Royce Hotel & Casino: Your Luxurious Philippine Escape Awaits!
Royce Hotel & Casino: My Manila Adventure – A Review Way Beyond the Brochure (And a Plea to Book!)
Okay, so I just got back from Manila, and let me tell you, it was a whirlwind. And at the heart of it all was the Royce Hotel & Casino. Now, normally, I'd skim past the glossy brochure descriptions, but this place… this place actually delivered. Forget the perfectly staged photos; this is the real deal, folks. Let’s dive in, shall we? Prepare for a messy, honest, and hopefully helpful review.
The Basics – Getting In, Getting Around, and… (Mostly) Getting Comfortable.
- Accessibility: Listen, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I appreciate when places get accessibility. Royce seemed pretty good about it. The website boasts facilities for disabled guests, and from what I saw – elevators everywhere! – it looked promising. (Accessibility: Solid. I’d call it a win.).
- Getting Around: Airport transfer? Tick. Valet parking? Double tick! They even have a car charging station (brilliant!) and a taxi service hanging around like vultures (not in a bad way… just… present). I opted for the free car park. I'm cheap that way. (Getting Around: Super convenient.)
- Check-In/Out: Smooth as silk. They offer both express and private options. I chose express, because, let's be real, I just wanted to get to the pool. (Check-in/out: Fast and efficient.)
- The First Impression: The exterior is flashy – very Vegas-esque. Inside? It's all about the bling and the service. The doorman practically bows. I was expecting a "Sir," but I got a "Welcome, Madam." Fancy. Very fancy.
Rooms: My Personal Sanctuary (With a Few Minor Hiccups)
Okay, let's talk about the rooms. I stayed in a standard room. It wasn't huge, but it was beautifully appointed. Think:
- The Good Stuff: Huge, comfy bed with extra-long pillows. Blackout curtains? Game changer. A decent-sized seating area. Free Wi-Fi (more on that later).
- The Must-Haves: Air conditioning (essential in Manila!), a safe box, a minibar stocked with goodies (don't resist!), and a perfectly functioning shower. I’m a shower snob, and trust me, it passed the test.
- The Minor Gripes: The "complimentary tea" situation wasn't quite matching the luxury level. But I ended up going for the coffee shop anyway… It was fine.
- Room Tech: Internet was decent. There's free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, which is a huge plus. I also saw an Internet access – LAN (that's a wired option!) which is great. And they had Internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi), (triple great!)
- The Vibe: Non-smoking rooms are the norm, and thankfully, the rooms are soundproof, so you can actually get some shut-eye. (I needed a lot of shut-eye.)
Internet: The Wi-Fi Saga (Or, Why I Love and Hate Wi-Fi Simultaneously)
Free Wi-Fi? Yes. In every room? Yes. Reliable? Mostly yes. I will say, the Wi-Fi was a bit… moody at times. It’s a common theme. It was great for streaming movies and keeping up with emails, but it occasionally decided to take a nap. If you need super-reliable internet for work, maybe invest in the LAN option and work on a desktop, rather than rely on the Wi-Fi.
- And the Wi-Fi in Public Spaces? Yesss! It's good and strong. I could comfortably sit in the lobby and catch up on emails, feeling like a boss.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Gastronomic Rollercoaster
Now, this is where Royce really shines. Seriously, I think I gained five pounds just looking at the menus. Here we go:
- Restaurants: Several. Seriously, several. From international cuisine to Asian delights. I heard good things about the Vegetarian restaurant but I'm a carnivore, so I didn’t try it.
- My Favorite: The poolside bar was a lifesaver. Cocktails, snacks, and a view of the pool. Pure bliss. They had a Happy hour, which I may have taken full advantage of… repeatedly.
- Breakfast: Breakfast [buffet] was a feast! An amazing Asian breakfast, alongside a very western-style Western breakfast. The coffee/tea in restaurant was good.
- Room Service: Available 24/7! I'm talking Room service [24-hour], which is a godsend after a long day of… well, existing.
- Other options: There's even a Snack bar. A Bottle of water (yay!), and the occasional Salad in restaurant. Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, and Soup in restaurant.
- Important for my target audience: It has a Bar… Which is very important to my target audience.
Wellness & Relaxation: Finding Your Zen (Or Pretending To)
Listen, I tried to embrace the spa life. I wanted to be one of those people who emerges from a steam room looking refreshed and blissful. But… it wasn’t quite my scene.
The Highlight: The outdoor pool. It’s stunning, with a view that stretches on forever. I spent hours with my book, occasionally dipping my toes in the water. This was a Pool with view, and Swimming pool [outdoor].
