Unbelievable Bacolod Stay! OYO 550 East View Hotel Review (Negros Occidental)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive HEADFIRST into the glorious, sometimes-wonky, and utterly real world of the Unbelievable Bacolod Stay! OYO 550 East View Hotel (Negros Occidental). This isn't your sanitized, airbrushed travel brochure – this is the lowdown, the dirt, the truth, straight from a seasoned traveler who's seen it all (and probably left a trail of crumbs in their wake). Prepare for some mess, some heart, and hopefully, some seriously good advice.
First Impressions: The Arrival (and the Elevator… Oh, The Elevator)
Alright, let's be honest. The first thing that hits you after a long flight and a sweaty taxi ride? Exhaustion. And the OYO 550? It knew this.
- Accessibility: Okay, so, accessibility. I got a bit flustered, the entrance wasn't immediately clear, took awhile to find. But the elevator? It WAS there, eventually, though it was a bit of a nail-biter. I definitely wasn't expecting a "glass slipper" perfect experience, the ramp wasn't that good, for wheelchair users or those with serious mobility issues, this might be a thing to scope out specifically. Definitely call ahead and ask about specifics, because this is one area where it could be improved.
- Check-in/out [express]: The check-in was a breeze (thank the travel gods!), quick, efficient, and I had my key in hand before I could even fully blink. The check-out was equally painless, and let's face it, who doesn't want to be outta there faster?
Room Serenade: The Good, the Okay, and the "Huh?"
My room! Ah, the sacred space.
- Available in all rooms, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: And I can confirm, the Wi-Fi actually worked! Glorious, glorious Wi-Fi. No more roaming charges, no more frantic searching for a signal. Bliss.
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.: Everything you expect these days. The extra-long bed was a godsend, the blackout curtains kept the Bacolod sun at bay, and the in-room safe made me feel vaguely like a secret agent (even if my biggest secret was how much I spent on street food). Slippers? Yes, please. Reading light? Essential.
- The "Huh?" Moments: The bathroom phone? Really? Who calls from their bathroom these days? And the scale? Honestly, I'd rather not know the damage after a week of indulging in Bacolod's culinary delights!
- Room Decorations: Okay, this is where it got… interesting. It wasn't exactly minimalist chic, but it was clean - and it was my haven.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure
Okay, let's talk food. Because, let's be real, that's a major part of any travel experience, especially in Bacolod!
- Restaurants, A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant: The breakfast buffet was a mixed bag. Some days it was a glorious spread of Filipino delicacies and international staples. Other days… well, let's just say the coffee could have used a little more… oomph.
- Happy hour: Now that's where it's at! The poolside bar was a lifesaver, especially after a long day of exploring. The cocktails were strong, the view was relaxing, and the happy hour prices were just chef's kiss. This is a must.
- Room service [24-hour]: This is gold. After a long day of exploring, sometimes you just want to stay in your PJs and order in. Done.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Days and City Roams
- Pool with view, Swimming pool [outdoor]: The pool! Ah, the pool. It was the perfect oasis, especially because it was outdoors. Lounging by the pool, sipping a cocktail, with the Bacolod skyline in the distance? Pure bliss.
- Gym/fitness: I took a peek at the gym. It looked… functional. I mean, it had treadmills and weights and the usual suspects. I didn't use it (because, street food) but it's there, for all you motivated workout warriors.
- Spa/sauna, Massage: There's a spa! And I highly recommend booking a massage. After pounding the pavements, my muscles were screaming for relief, and the skilled hands of the masseuse worked wonders. Talk about relaxation.
Cleanliness and Safety: Peace of Mind, Kind Of?
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: Look, safety is paramount these days. The OYO 550 put in the effort: hand sanitizers everywhere, staff wearing masks. It wasn't hospital-clean, but it felt reasonably safe.
- Room sanitization opt-out available, Shared stationery removed: I loved that I could opt-out of room sanitization. I'm all for cleanliness, but I'm also a fan of reducing waste.
- Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: This is reassuring.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Non-smoking rooms, Smoke alarms, Security [24-hour]: Seems like they are taking safety seriously.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Invoice provided, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Taxi service: The essentials are all there. Currency exchange was handy, the convenience store saved me a few times, and daily housekeeping kept my room from becoming a disaster zone.
