Wild Orchid Resort
Corner Santos St and Johnny's St. Balibago, Angeles City
Pampanga, Philippines
Phone: 045-625-6445
Email: orchid@datelnet.net
Webpage: http://www.wildorchidresort.com/

Anyone stay here yet? I guess it just opened in July. Seems a little pricey for AC with prices ranging from $59 US to $79 US. But it looks super nice.

Several guys I met up with in July stayed there, including Hunterman, who I'm sure will report IF he ever actually LEAVES Asia! I think the consensus was that the rooms are pretty pricey for what you get. But it is indeed a pretty nice place -- large, NEW rooms, in-room internet, balconies, jacuzzis available, NICE pool area, convenient location. If you're gonna splurge on your vacation in Angeles City, this would be the place to do it.

Re: the pool, they have a big sign at the hotel entrance saying they want p500 consumable PER HEAD to use their pool. I realize that in AC keeping the riffraff (like me!!!) out is very important, but signs like that just SCREAM FUCK OFF.

Porker's second post above describes the place pretty well. I used the Deluxe Room at $59 US for a couple of nights as a fuck room just to check the place out. Really nice overall. I love brand new hotels. But considering the price and what you get, someone may do better to look around a little bit for a better deal in Angeles. But hey, if money is not an issue then Wild Orchid is defintely a nice place.

Just a short stroll down Santos Street from Fields.

I have pictures to post later.

Deluxe and Balcony room are same size. Deluxe is $59, balcony is $69. Veranda Room is $79 and is bigger. Jacuzzi is $79 as well.

I only stayed in the smaller room. Here are the pictures of the Deluxe room. But hey, no charge for extra towels!

Stayed here last July, when I decided to extend and the Royal Amsterdam had no available Jaccuzzi Suites. Took the $65 room at the Orchid and it was pretty good. The newly installed Ethernet jack did not work, but the manager replaced it within an hour. The pool is very nice. A little bit of startup construction noise, but already on the decline. Tried to reserve a jaccuzi room for November, but not available, back to the RA. Oh, the Wild Orchid has full lengthed mirors next to the beds and it's a nice view. Still for me the RA is a little better value, if the pool is not number 1 with you.

Are the Jacuzzi rooms worth an extra $10.00 to stay in? Do they face the pool or are they on the street side of the hotel?

Xenono; Looking at you pics above, how big is that tub? Room for two?

RG.

The tub can fit two if you're adventurous, it's a little bigger than the ones we have in America and has these seat-like extensions.

Photo: Tub Fun

I believe the Jacuzzi rooms face the street, you can see who's on duty on Blow Row, I'll ask later at the desk and post a correction if necessary.

So Roadglide...

Did you stay at Wild Orchid? What did you think?

I am at the wild Orchid on the computer right now. I did not take a Jacuzzi room, the one that I am staying in looks out over the pool.

The service staff is friendly, I took one of the waitresses out on her day off to do some tourist stuff, and played sugar daddy.

The worst thing about this hotel is that the girls LOVE staying here, you can't get rid of them;)

RG.

To be honest, I think the rooms at RA are actually nicer and about half the price. Of course the pool and grounds are a nice thing and the lobby is quite nice. These girls want nothing more than to send 100 texts to their friends bragging that they are staying at the Wild Orchid.

For me, I will spend big money to stay in cities like New York, Las Vegas or Hong Kong but why bother paying high prices for hotels when you step outside to see beggars, street kids and trikes.

(Message edited by blazers on March 08, 2006)

That's very true about the street that the Wild Orchid Resort is on. I will have to go with your word about the rooms at the RA.

I know that I will NOT be spending $100K for a condo that the owners are building on the lot next door.

RG.

I've stayed at both the Amsterdam (a number of times) in the Superior, Superior Deluxe and Jacuzzi rooms. The Superior is the best value, but the Deluxe is the best room. Not a big fan though of the Jacuzzi room at $55/nite.

Still, the $55/nite is cheaper than the smallest and least expensive Wild Orchid room. The Wild Orchid rooms are definitely smaller, but has a great bathroom (with tub), and the aircon was actually too cold. It also has a nice lobby, great pool and nice staff (although one of the bell guys made a comment in tagalog as I escorted my BF into the hotel one night).

