Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: 88 Hotel Koronadal City - Your Dream Getaway!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: 88 Hotel Koronadal City - Your Dream Getaway!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: 88 Hotel Koronadal City - My Dream Getaway? (Spoiler: It's Complicated)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from the 88 Hotel in Koronadal City, and the "unbelievable luxury" part… well, let's just say it's a bit like a dating profile; sometimes the reality doesn’t quite match the hype. But hey, that’s life, right? And this review? This is LIFE, baby! Prepare for the raw, the real, and maybe a little bit of me rambling about my questionable choices while on vacation.
First Impressions & Getting There (The Mildly Terrifying Taxis)
First, the good news: getting to the hotel was relatively straightforward. They offer Airport Transfer (phew!) which, frankly, is a lifesaver in a city I'd never set foot in before. The drive itself was… well, let's just say the taxi driver seemed to have a personal grudge against speed limits. But hey, at least I got there in one piece, and I'm here to write this, right? Access is generally good, with an Elevator (crucial!), and I remember seeing signs for Facilities for disabled guests, though I didn’t personally investigate those elements.
Rooms: The Good, The Meh, and That Weird Smell
Okay, the Rooms were… a mixed bag. The Air Conditioning was a godsend, especially after battling the humid heat. They definitely understand the importance of a good Blackout curtains, and I appreciated the Complimentary tea (essential for a caffeine addict like myself). My room also had a Desk, which came in handy when I needed to… you know… pretend to work.
Speaking of which, the Internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi [free]) was a life-saver. I was able to stream my comfort movies. But the Internet access – LAN? Forget about it. That seemed to be a relic of a bygone era.
The Bathroom was… okay. Clean, at least initially. The Shower had decent water pressure (a win!) and they did provide Towels and Toiletries. One minor snag: the smell. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but there was a faint, lingering… something. Maybe it was the remnants of a previous guest's questionable perfume choice? Maybe it was just the building settling? Whatever it was, it made me keep the Window that opens cracked open all night. Good thing the Soundproofing was decent because, let me tell you, the local dogs do not believe in quiet hours.
Now, the really funny part? The Additional toilet. I wouldn't say they had one- but there was a bidet!
The Luxuries (and the Lack Thereof)
Okay, the "Unbelievable Luxury" part. Let's dive in!
Things to do / Ways to Relax: The hotel definitely tries. They have a Swimming pool [outdoor] which looked tempting, but I confess, I didn’t actually go in. I’m a bit of a germaphobe in public pools! I did, however, see the Pool with view, and it looked lovely. There's also a Fitness center (I’m pretty sure I saw someone sweating, but I never ventured in), and a Spa complete with Massage and Sauna. I’m kicking myself now because I really could have used a massage after that taxi ride! In my own world, I'd have indulged, and had the Foot bath as well.
Spa/sauna: It's there, but did I use it? No. I was in procrastination-mode.
Body scrub, Body wrap: They looked good.
Steamroom: The same as the sauna.
Dining: A Culinary Rollercoaster
Restaurants & Food: Dining was… an experience. They boast several Restaurants, but I mostly stuck to the main one. The Breakfast [buffet] was pretty standard Asian breakfast fare, with a decent selection of eggs, rice, and… questionable-looking sausages. I did appreciate the Coffee/tea in restaurant, because, again, caffeine is life. I did notice a Vegetarian restaurant, but didn't try it. I was very interested in the Desserts in restaurant and the Salad in restaurant, just never got around to them! I found the A la carte in restaurant, to be pretty good, I can say the International cuisine in restaurant stood out.
Room Service: I ordered Room service [24-hour] one night, because, let's be real, sometimes you just want to eat pizza in bed. It was… passable. The pizza arrived quickly and was eatable.
Snacking: They have a Snack bar, which is super convenient. Great for late-night cravings!
Poolside bar: I wish I had used the poolside bar, but I was too busy staring at it!
Bottle of Water: The Bottle of water was a consistent and vital. Always provided and appreciated!
Cleanliness & Safety (The Part Where They Really Shine)
Okay, this is where the 88 Hotel deserves serious props. In a post-pandemic world (or, you know, ongoing-pandemic world), they take things seriously. They had Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff seemed well-trained in Staff trained in safety protocol. My room was definitely Rooms sanitized between stays, and I felt reasonably safe. They also have First aid kit. I found the Cashless payment service very convenient in my time there.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (and Some That Don't)
Services & Conveniences: They offer a ton of on-site services, including Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service, and Luggage storage. I used (and appreciated) the Daily housekeeping, which kept my little corner of the world tidy. The Elevator made life easier.
