Kingston Lodge - Apartelles and En-Suite Rooms: Cagayan de Oro's Jewel
by kaibigan
This is my first hotel review. I actually didn’t want to write this one either, because it’s about a very special place, respectively hotel. I hesitate(d) because I am afraid that it will be overbooked, soon.
Kingston Lodge has fair-prized daily rates and competitive long-term offers.
What I like – and was astonished, too, when the first taxi brought us here on the first night: There is a bumpy natural street going off the high-way, for a bit more than hundred meters. One thinks: “Gosh, where do I end up, here?” – Then, after entering the gate, you immediately realize that you’ve arrived in a well hidden jewel of a place, which will prove itself to be really quite and relaxing.
All the rooms are very clean and nice. We chose to stay at an apartelle. Ours was real bright, spacey and in nice pastel colors. There are two which are less bright (because of a building behind them) for people who prefer that. – It is tastefully and practically furnished, with style.
We heard some people complain behind the hand because of this and that. In my opinion two things: One can always find something to complain. Then, what I’ve realized is that many of the complaining people are not those who live in – let’s say – luxury at home. Most of them who do either do not complain or go directly to a five or above star hotel where there is a world-wide set – sometimes boring – standard. I have stayed at many hotels which can be categorized no star up to many five star. – The issues, I heard people complaining at or on the Kingston Lodge are absolutely minor, in my opinion, things that can be handled simply with common sense. For example “kitchenette”, minor issues: Question to you: Would you change the stove – after a (or each) guest who is not educated to take care of other people’s goods and cooked with burning in stains to the stove. I guess not… Therefore, for me, us, absolutely no problem to look over little things like that. And, to repeat: It’s the people who don’t care, not the owner of the place. For example, at weekends, it could happen that people came using the pools without proper swim wear and showering, leaving dirty water behind that had to be cleaned with a lot of effort and cost.
No, let’s really face what a good and special place the Kingston Lodge in Cagayan de Oro is (and “No! I am absolutely not related to anybody there nor paid etc. ;-).”):
The staff is helpful and friendly, with a smile in their face, in general and also the ladies at the front desk. The owners are down to earth people who must have learned a lot about customer service some when in their lives. Furthermore, they are very knowledgeable about the area and always ready to give you any hint you can use.
They provide for a safe feeling all around the premises, with always friendly security guards on duty, too. If there was a problem, the maintenance was immediately there and took care of it instantly. At the beginning of our stay here, a new water pump system was put into place which made the hot and cold shower even more enjoyable than before. (Compared to many other hotels, the showers were perfectly working before as well, even if the water pressure was going up and down.)
I’ve never ever experienced such a good room staff as here at Kingston Lodge. I know, it sounds repeating, but true is true and fact is fact: They were friendly and courteous, did services I encountered the first time in all my traveling, such as even cleaning my cup while doing the daily room maintenance.
The food served at the restaurant has competitive prices and is among the best I’ve had in the Philippines. The pizzas are for sure number one, made in typical and genuine Italian style, juicy and with a great flavor. You can select between a variety of international and/or Filipino foods.
One of the “strange” side of myself – where I would have liked something different – is that I definitely would prefer an internet connection by cable instead of radiating WiFi. But, as said, that’s something I am picky, partly because of my profession. – However: The connection was good and always there when there was no brown-out or repair done. – When I came first, I was surprised not to find the German TV channel “Deutsche Welle TV” which would provide me with news about central Europe. But, in the information age, no problem: The computer connects me directly to the Swiss TV .
The hotel is located about six kilometers or about four miles away from the city center. But you are there quickly, either by one of the well-priced taxis or a Jeepney (can take longer).
I personally highly recommend the Kingston Lodge as the hotel of choice for your stay in Cagayan de Oro (even if you have business to in the city. The rewarding peace after being back at Kingston Lodge will really reward you greatly.)
In my opinion: Not only a best kept secret in Mindanao but also an example of great. well managed and friendly staffed hotel in the Philippines in general.
P.S. My wife and I stayed here for three months. I was complaining before getting here because I knew ahead that there’s no ocean and view to the sea but after arriving here, I did not miss it and felt happy all over, as my wife, too, and our children enjoyed the pools at the weekend and were treated very kindly.
P.P.S. Should Kingston Lodge be overrun in the future, I hope that I, respectively, we will still get a room ;-).
- excellent staff from owners to gardener help
- great rates
- great rooms
- quite place
- two pools
- excellent restaurant with half international, half filipino food (rare to find in the RP!)
- safe place
- highly recommendable
