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.
