Hyatt Regency Manila, City of Dreams — Hotel in Parañaque

Let’s start with the good stuff, because this place really does know how to put on a show, at least at first glance.

The room was surprisingly spacious, with air conditioning so strong and silent I half expected it to offer me a mint and ask about my day. The plug sockets are European compatible (a rare treat in Southeast Asia), the bed was a cloud of redemption after a long flight, and the bath was so deep I briefly considered taking scuba gear in with me. Room service is meticulous, borderline obsessive, and the breakfast buffet? Honestly, it felt like the United Nations of hotel breakfasts, dim sum, shakshuka, congee, waffles, miso soup, churros, I wouldn’t have blinked if someone offered me borscht.

But, oh dear.

The real City of Dreams? That would be one where you’re allowed to bring in your own food. Here, it’s more like the City of “You’ll eat what we give you and like it.” Want to order GrabFood? Nope. Thinking of sneaking in some snacks? Security will politely but firmly treat your bag of crisps like it’s a loaded weapon. Their solution? “Don’t worry sir, the mini-bar is free.” The mini-bar, dear reader, consists of four warm soft drinks, a cup of dried noodles, and a travel-sized can of Pringles. I’ve had more fulfilling meals from vending machines in petrol stations at 3am.

The restaurants on site aren’t much better unless you plan on mortgaging your house for Nobu, which is actually excellent. Everything else tastes like it was cooked by someone with a grudge against flavour. Add to that the fact that you can’t even look at the casino floor without a stern security guard materialising to remind you that photos are forbidden. I half expected a sniper on the roof if I tried to sneak a selfie with a slot machine (but that has nothing to do with the hotel, so no stars deducted there).

The hotel bathroom’s toilet had commitment issues, flushing was more of a suggestion than a certainty. And when I asked if I could extend my late check-out by an extra hour, I was quoted 2,000 pesos. For 60 minutes. That’s more than some people pay for an entire night elsewhere. It is worth mentioning for balance that was extended an initial extra hour for free when I asked the first time, the additional charge was in regard to an additional hour.

Now, let’s talk about the internet. I say “internet,” but I mean “digital roulette.” One moment you’re on WiFi, the next you’re unknowingly chewing through your mobile data while uploading photos you weren’t allowed to take anyway.

To top it all off, they charge your deposit per day rather than as a flat fee. If you use a debit card, don’t be surprised if your money takes a scenic two-week holiday before returning.

In short: gorgeous rooms, but strict food policies and underwhelming on-site options make this feel less like the five-star experience it boasts. Would I stay again? Only if I’m allowed to order food from outside the City of...

This is the best hotel I've been to so far. Perfect for a couple-trip staycation, for celebrating your anniversary, etc., and once in a lifetime experience. If you just wanna try a 5-star hotel, this one is a good start. (I am just lucky to win a trip for this but if you wanna try it out, go ahead. I recommend it upon checking the price from their website.) Just one pool available but it was not very crowded. It opens from 7 AM to 8 PM. There is a convenience store (7/11) which is the best part especially if you don't want to spend too much on food. Sulit tips: buy at 7/11 for food to cut expenses. Eating in the hotel room is allowed. There is also a Starbucks. The restaurants though are very limited so we did not try the expensive foods. When we arrived, I have pink face shield and it was not allowed so they gave me a new face shield. When I checked in, they ask for 2000Php (40$) cash for deposit but it will be returned upon check-out so better prepared a cash for that. But the room payment is payable via cards. The room was 100% prepared so you won't need to bring the following: Enough towels, bathrobe, room slippers, mineral water(they have excess supplies of bottled mineral water(summit) for you so no need to bring water), coffee, tea, sugar, creamer, electric kettle, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, body wash, facial soap, lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, toothpick, cotton buds, shower caps. Plus, they have chocolates, pringles, and instant ramen prepared in your room as a freebie. Another plus is that there is a covid prevention kit in a plastic pouch which includes 2 face masks, 2 face shields, small alcohol bottle spray. The most hospitable experienced I remember was when we arrive at the hotel, raining and there are thunders so the pool was temporarily unavailable. I was sad since it is the very reason why we chose Hyatt but of course safety first. Around 6 pm, the front desk called me just to inform me that the pool is now open and when I looked outside, the rain has stopped. Not sure if it is a protocol but I was touched since she did it and I was able to have a night swimming. Also, when you arrive at the pool area, they have a attendant there which will give you new towels and bottled water so no need to bring your towels from the room. The only bad thing I can say is to get to the pool area, you need to walk into the lobby which is quite embarrassing if you are wearing a swimsuit already. Better bring a cover-up. The bathrobe can be used but I don't like using it since it is too large for me. Or it will be better if you can request for a room on the same building of the pool area. The gym is located near the pool area so you can go have a quick work out if you want to. The check out was smooth, they didn't even bother to check the room before giving back my 2000PHP cash deposit. All and all, it was a best...

I really wanted to like this place, and I kept trying to hype myself up throughout, but it was just downright disappointing. We booked the place because it looked so grand in the photos (it was), but details matter and that's where the Regency really dropped the ball. Despite knowing we would be arriving with a lot of luggage (8 items) since they picked us up from the airport, upon arrival there was no bellhop, so me and the driver began to offload things ourselves. Finally, someone came up and asked if we needed a bellhop. ||||The casino and the hotel are not separated by any means, so you've got a whole bunch of people loitering the lobby, there's secondhand smoke and noise coming in while you're checking in, and then you're given your key and pointed in the direction of where to go. ||The room was nice and clean, yet the shower head was broken so we basically bathed from a hose. The blackout curtains are operated manually and then don't even close all the way, so we did not get to sleep in.||||I did like the fact that they provided drinking water and the minibar had some soda and juice which were complimentary. We had a king bed with four pillows, a goose-down comforter, but no light blanket underneath, which I thought was weird. The staff tend to ignore you unless you greet them first, and for the Philippines I just felt like it was out of place. Everywhere else I've been, the hospitality is always through the roof. ||||Breakfast buffet was OK. It's big at first glance and was reminiscent of a Las Vegas resort buffet, that is until I saw the offerings were more akin to a Holiday Inn continental breakfast. They served Filipino and western cuisine, and even had some sushi and a pastry area. A lot of juiced to choose from, but no non-dairy milk or creamer substitutes, so you may want to bring a small box of oatmilk or similar if you're lactose-intolerant. ||||The western food had the regular fanfare: hashbrown wedges, sausages, bacon, the did have a ham-carving station and made-to-order omelet and egg station. I asked for an omelet with everything and he have me one from under the headlamp instead of fresh. I also got two eggs over-easy and received two eggs over-well and served upside down.||||For the price of the stay and the reputation, you expect excellence. Yet, sadly, they missed that mark by a mile. ||||I shall not come back here and instead will keep giving my business to the Conrad Hotel that has just been the best experience I've ever had. Perhaps they set the bar too high so my expectations have gone up, or perhaps The Regency just failed to uphold a standard that...