The Central Park Hotel (formally the Park Chicago) is located as close to the action as you can get. This place as gone through a complete renovation and is quickly becoming a great alternative to the Orchid Inn. The room rates are very good for its location and quality.

Here's a link to their web site: http://www.centralpark-ac.com/

It's at the top of the list right now, as far as I'm concerned. 15 bucks a night cheaper than the Orchid, and the only difference is no pool and MAYBE smaller bathroom's. Staff is friendly as hell and trying their DAMNEDEST to ensure that guests are having a good experience. IMO, staying there is a no-brainer, but booking quickly should be advised as word is getting out.

(Message edited by porker on December 30, 2003)

I am going to stop in Angeles City on my way back home and want to know which hotel I should try to get a room. I want one close to the action, but away from most of the noise. Help.

How is the noise level in this hotel. They say that the pool is open now and sounds like a good place. Any comments will be appreciated.

Central Park Hotel Angeles City Philippines
All summed up is fantastic. They make you feel so welcome when you walk in and the atmosphere is better than what the orchid was. I have stayed at a lot of hotels in ac and I want to say that the Central Park has my vote. Once they get the pool fixed up upstairs then all will be in place. The staff (some from the Orchid) great and very pleasent to the customer. Location is fantastic right in the heart of everything. The husband and wife team have done a great job. Oh the shower big enought for 3 to 4 depending on the size of the partners hahahaha hot and lots of pressure. Rooms are clean and room service is great. so as is summed up at the beginning I feel this is the place to stay. Oh no charge for visitors either another plus.

Nobody charges for visitors in AC.

I'm sure they save a fortune on the air-con costs by making you put the key in to turn it on, but I think this will end up being a BIG negative come hot season. The weather was GORGEOUS 3 weeks ago when I was in Asia, but when it gets hot... I would NOT wanna wait around until the AC kicked in. THAT and the small bathroom would be the biggest negatives I can think of. But a super-friendly and well-trained staff does go a long way towards making it a happy stay.

Marc, noise level was no problem for me. Well, except the night MY girl was blasting the TV which you could hear all the way in the stairs heading towards the second floor room. I still remember Epi saying something like "who the hell's watching Highlander at top volume at 5 AM?" Uhh...

Re: the restaurant downstairs at the Central Park -- it's OK, nothing special, and the prices are higher for less food than you'd get from a short walk to Kokomoz or a longer walk to Margarita Station. BUT, the room service works well when you need it, and the foos is at least comparable to the Orchid, from whom I think they totally ripped off the menu.

Some very good news is that a decent restaurant/bar is directly in front of the hotel, Hole in the Wall. I think between the two of us Epi and I had the nachos there every night of my 10 day stay. Also quite convenient is the little alley on one side of Hole in the Wall that leads directly to the Santos bars.

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

CENTRAL PARK HOTEL: The recently completely renovated Central Park (formerly Chicago Park or Park Chicago, I don't know) offers nice rooms at a very good price in a terrific location. Add in incredible customer service and super-friendly staff, and it's no wonder why this place is becoming VERY popular very quickly.

The hotel is limited a bit by things it doesn't have, namely a pool (the one in front is a JOKE, more like a BATHTUB, but it does seem rather clean), but the owners claim to be working on a rooftop pool which could make it a full-service resort-esque hotel to rival the Orchid for overall superiority among the Fields area hotels.

Another physical limitation is that the rather cramped lobby and restaurant bar areas are completely enclosed and without air conditioning. This can make it seem eerily quiet and hot and stuffy at the same time, which can be annoying rather than relaxing. The world's cheeriest staff does quite a bit to make up for these limitations, however, and they do an amazing job of making you feel like you're at HOME while a guest there.

