It was another weekend when I decided to visit Manila, and booked my overnight stay at Hotel Jen Manila.
You see, I was feeling so bored recently and I need another place to visit that doesn’t need me to go out of the city. Having this affair with the city is such a fantastic affair, however, there are times that I need some flavor.
Thus, the occasional staycation happens.
Bringing my laptop, and camera with me, along with my overnighter, I booked my car and drove me to Hotel Jen Manila. And thanks for my Expedia mobile app for easy online booking.
Located at the heart of Manila, along Roxas Boulevard, the former Traders Hotel is one of the accessible hotels within the area. And as I was browsing my Expedia app, I chose Hotel Jen Manila because I have high regard for the Shangri-la Group of Hotels.
Most hotels under this group are exquisite, so I was expecting the same for Hotel Jen Manila.
The Lobby
Entering their humble hotel is quite an experience. Aside from a well-equipped security scanner for all the luggage and bags, you will be greeted with a smile with all their staff and guards wearing that iconic green polo shirt – something that is different from another 4-star hotel.
The lobby is well maintained and looks like this hotel houses most of the events and conventions within the area. I saw that there was a registration booth on the left side of the lobby for ongoing training.
On the left side, next to this comfortable receiving area, is the Japanese restaurant called Ikitsho – however, I didn’t visit that place because I wasn’t in the mood for Japanese food.
In the lobby, you’ll also see this place in the middle where many local delicacies are displayed for sale. Locally made candies, dried fruits, etc., you name it! Perfect as take-home gifts.
The Room
I opt for this deluxe room for myself on the 12th floor, with a view overlooking the bay. It was one of the amazing views, especially in the morning.
Such a beautiful view isn’t it?
However, except for my glass window. It is quite dirty actually full of black dust on the outside. On the right side of my room is a residential condominium which is not a pretty sight. I could see an occasional wave from someone on the other side, and even a couple’s making-out while in the middle of a passionate moment, while their window is wide open.
I have to stay away from my window in the morning. And when I saw them again after my dinner, in the same passionate moment, I've opened my bottle of Bordeaux and enjoyed live entertainment in the next building.
It isn’t my fault. It's not my fault that this couple is quite adventurous, LOL.
I was just there sipping my favorite wine, and enjoying the show, Hahahahaha
Aside from the next building’s entertainment, I'm glad that Hotel Jen Manila has fast wifi connection that can be accessed by any device. Some hotels can only give access to one device, unlike in Hotel Jen Manila, it doesn’t matter how many. The internet connection is good from my room down to the lobby.
I also like that they have a comfy couch. I also like that they have this full-sized mirror, which is easy for me to take some of my full-sized selfies.
My room has complimentary drinks and bottled water, bedroom slippers and bathrobe, a decent closet for my clothes, plus a safety deposit box for my valuable items. There's also a mini-refrigerator, iron, and ironing board.
Glad that my bathroom had enough bath towels, robe and toiletries, and a nice vanity mirror.
And I was relieved realizing that my room has a bathtub! I might not able to enjoy the pool, however, I enjoyed my time in a deep soaking bubble bath.
But despite my enjoyment, I noticed another flaw in my bathroom.
See those black marks? It seems like they haven’t cleaned it thoroughly that the corners are already growing some molds! YUCK!!!!
What the fuck??!!!
This is a huge no-no in my home, which is why I always make sure my bathroom is thoroughly clean and am using DOMEX cleaner.
It seems Hotel Jen Manila needs to check the quality of cleanliness in all their bathrooms and the entire room.
At the Latitude Buffet
I felt so relaxed and felt stress-free after a long soak in the tub.
Then I invited my bestie to spend dinner at Latitude, the restaurant on the ground floor of Hotel Jen Manila. Latitude offers buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner and I think this is one of the restaurants I would like to add to my recommended list.
I don’t know how many tables they have, but I believe it is spacious enough. We’ve been so lucky to dine with only three tables are occupied and not too noisy.
Well except for the customers from the table next to ours. It seems they are having a dinner/job interview.
And the foods?
I have nothing to complain about it!
In fact, I enjoyed eating, as well as my bestie :D
We had a little feast while chatting nonstop. Anyway, that’s what friends do, right?!
They also have many choices of bread!
Happy lady enjoying her meal.
However, I don’t like their iced tea. Too sweet it’s hard to swallow!
The Lobby Lounge
After our heavy meal, we visited the Lobby Lounge for some cocktails. There is a regular band every night, and it’s a perfect place to chill because it isn’t crowded.