The Spa: The spa itself was beautiful - Spa/sauna and Steamroom. They offer so many options! Sauna, Spa, Massage, Body scrub and Body wrap.
Not My Thing, But Others Might Love it: They have a Fitness center, Gym/fitness, and a Foot bath, which is nice.
Cleanliness, Safety, and All That Grown-Up Stuff
This is important, especially these days! Royce takes it seriously:
- Cleanliness: Impeccable. The rooms were spotless.
- Safety: They take everything to the next level. They have Anti-viral cleaning products, and they apply Daily disinfection in common areas. They also have Staff trained in safety protocol, and they use Professional-grade sanitizing services.
- Good Stuff: First aid kits are available. They have Hygiene certification. Cashless payment service.
- More good stuff: Rooms sanitized between stays and they have Sterilizing equipment .
- Things to know: Room sanitization opt-out available.
Things to Do: More Than Just Lounging (If You Can Tear Yourself Away)
So, the casino, obviously. It's right there. But if that's not your jam, there's plenty to do nearby. The concierge is super helpful, they have a Concierge and Doorman.
- For the Kids: There is a Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, with Kids meal, and Kids facilities.
- Business Stuff: Business facilities, Meetings and Seminars possible.
- For the romantic: This hotel has a Proposal spot!
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- The Essentials: Daily housekeeping (thank goodness!), Laundry service, and Dry cleaning. They even offer Ironing service.
- Other Perks: They've got a Convenience store and a Gift/souvenir shop.
Overall Impression: Would I Go Back? Absolutely!
Royce Hotel & Casino is a luxurious escape. It's not perfect, but it's damn close. The service is impeccable, the food is divine, and the rooms are comfortable. It provides a truly unforgettable experience.
My Honest Recommendation (With a Little Push):
Look, if you’re looking to treat yourself to a getaway, go for it. The downsides are incredibly minor for my experience. It’s the perfect base for exploring Manila or just escaping the everyday. Book it. Seriously, book it. You won’t regret it.
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your average, pristine travel itinerary. This is… well, this is me trying to survive a few days at the Royce Hotel & Casino in the Philippines. Prepare for chaos.
Royce Rumble: Operation Get Lucky (and Maybe Not Lose My Shirt)
Day 1: Arrival & The Grand Illusion (and the Jet Lag Demon)
10:00 AM (ish) - Arrival at Clark International Airport. Ugh, flights. My nemesis. I'm pretty sure I woke up with airplane sleep in my hair. The air in Clark is thick, like a warm, slightly humid hug… a hug that immediately makes you sweat. Immigration? Smooth. Surprisingly. No interrogation about the suspiciously large amount of mango candies I'd packed ("For medicinal purposes," I'd muttered defensively). Taxi to Royce. The driver was… enthusiastic. Lots of honking. Lots of rapid-fire Tagalog that I, unfortunately, didn't understand.
10:45 AM - Check-in at Royce Hotel & Casino. Alright, this place is fancy. Gleaming marble, chandeliers that scream "old money," and a lobby perfume that could knock a small elephant unconscious. My room? A suite! (Yay, free upgrade!) But. BUT. It took me about 15 minutes to figure out how to turn on the lights. I'm convinced the remote control is mocking me.
11:30 AM - The Casino Beckons. Okay, here's where the real fun (or disaster) begins. First impression: the casino is massive. Slot machines blipping, chattering, and generally making a lot of noise. I stood there, paralyzed. I'd envisioned myself strolling in, effortlessly placing bets, and emerging a millionaire. Reality? I felt like Bambi, staring at headlights. My first actual reaction: I was so nervous I was shaking.
12:00 PM - Ramen Therapy. I need to eat. Jet lag is eating my brain. I'm pretty sure I saw a mirage of a talking pineapple. Found a decent ramen place in the hotel. Slurped loudly (sorry, not sorry). Instantly 50% better.
1:00 PM - Slot Machine Fiasco (and the Rise of the "One-Armed Bandit") Okay, deep breath. Let's do this. I start with a measly 1000 pesos (about $20 USD, because, let's be honest, I can't afford to gamble too much), and pick a slot machine. It has a cute cat theme. (I like cats-- obviously). The first few tries? Nada. I keep putting the money in. At first, it's exciting, the hope thrumming through my veins. Then… nothing. Just. Nothing. Soon, I'm down to my last 200 pesos. My palms start to sweat, my heart thumping a panicked little rhythm. In a moment of pure desperation (and maybe slight intoxication), I pick the biggest bet, and… DING DING DING! Jackpot! Maybe $50. Enough to feel like a rock star! I went straight next door and order a margarita in a gigantic glass. Then I promptly lost all the earnings.