The rooms at Central Park are nice, but not nearly as nice as the rooms at Apartelle Royal. They DO compare favorably to the considerably more expensive rooms at the Orchid Inn, however, thus creating the CP's market niche - comparable rooms to the Orchid's at a much lower price with superb customer service. There are two tiers of rooms, $25 standard and $30 deluxe, with the major differences being a slightly larger room and a noticeably larger bathroom, and a DVD player in the room.

Central Park rooms all include in room safes, remote control AC, TV with cable (obviously), fridge with mini-bar, ceiling fan, good maid service and attentive front desk and wait staff. Money changing service is available at the front desk.

Strengths: Location. Super friendly and helpful staff, from the maids to the security guard to the owners who will know your name within 2 days. In room safe. Good value (for AC) for the quality of the room. Hotel very quiet.

Weaknesses: No pool. Air-con requires room key for activation so you return to a hot room. Lounge area too quiet/stuffy with no air-con.

Snafus: Scumbags that sit on the corner and drink in the sun use the parking lot as a open air bathroom.

Grade for Central Park: Rooms: A- Overall, including amenities: A- Value: A

Recommendation: If you can live without a swimming pool and value customer service and reasonably priced accomodations, this is your place. The staff will do backflips in order to make sure you enjoy your stay.

so is the pool completed upstairs? is it full size?

-dm

No upstairs pool that I saw yet...

Just stayed here for a few days (moved over from the Orchid so it'd be easier to coordinate mongering with Porker and crew). The staff are super-friendly - immediately making an effort to know me by name. The restaurant food was convenient and fine for this picky eater.

The room was comfortable and reasonably well furnished. The bed had nice soft pillows (yay!). I did find the lighting to be a bit too dim. And the A/C always being off when you left the room was a bit annoying. (I suspect most hotels do this to help avoid brownouts - AC probably doesn't have the best power grid going.)

In short, I found it quiet, comfortable and only a stone's throw from prime mongering territory and the ATM at Kokomoz. Unless I found myself wallowing in money and seeking luxurious accomodations, I wouldn't give a second thought to staying anywhere else in AC.

PS - They're also very helpful at arranging a safe (i.e. you won't be robbed), reliable driver to/from the airport in Manila.

"And the A/C always being off when you left the room was a bit annoying. (I suspect most hotels do this to help avoid brownouts - AC probably doesn't have the best power grid going.)"

Actually talked to Guy about this once. He told me that their electric bill is higher then their payroll. The money they shell out for electricity there is outrageous and so the keys are a way of keeping their costs down.

Having a backup generator is what helps in the case of brownouts.

E

The owners of the Central Park are currently constructing what appears to be a very impressive hotel just east of Santos street. This new hotel is behind the extension to the Wild Orchid. I am really impressed with the improved choice of hotels over the last few years in Angeles.

JRSX-
Hopefully opening December 2006 - It will be called
"The Pacific Breeze Hotel and Resort"

Check oit out
http://www.centralpark-ac.com/newhotel.php#

Pacific Breeze -- in AC ??? hahahaha
Hotter than hades with no brezze there . Nice bit of irony .

I also love the trend of calling these dumps - resorts ! Where's the golf course and tennis courts ? At least something resort like - other than a puddle sized swimming pool.

I was thinking of staying at the Central Park in their premeire rooms.

Arethese rooms as large as the deluxe rooms at the Orchid. I stayed there last month but $59 is pretty steep. How would you compare the Central Park to the Orchid? I stayed at the Orchid for 2 weeks and didn't use the pool so the pool isn't that big of a draw for me.

The bigger, slightly more expensive rooms ($35 instead of $29???. They're bigger than the standard rooms and have a DVD player) at Central Park Hotel are newer and a little nicer than the $59 rooms at the Orchid Inn, but I'd guess slightly smaller. The $29 rooms are definitely a little smaller, but the place where you really notice is in the shower, which may be important if you regularly shower with multiple partners. Otherwise, with the exception of the pool, Central Park kicks ass over the Orchid in every way and you save a bundle in the process.

BTW, the $35 rooms are not that easy to book at Central Park. I believe there are only two of them...