After our cocktail hour and bid goodbyes to my bestie, I decided to visit the ongoing exhibit of paintings at the Club Lounge (19th Floor Hotel Jen Manila).
It was also a relaxing place to hang out, plus enjoying the beautiful view of Manila Bay during nighttime. Quite romantic in my opinion.
I enjoyed my overnight stay at Hotel Jen Manila. Although there are some flaws that need urgent attention, I think this hotel has lots of potentials.
Staffs are very courteous and I haven’t got any issues with them.
But needs many improvements, especially on their rooms.
For now, I need to get back to my slumber and don’t want to gain more fine lines.
Because SK-II is quite expensive, LOL
Oops!
I felt so hungry in the middle of the night, so I ordered this little feast as room service, which I ordered from Lobby Lounge.
I’m glad that they have accommodated my simple request.
With a glass of wine :)
Hotel Jen Manila
3001 Roxas Boulevard
Pasay City, Manila
*Disclaimer: This is a #NotSponsored post
xoxo, Blair
I have never been to Philipine anymore their Manila city seems to have been beautiful looking at the hotel as well as luxury.
ReplyDeleteOh you must visit the Philippines and experience our hospitality industry.
DeleteOMG! The molds in the bathroom.. I can't! But the food looks good though!
ReplyDeleteLOL I know! I just hate my Huawei P9, coz it can visibly captured these small details, lol.
DeleteI never been in Philippines, But Philippines is on my Bucket list. I would love to try their foods in LATITUDE BUFFET so interesting place.
ReplyDeleteYey! Please do!
DeleteYou will enjoy Philippines :D
Besides the toilet, luckily still have good food to chill you down...
ReplyDeleteI like the buffet spread!!
racheal_foodilifecious
There are some few tiles with molds, but the bathtub per se is quite nice. I just have to close my eyes and relax, not minding that mold. LOL
DeleteThe hotel looks chic. The view overlooking the bay is splendid. Yeah, Domex does a good job and I hope the hotel takes a note of it!
ReplyDeleteLOL I always have gallon of DOMEX at home. It is a must.
DeleteI like this hotel jen manila is look overall sastifed just the little stain in the bathroom corner
ReplyDeleteI agree. Except that stain, I enjoyed my stay!
DeleteYes TRADERS hotel, that's why it is very familiar. They only changed the name but I think they didn't fully renovated all the rooms. It still looked dated and those molds, very disgusting! There are still other hotels in the area better than this one. Thanks for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteI agree, but since this is another branded hotels under Shangri-La Group, it doesn't hurt to try. :)
DeleteYou've made me miss Manila and the Philippines in general. That buffet table, btw, was enticing!
ReplyDeleteYeah it was good! Bawi naman sa foods :D
DeleteWhat a lovely hotel this is. There is also a Hotel Jen in Malaysia. I wonder if it is the same chain. Dind't realise they are this big.
ReplyDeleteYes they are under the same chain, a much affordable hotel-chain brand under Shangri-La Group.
DeleteHaha, i love the idea of staycation :D Need to try that!
ReplyDeleteYes please do! You deserve some staycation.
DeleteThis hotel looks really comfy. I think there is a Hotel Jen in Johor, Malaysia.
ReplyDeleteYes they are sisters!
DeleteAdventurous couple ahahaha! :D This was hilarious! The hotel looks modern and elegant! Green polo shirts for a 4 star staff is unique:) Loved the buffet spread!
ReplyDeleteHahaha I know right?! Its a free show for me.
DeleteThe buffet spread looks absolutely delicious. I understand how you would have felt about the bathroom. Otherwise the hotel looks great.
ReplyDeleteYeah, so I just ignore it for a while but so far I enjoyed my bubble bath :D
DeleteI will record the action if I were you hahaha... adventurous couple eh? I wonder what they were doing and how.
ReplyDeleteLOL nooooo!!! LOL
DeleteI was just lucky to witness a live show, and I think that's enough, hahaaha
It made my wine drinking more enjoyable.
Haven't had the chance to visit Manila. Speaking of huawei p9, how did you find it?
ReplyDeleteOh it was a game-changer for me.
DeleteFirst I rarely bring my Nikon DSLR during events and I use my Huawei P9.
The photo quality is so good. I know I haven't explored it much, and I believe that there is still something amazing on it.
The latest is Huawei Mate 10, with AI which is kicking ass too!
Hotel Jen Manila seems to be ok place to stay but I do agree about the mold in the bath room. It can be quite dangerous to breath in for some who are sensitiv on that. Other than I hope you will be the one having a fun adventurous makeout next time for some else to enjoy!😂😘
ReplyDeleteThey need a DOMEX supplier!
