Cagayan de Oro's HOTTEST Studio Loft: Furnished & Fiber Fast!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive HEADFIRST into the whirlwind that is Cagayan de Oro's HOTTEST Studio Loft: Furnished & Fiber Fast! And trust me, after spending a few days there, I've got THOUGHTS. And feelings. Lots of them. Prepare to be entertained (and maybe a little bit judgy, just like me). SEO-wise, we're aiming for maximum visibility, so expect this review to be crammed with keywords – it's a necessary evil!
Accessibility: The Good, The Bad, and the Slightly Confusing
Before we get to the fluff, let's face it: accessibility is CRUCIAL. This place has an elevator, bless their hearts. So, that's a major plus for lugging your massive suitcase (let's be honest, we all overpack). However, I didn't see a detailed breakdown of wheelchair accessibility. Now, they do say "Facilities for disabled guests," which is promising, but specifically what those are, remains a mystery. More transparency here, please! Getting around within the property seemed pretty straightforward, though. The main areas were easy to navigate.
On-site Grub & Giggles: A Culinary Adventure (or Two)
Okay, the food. Oh, the food. They've got a restaurant, a coffee shop, a snack bar, and even a poolside bar. This, my friends, is where things get interesting. I'm a fiend for a good breakfast buffet, but the "Asian breakfast" and "Western breakfast" options raised some eyebrows. Was it a fusion frenzy? The "a la carte" menu sounded fancy, but I'm more of a 'grab-a-plate-and-stuff-my-face' kinda person.
I DID manage to snag a coffee from the coffee shop, and it was… decent. Nothing to write home about, but it did the trick to get me going. The poolside bar? Now, that was a scene. Sipping a (slightly overpriced) cocktail while watching the sunset over, well, something (perspective is key here), made me momentarily forget all the existential dread. The happy hour specials? Definitely worth checking out!
Internet: Fiber Fast? Don't Tease Me Like That!
"Furnished & Fiber Fast!" – that's the promise. And, hallelujah, it mostly delivers! "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" (yes, they shout it). "Internet access – wireless" too. I'm a digital nomad, so this is EVERYTHING. The internet speed…well, let's just say it was better than my grandma's dial-up, but not quite lightning-fast. Still, it allowed me to stream, work, and stalk people on social media, all simultaneously. So, kudos! They also offer "Internet access – LAN," which is great for people who like old-school connections (and probably aren't me).
Relaxation Nirvana? Maybe. But Let's Talk About the Spa…
Here's where things get really juicy. This place boasts the works: "Spa," "Sauna," "Steamroom," "Massage," "Body scrub," "Body wrap," "Foot bath," "Pool with view," and a "Swimming pool [outdoor]." Let's be real, the "Pool with view" got top billing, which they were right to do! It was gorgeous, that's all I'm gonna say about that.
So, I, like a seasoned spa connoisseur (translation: someone who craves a good pampering), booked a massage. The ambiance was… well, let's just say it wasn't the Four Seasons. But the massage itself? Magic. Pure, unadulterated bliss. All those knots in my back from hunching over a laptop? Gone. Vanished. The masseuse was a goddess. (I'm pretty sure she was a goddess, or at least a very skilled human). She could've scrubbed me, wrapped me, and dipped me in the foot bath, and I wouldn't have objected. The sauna and steam room were clean, functioning, and welcome on a weary frame.
Cleanliness and Safety: Are We Living in a Future-Proof Bubble?
Alright, let's get serious for a moment. Cleanliness and safety are paramount these days, and this place seems to take it seriously. "Anti-viral cleaning products," "Daily disinfection in common areas," "Hand sanitizer" EVERYWHERE. "Rooms sanitized between stays." "Staff trained in safety protocol." The works! They even offered "Room sanitization opt-out available" – which I appreciated. No pressure!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Beyond the Buffet
Beyond the breakfast chaos, there's a "Snack bar" (essential for the late-night munchies). "Room service [24-hour]" (for when you're too lazy to leave the room, which, let's be honest, is most of the time). "Restaurants" (plural, which is always a good sign). They even cater to vegetarians! (Bless them, truly.)
Services and Conveniences: The Stuff That Makes Life Easier
This place is LOADED with conveniences! "Cash withdrawal," "Concierge" (that's fancy!), "Currency exchange," "Daily housekeeping," "Doorman" (makes you feel important!), "Dry cleaning," "Elevator," "Ironing service," "Laundry service," "Luggage storage," and a "Convenience store". You name it, they probably have it.