Porker,
Thanks, I read your reviews on all the hotels which were great.

I was able to get reservations for the premeire room at Central Park as my trip is pretty far down the road so it wasn't a problem. Do they have ethernet hookups in the room or are they just wireless?

I stayed at the orchid last mont and I remember seeing a sign for the central park but for the life of me I don't recall seeing the entrance. Where is it in relation to the entrance of the Orchid?

Central Park has ethernet connections in the rooms and usually works well, though rain can fuck things up. Wireless supposedly available in the restaurant/lobby and the cafe downstairs, but I've always had a bitch of a time to get it to work.

Central Park is literally right next to the Orchid Inn. If walking from the Orchid to Kokomoz, just make a right when you get to Heartbreaker (former Pick Up Disco) and the basketball courts and you can't miss it, directly across from Swiss Chalet and Hole in the Wall restaurant.

I'm in Central Park right now, and regret to say that my room has the rotten-egg smell in the water. Not sure if other rooms are affected, but it's not an improvement...

I wonder if this is in the hotel water system, or the local municipality's?

The water everywhere in AC smells bad . I don't think it's a Central Park problem.

The shower at RA last trip was also rich in the sulfide smell you describe.

On the positive side at least it reminds you not to drink the shit.

Central Park is now letting guests go swimming at the new Pacific Breeze, which is about 2 short blocks away. You are given a "guest privileges" card which lets you use the pool for free and you can sign for any food/drinks at Pacific Breeze. The pool area is very nice.

I recently took advantage of the pool privileges while staying at the Central Park Hotel. That is a nice perk for staying at the CPH. The pool at the Pacific Breeze Hotel is nice and the pool side service is good. Just ring the bell on the table and a waitress arrives. My buddies and I had a great pool party there this past week. You are allowed up to two guests.

Well, I decided to ditch the Orchid this time around and try out a new hotel for my forthcoming trip. Central Park Hotel looks like a winner - the price is significntly cheaper. I just booked a reservation with them. Can't wait till Oct 15th to get back to AC heaven!

Metal, reading about how you spend money in AC, you might want to try Pacific Breeze instead. It's just nicer.

Orders of magnitude nicer. Don't know about the new wing of PB across the street but CP has such tiny claustrophobic rooms IMO .

I am confirmed for the "Premiere" Room that is suspose to be the biggest; but we will see. As long as Internet is available along with clean bed and air conditioning; it's all good. I am not that pickey. Especially for this price.

Metal, KM knows what he's talking about better than I do, I haven't actually stayed at Pac. Breeze (I'm too cheap!), but even the Premiere room at Central park just isn't that big, at least not in places where it would matter very much. The big deal with a Premiere room is that it comes with a DVD player, something many of us might never even use.

Central Park is still rather clean, does have OK air con and the internet access is generally decent. And at $29 a night when many other places are now charging in pesos, it may be a better value than ever.

Along with higher room prices at Pac. Breeze, however, are higher incidental costs too. I've been told the hotel restaurant menu is exactly the same, but the prices are 30-40% higher.

The premeire room at CP is only a little bigger than the standard rooms.

Porker, I also noticed that the everything in the fridge was a little bit more at the PB when I was visiting friends there.

The new annex at the PB is nice but if you get the 3rd or 4th floor it is really a hike up those stairs.

Porker I guess you are paying for the " ambience" of the restaurant at at PB. It overlooks the pool and has the hotter waitresses usually. Also open 24/7 which is great when dragging your ass in from barhop at 5-6 AM.

Don't know if same menu as I have not eaten at CP in a couple of years . Not the menu I remember from back then but I'm sure it's been changed. The PB restaurant is Hawaiian themed with the girls all wearing thin Hawaiian sarong style dresses.