Business facilities: They had what I thought was a pretty good Business facilities available including Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, and Projector/LED display.
For the Kids: I didn’t see many kids, but they did have Babysitting service available, just in case.
The "Unbelievable" Factor: Where It Falters
Okay, so the hotel is good, but "unbelievable"? That’s a stretch. There's a certain… let's call it a "functional" vibe rather than a luxury one. Everything works, but nothing really wows. It had some kinks. Some of the staff seemed a bit…disengaged? Or maybe just exhausted? (Fair enough, hotel work is brutal). There definitely weren't any little unexpected touches that made me feel extra special.
The Verdict:
Would I recommend the 88 Hotel Koronadal City? Yes, with caveats. If you're looking for a clean, safe, and reasonably comfortable place to stay in Koronadal City, it's a solid choice. The staff tries hard, and the cleanliness and safety protocols are on point. Don’t go expecting a five-star extravaganza, and you'll be happy. It's a decent base for exploring the area, and the free Wi-Fi is, well, priceless. Just pack some air freshener, and maybe bring your own personal masseuse. You’ve been warned!
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- Title: Unbelievable Luxury Awaits? 88 Hotel Koronadal City Review: The Good, The Meh, and the Slightly Questionable!
- Keywords: 88 Hotel Koronadal City, Koronadal City hotels, Philippines hotels, hotel review, spa, swimming pool, restaurant, clean hotel, safe hotel, accessible hotel, free wifi, breakfast, room service, massage, sauna, fitness center, travel tips, South Cotabato, Mindanao, best hotels, budget hotel
- Description: A brutally honest (and slightly rambling) review of the 88 Hotel Koronadal City. Find out if it lives up to the "Unbelievable Luxury" hype! Covering accessibility, cleanliness, dining, amenities, and all the little details. Read before you book!
- Accessibility: Wheelchair Accessible, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests
- Cleanliness: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection, Hand Sanitizer, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup
- Dining: Restaurants, Buffet, Breakfast [buffet], Room service [24-hour], Asian cuisine, International cuisine
- Amenities: Swimming pool [outdoor], Fitness center, Spa, Sauna, Massage, Free Wi-Fi, Air Conditioning, Airport Transfer, Concierge
- Safety: 24-hour Security, Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher, CCTV
- Rooms: Air Conditioning, Free Wi-Fi, Blackout Curtains
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this itinerary for Eighty Eight Hotel in Koronadal City is gonna be messier than my ex-boyfriend's apartment after laundry day. Expect tangents, emotional rollercoasters, and probably a lot of me questioning my life choices. Let's go…
Eighty Eight Hotel: Koronadal City - The "Pretend I'm Organized" Edition
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Room Hunt (And the Existential Dread Begins)
- 1:00 PM: Arrival at Kabacan Bus Terminal, then the whole hassle of getting there. – Okay, so first off, Kabacan… it’s a journey, not a destination. I sweated through my already-questionable "adventure" outfit. Filipino bus rides, man. Let’s just say, my "inner peace" took a direct hit somewhere between Davao City and Koronadal.
- 2:30 PM: Check-in at Eighty Eight – Lobby and First Impressions. - The lobby, a swirl of beige and faint aircon. Honestly, it felt a little like a doctor's waiting room. “Welcome to…awaiting diagnosis of boredom.” I tried to look enthusiastic. Failed. The receptionist, bless her heart, seemed used to it. She probably sees a parade of emotionally stunted travelers on the regular.
- 3:00 PM: The Room: Initial Judgment. - This is where things get real. I'd booked a "Standard Room." What screams "standard" more than a room with the smell of cleaning products, and a view of… the parking lot? Okay, maybe I’m being harsh. But let's just say, it didn't exactly spark joy. I mean, come on, where’s the personality, Hotel Eighty Eight? WHERE IS IT?!
- Anecdote: My first thought? “I hope the bed isn’t a concrete slab.” (It wasn't. Thankfully. A slight improvement, but still, my expectations were low after the lobby.)
