityscape. With its blend of modern amenities and warm hospitality, it caters to both short-term visitors and long-term guests seeking comfort and convenience.​ I was in Manila at the time for training, making the hotel my home for 2 weeks.||The suites are thoughtfully designed, featuring air-conditioned rooms equipped with kitchenettes, private bathrooms, and soundproofing to ensure a restful stay. Guests appreciate the cleanliness and functionality of the rooms, with some highlighting the utility of the in-room kitchenette for light meal preparations||A standout feature of Oriental Zen Suites is its attentive and courteous staff. Many guests have praised the team for their professionalism and willingness to accommodate special requests, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere that makes guests feel at home .​ Even during a 3-day black out due to a broken powerline caused by the construction workers, they offered to transfer me into another hotel temporarily, the Hotel was truly topnotch. ||Oriental Zen Suites provides a comfortable and affordable lodging option in Manila, especially for those visiting UST or exploring the city's historical sites. With its clean accommodations, friendly staff, and convenient location, it offers good value for money. Thank you for being my home during my 2 weeks. Until...