This is my fifth time choosing the Toyoko Inn brand, and it's the only time I've decided to give a negative review.
1. **Common characteristics of Toyoko Inn hotels:** They are simple, clean, and the rooms are exceptionally small, especially the bathroom, whether in land-scarce Japan or the Philippines. A complimentary breakfast, usually quite good, is standard. They have paid laundromats and many strict rules, particularly regarding check-in and check-out times. Don't even think about checking in early before the designated time. Front desk staff offer only the most basic smiles; speaking an extra word to them often feels like a significant offense. The front desk staff at this Cebu branch were noticeably gentler than at other locations, but serious issues still persist, which I will elaborate on.
2. **Noise problems:** For two consecutive nights, directly below my room window, there was what sounded like a concert or performance from a local low-income community, with 200-300 people singing past midnight. The volume was unbearable for anyone. I called the front desk to ask if they could intervene and stop them from disturbing guests' rest. The hotel's reply was simple: 'No.' I asked if there wasn't a noise ordinance in the Philippines, and they said, 'There's no such thing.' I asked if there was anything they *could* do, and they replied, 'No.' My communication style was clear and my tone was calm. Inside the room, there's a vent directly above the bed that makes a loud, booming noise. I confirmed with the hotel that it couldn't be turned off, and they claimed this noise was normal. I'm not a light sleeper or someone with trouble falling asleep, but this sound really made it difficult for me to drift off. The air conditioner's noise was even louder than the vent, and there was no silent mode; I had to turn off the AC and endure the heat to sleep. During my three days here, it felt like I was living right in a local community.
3. The hotel lobby is on the 6th floor. Whether going from the room to the ground floor or vice versa, the elevator doesn't go directly; it *must* stop on the 6th floor. I don't quite understand this design.
4. My friend and I both verified this: inside the rooms, cell phone data signals become very weak, and internet browsing is very slow and choppy. The hotel's Wi-Fi network is practically unusable, slow and laggy. Outside the room, everything returns to normal.
5. The sofas in the front desk area are not for lying down, even when no one else is around. Staff will come over to stop you. I always adhere strictly to rules in various places and generally understand their purpose, but I truly don't see the point of this particular rule.
6. Following up on the previous point: if hotel staff are required to enforce hotel rules, shouldn't the hotel also promptly intervene to maintain order when public areas are noisy? As shown in the picture, there was a group of people at the front desk, from who knows which country, making the public area sound like a noisy marketplace. Yet, not a single front desk staff member intervened. In fact, a rather heavy-set staff member even came out and loudly shouted along with the guests. I believe they were friends.
A truly terrible experience. I'm surprised Toyoko Inn allows this branch to be maintained in such a state.
Original TextTranslation provided by AI