I have not always been a fan of staycation. I mean, why don’t you go out instead and explore what your surroundings get to offer. Then again, cliche as it may sound but some things change when we grow older. And that includes a changed perception about staycations.

Living in a Baguio alone is already ideal and relaxing but these reasons didn’t deter me from choosing to “sleep over” in some hotels/ hostels/ BnBs from time to time. I have tried several bed and breakfast places and the experience was exquisite (especially at Lucia’s and The Old Orangewood BnBs). I also did a staycation with my family at a hotel near the Wright Park, and it was a happy one just cuddling and eating together with your mom, pops, and brother.

My recent staycation experiences are 2 Reddoorz Hotels near my place (actually both are just 5-minute walking from my home). These experiences are 2 totally different experiences – one highly pleasant, the other very terrible. I am writing this as a form of review, that may serve as a form of caution to people and at the same time, for me to vent out my frustration over  this very bad experience with one of these hotels.

I am not really promoting Reddoorz app but since this experience involves this app, it will be mentioned every now and then. (Also, I have other travel and accommodation apps i my phone since I am an avid fan of travelling with Bookings.com still being my personal favorite and Skyscanner). My 1st Reddoorz app experience was also beyond terrible that I ended up not staying in that hotel in Iloilo even if I booked 4-days and they would refuse a refund.

I told myself not to use Reddoorz app again but when I got back home in Baguio, I got curious with Aura One Hotel being part of Reddoorz. I had a wonderful experience with this hotel back then during a Christmas party with my pharmacy colleagues. So I wonder how it was like to go for a staycation. Since I earned some rewards during my unpleasant 1st Reddoorz experience, I went on to use this in booking my stay at A1.

And woooow, woooow, wooow! My Aura One Hotel experience via Reddoorz was great. Everything was really great. Got the room for a really good price, the hotel room itself is lovely and the hotel staff are beyond nice and really kind. This 1st staycation at this hotel was followed up by 3 more bookings (that I didn’t notice I was already staying with them for almost a week).   I even went for a Red Club membership just because of my very pleasant stay at Aura One. (perks of being a member includes a special discounted price for every booking). So it is safe to say that my Aura One experience overshadowed that very bad experience in Reddoorz Iloilo.

After a few bookings at A1, I decided to try out other Reddoorz hotel hoping that the experience would be, if not as great as A1’s, pleasant and satisfying. And so I booked this Reddoorz @ Aurora Hill Hotel. It is just a stone’s throw away from A1. So the day of my booking at Reddoorz @ Aurora Hill came and boooy! I was shocked with different kinds of disappointments.

I arrived at the hotel at 12:43 noon. And I asked the receptionist if I can already check-in and she told me I cannot check-in unless it is 2pm. I asked why and she said just because that is what she was told. I understand 2PM is the standard check-in time in most hotels/ hostels around the world (not only in the Philippines) BUT in ALL past hotel/hostel experiences I have had, whenever I arrive between 12-2pm, and the room you are supposed to stay is already available, they allow you to do an early check in without paying extra. Some reception staff would tell you to wait for a while in case a room is still being cleaned up, nonetheless, they always allow early check-in. So I was in for a surprise of my life when I was told I can only check-in at 2PM.

I even wasn’t able to contain myself in comparing my Aura One experience. From the 4 previous stay with A1, 2 instances involves an early arrival at the hotel (around 12:15-12:30) and without batting an eyelash and raising an argument, was I allowed to check in immediately. I even asked if I could talk to someone about this and after a while, I was talking to someone who seems to be a “manager” of this Reddoorz @ Aurora Hill hotel. Talking to her over the phone gave me an impression that this person does not know how to properly deal with customers. SHE obviously does not know how to therapeutically and professionally converse with enraged clients and she just kept on insisting of their rules. This person even told me that Reddoorz allowed them to make their own rules when I asked, where in their written rules is this and that. I just really hope that what she said about Reddoorz, allowing them to incorporate rules they want to without their consent is true or else, this is a bad image for Reddoorz.

Then came the part where I had to pay a deposit. I understand that hotels usually ask for a certain amount. I paid Php500 in Iloilo Reddoorz, and I also pay Php500 whenever I check in at Aura. I gave Php1000 here at Reddoorz Aurora Hill. I was waiting for my change when the staff said that the deposit is Php1000.00. What a surprise!!! I felt enraged again! She said that is the usual deposit asked same as other Reddoorz Hotel, she even mentioned that it is the same amount asked by Aura One Hotel to which I vehemently denied and told her they only ask me Php500.00.

