Has anybody stayed at the Orchid Inn? (Angeles City) Any info if it is a good place would be appreciated.

Scooter

heard there great! they are booked fast so make your reservation early! tried to make reservations a month in advance for the first two weeks of june with no luck. there are no vacanx=cies

Mike,
You might try again, I was able to get reservations during that time. Are you still going to be there in June? I am going at the same time why don't you drop me a mail.

chowboxsd@hotmail.com

scooter

No Vacancies. Even with all the civil unrest?

Orchid Inn -
Definatly the place to stay when in AC. The location can't be beat. You do need a reservation as the hotel is often full (though they are adding another wing to the hotel). Good rooms from $24 - $35 a night. They have a excellent swimming pool next to thier "Cantina". The girls love this place and enjoy swimming here in the day. Overall I had a great experience there.

In my opinion this is the best hotel in town. You can't beat it when it comes to location, quality of the rooms. The hotel has just opened a new wing and is still selling out. If you want to stay here you need to book well in advance. You can request reservations by sending an email to: orchid@datelnet.net They also have a web site at: http://www.orchid-inn.com

The hands-down winner for the Fields area. The girls eyes smile when you tell'm you are staying there. They know they're in for a plush comfy room, a nice breakfast and a swim in a sparkling pool the next day. They are much less likely to want to "leave early".

Just want to note the Orchid has a new pool policy "One guest per room", per the supervisor of the poolside bar. Note: I am very careful not to let my pool parties affect other guests or hotel staff in any adverse way. While I have found a couple of ways of working around the new policy-it is disappointing to turn down some of the opportunities for "short-time" fun as the text messages to go swimming keep rolling-in. RW

That new pool policy is starting to unravel. I had three girls over for swimming and lunch and didn't have a problem. Their biggest complaints came from the fact that many ex-pats and working girls were taking up those premium spots right in front of the pool so the hotel guest had to use the tables back towards that bird cage looking thing. I think as the rainy season approaches this policy will disappear (IMHO).

Other news: The hotel is about 2/3 of the way done building a bridge from the poolside to the Jasmine Wing. Some may ask why all the trouble but the owner of the hotel told me that during the rainy seasons the road that separates the Jasmine Wing from the rest of the hotel could be 2 feet underwater... (prog)

Hmmm - guess I'll use that bridge next time I take my 5 barfines back to my room. We all look so cute holding hands...

E

Ep- Don't kid yourself you'll never look cute

Hey - my barfines say I'm cute so DAMMIT ALL TO HELL!! I'M CUTE!! Hahahah!!

Hmmm. Really should give that caffeine a rest...

E

Originally posted by Scooter on July 12, 2001 - 14:24 pm

In Reply to: Oasis vs. Orchid Inn in Angeles posted by Smitopher on July 01, 2001 - 20:23 pm:

I really like the Orchid in, its right in the center of action but never had any problems with noise. Good security and they will not let girls back to the rooms without calling first. A reservation is recomended as they are frequently booked up. I was told the Oasis is a nice hotel as wel but didn't check it out... I will next trip.
Scooter

Originally posted by cman on July 03, 2001 - 21:59 pm

In Reply to: Oasis vs. Orchid Inn in Angeles posted by Smitopher on July 01, 2001 - 20:23 pm:

Orchid is right there in the heart of the action.
I stayed at both Premiere and Sunset Gardens.
I enjoyed both and they weren't that bad. A
short trike ride away... not so noisy as the
others.

The pool policy we discussed back in June is gone. There are girls hanging around the pool again. Most of the time during my last trip we had five Y-bar girls coming over all the time. Epimetheus and Scooter took turns doing short times with them. The pool is a lot clearer now as well. In fact, I think they're putting too many chemicals in the water. I got a terrible ear infection from it. I emailed the staff and they assured me they would look into it... (prog)

Hi, Prog,
What is the "Jasmine Wing"? Does this Wing have fancy upgraded rooms? Please recommend what kind of room/wing I should get at the Orchard? Any discounts available?

Thanks!

Bkkguru,

The Jasmine wing is the newest wing at the Orchid Inn. These rooms are identical to the Habiscus wing. Take a look at the Orchid Inn web site. They have pictures of the rooms. The biggest advantage to the Jasmine wing suites is that they have free Internet access. All you need if a Laptop and some cables.

Hi,Prog,
When does the "rainy season" end?
I am planning to go to AC first week of December? I hope its not hot in December....Thanks.