4:00 PM - Poolside Recovery. To recover from the slot machine trauma, I head to the pool. Oh, the pool! Absolutely gorgeous. Perfect, crystal-clear water. Sun beating down. This is the dream. I get maybe five minutes of zen before a gaggle of boisterous kids starts doing cannonballs. Still, it’s good, I'm alive. I'm mostly happy.
7:00 PM - Dinner at (Name of Fancy Restaurant). They have "fine dining" in the hotel. Ordering (or trying to) was an exercise in awkwardness. I felt like a total moron fumbling through the menu. The food was delicious, mind you, but I spent the entire meal convinced I was doing something catastrophically wrong with my silverware.
9:00 PM - Back to the Casino? (Dubious). After getting my ass kicked by the slot machines, I spend an hour just wandering around, people-watching. The energy is insane. People are genuinely obsessed with the games. I see some laughing, some looking bored, some looking like their entire lives are riding on one card, one spin. I decide, against my better judgment, to try a different table. This time? I lose even faster.
10:00 PM - Back to bed. I'm done. My brain feels like a scrambled egg. Jet lag is winning. I decide, wisely this time, to just go to bed and forget everything that happened.
Day 2: Culture Shock (and Karaoke Catastrophe)
9:00 AM - Sleep-in Victory. Yayyy! No alarm! The jet lag seems to have finally given up. I wake up feeling (relatively) human.
10:00 AM - Breakfast at (Local Cafe). I need something more local. I wander out of the hotel, find a cafe. The food is delicious but the service is… um, relaxed. I think my coffee arrived about 20 minutes after I ordered it. But hey, scenic views!
12:00 PM - The SM City Clark Odyssey. Okay, time to embrace the chaos. It's a massive mall. It's hot. It's loud. It's a sensory overload in the best possible way. I wander wide-eyed through aisles of clothes, electronics, food, and things I can't even begin to identify. I buy a pair of novelty sunglasses shaped like pineapples. No regrets.
3:00 PM - Karaoke Time! The Royce has a karaoke bar. I tell myself I'm going to be brave. I'm going to sing my heart out. I'm going to conquer my fear of public humiliation. (This is all lies, I tell myself.)
3:30 PM - Karaoke Catastrophe. Okay, I've done Karaoke before. I'm usually okay at it. But this place?? The sound system is intense. My voice cracked. I forgot the words. I stumbled. The audience (mostly Filipinos, all extremely good singers) looked politely perplexed. I think I should officially give up.
5:00 PM - Shopping & the Aftermath. After Karaoke fiasco and massive embarrassment, I decide to go shopping for a new face. I'm kidding. Sort of.
8:00 PM - Dinner. More food. Tonight, my stomach is full, and my heart is filled with the warmth of a good meal.
9:00 PM - Final Casino Stand? (The Last Hurrah) I convince myself that I still haven't learned my lesson. I play some poker, watch a few games, and go home happy.
Day 3: Departure & Existential Dread
9:00 AM - Farewell Breakfast. A final, delicious, Filipino-style breakfast (lots of rice!). I sit there, staring out the window, and trying to process everything. The experience was a bit overwhelming, and I wish I hadn't lost so much money.
10:00 AM - Last-Minute Souvenir Hunt. The hotel has a little shop. I buy a miniature jeepney (a traditional Filipino bus) as a souvenir.
11:00 AM - Taxi to Airport. The same enthusiastic driver picks me up. The honking commences. My heart is pounding.
12:00 PM - Departure. I go through security and head back home.
Reflections (AKA, Total Chaos):
Okay, the Royce Hotel & Casino. It was a strange, wonderful, and often hilariously bad experience. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. Did I win big? Not even close. Did I have fun? Surprisingly, yes. The food was amazing, the people were incredibly friendly, and even the karaoke disaster was kind of… memorable. I'm not sure I'd recommend this itinerary to anyone, but it was a good look at a side of what life can be.
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Before You Even Think About Packing Your Bags... Chaos Awaits!
Okay, so Royce. Is it *fancy*-fancy? Like, do I need a monocle and a trust fund?
Alright, let's be real. "Fancy" is definitely in the Royce vocabulary. Think… updated, sleek, maybe a *touch* over-the-top at times. It's not "dusted chandeliers and stuffy butlers" fancy, thank God. More like, “polished marble, glittering lights, and a strong scent of expensive perfume” fancy. You don’t *need* a monocle, but it wouldn't look out of place. Honestly? I felt slightly underdressed in my jeans the first time, and I *never* feel underdressed. It's a good kind of fancy. The kind that makes you feel like you're on a mini-vacation from reality, even if reality is just a slightly stressed-out version of yourself.
