Finally, I booked my complimentary room at the all-suites 6 star Maxim's using my Indulge card. Been trying to use this room voucher but realized the Indulge card privileges involved circuitous procedures before one gets to enjoy her privileges. I almost gave up, till I realized that I'd end up a big loser for paying a sum for this card that won't let me indulge!
Earlier, I tried booking a room directly with Maxim's but was advised to make my bookings via Indulge. Don't ask me why. So I called Indulge but lost my patience as the phone calls went either unanswered or took forever to merit attention. Then they asked for a date and said they'd arrange with Maxim's reservations. I got a text message 2 days after, advising me that no rooms are available. The next time I made reservations, I asked for a non-smoking room and was told they can only book the reservation but can't guarantee if it's non-smoking until the very day of check-in. What kind of service is that?
On the day we checked in, they gave us a smoking room. Having gone all the way to RW, we took what was available. Can't complain about the room size but I wouldn't call the room a suite. The decor was dull. No, it was tasteless. The bathroom was huge but dark. Perhaps so to hide trays and tissue boxes which are broken and simply repaired and held together with tape! And they call this hotel 6 stars? Mind you, and this may seem trivial to some, but those times I called to make reservations and to confirm, I must have talked to at least 5 people. None of them could speak fluent English. I resisted speaking in Pilipino just to test how they'd deal with foreign guests but seriously, no one spoke good English. Not only that ..... when asked why they can't reserve a non-smoking room ahead of the booked dates, I didn't get a plausible explanation.
I am sorry that I have to rant about Indulge Card and Maxim's Hotel but I'd like to save you the expense. Def no value. The free breakfast was awful. Worst buffet spread I've seen. We came at 9am and found crumbs of bacon, fried rice, emptied chafing dishes. You also need to ask them to fry sausages rather than having some ready. And be sure to go back to pick them up! Be patient with your coffee. We were midway through our breakfast before they served mine. No water unless you ask, and that involves some waiting too. No juices from the buffet spread. The fruits look pale too. How can they even think of charging P800 per person for this mediocrity?
The only thing I enjoyed here is the pool area. But still, far from the service we get from Manila Pen for one,where a lifeguard is very visible (I couldn't find any in Maxim's), a refreshing drink is offered as soon as you take one of the beach chairs, and the spa and shower rooms are spanking clean, bright and cheery. Oh well. Never again. Indulge Card is a joke. And Maxim's Hotel is a 6 star fluke.
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