This weekend, we stayed at the newly opened Lime Hotel fronting Manila Bay (just behind the Manila Film Center). I can’t say I recommend the hotel just yet - they still have to get their act together - there’s an unfinished quality for both amenities and service - Lauan had a cut from a sharp tile in our pool and it ended his enjoyment of that one amenity we came here for! But Manila Bay looks gorgeous! And if only for the sunset, bay breeze, and wide vista of the water - I am glad we tried this new place. People who are willing to overlook shortcomings in exchange for a great view may still want to give the hotel a try - just manage your expectations and proceed with some caution.
The place looks great in pictures, as it does in real life - but be warned, as a hotel staycation experience, it's not the best because there are problems in design and execution - something that even the best customer service from well-meaning staff couldn't mask. For a new hotel in it's first few weeks of operation, it's a let down to see a rusty bidet with a nozzle that does not fit its holder! It's just shoddy construction and cheap materials everywhere - as though built by the lowest bidder and sourced from the cheapest Chinese suppliers. The TV menus were completely in Chinese, and the staff had to coach us on how to navigate the channels. We got a suite that had it's own private plunge pool right at the bay front, and my kids were enjoying swimming in it until a sharp tile caused a gash on my son's shin, preventing him to swim any further. Asking for first aid took so long too, so it was a real letdown because we got the room precisely for the pool. That the design of the pool lacked either a ladder or stairs so getting out was a bit of a challenge, and one of us slipped in the process. A private pool facing Manila bay seemed like a good idea while we were booking our room, but its safety issues reduced our enjoyment not just of that specific feature, but of our entire weekend staycation.
The hotel is located at the end of a bustling boardwalk, right next to Seascape Village at the Hotel Sofitel Walkway. There are many restaurants nearby and its quite nice to enjoy the breezy promenade late in the afternoon, to enjoy the unbeatable sunset view. Al fresco seating is plentiful, and there's a lively enjoyable buzz. We felt though, that the resto we selected, like Lime Hotel, sourced its stuff from China - had menus in Chinese - and our drinks were in cans completely in Chinese (and that's for the standard soda brands my kids ordered). In a way we felt like tourists, like we were visiting a typical port city elsewhere in Southeast Asia. It made for an interesting weekend break, one that allowed us to be updated on the metamorphosis of the Manila Bay area.
The best parts of the weekend were the bay breeze and sunset - things Mother Nature provides for free. Everything else we paid for - from the hotel stay to resto experience, are things we are not likely to repeat anytime soon. Some weekend breaks are better than others, and this was not one of the better ones.
Date of Stay: April 30 to May 1, 2022
Lime Hotel Manila
Atang de la Rama St. Seascape Village, Pasay City
Website: https://lime.ph/hotels-resorts/manila/
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