Ormoc's Hidden Gem: Fan's Hotel Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Ormoc's Hidden Gem: Fan's Hotel Review (You Won't Believe This!) - My Unfiltered Take!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Fan's Hotel in Ormoc and, let me tell you, it's been a rollercoaster. This isn't your typical cookie-cutter hotel review, alright? This is real, unfiltered, and possibly a little caffeinated (thanks, free Wi-Fi!).
First Impressions: The Accessible Angle & The Elevator Saga (and the lack of my pet!)
Right off the bat, let's talk accessibility. Fan's Hotel actually tries. They have an elevator (thank GOD!), which is a lifesaver after battling Leyte's traffic to get there. I'd give them points for the elevator alone, especially since so many places in the Philippines seem to actively hate people with mobility issues. Facilities for disabled guests? Appears to be addressed with ramp access to the lobby and elevator access. I have to say, the exterior looks kinda plain, not my aesthetic.
NOTE TO HOTEL: Can you please add more ramps? Just throwing it out there. Since it's located on the exterior corridor, moving is made a little more accessible.
On the downside, I was super bummed to find out about the Pets allowed unavailable. I felt such a loss.
Cleanliness & Safety – Pandemic Era Survival Guide
Look, I’m a germaphobe at the best of times, so navigating the new normal is…fun. Fan's gets serious points for Anti-viral cleaning products, Rooms sanitized between stays (I peeked!), and Daily disinfection in common areas. The hand sanitizer stations are everywhere, which is great. They also have staff trained in safety protocol, which, let's be honest, is kinda reassuring. I can't say enough how relieved I was to find Individualy-wrapped food options. Safe dining setup, for the win! Overall, they seem safe . This is important, especially if you are a doctor; you'll be glad to see the Doctor/nurse on call and the First aid kit.
Rooms: My Cozy Concrete Bunker (in a Good Way!)
My room was, well, a room. It felt more like a cozy box -- no, scrap that -- a soundproof cozy box! They have non-smoking rooms too, which is a HUGE win for clean air and they actually Rooms sanitized between stays.
The In-Room Perks: My Coffee Addiction's New Best Friend
The essentials are all there: Air conditioning (thank GOD!), hair dryer, free bottled water, and a mirror (for selfie-taking, obviously). I really needed the coffee/tea maker! I lived on it and the complimentary tea (I did need a break sometimes). I also enjoyed the reading light! There are bathrobes and slippers (I felt like a queen). I did have to ask the front desk to supply the extra towels (a small complaint). And, you know what I loved? The window that opens. Fresh air is EVERYTHING.
The Wi-Fi Wars & Internet Access
Okay, let's talk internet. This is crucial, people. The Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is a HUGE selling point. It was pretty solid most of the time (enough for streaming, thank goodness for those in-room satellite/cable channels!). They also have Internet access – LAN and Internet access – wireless if you have a work project. I appreciated the ability to have to laptop workspace! They've got Internet services and Wi-Fi in public areas. They even have Wi-Fi for special events and a hotspot in the common areas.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: My Belly's Unofficial Approval
The Asian breakfast was good, and I liked the Buffet in restaurant. I'm not really on buffet's. The A la carte in restaurant was a lifesaver for lunch because I kept missing breakfast. You can get a bottle of water and the usual Coffee/tea in restaurant from the bar, but honestly, I mostly stuck to the room service. The Room service [24-hour] was a real game-changer – especially after a long day. They have Poolside bar.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Or, My Attempted Zen)
Okay, so I'm not really a spa person, but I am a person who enjoys massages. I was happy to see they have the massage, the Spa, the Sauna, and the Spa/sauna. There's a Fitness center (I peeked, didn't participate, though!) and a Swimming pool [outdoor]. The Pool with view was nice and I could see the terrace. There's a Steamroom, a foot bath a Body scrub and a Body wrap. It’s all a bit… much?
