I’m not really into groupons (group buy coupons) because of all the fine print and compromises that come with them. Last year, a groupon was offered for Chateau Royale. I’ve visited the place before (emphasis on visited) and I wasn’t impressed. But supposedly, they had vastly improved so we got groupon. That was the best bit.
As I expected, booking the reservation was a challenge. Weekends, especially the weekends we actually wanted to go, were fully booked. To Chateau Royale’s credit, they extended the booking period for the groupon a few times. I eventually settled for May 19.
So last weekend, we went. We forgot the coupon printout (why they need it in this digital time and age, I don’t understand) but the staff was kind enough to facilitate printing and accommodate us. Then I learned that they require a P1000 security deposit. I don’t usually carry cash around but they don’t accept credit cards for the deposit. Fortunately, they agreed to just let me give it after going back to town for dinner and a visit to the ATM. But they withheld the breakfast stubs.
We were given a “log cabin” in the farthest end of the resort. The room was big with 4 beds. There was a TV with cable. There was no refrigerator nor phone. But the bad thing is that they checked us into the room even though it wasn’t ready. Used sheets were on the beds, trashcans had trash, and the bathroom was dirty. I had to drive all the way to the front office to request for housekeeping (and get their contact details). I also gave them the security deposit and claimed the breakfast stubs.
The next day, breakfast stubs in hand, we lined up at the buffet table. There was fried rice, fried fish, corned beef, and eggs. There were lots of people but the buffet table wasn’t efficient. They almost ran out of plates. Then they actually ran out of eggs. We had to wait for a new batch of eggs. Which promptly ran out even before we got to it. So we had to wait some more. Then they ran out of coffee. So I settled for iced tea and juice. As I was being given the juice the dispenser malfunctioned, splashed some juice on my pants, and went on pouring. I got my drinks and left.
The adage “you get what you pay for” rings so true here. Thankfully, check out was a breeze. I returned the key, got back the security deposit, and away we went.
