I will be staying in this new hotel right on Fields Ave. July 1-6. Curiosity has gotten the best of me, even though it is $50 a night. I will give a review upon my return.

Is this the place right across the street from HRA? If so I found the rooms dark and small for the money. Also, didn't really see the need for a balcony overlooking Fields through an ocean of bare electrical wires...

E

Lol, thanks for taking one for the team. 50 bucks for an AC hotel w/ no pool is pretty steep. I think the new fancy Wild Orchid on Santos St. is due to open July 1, and cheap rooms there supposedly start at $59, better rooms at $79. Of course they WILL have a pool. As with all things in AC, though, I wouldn't be optimistic that they'll even come close to that 7/1 grand opening, and if they DID there'd likely be a shitload of snafus that would make a stay there unpleasant.

Well, I didn't actually PAY for the room - only checked one out with Bahtman one afternoon. Fill a room with DARK furniture, then don't add enough lights, and be sure to charge $50 a night for a QUEEN sized bed and no pool. Guess they only need to rent 3 rooms a day to stay in the black...

E

Epi, I realize you are commenting on the decor and lighting due to being an extreme photo-geek, but you also sound WAAAAAY too much like Martha Stewart in your review.

I mean it was so dark that if you turned on half the room lights to make a walk to the toilet at 4am you'd probably kill yourself. It was FUCKING DARK!! The room I saw used halogen lamps so there's the added heat to help tax the shitty aircon... and yes, Martha and I share a few tips from time to time

E

About prison life or interior decorating ??

Actually, Martha's a dirty little slut 3-holer shitfreak. She had questions... I had answers... 'nuff said

E

I used this place as a fuck room during my recent trip. I may make this my new hotel of choice. They have tile floors instead of the carpet like Royal Amsterdam. I didn't quite find the rooms as dark as Epi says, but I have pictures to post later. Rate was 2200 a night. The biggest drawback to this place is that they don't yet accept credit cards. Cash only.

40 US is a little pricey, but it is brand new and quite nice inside. This hotel also has a generator so no need to worry about brownouts. I would say the room is on par with a Royal Amsterdam superior room in size. The hotel has 12 rooms total. They are all the same size.

Xen

Sounds like they reduced the room charges a little bit. I was there when the place opened and they told me $50US/night. Do they still have queen size beds in all the rooms? I hate queen sized beds...

E

Here is the Hotel Website and info:

Orange Lion Hotel
132-A Fields Avenue
Balibago
Angeles City
The Philippines
Phone: +63-45-892-0998
Fax: +63-921-676-2916
E-Mail: info@orangelionhotel.com
Website: http://www.orangelionhotel.com/index.html

Their website says king size bed now.

http://www.orangelionhotel.com/index_files/Page592.html

Here are some pics of the room. Sorry, they are a little blurry.

Oops.

Here is a pic of the front of the hotel.

Got an email from the Orange Lion today. Here it is:

Dear valued customer,

It is our pleasure to inform you that, after a long-lasting struggle with the local bank, we have obtained a credit-card machine at our front desk. For your convenience you will now be able to pay all your bills at the Orange Lion Hotel with your master- or visacard.

We hope to meet your needs as a valued customer better this way. Furthermore we hope to welcome you back at our hotel soon for fun, relaxation and great service with a smile.

Mabuhay,

The Management


The Orange Lion
132-A Fields Avenue
Balibago, Angeles City
Philippines
+63 45 892 0998
www.orangelionhotel.com

Orange Lion is a little overpriced, but I still like it. They only have 12 rooms, the maids there are great and they have tile floors instead of the worn out carpet at HRA. The air con works great, they have a generator and there is always hot water a plenty for those long shower sessions.

Not being able to pay with a credit card was always a big deal for me and I hated paying in cash, but now that is solved.

Xen, did they say whether they added a 5-7% charge for using a credit card like just about every other hotel in AC does? I've heard these charges are completely bogus and will be overturned by your credit card company at your request, but don't know this for a fact.

(Message edited by porker on September 14, 2006)

I’ve actually heard it is against the merchant agreement with the credit card companies to charge a usage fee. The credit card companies charge the merchant a percentage per transaction, but supposedly they are not allowed to pass this along to the customer. But try explaining THAT one in a foreign country.

They didn't say if they added the fee. But I am sure they do.

(Message edited by xenono on September 14, 2006)

I agree they almost certainly add the 5% fee . I guess you could get the 5% refunded by the credit card company but it would be at the expense of the hotel in AC. Not a good idea if you have any plan to return there. They do warn you up front about the surcharge at least so it's your option cash vs credit .

Royal Amsterdam charges the extra 5% for credit cards but since my first stay they give me a 10% "good customer" discount. If I got my 5% refund from Visa I'm sure I would lose the 10% discount - do the math.