I am always generous in rating a place we've been to but this time, there are just so many downsides and I guess people should know our experience with Alta Vista. We booked 3 rooms with them for 3 nights and 4 days, for 6 adults and 3 kids. The hotel is far from the main stations (15-20 minutes - some areas are rough road). They have free shuttle but very limited time interval schedule. They only have free shuttle until 8pm going back to the hotel so if you want to experience the boracay night life then you better pay around 300 pesos for a pedicab. This price is somehow fix as the pedicab drivers explained to us that they have to use a lot of their electric power going up to Alta Vista hotel (as it is uphill).
Here are the lists of the things and services we felt deeply disappointed from this hotel:
- We were assigned in Markham building that is far away from the main lobby and pool. It was not funny to walk up and down the hill knowing that we have small kids with us. The rooms are big but are so outdated. We booked 3 rooms but one of the room is assigned far away from the the rest. My husband complained but their reason is because they are fully booked (LIARS?) We observed all the other rooms beside us and the AC's are not even working.
- There are no phones in the rooms. So if you have an emergency you have to walk all the way to their lobby. When I ask the reception the next day that is only the time they told me I can call to a cellphone number. Like, hello? should we not be informed about all these stuff during check in??
- On our first night in Boracay we took the last shuttle back to the hotel, but when we reached the lobby there is no one in the reception. All the keys were just placed by the reception counter. Like all the other guests or non guests can just get the keys and open the rooms ( We felt so unsafe).
- Our safety deposit box is not working. My husband complained 3 times and still nothing happened until we check out.
- Our rooms were never cleaned in that 4 day stay.
- There are monkeys freely going around in the hotel esp. in the area where we stay. I was personally worried about it because we were not informed and there is not even a single signage that warns us about it. When I complained to the reception the receptionist even seemed unbothered. And just told me to not open our balconies. Like what the f*** How will we know about these if the kids not saw those monkeys to begin with.
- The breakfast is plated and cold.
The only good side is their pool and the people working in the restaurant. This hotel seemed to be understaff and totally outdated.