Where exactly is this magical place? Because I'm picturing a tropical paradise… or at least, a reasonable taxi ride.
Royce is nestled in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. Think about this as your mental map: It's close to Clark International Airport (CRK) – bonus points if you’re good at landing the plane from the airport. It's a *relatively* easy ride from Manila, but be prepared. Traffic in the Philippines is... an experience. My first time, the driver got completely lost. We ended up in some random village, asking directions in a mixture of Tagalog and frantic hand gestures. We finally arrived three hours later than expected, and I was *hangry*. Learn from my mistake: Factor in extra travel time. And download a navigation app, people!
What's the deal with the casino? I'm a high roller (in my dreams, anyway). Do they have decent games?
It's a casino, alright. And a pretty decent one. Lots of tables, slots, the works. I'm not a professional gambler, mind you. I'm more in the "lose-twenty-dollars-and-have-a-laugh" category. They have a good variety of games though, from blackjack to baccarat to… well, I don't even know the names of half of them! The vibe is lively, with a healthy dose of excitement coupled with a few sighs of disappointment. I saw a guy lose a *huge* sum one time, then walk away looking strangely… zen. I'm still trying to figure out how he did that. (Maybe he’d already had enough cocktails.) The atmosphere’s fun, if you're into it. If you're not, the hotel itself has loads to offer.
Rooms, Glorious Rooms… or, Where Do You Put Your Stuff?
Rooms: What's the skinny? Are they comfy? (Because, sleep is important, people.)
The rooms? Yes, they're comfy. Pretty darned comfy, actually. I’m talking plush beds, soft pillows (I actually stole a few extra for my couch at home), big TVs, and all the usual amenities. They have a range of rooms, from standard to suites. I splurged on a suite once. Once. Because the extra space was glorious. And the bathtub? A *massive* thing of pure, unadulterated relaxation. There was a slight mishap one trip. We went to use the bathtub and flooded the bathroom. I felt so bad that I almost cried. But the hotel staff were quick, professional, and incredibly understanding. That's the kind of experience that makes you remember a place.
Are there different types of rooms? Like, if I want a view… can I actually *get* a view?
Yep, they absolutely have different room types. You can get standard rooms, deluxe rooms, suites—the whole shebang. And yes, some rooms offer views. Some overlook the pool, some look out onto the surrounding area. I always try to snag a room with a view. Especially if you’re someone like me -- prone to staying indoors most of the time. Once I accidentally booked a room that faced a brick wall. Let's just say I learned to be extra careful when I book. It's worth the extra cost to have a pretty perspective!
Okay, about those bathrooms. Are they clean? Essential question.
Clean? Oh, yes. Impeccably clean. Sparkling. Gleaming. You could eat off the floor clean (though I wouldn't recommend it, unless you *really* like germs). The bathrooms are large, well-appointed, and always stocked with fresh towels and toiletries. The water pressure is great, which is a total win. I'm a total bathroom snob, and Royce's bathrooms pass the test with flying colors.
Food, Glorious Food... Because, Calories Don't Count on Vacation, Right?
What kind of food can I expect? Is it just hotel buffet fare? (Please say it isn't so.)
Phew, no, not just standard buffet fare! (Though they *do* have a decent buffet.) Royce has a good selection of restaurants. Some are casual, some are fancy. You can find everything from Filipino cuisine to international options. I'm a sucker for their Korean restaurant. I spent one afternoon, alone, devouring a mountain of kimchi and bulgogi. It was a gastronomic dream. Absolutely worth the calories and the after-dinner food coma. Don't get me started on the desserts… They’re dangerous.
Are the restaurants expensive? I don't want to bankrupt myself.
It depends. Some restaurants are more upscale and, yes, pricier. Others are more casual and budget-friendly. You'll find options to suit different wallets. They have a cafe area, which is usually your most budget-friendly option. Look at menus online before you go to get a good feel for the prices. Honestly, though, for the quality you get, I think the prices are reasonable.
Things to Do (Besides Gambling and Eating… Though Let’s Be Honest…)
Okay, besides the casino and dining, what else is there to do? I need to, you know, *pretend* I’m healthy.
Royce has a pool, which is a must. It's a sprawling, inviting pool. The perfect place to work on your tan (or, in my case, develop a mild sunburn). There’Find That Hotel