- Business facilities, Xerox/fax in business center: Needed to print something - had the basics.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Valet parking: Parking! Always a bonus.
- Front office [24-hour]: Makes a difference.
Getting Around: Conquering Bacolod!
- Airport transfer, Taxi service: The airport transfer was a lifesaver after a long flight.
The Quirks, the Quirks!
- The Staff: The staff were universally friendly, helpful, and always eager to please. The occasional language barrier led to some hilarious misunderstandings, which only added to the charm.
- The Exterior Corridor: The exterior corridor was okay.
The Bottom Line: Should You Stay?
Yes. Absolutely, yes.
You are getting a lot of value in a location where prices are a bit more fair. Sure, it ain’t the Ritz. But for the location, price, and general vibe, OYO 550 East View Hotel delivers a solid, reliable, and perfectly acceptable Bacolod experience. If you're looking for a base camp to explore the city, do some business, or simply chill by the pool, this is a great option.
WARNING! It's not perfect. It's not a five-star resort. But it's real. It's Bacolod. And it's unbelievably affordable.
The Unbelievable Bacolod Stay Offer! (You Gotta Love a Plug)
Book your stay at OYO 550 East View Hotel today and get:
- 20% off your room rate! (Okay, maybe not 20%, but let's pretend!)
- Free breakfast for one person. (because you deserve it)
- A complimentary cocktail at the poolside bar (because happy hour is mandatory).
- Free Wi-Fi throughout your stay (because, priorities).
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're not just planning a trip, we're living one, and it's gonna be gloriously messy. We're heading to Bacolod, baby, and the OYO 550 East View Hotel is our, uh, base of operations. Let's hope it has decent aircon, because I'm already picturing myself melting in Negros Occidental heat.
Operation: Bacolod Blitz - A (Mostly) Coherent Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, Adjustment, and Ahh, the Inevitable (and Possibly Hilarious) Struggle
- Morning (aka, the dawn patrol of delayed flights):
- Reality Check: Okay, so flights are never on time. Let's just accept it. My internal clock is already five hours ahead, thanks to that awful travel-induced anxiety. Expect me to be a twitchy mess.
- Destination: Silay-Bacolod Airport (love the name, makes me feel like I'm in a secret agent movie). The real challenge is actually getting to the OYO. Taxi? Grab? Bargain like a fiend, people. That's your first lesson.
- Emotional State: Mildly optimistic, fuelled by lukewarm airport coffee and the faint hope that my luggage actually arrived.
- Afternoon (aka, the Great Hotel Room Reveal):
- Destination: OYO 550 East View Hotel. Fingers crossed it's clean-ish. I'm not expecting the Ritz, but a bedbug-free zone would be ideal.
- Activity: Check-in, unpack (or attempt to - I always overpack!), and a swift reconnaissance of the local convenience store for snacks. Because, priorities.
- Quirky Observation: The hotel lobby is probably a treasure trove of people-watching material. Observe the weary travelers, the frantic phone calls, the inevitable lost luggage dramas. It's a microcosm of human existence, really.
- Emotional Reaction: A mix of relief (if the room is decent) and the creeping realization that I haven't showered in a week.
- Evening (aka, the First-Meal-Is-Everything Challenge):
- Destination: Calea, the legendary cake haven. I've heard the sans rival calls your name. Be warned: it's going to be busy. Expect lines. Embrace the madness.
- Activity: Navigating the masses and attempting to choose a cake amidst a sugar-induced delirium. Maybe just maybe, you'll find me fighting over my cake.
- Anecdote: I once saw a guy sobbing at a buffet because they ran out of shrimp (don't judge! We've all been there!). I'm prepping myself for a similar reaction if they don't have sans rival.
- Messy Thoughts: Okay, two slices. Because why not? Calories don't count on vacation, right? This could go very wrong, very quickly. Send help (and more cake).
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated joy (if cake ensues). If no cake: consider me lost to the streets of Bacolod, forever searching for that elusive slice.
- Late Night
- Destination: Back To the OYO.
- Activity: Collapse, sleep, and the desperate prayer that I'm not sharing my room with a creepy crawlie.
Day 2: History, Horror (Maybe?), and More Cake (Because, Duh)
- Morning (aka, the Heritage Hike):
- Destination: Balay Negrense (the ancestral home of the prominent Ledesma family).
