A post-Christmas beach trip was something the kids, their cousins and us adults were looking forward to. Booking a little bit later than usual, our options were limited. We had all decided to just go someplace near, specifically the Province of La Union, which is a good 1-2 hours away.
Choosing between going to Jorisan in Bauang (which the kids and I like) or to some place newer and seemingly bigger in San Juan, we happily went with the other option: EM Royalle Hotel and Beach Resort.
Here's what went down in our December 26-28 stay :
1. LOCATION
Situated in Taboc, San Juan in La Union, it's actually right smack in Surf Town. There's a sign prominently placed on the side of the road to help you turn into the cul-de-sac where the resort is at. We used Waze to locate the place and didn't have issues finding EM Royalle. That being said, if you were to go there without a vehicle of your own, it's not going to be that easy as a dusty road and a 5 minute drive to get to the highway is involved. It's also a good 10 minute ride away from most convenience stores and restaurants. The hotel has a wide beach front though, so you need not stray far to hit the waves, if surfing's your thing. SCORE: 3/5
2. STAFF and SERVICE:
The EM Royalle staff were pleasant, friendly and had a ready answer to all our queries. The answers varied (despite asking the same question) depending on you talked to, how mad you were or what situation was at hand.
The hotel has been operating for around 8-9 months already. That being said, they still have a lot of kinks to work out. Our group of 18 was booked 2 weeks earlier and spread out to stay in 4 rooms. Checking in during the peak season did not help at all.
Case in point: double booking. Certain members of our group were assigned a room and had already brought their stuff in and settled down. They were asked to vacate said room since there was an alleged seminar (story a) where certain rooms had been booked that coincided with our stay. As they were vacating the room, they saw a family with kids entering the room (must have been a kiddie seminar) they had just vacated. What was annoying was that they were asked to transfer to a room across the previously occupied room. New room was the same class as old room, so why didn't the hotel staff just give the new room to the "seminar guests" and spared everyone the trouble?
Case in point: inconsistent dining hours. For our first morning at EM Royalle, our party of 18 went down to the hotel resto at varying times, but keeping in mind the often standard brekkie time of 6-10 AM. Phil, the kids and I ate our complementary breakfast a little before 10, as we had ordered it 30 minutes earlier. Meals are made to order to there is that wait.
On our last morning, except for the boys and I, everyone decided to check out early and leave by 7 am, not bothering to eat the breakfast that came with the rooms. Phil and MAX went down at 930 AM to order our breakfast (we had 8 unclaimed meals at this point). 5 minutes later, they were back in the room as they were informed that the kitchen was already closed and that no meals were forthcoming.
As our regular readers may know, our son MAX has autism. Aside from sensory issues associated with the spectrum, regulating and meeting his needs are a must. We hastened to leave before MAX gets hungry enough have a meltdown.
As the courteous staff was called by Phil from the first floor (no intercom system) to assist us with our luggage (2nd floor room), I casually asked what til what time was breakfast. Staff informed us that it was til 10. I curtly informed her that it isn't her fault, but we weren't served food at 930. She apologized.
Going down to the front desk to surrender our room key card, I asked the front desk what time breakfast was. She said it was only til 9. I didn't even bother to argue that we were served at 930 the day before. I told her that we were not served breakfast and that the rest of the party, who left much earlier, didn't eat theirs either.
As luck would have it, the owner, Maam Melanie, was behind the front desk staff and insisted that we be served the meal. I politely declined and told her that we were all packed and ready to leave. I asked her what time was breakfast too. She said it was only from 7 AM to 830 AM, unless special requests were made ahead of time, and breakfast would be extended. I was a bit miffed with the ever changing times that I suggested that maybe, they should get their stories straight as there was no signage whatsoever to inform the guests of these varying schedules. She said that that was their future goal. She also apologized and offered me a 2,000 peso refund to more than cover the 150 pesos/pax price of the complementary meal.
The thing is, while crisis may have been averted, the impression that those varying responses made had already left it's mark. I would've given plus points for the initiative taken by the staff the night before in going room to room to ask if we wanted to advance order our dinner, since service does take a while. But when everything is a series of apologies instead of them getting things right the first time or just avoiding these incidents altogether, the best score I can give, despite the very pleasant staff, is a 2/5.