Prog,
I just finished browsing the Orchid-Inn web-site.
Have you stayed in the Standard Room advertised at US$ 24.00/night? If yes, how comfortable is the bed?!
I am not going to be using the free Internet access so I am wondering if it makes sense to get $35 room. Any pros and cons would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Bkkguru,

Early December is a great time of year to go!! Not a lot of rain and still plenty of girls in town. The girls will also be very aggressive in trying to get customers because they're trying to save up for the X-Mas holidays. If you go to AC anytime between X-Mas and Jan 7 there aren't as many girls and there are a lot if guys in town.

I never stayed in a Standard room but looked at them before. You're better off sticking with the Superior Deluxe or Family rooms. The Standard rooms are in the old part of the hotel and only a few have windows. The furniture is the same, however.

...(prog)

The Orchid in has increased the price of their rooms by 25%, to the sum of $45.00, making it the most expensive hotel in AC next to the Holiday Inn at Clark.

For frequent visitors to the Orchid Inn they offer a 10% discount on everything in the hotel. This includes the MPs, food, laundry, daily room charge. Still, it is more than any other hotel in the area. They are still booked solid months ahead of time.

Anyone know if we will be paying the new room rate or the old given our reservations were confirmed before the increase? Nonetheless, good arguement upon checkin...right? RW

Goceltics,

Here is the letter I got from the Orchid. According to this letter you will still pay the old rates your November trip. As a matter of fact, if I read it correctly, if you book your next trip before Dec 1 you will also get to old prices.

...(prog)


---------------------------

Dear xxxxx,

Due to circumstances beyond our control (see below), Starting December 1st 2002, Orchid Inn Resort room rates will rise. The new rates are as follows,

Standard room USD$29.00 per night. Superior Deluxe Room (Hibiscus and Jasmine Wings) , USD$45.00 per night. Family rooms USD$50.00 per night.

In consideration of our guests, any current bookings and any bookings for future trips received prior to the 1st of December 2002 will be available at our current rates.

We sincerely hope this increase will not deter our many friends from staying with us on future trips and we have outlined some of the reasons this increase has become necessary.

Since our last increase, electricity prices have risen by over 50%
Since our last rate increase, salaries have risen by approximately 25%
Since our last rate increase, our laundry and linen hire costs have risen approximately 40%.

In order to maintain our well- documented standards of service to our guests, we have found it necessary to increase our staff numbers thereby raising the cost of our overheads.

We have had to purchase an additional large capacity generator and are now running and maintaining two large generators.

Security measures we have put in place at great expense include a 12 – camera recordable video surveillance system covering the complete exterior of the hotel and some points within the public areas of the hotel. We have also equipped our security staff with hand held radios to provide rapid assistance if required.

Since our last increase we have provided electronic room safes in all of the Hibiscus and Jasmine Wing rooms , and in-room internet connections in the 33 room Jasmine wing.

Observations

Angeles is an acknowledged high risk area for investment, at current room rates we are only achieving a very slow return on money invested.

While this (or any), increase in price is undesirable, we believe that increasing our room rates is a better alternative to lowering our standards and amenities than any other hotel in the area.

At the new rates the Orchid is still $7 - $8 dollars per night cheaper than a Junior suite at the Oasis Hotel . The Oasis does not provide in- room safes or in room internet connections for their guests and the Oasis is a long way from the Fields avenue entertainment area.

The average Orchid Inn guest stays for 7 days. The new room rate means our average guest, staying in the Hibiscus or Jasmine wings, will only pay $70 more than he pays at the present. If he stays in a standard room for 7 days he would only be paying $35 more than he is currently paying.

In closing, we appreciate that in percentage terms our new rates represent a large increase, we have done our best to hold our prices for as long as possible while still maintaining our levels of service and all the while improving our amenities including the construction of the Flamingo club. Unfortunately, due to the factors outlined above we can no longer absorb the impact these massive increases in overheads have had on our business.

The Orchid Inn Management

Progman,
You seem to have a lot of experience with the Philipines. How concerned are you with terrorism/suicide bombings, etc?

Tryer,

I am concerned about terrorist in the Philippines. I'm also concerned about them every time I get on a plane or head over to Adelitas in TJ or get in a cab from the Manama airport to my hotel in Bahrain... I just don't see the point in hiding from these assholes. If I stayed home, as some mongers recently elected to do, the terrorist have won. All this being said I should warn others that if you want to go to Angeles City beware that the local gov't and the Philippine military really aren't doing much to protect foreigners. There is a lame attempt to block off Fields Ave but the trike drivers still manage to get in. The only increase in security I saw was with the Champagne group. They now employee two armed security guards at each club entrance. They also have hand-held metal detectors. All vendors are required to show their identification cards but these could be easily forged.