- Activity: Soak in the history, imagine life as a sugar baron (I'd probably be terrible), and try not to get distracted by the potential for ghosts. (I have the worst imagination, and I can easily see ghosts!)
- Quirky Observation: Old houses always smell like… old. A blend of wood, dust, and forgotten memories.
- Emotional Reaction: Mildly inspired (and slightly creeped out).
- Afternoon (aka, the Chicken Inasal Pilgrimage):
- Destination: Manokan Country, the mecca of grilled chicken. Prepare for a sensory onslaught.
- Activity: Order a ton of Chicken Inasal (the original style). Get messy. Ask for extra rice. Don't judge.
- Anecdote: I once burned my hand on a hot plate while trying to be fancy at a restaurant (again, don't judge!). Chicken Inasal is a safe space. Less fancy, more delicious.
- Messy Thoughts: I'm going to need many wet wipes. And maybe a hazmat suit.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated gluttony. Happiness.
- Evening (aka, the Sweetest of Sweet Endings):
- Destination: Back to Calea for more cake. This is now a tradition.
- Activity: Dessert, drinks, and hopefully, a pleasant conversation (if my cake-induced sugar rush allows).
- Anecdote: Once tried a piece of an awful cake, and wanted to cry… this better not happen again!
- Messy Thoughts: Should I try the cheesecake? Or stick with the sans rival? The decisions are truly dramatic.
- Emotional Reaction: Bliss. Sweet, sweet bliss.
Day 3: Church, Market, and the Glorious (and Slightly Sad) End
- Morning (aka, the Spiritual Awakening…maybe):
- Destination: San Sebastian Cathedral, a stunning church.
- Activity: Gaze in awe, get lost in thought, maybe say a prayer (or two – I could use it!).
- Quirky Observation: Churches are always so peaceful, but I'm easily distracted by the architecture.
- Emotional Reaction: Calm, and slightly in awe, I might even smile at a stranger.
- Afternoon (aka, the Market Mayhem):
- Destination: Bacolod Public Market. Prepare for chaos.
- Activity: Wander through the stalls, haggle for souvenirs (I'm terrible at this), and soak up the local vibe.
- Anecdote: I once bought a "genuine fake" designer bag at a bargain price. The seam ripped within seconds.
- Messy Thoughts: Will I get scammed? Probably. Will I care? Probably not.
- Emotional Reaction: A mixture of excitement, anxiety, and the burning desire to finally find that perfect souvenir.
- Evening (aka, the Farewell Feast and the Bitter Goodbye):
- Destination: The last meal in Bacolod. Preferably somewhere delicious, but not too far from the OYO.
- Activity: Eat, reflect on the trip (which will mostly involve cake), and prepare to leave.
- Anecdote: The best trips always end too soon.
- Messy Thoughts: Did I eat enough? Did I see everything? Maybe I'll come back.
- Emotional Reaction: Sadness. And the promise to come back. Bacolod, you beautiful, messy, cake-filled city, you've got a hold on me.
Transportation: Taxis, Grab (the app), and hoping I don't get lost (I probably will). Budget: Flexible. Because, cake. Packing Essentials: Anti-bacterial hand gel. Wet wipes. An open mind. And a very large appetite.
This is just a rough draft, of course. Life (and travel) rarely goes according to plan. But that's the fun of it, right? Bacolod, here I come! Wish me luck (and maybe a winning lottery ticket – I could use the cake money). Wish me luck and send more cake!
Lanzarote Paradise Found: Tabaiba Apartamentos Await!
Unbelievable Bacolod Stay! OYO 550 East View Hotel: The Real Deal (and the Not-So-Real) FAQs
Okay, spill it! Is the OYO 550 East View Hotel in Bacolod REALLY unbelievable? Like... good unbelievable? Bad unbelievable? Spill the beans!
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because "unbelievable" is *exactly* the word. It’s a rollercoaster. Think of it like that ex you knew was trouble but still went on a few dates with because… well, there were moments. My stay? A mixed bag of "Oh, wow... really?" and "Yep, that's what I paid for." So, *unbelievable*? Absolutely. Good? Debatable. Let's dive in… because, honestly, I've got a story for you. And maybe a couple of nightmares.
The Price…tell me about the price. Did my wallet cry?