3. SERVICES / AMENITIES
a. FOOD and DINING - a full menu (which I failed to take a photo of on day 1) is available. We managed to eat lunch, a room service order of French toast for Juju and a breakfast in the 3 days and 2 nights that we were there. Food was delicious, well presented, but can take a while to come out of the kitchen. Room service is also available. Here's what we ate while we were there:
b. FACILITIES - there was no wi-fi to speak of the whole time we were there. A pool and beach access was available, however, my kids just swam once in the pool and that was that.
Prior to coming to EM Royalle, I saw reviews about guests ending up small cuts on their skin after using the pool. I figured that once we got to the place, and the chlorine smell of the pool was strong, I would decide whether or not to allow the kids to swim.
Upon getting there, pool water looked clean and chlorine scent was not to be found. Fast forward to 2 hours after getting pool time, the baby and I left after an hour just because he was sleepy. His skin asthma got even worse (not blaming the resort for this), so that was it for us.
When Max and Phil came up to the room an hour later, I saw cuts and what looked like rubbed raw skin on their cheeks, upper lip and forehead. It was an overcast day so I knew that the sun (and our baby safe SPF 50 sunblock ) weren't the culprits. The other kids and 2 of my brother in laws ended up with a weird rash on their arms and thighs. I'm not sure how often the Pool PH levels are tested but one of my nephews said the pool water tasted like calamansi (Philippine lemon).
If the pool water was acidic, this would explain the repeated reports of skin irritations caused by the water. I, myself, in the short span that I was in the water had tiny cuts on the chest and cheekbone as well. Nothing glaring, but thought I should mention it. Maybe the resort could look into this. Pool PH level testing kits are readily available now and can be done by the staff without much downtime.
I read on their website that they have a spa on site and they offer surfing lessons. Didn't see any signage while we were there, so maybe they didn't want anyone to know about it (lol).
Pets are also allowed plus lots of free parking within the resort's compound. So I guess that's a plus.
EM Royalle's pool and resto, appearance -wise, are well furnished, well-made and charmingly picture perfect. However, both it's utilization leaves much to be desired. SCORE: 2.5/5
4.ACCOMMODATIONS and AMBIANCE
Being a fairly new resort, EM Royalle is clean, well-furnished and pretty. I love the decor both in the common areas and in the rooms. It's basic but tasteful. The common areas are well lit too and the glass elevator adds a nice touch as it overlooks the beach and pool areas as you go up. The balcony in the room is a nice touch to give you ample space both to dry your beach gear and clothes, as well as getting fresh air.
Since moving in our room was a musical chairs type of event (a room with one big bed CANNOT and will not fit Phil, the two kids and myself as it seemed more like a double bed rather than a standard king or even a queen), our room didn't have the usual complementary mineral water as the staff was probably just in a hurry to set it up before we moved into it. Obviously, no replenishment was done either. Did I call their attention, No. Why? Because published basic provisions shouldn't have to be asked for. I'm guessing a checklist on what goes in a room was either not read or non-existent.
Because we had to change rooms, I wasn't able to take proper photos of the rooms, before we occupied them. For this blog, I used photos from the hotel's Facebook page.
The beds were comfy, albeit small (it's supposed to be a double, but felt like a single), the pillows were ok and no blankets were to be found. Just a standard bed sheet tucked over another bed sheet. Furnishings were made with hard wood, plus the closet had a lot of space to stow our luggage and clothes. The AC's also new, plus the fridge worked fine.
The bathroom was well lit and clean, hot water in the shower was available, without water pressure issues and a toiletry kit with soap, a shampoo sachet, a toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste was available.
I found the rooms to be comfortable. I had no issues allowing Juju to play on the floor and I did have a good night's sleep. Room rates set you back around 5-6,000 pesos, which is the going rate for basic hotels in the area (not to comparing it to backpacker's lodgings). SCORE: 3.5/5
Prior to coming to EM Royalle, I saw reviews about guests ending up small cuts on their skin after using the pool. I figured that once we got to the place, and the chlorine smell of the pool was strong, I would decide whether or not to allow the kids to swim.
Upon getting there, pool water looked clean and chlorine scent was not to be found. Fast forward to 2 hours after getting pool time, the baby and I left after an hour just because he was sleepy. His skin asthma got even worse (not blaming the resort for this), so that was it for us.
When Max and Phil came up to the room an hour later, I saw cuts and what looked like rubbed raw skin on their cheeks, upper lip and forehead. It was an overcast day so I knew that the sun (and our baby safe SPF 50 sunblock ) weren't the culprits. The other kids and 2 of my brother in laws ended up with a weird rash on their arms and thighs. I'm not sure how often the Pool PH levels are tested but one of my nephews said the pool water tasted like calamansi (Philippine lemon).
