Diamond Residences

I’ve been here two weeks: Pros - Heavy dumbbells and well equipped 24 hour gym - Good location next to the best shopping mall in Manila (Greenbelt) with a supermarket nearby. - Many foreigners staying at the hotel so easy to make friends - Good general smoking areas - The breakfast buffet is very affordable - The restaurant has a piano player at dinner times - There are safeguards in place (advertised on the tv) for women to report any issues that make them feel uncomfortable Cons - Limited menu with parts unavailable and unattentive waiters.. sit for ages before being served or finished food being cleared away - Swimming pool is indoors.. no sun bathing area - Slow internet on the television so is sometimes unusable - I was physically prevented from getting in lifts by staff when it arrived as it was to be exclusively used for an event on the 2nd floor, so I had to wait longer. - When my lighter stopped working I asked for one and the staff on the door didn’t even move. One checked a drawer and said “no sorry” so I had to go all the way back up to my room to get one. - Breakfast stops at 10 am (ie the hotel saves money by closing earlier than many others) - We asked for a glass of wine in the cigar room and the member of staff told us they’d have to go downstairs to get it; hoping to put us off as he couldn’t be bothered. - House cleaning knocking on the door when they’re a do not disturb sign - House cleaning not replacing the laundry bags and tick box list in my room once I’d put my laundry in - Fridge isn’t large enough - ie to live in the room permanent (despite the room having cooking facilities etc) - No dip frame to do lower back in the gym Thankfully I’m lucky enough to not care about value. If you are I’d recommend Aruga Apartments instead (ask for a quiet room facing away from any main roads)