Services & Conveniences & the Unsung Hero of the Stay
This is where Fan's Hotel truly shines. They have Concierge and Doorman. Big plus. They have a gift/souvenir shop for your last-minute shopping needs. They do Laundry service and ironing service. They have Daily housekeeping. There's the Cash withdrawal and Currency exchange. They also have Meeting/banquet facilities like business facilities with a Xerox/fax in business center with Projector/LED display .
For the Kids
I don't have kids, so I didn't check it out, but they have Kids meal, Family/child friendly, and Babysitting service.
Getting Around: The Parking Paradise & Airport Access
They have Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site]. They also have Taxi service, and Airport transfer, which is a HUGE relief. I can't live without my car.
The Quirks & the "Almost Perfect" Moments
Here’s a real moment: I was trying to order room service, and the phone kept buzzing. It took me forever to get through… but the food was hot, so I can't complain too much.
My Verdict & My Offer
Fan's Hotel in Ormoc is a mixed bag, like any real travel experience should be. It's not perfect, but it's clean, safe, and offers a decent range of amenities for the price. It gets the job done, and it does it with a kind of no-frills charm that I actually grew to appreciate.
Here's my offer:
Book your stay at Fan's Hotel in Ormoc through my link (I'll provide it later, just kidding, I haven't got one!), and get a free upgrade to a room with a view (subject to availability!) and a complimentary welcome drink at the poolside bar. Plus, they're sanitizing the items more to make you feel safe and secure. Trust me, you'll be glad you did!
This is just the beginning, but I think you'll find it to be a good place to stay.
P.S. If you see the staff hanging around, tell them I sent you. They'll probably just look confused, but hey, it's worth a shot!
Uncover the Secrets of 2 Kingsmead Square, Bath: A Hidden Gem Revealed!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because we're about to dive headfirst into a Fan's Hotel adventure that’s less "perfect Instagram feed" and more "slightly chaotic travel diary scribbled on a soggy napkin." Here's my Ormoc experience, unfiltered and probably slightly off-kilter:
Fan's Hotel: Ormoc – My Very Real (and Possibly Slightly Embarrassing) Itinerary
(Prep Before the Madness - The Pre-Trip Anxiety)
- Weeks Before: Panic shopping for travel clothes that are both "stylish" and "can handle humidity." Ended up with a collection of questionable patterned linen shirts and way too many pairs of hiking socks. My inner monologue was basically: "Are these shorts too short? Are they too long? Will I get eaten by a mosquito? Do I even like Ormoc?" (Spoiler alert: I ended up loving it, mosquito bites and all.)
- Days Before: Staring at the weather forecast like it held the secrets of the universe. Praying to the rain gods (or against them, depending on my mood) for sunshine. Also, cramming for basic Filipino phrases – "Salamat" (thank you) was my go-to, and I’m pretty sure I butchered it more than I got it right.
(Day 1: Arrival – Jet Lagged and Judgemental)
- Morning (ish): Arrive at Ormoc Airport. The place is charmingly small, which, in my exhausted state, translated to "is this even a real airport?" The air hits me like a warm, humid hug. (Or maybe I just needed a shower.)
- Afternoon: Check into Fan's Hotel. The lobby? Kind of… faded grandeur? Definitely seen better days. But the staff is super friendly, even when I'm squinting at the paperwork and trying to decipher the air conditioner controls. My immediate reaction? "Okay, this isn't the Ritz but it has character….and I'm too tired to care."
- Late Afternoon: First meal: Trying lechon at a local karinderya (small eatery). OMG. Crispy skin, juicy meat, pure piggy perfection. I almost ate the whole plate. Mistake #1: Ordered a massive plate of rice, and I have no idea what happened but I slept for three hours after and felt awful.
- Early Evening: Sunset walk along the Ormoc Bay. The view is breathtaking, but I’m more focused on not tripping over the uneven sidewalks and wondering which of the stray dogs might be friendly. My inner monologue: "This is beautiful. So peaceful. Wait… did I leave the iron on at the hotel?" (I didn't.)