If the pool water was acidic, this would explain the repeated reports of skin irritations caused by the water. I, myself, in the short span that I was in the water had tiny cuts on the chest and cheekbone as well. Nothing glaring, but thought I should mention it. Maybe the resort could look into this. Pool PH level testing kits are readily available now and can be done by the staff without much downtime.
 |
| saw reviews beforehand that there were bugs in the room. Brought bug repellent. Fortunately, this wasn't an issue at EM Royalle whn we were there. |
I read on their website that they have a spa on site and they offer surfing lessons. Didn't see any signage while we were there, so maybe they didn't want anyone to know about it (lol).
Pets are also allowed plus lots of free parking within the resort's compound. So I guess that's a plus.
EM Royalle's pool and resto, appearance -wise, are well furnished, well-made and charmingly picture perfect. However, both it's utilization leaves much to be desired. SCORE: 2.5/5
4.ACCOMMODATIONS and AMBIANCE
Being a fairly new resort, EM Royalle is clean, well-furnished and pretty. I love the decor both in the common areas and in the rooms. It's basic but tasteful. The common areas are well lit too and the glass elevator adds a nice touch as it overlooks the beach and pool areas as you go up. The balcony in the room is a nice touch to give you ample space both to dry your beach gear and clothes, as well as getting fresh air.
Since moving in our room was a musical chairs type of event (a room with one big bed CANNOT and will not fit Phil, the two kids and myself as it seemed more like a double bed rather than a standard king or even a queen), our room didn't have the usual complementary mineral water as the staff was probably just in a hurry to set it up before we moved into it. Obviously, no replenishment was done either. Did I call their attention, No. Why? Because published basic provisions shouldn't have to be asked for. I'm guessing a checklist on what goes in a room was either not read or non-existent.
Because we had to change rooms, I wasn't able to take proper photos of the rooms, before we occupied them. For this blog, I used photos from the hotel's Facebook page.
The beds were comfy, albeit small (it's supposed to be a double, but felt like a single), the pillows were ok and no blankets were to be found. Just a standard bed sheet tucked over another bed sheet. Furnishings were made with hard wood, plus the closet had a lot of space to stow our luggage and clothes. The AC's also new, plus the fridge worked fine.
The bathroom was well lit and clean, hot water in the shower was available, without water pressure issues and a toiletry kit with soap, a shampoo sachet, a toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste was available.
I found the rooms to be comfortable. I had no issues allowing Juju to play on the floor and I did have a good night's sleep. Room rates set you back around 5-6,000 pesos, which is the going rate for basic hotels in the area (not to comparing it to backpacker's lodgings). SCORE: 3.5/5
5. VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY
If I were to compare it to hotels in the area, EM Royalle, for it's location, beach front access and accommodations, is fairly priced. It's really not a bad resort. However, for the issues that we encountered, we may want to take our money elsewhere as the poor service takes away a lot from everything that the hotel has to offer. SCORE: 3.5/5
If services and facilities were to be improved, I would love to recommend EM Royalle Hotel and Beach Resort. HOWEVER, I don't know when this would happen.
The potential is great but the execution to date, is really poor. Maybe we'll come back when we hear good things about it. Maybe they should fix their wi-fi so people would post more about it on social media whenever good things are worth mentioning. Maybe they'll finally get their stories straight, stop apologizing and fix their current system. A lot of maybes there, but nothing is set in stone. Here's hoping things get better from your end, EM ROYALLE HOTEL and BEACH RESORT. OVERALL SCORE: 2.9/5
From TMW, may all your wanderings be better than ours!
If services and facilities were to be improved, I would love to recommend EM Royalle Hotel and Beach Resort. HOWEVER, I don't know when this would happen.
The potential is great but the execution to date, is really poor. Maybe we'll come back when we hear good things about it. Maybe they should fix their wi-fi so people would post more about it on social media whenever good things are worth mentioning. Maybe they'll finally get their stories straight, stop apologizing and fix their current system. A lot of maybes there, but nothing is set in stone. Here's hoping things get better from your end, EM ROYALLE HOTEL and BEACH RESORT. OVERALL SCORE: 2.9/5
From TMW, may all your wanderings be better than ours!
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