KM, poolside dining is indeed in Pac. Breeze's favor, but the ONLY reason the same food costs THAT much more is because management figures that if you can afford to stay there you can afford to pay higher prices for other stuff as well. If they're SMART the prices for Filipino food will be a LOT higher, as nobody wants to look cheap in front of one's "date". Dollhouse restaurant has gone this route, and the whole "Filipino Food" page has prices that START at 250 pesos, which is well over 5 USD with the exchange rate so low right now. They know guys will pay that without blinking, never even noticing that the girl only eats 1/4 of her food.

Oh, and re: "hotter" waitresses, THE hottest girl Guy and Roselle have ever employed is a waitress at Central Park. P. Breeze got ALL the moms too.

CP actually stole my fav PB waitress Cass. Tall slim model type . I was in lust with her. Who is your hottest candidate ??

FWIW the $29 Standard rooms are now $32 Standard rooms. They did honor the $29 reservation this time but in the future $32.

I was in one of the the Premiere room's for my 10 day stay. The hotel staff was extreamly polite, kind and attentive. No regrets. No complaints. Everyone greats you by the first name. Airport pickup was used and they billed it to the room. I would stay again if I was low on cash; like this last trip.

Regretfully, the room was way to much like Orchid Inn - and the bed just sucked. It was not significantly better than Orchid. Too small and Box'y. I wanted a Big King Sized bed to fuck my lady in. Water was "un-available" for a couple hours in my room on one day - and then off for 20 mins another.


But for $35 a night - tax included - how can I complane?

The little mini pool is now "boarded over" but of course you can still use Pacific Breeze's much better pool. In an aparent new policy (to me anyway) the front desk is now very diligently calling up to your room if your lady friends are leaving the building after hours to make sure you are aware of that fact. I have encountered that practice in some other locations but never here before. I appreciate it and think it is a nice idea, although I was doing so many multiple ST sessions at oddball hours it became a bit carried away in my specific case. But still I do like it that they are doing that. I wonder if they started that is in response to any general increase in runners or other specific incidents recently.

Ya know, a funny thing always happens when I stay here, and I'm hopeful it doesn't end in a bloody gash--I always whack my forehead on the damn glass shelves they have above the bathroom sinks everytime I brush my teeth or wash my face when I shave! At least I don't have to smell the plumbing, like in Mo's, but that's one of the few drawbacks about this place. But there's something to be said about having a medicine cabinet back at home--lol!

Next time I'll bring an electric razor--actually not a bad idea since most AC places don't have hot water in the bathroom sink taps. . . . Wish I could get a reservation this winter!

I e-mailed a question about whether or not they have a swimming pool here at this hotel, The hotel replied to me saying they do not have a pool.

Master Bates

As a guest of the Central Park, you can use the pool at the Pacific Breeze. You simply have to ask the front desk girl and sign for the card which you have to return upon check out.

Thanks for the info. But I'm assuming the Central Park Hotel is within walking distance from the Pacific Breeze?

The Sunset Garden Hotel does have a swimming pool and the photo on its web site does make it look very appealing.

Master Bates.

Easy walking distance. Much better location at Central park.

For a 1st timer, highly, highly recommend you stay at CP.

I realize this is the wrong thread for this question or discussion, but can you tell me anything about the Sunset Garden Inn?

Thanks in advance,

Master Bates.

Look under "Angeles City" and "hotels." There are quite a few posts about the Sunset Garden Hotel. It's cheap, a bit funky, and is out on the Perimeter. If you want your base to be there, it's convenient. If you expect to spend more time on Fields, it's inconvenient. Pacific Breeze is a much, much nicer hotel, but it costs more. PB (and CP) are in the Fields area, so again, your choice will depend on where you want your base to be. I prefer to base in the Fields are at PB; others prefer the Perimeter. Up to you!

Correction: Staying at the Sunset Garden Inn. I guess I tried to post something but the message didnt go through yet.

M. Bates.

(Message edited by masterbates on July 10, 2009)

I was told in an e-mail from Roselle that Central Park will have the new addition open next week adding 10 more rooms I think. No mention if the new rooms are a different style than the existing rooms or not.