DeleteIt looks like a nice hotel. The breakfast buffet is quite impressive, I live all the mirrors.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I love their food and their restaurant. Overall rating its 4.5
DeleteOh, wow. What a beautiful view. The place looked amazing, except for the black mold in the bathroom. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteHahaha I agree with you Heidi. Overall it was a lovely experience, way better than my last staycation disaster.
DeleteYeah with those molds, they need thorough cleaning... or many renovation.
this hotel looks beautiful and comfortable, later to manila can use this info .. tq sharing
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Iffah!
DeleteThey're services are so good and staffs are very courteous.
I have additional comment with their in-house guard dog... he's getting fatter!
The bed in the room is so large and looks really comfy. Also the buffet in the restaurants looks really tasty with lots of choice, shame about the cleanliness in the room!
ReplyDeleteHahaha the bedroom is clean, only the molds in the bathtub area. I assume they are in need of a great cleaner!
DeleteI can't really stand the stain too inside toilet!! The view from your hotel is really beautiful too, comfortable bed and nice food! Overall seems like a quite good staycation here at Hotel Jen.
ReplyDeleteLOL I know right Sharon!
DeleteMy Huawei P9 saw it vividly!
It looks like it was super nice from lobby and restaurant to the room. Except for that nasty mold!
ReplyDeleteThank you Joanna for visiting.
DeleteYeah it was a lovely hotel and I enjoyed my stay. I was just lucky enough to be welcomed by these molds. Talk about a weird welcome, LOL
Manila is definitely on my bucket list! Hopefully next year we'll be able to get out there.
ReplyDeleteOh you must! Manila awaits you dearly :D
DeleteYIKES! It looks like an overall great experience however the Mold in the bathroom would be a buzz kill for me. I would not be very happy about that.
ReplyDeleteHahaha I know Jennifer :D
DeleteI have to close my eyes and tried my best to ignore that molds but of course, its hard to ignored it!
Staycations are the best aren't they?! So the mold in the shower really grossed me out just like it did you (lol!), but the hotel itself looks phenomenal! I love that you get free wine when you indulge in the buffet they offer--I'd have to have several plates just because of that!
ReplyDeleteSo true! Gosh how I wish I have a huge stomach so I could feast a lot, and almost partied with wine. The experience and stay is amazing. And hope the next time I visit, the molds are gone for good.
DeleteI love how modern this hotel is. However, they could do better in the bathroom with how clean it is. It's really the little details that will turn guest off.
ReplyDeleteI agree. NO matter how brand new or old the hotel is, the important is spotless cleanliness.
DeleteEverything looks great except for the bathrooms! The food looks like its the high point for the hotel! It all looked really delicious!
ReplyDeleteYeah, am looking forward to visit the Latitude restaurant soon. I miss their foods.
DeleteThis looks like a gorgeous hotel, minus that mold. That would gross me out too.
ReplyDeleteBut the food looks amazing! Yum!
Hahaha i'm glad that you ladies also felt grossed with molds.. OMG its not a good excuse for hotels. Every corners of the hotel must be spotless.
DeleteI was sold on the room pictures until I saw what looked like mold or mildew in the bathroom. I can't do that either. I'm super picky about hotel rooms. Everything else looked amazing.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I paid a thousand pesos for a good room, and I deserve a super clean bathroom.
DeleteWhat a modern and clean hotel it is! It looks comfy to stay. I’m not fond of hotel buffet but this hotel have very clean buffet that I would love to give it a shot!
ReplyDeleteOh you should enjoy the buffet once in a while. it is worth it!
DeleteA full size mirror is so understated but let's be real, it'a huge selling point am I right? Lovely hotel, you are sooo lucky Blair!
ReplyDeleteI love huge mirrors !
DeleteWow! It looks awesome...but mold? yuck!
ReplyDeleteLOL
Deletethanks for visiting!
Wow the Hotel Jen Manila looks like a fantastic place to stay. I love the decor of your room. I will have to check it out if I am in the area.
ReplyDeleteThat will be great! You will enjoy Manila for use :D
DeleteThis hotel looks absolutely lovely! If I'm ever in Manila I know where I'd stay!
ReplyDeleteOh you must! And take note of their restaurant :D
DeleteI love Hotel Jen! It used to be Traders Hotel Manila. I love their food in the restaurant. Funny story regarding the couple. Haha. I always enjoy your honest feedback.
ReplyDeleteLOL yeah those couples are quite interesting. They make my staycation more fun.