- 3:30 PM: The TV Saga. – Trying to figure out the TV. The remote control was a battlefield of buttons. Spent a good 20 minutes wrestling with it, finally gave up and just went with the channel that was showing the most action. (News with subtitles, as usual -_-)
- 4:00 PM: Shower… or the lack of one. - Shower pressure was… a trickle. The water temperature fluctuated between "cold" and "scalding." My skin felt like I just ran a marathon in a desert. Did I mention I hate public showers? And the hotel's? Even worse.
- 5:00 PM: Wandering the Corridors (and questioning my life choices). - Strolled the hotel's empty corridor. I began to wonder if I'd accidentally wandered into a ghost town. At least the hotel's staff was polite enough to still greet me in the halls.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at the Hotel Restaurant (Praying the food is edible). - The restaurant was surprisingly bustling. Ordered the "Sisig." Food arrived, and hey! Not bad, Eighty Eight. Not bad. A slight glimmer of hope for the rest of my stay. (Still, I spent the whole meal eyeing everyone else's plates to see if they'd ordered anything better. The human condition, am I right?)
- 7:30 PM: Room Re-Assessment and the "Will to Live" Check. - Back in the room. Staring at the beige walls and the "standard" view. Decided to order from the room service at least one more piece of cake. Gotta treat myself, right?
- 8:30 PM: Bedtime (Trying to conjure happy thoughts before sleep). - The bed was… well, it was a bed. I closed my eyes, prayed I don't see any demons, and drifted off to sleep.
Day 2: Exploring Koronadal (If I can be bothered)
- 8:00 AM: Wake-Up Call (Thank God for It). - So… did I sleep? Yes. Did it feel like sleeping? Not quite. Hotel rooms always have a way to amplify my anxieties.
- 8:30 AM: Breakfast at the Hotel Restaurant (Praying for Coffee) - Breakfast… the crucial test. And the coffee? Undrinkable. My mood plunged to the depths of despair.
- 9:00 AM: The Great Escape from the Hotel! or maybe not… - The original plan was to explore Koronadal. But the thought of leaving my room with my hair as messy as it is now? Nah. Stuck with my plan of doing nothing.
- 10:00 AM: Room Service and Netflix Binge. - My life at the moment. Watching some show on Netflix is now my only source of entertainment.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at the Hotel Restaurant - Ordered something to eat. Don't remember what. But it was an improvement after the coffee.
- 1:00 PM: The Nap - I took a nap to relax and forget about everything.
- 3:00 PM: Evening at the Hotel - The rest of the day was a blur. Mostly filled with staring at the wall, doing nothing.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner - The food was decent, so that was a plus. Still, my whole mood felt like I was waiting for the end.
- 8:00 PM: More Netflix, then sleep. - Bed, sleep, repeat.
Day 3: Departure (Please, let it be over.)
- 7:00 AM: Wake Up and Regret Everything. - Why didn't I explore yesterday? Why? Why?!
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast (The Final Test) - The breakfast was… still not great.
- 9:00 AM: Check-Out (Bless the Staff, They’re Still Smiling). - The staff were lovely, as usual. They were probably happy to see me go. I know I was happy to go!
- 9:30 AM: Goodbye, Eighty Eight (And a sigh of relief). - Stepping out of the hotel felt like being released from a beige prison.
- The Verdict: Eighty Eight Hotel, Koronadal City… it was fine. Just. Fine. Not awful, not amazing. A place to sleep. A place to eat. A place to reflect on the sheer absurdity of life. Would I go back? Maybe. If there's literally no other option. But I've got some serious therapy to do after this experience.
Final Thought: I swear, this trip made me think more about life than any philosophy book ever could. Moral of the story? Always pack your own coffee. And maybe a therapist. Because you'll need one.
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Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: 88 Hotel Koronadal City - Your Dream Getaway! FAQs (Prepare for the Truth!)
Okay, seriously, is this place REALLY as good as the pictures? I'm talking crystal chandeliers and beds you can get *lost* in.