The new rooms are indeed open. I've seen one and it is about the same size as the usual standard room, but the bathroom is bigger and has a brand new bathtub. That and a DVD player is fetching a premium $38 over the normal $35. A fair price, IMO, considering the location and ability to use the Pac Breeze facilities.

No smell in the water system in the new wing either, from what I can tell.

CPH meets You tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mbzg47Bt8jg&feature=related

Kewl run down - but I take issue with the d00dz assessment of the internet connection. FUCK wifi - it is too slow. The ethernet LAN connection in the rooms is good - slow by USA standards, but faster and more secure than wifi.

Metal,

I take my own travel router with me and plug it into the LAN outlet in the room at CP. It creates my own little secure wireless network and doesn't take up much space in my suitcase. I highly recommend it.

http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DWL-G730AP-Wireless-Pocket-802-11g/dp/B0002Z45DQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265373640&sr=8-1

EA

If that will be at the same speed as a direct connection then I would get one. Makes me think how much more romantic I would be streaming AirSupply Videos off of Youtube while in the bed versus having to keep the laptop attached to the ethernet cable.

You always were the romantic, Metal!

Thought I would give credit where it is due. I have stayed at Orchid/Central Park and Pacific Breeze in prior years trips. This trip being the longest - where I was a 3 week millionaire - I took the cheap hotel - the $35.00 standard room at Central Park. Of course I would have preferred Pacific Breeze's King Sized Bed rooms and more square footage - but money plays a big factor for me. Let me say that the place was slow, not many customers - just like the bars. My room number was #17 on the second level and my house-keeper was Miss Weng.

Basically, the only thing I can complain about is the small ass bed that did not fit my fat ass and tall body. I would recommend that if you are staying in this type of bed for 22 days that you go to SM Mall Department Store and buy a comforter... as the bed is not the most comfortable. Other than that - what a professional staff the Central Park is! I was treated first class the entire trip: Always called when a lady left, to make sure I was not being ripped off - Miss Weng was extremely easy to work with - since I had to make business calls back to USA at a certain time - my room did not get cleaned until 3:30pm-4pm daily. My groceries from the SM supermarket were respected in the fridge - and not tossed around. Obviously, nothing was stolen or tampered with. Central Parks room service has gotten a tad bit better than last time. Their mango shakes and Chilli Cheese Dogs were great. The American Breakfast was okay - and as my previous AC Food Postings can confirm - I am a harsh critic on AC Food. Internet connection was consistent this trip - no problems and my magic jack performed just fine.

Anyway, the front staff is super polite and the door is always opened for me - along with umbrella rental - laundry service that is top notch - I was especially thankful that the front desk staff was able to take a thumb drive I had with an important document on it - and print it out - saving me a trip to SM Mall.

One place that was a ghost town is the Central Park Cafe - inside the hotel they have a pool table and counter. Hardly anyone was ever there. Great place to take your lady and play Pool for p10 a game.

Airport pickup/drop-off and wake up calls were all executed flawlessly. For $35 USD a night - I have nothing but good things to say about Central Park. Their staff gets a 10 from me.

Staff xmas party included dance numbers. CPH closed circuit TV showing dance troupe with Roselle shaking her cans... PRICELESS!

I stayed there in May of 2010 and it was pleasant enough. Like some here, I prefer the Pacific Breeze but if you want to save money this is another option.

My favorite hotel is the newer Walkabout hotel run by Aussies on Fields Avenue which is a stone's throw from the McDonalds. If you pay cash there, they give you a 10% discount on the price. The rooms adjacent to the pool are really nice and not anymore expensive.

