Citadines Bay City Manila — Hotel in Pasay

I recently stayed at Citadines Bay City Manila during the 2NE1 concert weekend, and my experience was mixed. While the front desk staff were friendly and welcoming, the room service team fell short in several areas.

Upon checking in, I called room service to ask about the menu since most hotels usually place it near the phone. I was informed that they were paperless and that I needed to turn on the TV to access it. Unfortunately, the living room TV was outdated and difficult to operate, which added unnecessary frustration. It wasn’t until later that I discovered the bedroom TV offered a much simpler way to access the menu. A little guidance from staff upfront would have saved me time and stress, especially given the circumstances. Many guests, like me, were rushing to Manila ahead of a potential typhoon and were already exhausted from securing concert tickets amid scams and scalpers.

The food itself was disappointing. It lacked flavor (my home-cooked meals are far better), and the options were limited. When I placed my order, I was asked how I wanted to settle the balance. This was confusing, as most hotels typically charge room service to the room account, but I realized this hotel hadn’t taken a credit card for incidentals at check-in. The food took 30 minutes to arrive, which is understandable, but the server struggled with the door, as it was broken. Later, when I requested dish-out service, it took another 30 minutes for someone to come, and the same issue with the door occurred. The staff member kindly offered to call maintenance to fix it, but since my stay was short, I declined.

Breakfast was another letdown. The selection was extremely limited and leaned heavily toward bread and sweets, with very few savory options. The dishes lacked seasoning, making the food bland and uninspiring. For the price of ₱650, it doesn’t compare well. While Golden Phoenix Hotel's buffet is also underwhelming, it’s somewhat understandable considering their rooms are priced at ₱4,000 per night. However, Citadines charges ₱9,000 per night, and the quality still falls short. To put things into perspective, Summit Ridge Tagaytay offers exceptional buffet quality despite rooms costing only ₱3,000 per night. Their buffet truly delivers great value for money.

Lastly, while I was frustrated with several aspects of the stay, I was pleasantly surprised to see a dog on the premises. This four-legged guest was adorable and briefly lifted my mood. It’s one of the reasons I decided to give Citadines three out of five stars. Initially, I was leaning toward a lower rating due to the lack of guest service quality. For example, when we requested a bellman to assist with our luggage during check-out, no one came even after 40 minutes and two follow-up calls. Eventually, we gave up and carried our luggage ourselves. This was especially frustrating as this isn’t a budget hotel, and the service should reflect the price.

Overall, while the location and front desk staff were positives, the room service experience, food quality, and lack of attention to detail detracted significantly from my stay. With a few improvements, Citadines Bay City Manila could offer a much better experience for guests seeking comfort during busy and...

#flavafulltv approved. ASR- You have outdone yourselves with the Citadines Bay City-Manila. Shame on your staff for making me cry for my birthday, for the first time in my adult life- I LOVED IT! Lyra told everyone it was my birthday, and pre-planned for the entire restaurant team, bar team, and front desk staff to sing to me on separate occasions, presenting me with a special breakfast, cakes, and birthday favors. It was a spectacular, memorable feeling.

The hustle of the staff to provide superior service is so disgustingly exceptional, you can't avoid to laud and appreciate them. A smiling face ALL DAY! From the warm welcome upon arrival, someone opening your car-door, bellhop to your room, front desk staff, pool/gym staff, to F&B Manager, Service Manager, Front Desk Manager, Restaurant Manager- Allen, Lyra, Drew, Rich, Chef Arnell, Nika, James, Evana, the intern- so many people to name...I was impressed. Everyone DESIRED to make my stay pleasant.

Security/concierge is respectful- it makes the place feel secure that there is 24/7 security.

Novelty and convenient highlight- the bar/restaurant is 24/7- very rare!

I stayed in the 1 bedroom suite-they take pride in the cleanliness- the furniture and fixtures are maintained- not dingy or cracking. The rooms have modern Bluetooth sound bars, 60+ inch televisions-PERFECT to view sporting events, and Samsung washer/dryer and microwaves.

Staff immediately addressed my concern of maintenance noise (drilling, hammering), odor in 2 rooms, and an extended wait on my food in an empty restaurant, on the first day, and ensured my stay was flawless the rest of the extended visit.

The gym is top-notch! Very clean, equipped with sanitizing materials (this is rare at many hotels throughout the city and throughout many Asian countries I have journeyed), new machines, jump-ropes, ab rollers, weights, battle ropes. Perfect for us gym-rats.

Unlike 98% of the restaurants/hotels, I visited in the Philippines, this location actually has a vegetarian menu, which they are willing to finesse to your dietary needs with more fruits and vegetables, based on availability. The best entree I had was the Margherita pizza.

As for the breakfast buffet: the quality of ingredients, diversity of entree options, and the freshness of the entrees is sub-par- it's a an array of dry pastries, processed breads, several meat dishes, hot foods that were not served hot, and processed fruit juices. Though, the spread looks pretty.

There is minimal to medium traffic- yet, I did not hear exterior noise, so I slept well. It is an 8 minute walk to SM Mall of Asia/Arena.

As a stalwart ASR member, I usually avoid the Citadines in the portfolio, as I have had poor experiences each time- particularly always the front desk staff. THIS location improved my perspective of the...

My stay at Citadines Manila was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I arrived, the staff were incredibly welcoming and attentive. The modern and stylish design of the hotel immediately caught my eye, creating a cozy yet luxurious ambiance.

The room was spacious, clean, and well-equipped with all the amenities one could need, including a fully functional kitchenette, which was a great addition. The bed was incredibly comfortable, ensuring a restful night’s sleep.

One of the highlights of my stay was the pool located on a medium level floor, offering a relaxing atmosphere and a pleasant break from the hustle and bustle of the city. It was the perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring Manila. The hotel’s central location made it convenient to visit nearby attractions and enjoy the vibrant local culture.

The breakfast buffet was diverse and delicious, catering to a variety of tastes. What truly stood out to me was Citadines Manila’s commitment to sustainability. From energy-efficient lighting to eco-friendly toiletries and waste reduction initiatives, the hotel goes above and beyond to minimize its environmental impact. It’s refreshing to see such dedication to green practices, making guests feel good about their stay in more ways than one.

Additionally, Citadines Manila prioritizes the safety and security of its guests. The hotel is equipped with state-of-the-art security systems, including 24/7 surveillance, secure key card access, and well-trained security personnel. They have also installed a sophisticated fire detector panel that not only detects fires but also pinpoints the exact location, ensuring prompt and efficient responses. These measures provide peace of mind, ensuring a safe and secure environment throughout the stay.

Overall, Citadines Manila exceeded my expectations in every way. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable and memorable stay in the heart of Manila, with the added bonus of knowing your choice supports a more sustainable and...