...(prog)

I have heard that the Orchid stocks their rooms with miscellaneous stuff (like mini-bars, for example) and charges for anything that ends up missing. Does anyone know if you can get them to remove ALL that shit so no unknown charges can suddenly inflate the bill??? --

Porker the cheapass tightwad

Yes, ask housekeeping to remove the items. You can walk to JJ's market and stock up on water, san migs, and mango juice (for the girls). This step will save you pesos and help you manage your expenses. This is a great strategy if you're staying a week or more. RW

Porker,

Goceltics is absolute correct. If you're on a tight budget have it cleaned out and then fill it with just the necessary items. I suggest for the girls - water, mango juice, Royal, and chocolate! JJ's market is about 30 feet up the road from Margarita Station on the same side of the street. This being said - the mini-bar charges aren't really that much. Everything in the refrigerator is priced the same as what the hotel would charge you at their bars or restaurants. The hotel staff is very honest. Any charges you see on the bill will be from items actually consumed or were from honest accounting errors made by the chambermaids.

There are also many items in the CR (bathroom) that are for sale. I suggest you leave them there. You may need pads and tooth brushes for the girls.

...(prog)


(Message edited by progman on June 22, 2003)

The quick version: Staff is friendly efficient, my room kinda sucks. Very cramped. Epimetheus' room is VERY nice, but man, the price...

The poolside and back bar experience is truly a life of leisure.

I have been waiting to hear if you made it there mi amigo.

You'd die here, my friend. Picture the best looking chick in any bar in Monterrey/TJ/or other Texas border towns, whittle the list down to the top 20%, and then realize it's 20 bucks for ALL NIGHT. 3,000 or so to choose from...

I stayed here late Aug. 2003 and the room they gave me has seen better days. It was a standard that was right above the check in desk on the 2nd floor. There was no hot water for the duration of my stay, the remote didn't work all the time, and the bathroom got flooded. The air con was tolerable, but not strong.

I guess you need to get the deluxe suite near the pool area, which is actually very nice as is the restaurant and bar area there. Next time, I hope they give me the deluxe, which I requested through the internet but they somehow "lost".

I visited Angeles City in November of 2002. I've been there a dozen times or so, but this was the first time I stayed at the Orchid. In the past it was the Phoenix or Clarkton, but I had heard so much about the Orchid, I figured what the hell, I'd give it a shot. The room was a couple bucks more than the others (literally just a couple), but it was more than worth it. Close enough to the action, but not right in the middle of it. Other than a little noise from the bar next door, it was quiet. They have 2 pools, both kept immaculately clean, and the Superior Deluxe room looked brand new, with quality tile work, a nice tv, ice cold air, and fridge. As for "guests" in the rooms, of course there was no problem. This hotel, like many others, are here for this reason. They're long time hotels, comfortable and with a revolving door of young ladies.

My one complaint was the air conditioning. The system was setup so you had to keep a plastic credit card looking thing, in the slot, in order to make it run. This "key" was permanently attached to your room key. Therefore if you go out for a barhop, you return to your room and it's hot as hell. I see the point, since air conditioning the room with no one in it, probably costs the hotel a bundle. Plus... the quality of the air conditioner was such that the room cooled off in a couple minutes, anyway. I'm not sure the older rooms had this key system. Room service was touch and go. Breakfasts were done well, and cheap, but I didn't love the rest of their food. It wasn't bad, but you could jump onto a jeepney for a nickel and a minute later you'd be at some much better restaurants. The San Miguel at the Orchid was ICE COLD, though, and their bar was a nice place to relax during the day.

Room= Excellent
Food= Good
Amenities= Good
Staff= Excellent
Location = Very Good

Overall, I'd give it an 8.5

I stayed in a Standard Deluxe Room for around 32.00 with an Asia Travel discount, but now I hear the price has shot up to over $40 with the discount. If everything else remained the same in the months since I was there, I'd change my rating to 7.5, by AC standards. Of course in Miami Beach, this place would cost over a hundred a night, but this ain't Miami Beach.

Went with a deluxe room in the Jasmine wing. Overall decent room, but the price was high considering the room. Overall, the staff was friendly, the pool area was nice, and the girls enjoy coming here. My last night there, the police entered the bar and took out a fellow monger while I was talking to my crew of barfines. He assumed the maid was available and grabbed her ass, afterwhich she went over to the station and filed a complaint. Not smart... the heat didn't look too amused either.

From -TripReports-: 2003/10 Shakey - Angeles City Trip Report

First thing I noticed was they got two other HOT front desk girls working now that made me want to give up my evil ways and beg for some of their time. Further, it was always nice to see the other personable and professional gals (Lorna, Jose, and Ana). In general all staff (front desk, maids, security, etc) well trained in customer service. Downside the price, but when Park Chicago and the other new hotel open up down the street, I think the Orchid will have to lower their prices to compete. Those new Park Chicago rooms got my interest enough to forget the hot gals at the front desk.