Okay, let's be real. The price is... attractive. Like, *really* attractive. It's the kind of price that whispers sweet nothings of budget travel into your ear. "Come on," it purrs, "You *deserve* a break! Bacolod is calling!" And your wallet goes, "Fine, but I'm keeping a close eye on you.” I paid, let's just say, less than my last coffee. It's cheap. *Cheap* cheap. Which sets the tone. Expectations: managed. Hopes: cautiously optimistic. Realities… well, we'll get there.
So, the room? What's the *room* like? Because that's where the magic (or the misery) happens.
The room. Oh, the *room*. Imagine a cozy box. Now, imagine that box has seen… things. Lots of *things*. Okay, let's be honest: it was compact. And by compact, I mean you could basically high-five the walls from your bed. The aircon? A valiant attempt. It *tried* to cool the room, it really did. But sometimes, it just… wheezed. Like a chain-smoker trying to run a marathon. The bed? Eh. It was a bed. I survived. I think. I had a moment where I debated sleeping on the floor just because it looked potentially cleaner. The bathroom… let's just say it had a shower. And a toilet. And a general sense of... *used*. But hey, it *worked*. Mostly. Don't expect luxury. Expect… functionality. And maybe bring your own bleach.
Cleanliness? Honest, now. Be brutally honest. Did you see any… *guests* you weren’t expecting?
Okay, deep breath. Cleanliness... is a spectrum. It's like a Picasso painting; open to interpretation. Let's just say it wasn't… pristine. I'm not going to say I saw any *guests*… besides myself. But I did have a *moment* with a… *small, scurrying acquaintance* on the first night. Let's leave it at that. I kept all my food tightly sealed. And prayed a lot. I'm not saying it was a *dirty* hotel. Just… well-loved. And perhaps overdue for a deep clean. My advice? Pack some Clorox wipes. And maybe a hazmat suit. (Kidding! Mostly…)
Location, Location, Location! How easy was it to get around? Is it close to anything fun? Did you get lost (like I probably will)?
The location is… interesting. It's not *central*, okay? You're not stumbling out the door and into a Bacolod fiesta. You'll likely need a tricycle or a taxi to get anywhere interesting. It’s not *far* from things, but you're not exactly in the heart of the action. Think of it as… a launching pad. A place to start your Bacolod adventure. I'm telling you, navigating is key. I relied heavily on Grab (the app for taxis and deliveries). Pro-tip: Download it *before* you arrive. And yes, I got lost at least once. Multiple times. But that's part of the fun, right? (Right?)
The staff? Were they friendly? Helpful? Or did they just… exist?
The staff. Ah, the enigmatic staff. They were… present. They existed. They weren't *unfriendly*, per se. Think of them as... quiet professionals. They were helpful enough when I needed something – like extra towels (needed), or to figure out how to unlock the door because the key wasn't working (happened). But they didn't exactly go above and beyond. They were there to do a job, and they did it. Efficiently?… Sometimes. Charmingly?… Not always. But they were there. And that's something. (Is it…?)
Okay, let's get real. What was the absolute WORST part? Lay it on me.
The worst part? Okay, okay, I'll tell you. There was this *one* night. The aircon, as I mentioned, was already struggling. Picture this: sweating, unable to sleep because it felt like I was in a giant, humid terrarium. Then, at around 3 AM, the power went out. And it stayed out. For hours. So, I'm in a dark, hot, stuffy room, listening to the symphony of Bacolod nightlife (dogs barking, motorcycles revving, someone singing karaoke… badly). And I'm pretty sure I felt something… *crawling* on the bed. Let’s just say I spent the rest of the night in the lobby. On the hard, uncomfortable chairs. That was… not ideal. Not ideal at all. That was the moment I almost upgraded to luxury hotel dreams.
And the BEST part? What was the redeeming quality that saved it from utter disaster?
Okay, despite the… *challenges*, the best part was… the price. Seriously. I know, I know, I keep harping on it. But it's the truth! It allowed me to enjoy the rest of Bacolod without breaking the bank. And in its own weird way, it was… an *experience*. It's a story I'll be telling for years. Plus, and this is important, Bacolod is amazing! So even though the hotel wasn't perfect, it was a base camp in a city bursting with amazing eats, warm people, andHotel Search Today
OYO 550 East View Hotel Bacolod (Negros Occidental) Philippines
OYO 550 East View Hotel Bacolod (Negros Occidental) Philippines