NO WONDER that out of the 5 Reddoorz Hotels in Baguio City, they have the lowest rating. Now I understand why! All these things happened even before me getting checked-in. So the time I got check-in to my room, I was no longer feeling the staycation vibes I have wanted. Instead of feeling relaxed, all I wanted to happen is for this 2-day staycation to end.

Assessing their room, I would say without a bias that they have a way inferior room to even the cheapest room at A1. I know this is way too early to say but I definitely will NEVER stay or book this hotel again. I will never recommend this to any of my friends coming to Baguio for sure!

Anyhow, I am looking forward to staying at Aura One again where my staycation experience was remarkably satisfying. Or maybe try this hostel I saw using my Zen Rooms App.

SUMMARY of Review:

Question	Reddoorz Aura One Hotel	Reddoorz Aurora Hill
ROOM – Temperature room comfortable upon arrival	Yes	Yes
ROOM – HVAC functional and in good condition	Ceiling fan is ok	Electric fan is ok
ROOM – DND Sign in good condition	Yes	Yes
ROOM – Entry door good condition	Yes	Yes
ROOM – Entry door functional	Yes	Yes
ROOM – Entry door lock functional	Yes (makes use of a key card)	Yes (makes use of a regular key)
ROOM – Entry door frame clean	Yes	Yes
ROOM – Telephone works	Yes	No telephone
ROOM – TV works	Yes (+ they have Netflix and Youtube)	Yes
ROOM – TV programmed correctly	Yes	Yes
ROOM – TV remote works	Yes	Yes
ROOM – Thermostat operational	N/A	N/A
ROOM – All electrical outlets functional	Yes	Yes
CLOSET – Safe instructions posted	No	No
ROOM – Minibar clean	N/A	N/A
ROOM – Minibar functional	N/A	N/A
BED – frame good condition	Yes	Yes
BED – Bedding clean and free of stains	Yes	Yes
BED – Frame good condition	Yes	Yes
BED – Headboard good condition	Yes	No headboard
ROOM – All flooring/carpet clean	Yes	A bit dirty
FURNITURE – Nighstands good condition	Yes	None
FURNITURE – Trash bin clean	Yes	No trashbin inside the room, just inside the toilet
FURNITURE – Desk chair good condition	Yes	Too low
FURNITURE – Desk chair clean	Yes	A bit
FURNITURE – Other chairs clean	Yes	No other chair
FURNITURE – Desk clean/ good condition/ functional	Yes	Not conducive
CLOSET – All accessories in closet present and in good condition	Yes	Yes
CLOSET – Light(s) functional	No lights	No lights
CLOSET – Doors open & close properly	Yes	Squeaky when opening.
CLOSET – Door good condition	Yes	A bit.
CLOSET – Interior clean	Yes	No
ROOM – Art hung straight/ good condition	Yes	Yes
ROOM – Mirrors clean/ good condition	Yes	Yes
ROOM – General area lighting clean/ functional.	Yes	A bit dim, not conducive for reading.
ROOM – USB charging ports work throughout room	Yes	Yes
FURNITURE – Tables good condition/ clean	Yes	Too high
FURNITURE – Sofa clean/ good condition	N/A	N/A
ROOM – Wall paint good condition	Yes	Yes
ROOM – Walls damage free	Yes	Some dent
ROOM – Windows clean/ good condition	Yes	A bit dirty, and one window cant be closed.
ROOM – Windows function (if they can be opened)	Yes	Defective
ROOM – Drapes/Sheers functional/ clean	Yes	Not so.
ROOM – Ceiling clean/ good condition	Yes	Yes
ROOM – WiFi functional throughout room	Yes	Yes
ROOM – Vents clean/ good condition	Yes	Yes
BATH – All  surfaces clean	Yes	NO
BATH – All bathroom tile and floor clean	Yes	NO
BATH – Shower glass streak free and clean	Yes	None
BATH – All drains in room clean and non-obstructed	Yes	Yes
BATH – Sink(s) clean	Yes	Yes
BATH – All countertops and surfaces clean and streak free	Yes	No
BATH – All lighting clean/ functional	Yes	Yes
BATH – Presence of foot rug and hand towel	Yes	None
BATH – All towels clean and in good condition	Yes	Yes
BATH – All amenities refreshed and present in bathroom	Yes	No
BATH – Trash bin clean and in good condition	Yes	Yes
BATH – Toilet clean	Yes	Yes
BATH – Toilet has functional bidet and shower	Yes	Yes
BATH – Water pressure functional	Yes	Yes
BATH – Hair dryer functional	Yes	None

Don’t be a wasted soul, be “juan”derlust. Take it easy.