Ultimately, because of the amenities, the WO is w/o question a nicer hotel. Nevertheless, it just does not justify the fact that it is about twice the price of an equivalent Amsterdam room (I recall that only the WO charged me the 10% VAT). For the price of the WO Veranda rooms, I can stay at the 4 or 5 star Mandarin Oriental (including breakfast) in Manila.

This is why I always contact the Amsterdam first. It is by far the better value (as long as you don't get the loud rooms in the back). But if you've got a have a pool, and you want to splurge in AC, the WO is the way to go.

I guess one way to put it is that the Wild Orchid Resort is an oasis in the middle of shitsville.

RG.

I do like the place, mainly because of the pool (which was too cold to use comfortably in December), but their financial attitude is shitsville like the streets outside. Although the staff is great, the hotel does not even provide those little shampoo/conditioner bottles--there's a small bottle of brand-name shampoo AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE among the many items you might want to use, eat, and drink (and pay for). Not even a complimentary bottle of water.

And they tried to charge me for towels when I asked for hand towels, at an extra 10 pesos each (they only give you two towels, no washcloths or hand towels). And they do make you sign for extra towels, and they want to charge you 50 pesos for beach (pool) towels if you want more than two.

And their otherwise comfortable beds have frames with loose headboards, which bang against the wall with every stroke. They've installed hook-and-eye latches on them is most rooms, but I guess the beds get worked pretty good, so they come loose--I've had to stuff paper wedges in to stop the noise.

So the hotel pisses me off with its penny-ante stuff. I think I'll try another place next time I'm there when it's too cold to swim, maybe the Amsterdam.

But Eddie the assistant manager was really good about taking care of all my complaints, even giving me a ride to the ATM on Macarthur at BPI (gives 20K pesos) a couple of times after dark. Of course, I tipped him well ;-)

Hman, Maybe they think that people who don't have a problem paying double the price of what the other hotels in town are charging won't bitch about spending a BUCK to buy some shampoo if they didn't manage to bring any with them?

Re: the towel policy, it's the same as the old Orchid Inn's. Tipping the maid and expressing a desire for more towels might be a workaround there, but I can't verify that. I do know that a little tip once in awhile works wonders at all the other hotels I've stayed at in that town.

Hunterman, have you ever explained to the girls that you're not made out of money and perhaps they can share a towel between them?

HM,

That is interesting about the towels. When I got extras I was made to sign for them (just regular ones, not beach or hand), but when I asked the front desk staff how much they cost I was told extras were free. I checked my bill and was not charged for them.

Re: Royal Amsterdam. Still think they need to tear out the carpet (it is shot) and replace it with tile. They also need to do something about the smell. Room 204 was horrible when I last stayed there.

I am booked for Swiss Chalet for both my upcoming trips (with Orange Lion setup as a fuck room on the first). I think I want to check out Natalia as well (if I can get a room for the second trip). Hopefully they will have rooms available. I went and viewed them on my last just to check them out. I liked them a lot.

Xen: there was no charge for the room towels, they just made me sign for them. The pool towel charge was new between the summer and December, but I got it set aside.

Porker--the towels were usually still wet from one girl to the next (showers before and after--and sometimes after again). I did tip the maids WELL, which is probably why I didn't get charged when we left room towels down by the pool. And I got them used to leaving 4 and then 6 towels every day. It was just the hand towels they tried to charge for.

And sure, I can afford the buck and a half (the hotel wanted to charge 70 pesos for a 50 peso bottle), even if the girls did go through them like water--it's just the principle. Elsewhere around the world, shampoo is provided, even at cheap hotels.

And sure, I can afford the buck and a half (the hotel wanted to charge 70 pesos for a 50 peso bottle), even if the girls did go through them like water--it's just the principle.

Dude, hit the store and buy a bucket of shitty PI shampoo the girls can pour on their hair for a couple of bux. Should last most/all of that trip. Or, even BETTER, don't even HAVE shampoo in the room, only a crappy bar of soap and some feminine wash. If they gotta wash a patch of hair I'd rather it was between their legs instead of on top of their heads...