This was Porker's room at the Orchid Inn, it was one of the smaller ones near the front desk. Most of the others are nicer and larger, I believe.

d'art
I should hope the others are larger. I've seen bigger prison cells !!

Of course if you want to keep me prisoner-- make it with lots of little brown bunnies to keep me company !

This room is about as big as the closets in Apartelle Royale....the Jazmine rooms are a little bigger and more modern but the beds are just average.

From Asia: Philippines: Angeles City: Porker's Guide to Angeles City Hotels

ORCHID INN: As I've said many times before, the Orchid is the best mix of amenities and location in Angeles City for anyone with a stay focused around the Fields Avenue bars. It has a terrific reputation as a punter's hotel, and all things being equal, just about all of us would stay there. Like many of my favorite places in AC, there is often an air of excitement at the Orchid, with people playing pool in the front bar, or simply hanging around or entertaining some rather HOT guests at La Cantina in the back. The Orchid pool is nice and clean, and there can be lots of eye candy as OGBs (Other Guys' Barfines) take a dip and play around. The wait staff at both of Orchid's bars/restaurant are all full of smiles and friendly.

The big negative, however, is the price, as the deluxe rooms at the Orchid are nearly twice as much as those of the competition, and the older, cheaper rooms don't measure up to similarly priced rooms at other hotels.

As far as rooms go, there are two quite different tiers of rooms at the Orchid, and each will be discussed separately. The standard rooms are the older, smaller rooms, and as might imagine, the cheapest, costing $25 per night. For that cost you get a room that is pretty no frills, just a bed, wardrobe, dining table and chairs stuffed into a corner, refrigerator with stocked mini-bar items, TV w/ cable, very cramped bathroom, and a window unit air-con that can be a little noisy but generally puts out pretty cold air. The good news, though, is that you are staying at a hotel with a terrific location, nice pool, lounge areas/restaurant in the front with pool tables and in the back by the pool, in-room massage if you'd like, attentive maid service and front desk staff. An added convenience is the safety boxes available at the front desk and money exchange available at the front desk.

Negatives for standard rooms: No in room safe. Can be lots of noise outside room doors at all hours of the day and night. Bathrooms extremely small and showing some age, and with all available space taken up with sari sari store type items that guests can help themselves to which ends up padding your bill (though they can be removed on request). Rooms older and smaller than other hotels for the same price.

Strengths: Location. Orchid facilities including attentive front desk staff and excellent maid service, pool, ´vibe´ of staying at the Orchid.

Grade for Orchid Inn standard room: Room Quality: C+ Overall, including amenities: B Value: B

Deluxe rooms at the Orchid: These rooms are much newer and nicer and BIGGER than the standard rooms, and as such feel much more relaxing - some of the nicest rooms that you'll find in the immediate vicinity of Fields.

Strengths: Location. In room safe, large bathroom which can accommodate many guests showering simultaneously, Orchid facilities mentioned previously, internet access for laptops.

Negatives: Price. While the total package at the Orchid makes it the best overall hotel option, the rooms themselves do not justify being significantly more expensive than similar options at other hotels. Air-conditioning requires room key to be activated, room always HOT upon returning.

Grade for Orchid Inn deluxe room: Room quality: A- Overall, including amenities: A Value: B- (Value still not good even if given a 5% discount for length/frequency of stay that must be requested - it's not automatic)

Snafus: Cable TV-remote system not the easiest to figure out, batteries dead for remote, cable sometimes inexplicably 'out'.

Recommendation: I'd highly recommend the deluxe rooms at the Orchid if you're not price sensitive. An excellent vacation option.

The Orchid has done a double edged "FUCK YOU" to customers by both raising rates AND adding on a supposedly "new" VAT of 12% to both room rates and all food and beverages sold there. The old 25, 45 and 50 dollar rates are now 29, 49 and 59 bucks, PLUS 12%.

VAT has existed in the Philippines for nearly 10 years now. The recent increase was from 10% to 12%, not from ZERO to 12%. It's a frickin' 2% increase, yet the Orchid is gouging customers for the entire VAT amount as an add-on that EVERY other AC tourist related business has already been paying for years. The fucking tax rate goes up 2% and Orchid uses it as an excuse to raise room rates by more than 20%?

FUCK THEM

Fuck the Orchid Inn

Finally something Iron Eagle and Porker can agree upon.