- Night: Attempted to watch TV. Ended up falling asleep mid-sentence. The hotel's air conditioning and the city's sounds are a symphony for my exhaustion.
(Day 2: Let's Get Wet (and Possibly Embarrass Ourselves)
- Morning: My brain is still in a sleep-deprived haze. I have a massive breakfast at the hotel, and eat everything! I have a feeling this meal is going to be the fuel I need.
- Morning: Renting a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi). The driver, a dude named Jun, is a local legend, apparently. He whips around corners like he's in a James Bond movie. I'm clinging on for dear life and simultaneously yelling, "Wooo! Is this life insurance included?!"
- Mid-morning: The Lake Danao Disaster. I arrive at Lake Danao. A beautiful lake. I rent a kayak, and I'm going to be the next great kayaker. I'm paddling… and going nowhere fast. The kayak is doing a 360 degree spin. People are pointing and laughing. I manage to paddle to the middle of the lake, and immediately tip over! I'm soaked, slightly humiliated, and choking on lake water. It's freezing. Jun, bless his heart, comes to the rescue, and I spend the rest of the time dripping, shivering, and blaming the kayak. Emotional Reaction: "I AM NEVER KAYAKING AGAIN."
- Lunch: Hangry (hungry + angry) after my kayak catastrophe. We drive up to a small village and I am served the best fried fish of my life. It was a redemption for the earlier "event."
- Afternoon: Recovering at the hotel, watching a cartoon with a bag of chips.
- Evening: Dinner at a restaurant near the bay. Trying mango shake. "This country might be amazing for its food, but I'm not sure how I feel about the texture of the mango shake."
(Day 3: Culture Shock and Shopping (and Avoiding Another Kayak)
- Morning: Wandering through the Ormoc City Public Market. The smells are intense. The sights are overwhelming. I see everything – live chickens, mountains of fruit, mysterious glistening things I'm too afraid to ask about. I buy a ridiculously oversized hat because… well, why not?
- Afternoon: Trying to haggle for a souvenir. I think I got a good deal, but I strongly suspect the vendor saw me coming a mile away. My haggling skills need some work.
- Late Afternoon: Resting at the hotel, drinking strong coffee, and trying to decide what I liked the most about Ormoc (the fried fish, the kindness of the locals, that one perfect sunset).
- Evening: A final dinner at a small restaurant. Watching sunset. Feeling a strange mix of sadness and peacefulness. A thought: "I'm actually going to miss this place."
(Day 4: Farewell (and Packing a Mountain of Laundry)
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel, trying to decide if I can smuggle a whole lechon back with me. (Spoiler alert: I can’t.)
- Mid-morning: Last-minute souvenir shopping (aka, buying more things I probably don’t need).
- Afternoon: Departure. Goodbye, Ormoc! I leave with a heart full of memories, a suitcase full of questionable purchases, and a lingering suspicion that I'll always be slightly traumatized by kayaks.
- Evening: Return flight. Dreaming about the lechon I will never eat again.
Final Thoughts: Ormoc wasn’t perfect. It was hot, it was sometimes messy, and I made a complete fool of myself on a lake. But it was real. It was funny. It was beautiful. And I wouldn't trade it for the world. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find a laundromat and figure out what all these strange smells are in my suitcase…
Unbelievable Hotel Deals in Blankenberge, Belgium! (Richmond Hotel)
So, like, what is this *thing* you're doing? Is it even a thing?
Okay, okay, but *specifically* what can this... machine... do?
How do you *know* all this stuff? Spooky, right?
But… are you *alive*? (And should I be afraid?)
Okay, so... let's say I want you to write me a story.. How do I, you know, give you a starting point?
You mentioned mistakes earlier... do you *ever* mess up?
What are your limitations? Besides the lasagna thing.
Can you give me a quick, fun, yet slightly terrifying anecdote?
What are you *good* at?