Alright, let's be honest. Those photos? They're… embellished. A little. Look, the 88 definitely has its moments. The lobby? Swanky. Think polished marble, a huge chandelier that practically screams "I'm fancy!", and a front desk staff that somehow manages to be both incredibly efficient and charming. The beds? Yep, they're comfy. I'm talking, you could absolutely lose an entire weekend binge-watching Netflix in one. But the crystal chandelier… well, it might be a *slightly* smaller crystal chandelier than what I imagined. Still gorgeous though. Just… manage your expectations, okay? Think "luxury-lite" not "palace." I was expecting gold leaf on the toilet seats, and I didn't find any. Which, frankly, was probably for the best. Sanitation, you know?
What's the deal with the food? Is it worthy of a foodie's Instagram feed?
The food… oh, the food. That's where things get a little... *ahem*... interesting. Breakfast is included, which is always a win. You get your typical Filipino breakfast buffet, and honestly? It's pretty decent. The *tapsilog* was on point. But I'd heard whispers of a gourmet restaurant. And I was *so* hyped! My expectations? World-class cuisine. Michelin stars gleaming in the dim light. Reality? Let's just say it was… ambitious. I ordered the pasta. It arrived. It looked… *okay*. The taste? Let's just say I'm a dedicated home cook and I can make better. Look, there's improvement needed. Stick to the local fare. Order the kare-kare. You will not regret it. It's the real star of the show.
Is the location convenient? Will I be spending all my time in a tricycle?
Location, location, location! The 88 Hotel is in Koronadal, which is a pretty central hub. Tricycles *are* your friend there, let's be clear. They're everywhere. Negotiating the price is part of the adventure, though. I haggled like a pro, or so I thought until I was being charged an extra twenty pesos. It's definitely not a beachfront resort. You're not stumbling out of your room onto white sand. But you're close enough to everything. Shops and restaurants. It's easy enough to get around. Koronadal isn't exactly the biggest city in the world, so that helps.
Are the rooms actually *clean*? Because germs are a nightmare of mine.
Cleanliness? Okay, this is where the 88 Hotel generally shines. The rooms themselves? Spotless. And I’m a germaphobe, so believe me, I’m hyper-aware. Fresh sheets, gleaming bathrooms, no creepy crawlies. I did a thorough inspection. Everything checked out. And trust me, I've stayed in places where "clean" was more of a suggestion. (Don’t even get me started on that hostel in Bangkok.) So, yes, the rooms are definitely clean. Probably the *best* part, honestly.
Besides sleeping and eating, what else is there to *do* at the hotel?
Okay, this is where things are a little… limited. They have a pool. It's… fine. It’s not Olympic-sized. It's not super glamorous. It's a pool. You can swim in it. There's a little gym, but don't expect state-of-the-art equipment. Let's just say you're not going to be winning any fitness competitions there. The main activity at the 88? Relaxing in your room. That, and venturing out into Koronadal. I'm not knocking that, mind you. Sometimes, the best thing to do is nothing at all. But if you're looking for non-stop entertainment, the 88 isn't exactly a cruise ship.
What's the Wi-Fi like? Because I need to post my Instagram stories, obviously.
Oh, the Wi-Fi. This is where things get… patchy, shall we say? It's decent enough for basic browsing and checking emails. I managed to upload my Instagram stories, eventually. But when I tried to stream a movie? Disaster. Buffering. Endless buffering. Prepare to be patient. Or, you know, embrace the opportunity to unplug and actually *talk* to people. Which, let's be honest, is probably a good thing. Unless you depend on your wifi like I do. Then just accept the occasional rage induced break.
What about the staff? Are they friendly?
The staff? They’re the real MVPs. Seriously. They’re super friendly, helpful and they genuinely try to make your stay as pleasant as possible. They're unfailingly polite and always willing to go the extra mile. I had a minor mishap with my luggage and they were SO helpful and sympathetic. It was genuinely refreshing. And the security guards are always smiling. Major points for that. They're the reason I'd go back, actually. More than the fancy lobby, more than the comfy beds... the people. That makes a huge difference.
Is 88 Hotel actually *worth* the price? My wallet is starting to sweat.
Okay, the big question: is it worth it? That depends. If you're expecting a super-luxury, five-star experience? You might be disappointed. But if you're looking for a comfortable, clean, and convenient place to stay in Koronadal with friendly staff, then yes, absolutely. It’s a good value for the price. It's not perfect, but it's a solid choice. Would I stay there again? Probably. (Especially if the kare-kare is still on the menu!) Just remember to take those crystal chandelier expectations with a grain of salt. And pack some patience for the Wi-Fi.
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