For the Kids (and the Kids at Heart)
They're "Family/child friendly" and offer "Babysitting service" and "Kids facilities." So, if you're traveling with little ones, you're probably good to go.
Getting Around: You've Got Options
They offer "Airport transfer," "Car park [free of charge]," "Car park [on-site]," and "Taxi service." They also have "Bicycle parking," but let's be honest, in the Cagayan de Oro heat, you're probably going to want the air conditioned option. If you're fancy, there's "Valet parking". I'm not fancy.
Available in All Rooms: The Essentials (and the Extras!)
Here's what you get in your room: "Air conditioning," "Alarm clock," "Bathrobes," "Bathtub," "Blackout curtains" (THANK YOU, sweet baby Jesus!), "Closet," "Coffee/tea maker," "Complimentary tea," "Desk," "Free bottled water," "Hair dryer," "In-room safe box," "Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless," "Ironing facilities," "Laptop workspace," "Mini bar," "Mirror," "Non-smoking," "Private bathroom," "Refrigerator," "Separate shower/bathtub," "Shower," "Slippers," "Smoke detector," "Socket near the bed," "Sofa," "Soundproofing," "Telephone," "Toiletries," "Towels," "Wake-up service," "Wi-Fi [free]," and "Window that opens." Whew! That's a lot.
The Room (My Sanctuary)…mostly.
The room itself was… well, it was a studio loft. Which meant it had a loft. The furnishing were modern and the layout was efficient. It had a "Seating area," which was perfect for collapsing after a long day of… well, whatever it is you do in Cagayan de Oro. The bed was comfortable, though I wouldn't mind an "Extra long bed". The "Blackout curtains" were a godsend. The "Soundproofing" was decent, though I could still hear the occasional late-night reveler. The "Shower" was hot, and the water pressure was good.
Getting Down to Brass Tacks: The Good, the Bad, and the Meh
The Good:
- Location, Location, Location: The place is pretty centrally located.
- Internet: Mostly reliable and fast!
- Spa/Massage: Heavenly. Seriously. Book one.
- Conveniences: They’ve got pretty much everything you need.
- The Pool with a View: Stunning and a huge plus.
The Bad:
- Accessibility: Needs more detail.
- Food: The buffet was a bit… underwhelming.
The Meh:
- The decor was a little generic, but clean.
Final Verdict (and My Own Personal Offer to You!)
Would I recommend Cagayan de Oro's HOTTEST Studio Loft: Furnished & Fiber Fast? YES! Especially if you appreciate a good massage, decent internet, and a comfortable place to crash.
Here's My EXCLUSIVE Offer to YOU!
Book your stay during the next month using the code "CDOREVIEWDEAL" and get a FREE 30-minute massage upgrade PLUS 10% off your entire stay. That’s right, you’ll be pampered, connected, and relaxed without breaking the bank. Don't miss out on this opportunity to experience everything Cagayan de Oro has to offer in style and comfort.
Book your escape today and tell them "That crazy reviewer sent you!” (They probably won't know who I am, but it's worth a shot!). Just click [link to booking site here] and get ready for an adventure!
Raj Mahal Hotel Ludhiana: Luxury Redefined in India's Heart
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because we're about to dive headfirst into a chaotic, gloriously imperfect adventure in my "Ground Floor Furnished Studio w/ loft (fiber wifi)" in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. This ain't your glossy travel brochure – this is the REAL DEAL. Expect a few wrong turns, a whole lotta sweat, and maybe… just maybe… a tear or two (mostly from laughing).
Day 1: Arrival, Chaos, and Conquest of the Internet (and Adobo!)
- 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM (ish): The glorious arrival (aka, the sweaty scramble from the airport). Oh, the air in CDO! It's thick, alive, and smells vaguely of… well, everything. My driver (booked through some app, fingers crossed he's legit!) is late, which immediately kicks off the anxiety. Finally, HE APPEARS! He also speaks zero English. Great. But the ride? Total sensory overload. Motorbikes zipping, jeepneys belching black smoke, the vibrant chaos of life just… happening. Then the glorious, air-conditioned embrace of the studio. Sigh. The wifi is glorious. Gonna need that.
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Unpacking, surveying the damage (aka, the state of my suitcase after being thrown around on a plane), and, most importantly, setting up the work station. Fiber wifi: You are my lifeline. Must. Email. People. Must. Check. