Remington Hotel, Resorts World Manila

Over the Mother's Day weekend, the family stayed at Resorts World Manila.  We got a free room at Marriott and my brother and his family stayed at the Remington Hotel.  There are 3 major hotels at RW Manila - Maxim's Suite, Marriott Hotel, and newly-opened for 2012, Remington Hotel.

Remington is packaged as a budget-friendly hotel.  Their standard room rate is 50-75% less than the other two hotels.

Without taxes and service charges, here are the rates for their standard rooms:

• Maxim's Suite - ~15,000 a night
• Marriott Hotel - ~7,900 a night
• Remington - ~3,900 a night

As you see, there is significant discrepancy with the prices.  Is it OK for the price?  Let's break it down...

(the Remington Hotel picture from agoda)

(the Remington Hotel reception area and lobby)

(Basic Twin Bed hotel room set-up for a Standard Room)

At Remington Hotel, prices are 50-75% less than RW's 2 other hotels, do you get what you pay for?

I'd say yes, but let us break it down.

LOCATION

Remington Hotel is located right across Republiq.  You could actually see the Mall if your room is on the east side of the mall.  Technically, you can just walk for 1 minute from the mall to Remington.  The only problem is that there is no internal walkway just yet.  So you have to go out of the mall, and cross the street.  It is not a huge deal really, unless it is noontime and the sun is scorching, or if it is raining.  Because you have to really go out of the street. As opposed to say Marriott or Maxim's which are inside the Resorts World Building or at least connected, so need to go out.

LOBBY

For a budget-friendly Hotel, the lobby is impressive.  The design and colors are expensive.  Waiting lounge chairs are plenty and are quite comfortable.

CHECK-IN

When checking-in, you realize why they need the waiting chairs to be comfortable =).  Their check-in service still needs a lot of improvement.  I do not understand why they don't have a concept of a queue, so the check-in counter seems chaotic.  So what happens is you go to the counter who you think will be able to serve you fastest - maybe the shortest line, or the receptionist who looks most efficient.  So very unpredictable.  I lined up behind a lady only to find out she was checking-in for 10 Korean guests!  that's why no one was following her in the queue.

ROOM

At half the price, the Remington standard room is nothing like Marriott's.  It is similar to standard rooms at First World Hotel in Genting (in Malaysia) - simple beds and bathroom.  

The room is really basic:  2 White Twin beds, room with no or very limited view, one table and one side table.  The restroom is small, with a toilet and a very small shower room.  I think I have said basic   a number of times, but it is really what it was....er...basic.

AMENITIES
On the bed, you will see a list of the basic amenities provided in the room - 2 towels, soap, etc.  The note seems to remind the guest that "If after you leave and the inventory is less, you will have to pay for any of these items that had been lost".

Interestingly, special and other amenities can be purchased in modern vending machines at the lobby.  Extra tissue, or wet ones can be purchased hassle-free in several vending machines that can be found at the lobby.

VERDICT
If you want to save some money in your hotel stay, you can consider Remington.  Especially if you are not particular about high-class beddings or room amenities.  I hope services in general improve, but everything else is commensurate to their 4,000 a night fee.

Remember, 2 nights at Remington ~= 1 night at Marriott.