Porker
This one??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmbbTphyzZ0&context=C3fbe1a0ADOEgsToPDskJFjnnBaArw3kpe_355xfq8

Closed for massive reconstruction. Pac breeze same owners, 50% premium

hi-rise rebuild to open sometime soon. I am sure old prices are never to be seen again, will surely be more than pac breeze

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmbbTphyzZ0&context=C3fbe1a0ADOEgsToPDskJFjnnBaArw3kpe_355xfq8

thanks, KM

I'm sitting here across the street from new Central Park. While they have made remarkable progress on the construction, it doesn't look to me like it will be ready any time 'soon'.

Like most things in the PI, it'll run behind schedule, and when it's open 1/2 the stuff won't be ready. The "opening" of the Penthouse on Santos has been a total clusterfuck. Non-working elevators, leaky plumbing, etc.

Bwana, agreed, in general, but not fair comparing the ultimate clusterfuck of construction delays #PENTHOUSE with a rather efficient new CPH.

Sancho, thanks for the live update.

For those that don't know, the new Central Park is ba-ack, and the rooms blow Pac Breeze away. Snooky tells me that rooftop pool/resto are now open. Current room promo price is p2500 per night. Maybe the last time I can afford to stay there...

http://cpangeles.com/index.php/location

Bwana, one of Penthouse's elevators wasn't working in December again (still?)!!!

Central Park is a no-brainer if one can afford p3300 per night.

How does it compare to the Penthouse hotel?

I am staying at PH for 3 days...I dug their beds...I need a good bed nowadays...bones getting old...lol

Their pools is very small however...that is why I still stay at WO or Bourbon street sometimes.

I should have checked out the new Central Park this time. I love the rooms at the LG, and like the location close to some good Perimeter spots, but Central's location is hard to beat, and their food just has to be better than this awful stuff at LG.

Concarne, IMO, the rooms at Central Park are nicer than a friend's room I saw at Penthouse, which had an odd layout and seemed pretty spartan for the money (other than the, again, oddly laid out) bathroom.

Bwana, re: the food, it's the same stuff that they have been serving at Pacific Breeze for a decade. OK, but nothing special.

I've been out of the loop for a while, enjoying Thailand too much to log in .

This thread prompted me to finally post the review I wrote of Penthouse Hotel; it's posted in the appropriate section.

I switched from Queens to Central Park to be close to the New Years party, and to try out this highly-rated hotel. I was not impressed.

The poor quality of construction and neglected maintenance are starting to show up. Grout is starting come out between the bathroom tiles my the bathroom floor, there is mildew on the grout in several places, paint is peeling on the wooden trim above the tub in one high-end room I stayed in for one night, the AC unit is a bit noisy/vibrating, the TV plug is defective so a maintenance man has to come in and adjust it every time I re-enter the room (until I decided it was easier to do it myself), residue had collected on the window and obstructed the lovely view, hot water takes a few minutes to arrive (but not as long as at Pacific Breeze).

On the other hand, the service is good, especially considering that this is the Philippines. The three times I called for help to turn on the TV, a man was at my door within minutes. When I asked that the window be cleaned (it was actually a door that could be opened to access the exterior), two guys came up before long and now the glass is completely clear. And that residue from evaporating water is NOT easy to remove.

I just have one negative comment on the food, with which I have been generally happy: the beef in the beef kari-kari (my favorite) was mostly fat and/or chewy. Much better at Wild Orchid.

Dang, it didn't take long for the new CP to start going to hell!

Are you finding a decent selection of girls or have the Koreans vacuumed them all up?

What I saw on the stages of the clubs I went into (not many) made me glad I had my own sources of girls. I spent most of my time with favoritas from past trips, plus a 50%-of-the-nights girlfriend who wants me (us) to have fun with other girls. I had an excellent pull from Candy Store, one good and one not-so-good from Love Knots; otherwise all old friends or recommendations of a friend. But the town is teeming with Koreans, some of whom are with what I consider seriously unattractive girls. Maybe that's all that was left....

And since I value performance over looks, a couple of the girls I enjoyed on a friend's referral were not particularly photo-worthy, although I'd consider doing them again.