Still the best pork adobo in town tho...

Still the best pork adobo in town tho...

Best, eh? Still, that's not saying a whole lot...

E

Actually, it's one that I can say I enjoy. Probably more so than any other food in AC.

The Orchid Inn isnt a bad place to stay. I like the pool and overall jovial atmosphere. The food seems to be good. However, the prices are out of line when compared to other hotels.

I thought the Swiss Chalet offered excellent value. The owner, Hans, makes sure his business card is distributed out to everyone who stays at the hotel and visits the restaurant. If you have an issue, then you can call him on his cellphone or send him an email. It gives me confidence in that if there is a problem that I can hash it out with the top dog who understands perfect English versus the Filipino lady at the desk.

You can find a decent room at the Chalet for under 30 dollars a night. The food in the restaurant isnt that bad and the location is right there on the corner of Santos and Fields, prime location. The only drawback I saw was that the beds did seem a little thin.

A person who stays at any of the hotels will have fun. The difference here is that the person staying at the Orchid will have to dig deeper into their pockets.

As for myself, no more jacuzzi rooms, no more pool views. I will be happy with the cheaper rooms in AC that go for under $30.

After a good trip, the spoiler can sometimes be that fat credit card bill that you end up with...

To be honest, there really is no such thing as a real jacuzzi on Fields...they are just bath tubs with weak jets and lukewarm water.

There are however short time hotels in Diamond Subdivision area with very cool huge hot tubs that work and bubble bath gel included.

I agree with Swiss Chalet, best overall value in Fields IMHO. Best beds are in RA, best service in CP and best pool at Sunset Garden and Clarkton. Best food at Swiss Chalet and Orchid Inn. Would be great to combine the best of all of them.

beg yur bardon, but I had a jacuzzu at RA. Quite large.

I stayed here at the "Super Delux Family Room" at $59/ night. I wanted a bigger room than last time. In retrospect; the cheap room - if it has the Broadband Internet hookup @ $29 would be just fine.

Service at this hotel is stellar. You are on a first name basis and I have to admit I let my guard down as far as the leaving Ipod and Digital Camera and coins in plain view on the counter. Nothhing was stolen. And the Rush service laundry was almost a joke rush -like 45 mins!!! The staff especially works well when given tips. I won't say how much I tipped - as my reputatation precedes me - but with 2 brown outs and one cooler needing to be adjusted; I was the first in line to be asked if everything was okay.

They have a pool table in the restuarant area.

The beds are hard as a rock, but usually I was on top of my "wife" while utilizing the bed; so it was a moot issue. The room came stocked with 12 diet cokes a day (special request) and their prices are dirt cheep so its all good.

They charge 12% VAT but gave me an unexpected 10% discount for my 10 days?! So I left with a smile.

Again, the staff is superb, and always available. Room service is super fast and I felt very comfortable here.

Only because the Wild Orchid Inn is just $10 more per night; I might stay here on my next trip because it is newer and has a classy swimming pool and bigger rooms. But Orchid still gets 2 hornz up from me!

(Message edited by metalboots on September 13, 2006)

Metalboots, please keep in mind that there are several other places within 3 blocks of the Orchid Inn that have bigger, newer and nicer rooms for at least 20 dollars a night less. And they all have excellent, friendly staffs that respond well to a kind words and relatively small tips (Personally I tip my maids at Central Park p50 and a handful of bite-size hershey candies every other day and they do backflips asking me if there's anything they can do for me). And these other hotels have generators that kick in about 10-15 seconds after the brownouts happen. Just think about all that for a second.

You are paying a steep premium to use the Orchid's pool, considering any lowlife off the street can swim at the Wild Orchid if ordering 10 bucks worth of food/drink if you really like swimming. Hope you used it enough to make it worth it to you. If you stay at the Orchid and don't use the pool your money would go a LOT further at places like Royal Amsterdam and Apartelle Royal.

Oh, and the $29 rooms at the Orchid Inn are SHITHOLES. Shitholes that don't include internet access, since you wondered out loud.

I stayed at this place on my second trip to AC.

I do not think I will stay there again.

Room was ok but worn, bed was pretty hard and not confy. Noise level wss ok.

Pool ok but very small. Staff was ok.

For the money better to look elsewhere.

Back in the day, Orchid Inn was considered one of the better places to stay in A.C. While the location is great, it's a very tired property and has been off my short list of hotels for years, although I still drop in for a meal once in a while.

On my very first trip to AC, I had booked into Orchid Inn. After about 15 minutes in the room, I went over to the Wild Orchid, where I stayed happily on subsequent trips, despite increasing prices. (Don't remember whether I spent the first night there.)