Elsewhere around the world, shampoo is provided, even at cheap hotels.

Not at the cheap hotels I've stayed at but everyone has a different idea of what qualifies as a cheap hotel. Yeah, I can get "shampoo" out of a dispenser in the shower of my favorite hotel in Pattaya, but is it REALLY shampoo or just a different color psuedo detergent/solvent they buy in gallon bottles...

E

I agree that they do nickle and dime you there, and you NEED to review your bill before you check out. They tried to charge me for taking items out of the mini bar that I did not use.

On a positive note they have high speed wireless internet for those of you that travel with a laptop computer.

RG.

On a positive note they have high speed wireless internet for those of you that travel with a laptop computer

So does almost every hotel reviewed on this site that charges half as much.

Epi, friend, ON PRINCIPLE I do not buy anything the hotel supplies--I have them remove everything but drinks as soon as I get to the room. I buy shampoo, feminine wash, and various drinks myself (I leave the hotel's drinks in there to in case a girl--or I--want something other than the beer, pineapple juice, Red Bull, or whatever I've bought).

And I do think that stuff in the dispensers at our favorite Pattaya hotel (thanks for turning me on to it) qualifies as shampoo--it doesn't do the same thing to my hair as laundry detergent....

Hunterman: Tell us about your experiences using laundry detergent to wash your hair. And why did you do it? LOL

Once, during my period of youthful indiscretion (as opposed to my current period of senile indiscretion), I discovered that I was out of shampoo after I had stripped for my weekly shower. Rather than put my clothes back on and venture out into the Chicago winter to buy some, I utilized some of the laundry detergent (which didn't get much use) I found under the bathroom sink.

It stripped out ALL the oils, and left my hair feeling much like it did after I bleached it. Like straw.

Glad you asked?

Epi, friend, ON PRINCIPLE I do not buy anything the hotel supplies

Oftentimes I will go buy liquid soap or decent sized and quality bars of soap when I will be staying at a hotel for more then a day or two. I hate using bad/small soap when a little effort will make my stay more pleasant.

You're willing to stay in rooms that cost $50-100 dollars, but unwilling to use anything other then the provided soap? I find it interesting that you pamper yourself some ways but abuse in others. Oh well, everyone's gotta spend their money their own way...

E

I didn't say I was unwilling to use anything but the provided soap, I said it pissed me off that an expensive hotel didn't provide it.

In AC, I have to buy shampoo and conditioner every few days, the girls go through those little bottles like they've never had it available to them before. Where can I buy bigger bottles than the 7-11 or the market near Norma's currency exchange stock?

There's a couple of decent sized stores around the area. Just ask the staff at the front desk and they can direct you to the closest. The one I usually hit is between Pields and Savers on MA road.

I've yet to find a nice hotel providing anything above the level of ghetto soaps and shampoos in the countries I've visited. Hell, I'm just happy when the bar of soap is bigger then a silver dollar...

E

On the wild orchid website there was reference to the sale of 28 percent of the wild orchid group. Does anyone have information of this deal?

Thanks.

$80US for the low end now? Is this correct?

I stayed here last month for 4 nights, only cuz PB was booked for the jacuzzi room I wanted and didn't feel like walking across the street to use the pool. I got the Garden Suite room with jacuzzi here and the room was nice, but the jacuzzi didn't work. When I asked the staff, they said it was having problems several times within a few weeks and moved me up to the 3rd floor that had a jacuzzi, I wasn't impressed, especially for the amount I had to pay. The hotel is nice and clean, the staff was extremely friendly, and although I didn't make it a point to eat there during the day or night, breakfast was not too bad. As posted before, no complimentary toiletries really turned me off, even having to pay for the rubbers if I ran out. Overall, I would suggest making reservations way in advance and stay at places like Lewis Grand or PB to get your money's worth, forget about distance to bars, that is what the trikes are for.

Groovy

You went to a mongering destination that's only redeeming quality is cheap prices and bareback pussy and you decided to pay $100 a night for a hotel and use condoms with your girls?

