Had the unfortunate experience just recently…read more
I was stuck in the Manila Hotel waiting for coding, after a conference. I figured no problem, since there was nothing to eat in the immediate area I figured ok, how often am I here anyways? I was ready to bite the bullet with the more expensive bill as it was a hotel, but figured at least I can look forward to a good meal.
I was shown some hospitality by the manager and lead to my table, I checked the menu and true enough the price tags were a little crazy, but oh well. I was in the mood for adobo and fries, so I ordered those. It took awhile but finally it came.
The fries was in a nice metal basket and was seasoned well, crunchy but fluffy on the inside. Pretty standard.
The adobo came in two plates, one for the rice and the atsara (a side dish of pickled vegetables I believe) and then the pork and chicken adobo with egg and a lot of spring onion or such vegetable covering the top. The meat was admittedly soft and the sauce was nice and velvety, but that was all. The taste was very average, it was neither good nor bad, nothing noteworthy, and overall our home cooking would be better, so I was quite disappointed. The garlic rice was in between garlic rice and plain rice, it had hint of garlic but overall almost negligible. Real shame, it was on the edge of greatness, but could barely be saved by the adobo sauce.
As the bill arrived, it reached quite an amount, but the server named Elle, asked if I was checked in as it would give me a much needed 20% discount, I thought for a second and realized a friend is checked in, maybe that would work? For sure Elle saw I was considering something but as she mentioned it had to be me, I did not insist and said no.
After considering it again I call another waiter and inquire if it was my friend's room, he says: "Maybe sir, but how will she sign it?" after a second of thought he continues "Maybe you can just note her name and room number sir. Will ask."
Ok worth asking and checking. Elle returns and says sorry sir I already had this cleared as I asked you if you were checked in.
I responded, sorry I was not clear about it and figured my friend would work. She mentions but she must be here to sign, I responded that the other waiter gave me another option. Overall I reluctantly did not insist and just said, "Ok no problem, but please be clear about your questions next time, as it is such a waste."
This is where she becomes very rude. She immediately says, "I did tell you." but in Filipino. I froze in place and looked at her, surprised that she had to have the last word and the tone she took was beyond disrespectful.
Normally I have long patience for waiters as I realize it may have been a long day, perhaps they are tired maybe it is an off day. Who knows, I try to respect them and I am very courteous along with my generous tips, I always thought it was a give and take sort of relationship.
But for Elle, she works in one of the most expensive and supposedly respected hotels in Manila, and she had this attitude. I'm sorry but I need to hold you to higher standards since you all have the audacity to charge me so much for your vaguely ok adobo (I wouldn't mind paying as much if it was actually drop dead delicious, but alas it was not).
I called for her manager and complained, the same manager who sat me down unfortunately got an earful from me as her staff was quite rude, she offered a discount, but I declined saying I can afford the meal, but I expected better from you and your staff given that the Manila Hotel used to stand for quality, but now it is trash.
And on top of that, don't think I did not notice the dead cockroach quietly sitting under another patron's seat my full meal. Jeez...
Manila Hotel, what happened? I cringe at the idea of ever coming back and hope you all do better.