DeleteLove the views and club loving on the 19th floor. However the Hotel Jen Manila needs to sort that bathroom mould out x
ReplyDeleteI know right?! Hope they would came across of my review and make action about their oldie bathrooms.
DeleteHow could you relax in the bathtub after witnessing such filth in the tiles? I wouldn't go near it.
ReplyDeleteLOL
DeleteI tried to ignored them by closing my eyes and imagine it wasn't there. After I got so relaxed and done with my bubble bath, the reality is still there. MOLDS!
Overall, I think the hotel experience is good but I am also disappointed with the dirts in the bathroom! They should have seen it because they were always changing the shampoos in that place. But good thing they accommodate your midnight food request.
ReplyDeleteHahaha yeah!
DeleteI don't know. Maybe they lack the proper cleaner solution, or maybe the cleaning staff got so lazy, LOL
When I say your photo of the view from the room, I decided that needs to go on my list of things to look for in any hotel I stay at. Restaurants not so much as I like to explore beyond my hotel ...
ReplyDeleteThat will be fantastic! That view is the Manila Bay, and its a lovely place :)
DeleteEverything looks like it is so luxurious. That bed looks like it was super comfy.
ReplyDeleteIt was heavenly!
DeleteWow the view from your room at the Jen Manila hotel is amazing! I would stay there if visiting!
ReplyDeleteYeah please visit Manila, Natalie!
DeleteThat hotel looks absolutely amazing! It looks like you had a great time! Thanks for sharing your experience. ~Joy
ReplyDeleteYes I did Joy. I will share many hotel reviews soon!
DeleteSounds like a good hotel, though somewhat lacking in the cleanliness. Thanks for sharing the review.
ReplyDeleteDo drop by my blog as well : http://styleovercoffee.com :)
Thank you dear for visiting. But their foods are also lovely.
DeleteNever been to Philippines.. It looks like a awesome place.. Wish I could visit there too sometime..
ReplyDeleteHello dear!
DeleteOh please visit the Philippines, you will like it. I heard that the next Miss Universe 2018 will be host here, so it means the team loves the Philippines experience.
The food looks amazing but the view is even better! I've been wanting to go to there. It looks so spacious but the mold is a definite no.
ReplyDeletehahhaa I agree. Well home the other rooms are not like this.
DeleteIT does look like such an amazing experience. I would definitely love all the rooms, and the buffet looks too delicious for words. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks you for visiting David.
DeleteYeah the buffet is phenomenal, plus the free wine!
Glad to read your Manilla hotel guide.It's a luxurious hotel and your room, bathroom- have all modern amenities. I hope the foods are really delicious there. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteOh it is! If only I have a bigger stomach, I have eat a lot, lol
DeleteWhat a great looking place! I would love to visit!
ReplyDeleteThat will be awesome Kim! I bet you will enjoy this Hotel Jen, and also the city of Manila.
DeleteYour deluxe room looks very big wow. Nice photos u took in Manila... Great :) I never go to Manila, so my family and I will check with tourism Manila :)
ReplyDeleteOh thank you Selina. Please visit Manila during the summer, I bet you will enjoy it here.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous hotel and lounge! I like how you are able to just go on a vacation whenever you want, just because you are bored! Seems like so much fun :)
ReplyDeleteYeah it is. When am feeling bored that the best time for me to find a new place to refresh.
DeleteIt looks beautiful! I would love to visit one day. It's so nice to stay at a hotel close to the water. Everything looked so comfy.
ReplyDeleteI love how you were able to convey your whole experience in this Hotel. I also love how comforting the name of the Hotel. The intricate design of the Hotel is really beautiful. The food seems to be very luscious. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteOh you're welcome and thank you for reading my blog. I am so touched!
DeleteI always enjoy your hotel reviews. Always honest and fair.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you babes!
DeleteI do agree with the facts that hygiene is very important in our life. The hotel room kinda makes me wow, but then the mold, wew.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Well hope when I visit Hotel Jen Manila, there will be no molds.
DeleteThis looks like a gorgeous hotel to stay in. I hope you had a great time during your staycation. everyone deserves a break to destress :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Aliza! I'm actually thinking of going back soon :)
DeleteSpacious, clean and neat, I would also like to stay at this hotel :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Ivy! You will enjoy here :D
DeleteI haven't tried checking in at this hotel yet, looks like a nice place except for the molds at the bathroom.
ReplyDeleteIt needs thorough cleaning. It makes me realized that not all rooms are being checked. Hope it is there an improvement na.
Delete