Please tell me your kidding.

the $100/nt doesn't sound too bad given the PB was booked up. i downgraded to the royal apartelle when i couldn't get a room at the PB. i think it was $40 (1,600 when exchange was 40 to 1). but if you want a jacuzzi in the room, room service, and a pool right downstairs, the choice of wild orchid doesn't seem too over the top. aside from the inside of most bars, i found the hotel to be where i spent most of my time. so a nice place is pretty critical for AC, at least for me.

i typically overpay for most things but when i go somewhere that is somewhat cheap and the general surroundings not so great, i'll upgrade a bit on hotel since i'm saving on other things. not sure you have to look for "savings" on every line item in your budget. should focus on having a good time more than budget control.

I understand what you are saying and I am a guy that spends $300 a day in AC but I dont get the concept of staying at a nice hotel in the middle of a shithole UNLESS, you are going there specifically to meet one girl or girlfriend...then it makes total sense.

If you spend most of the time in your hotel outside of obvious sleeping, then you are missing out on the fun of AC.

>>I dont get the concept of staying at a nice hotel in the middle of a shithole

Actually, that is precisely why I like staying at the Wild Orchid. It's like an oasis in the desert.

One other note - they're really good about allowing early checkin or late checkout - important if you're flying on PAL flights from LAX or SFO.

i was satisfied with my stay at the royal apartelle but i can certainly see why people would stay at the wild orchid or the lewis grand. i didn't feel the need to step up for the price/amenities but i wouldn't criticize those that do. they are not totally screwed up for wanting a nice place to stay in a shithole.

i'm only an AC novice but it seems to me that one of the best parts of AC is hanging by the pool with the girls. nice way to spend the mid morning to early afternoon and then again when you return from the bar scene late. when i was at the royal apartelle, my buddy was still at the PB so i was still able to enjoy that aspect and was able to use his jacuzzi room for some quick midday action rather than walk back to my place.

I have given up on the Pacific Breeze for now until they remodel it. I have found during my past few trips that the rooms just didn't justify the state they were in for the rate they were charging.

I have considered going back to the Lewis Grand, especially now that I always rent a little scooter and it is easier to get to. But I hadn't been back to the Wild Orchid or their newest "Lagoon Rooms" since my original posts above so I thought I would give it a try again.

I really like it there, despite the overpriced rooms. I fucked four of my ladies in the pool during my recent stay and I love the swim up bars where I can order a beer, other drinks, or food.

They charge a premium for their lagoon rooms right on the pool, which I don't understand. I am fine on the 2nd or 3rd floor. And they have a larger "Family Suite" which is 700 pesos more than their regular rooms.

Definitely overpriced, like most hotels in AC. But if you use the pool a lot and bring back some pinays for daytime action, swimming or just to kick back and relax, I have not found a better hotel in AC for that yet.

http://www.wildorchidresort.com/rates.html#lagoon

I don't have pics of the room, so this picture of a spinner will have to do.

Photo: Spotted

Wild Orchid Resort is mentioned in 2012/04 Popcorn - Love it or Hate it, Angeles City, The Ever Evolving Shit Hole!

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quote:

As always I stayed at the Wild Orchid. I like its central location and also the Lagoon rooms to the back are super quiet without any of the street noise!

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Long time since anything has been posted on this Hotel. Considering staying here once again and as I browse prices, there are some great deals to be found on 3rd party sites - but they all state "Couples only". Whereas booking directly on their website does not state this. What the heck does that mean? Anyone use one of the 3rd party website to book here and ran into problems checking in solo and using the room as it is meant to be used (which is to bring different LBFM back to your room each night)? Thinking about staying at a different location if I have to pay the Hotel website rates otherwise....

I used to stay there but started looking around when their prices shot up and availability shot down. In December, I stayed at Queens Hotel and was very impressed. It's my new home in AC. Close to Raymond Street, too

That is odd, maybe that's their way of saying it isn't a family oriented hotel. I can't imagine they would want to shut out such large market segment.

This is just a guess, but maybe an attempt to not have a gaggle of south Asian guys trying to share a room?

What I always liked about the WIld Orchid is that the Lagoon Rooms are super quiet at night. No street noise.

The restaurant is very good.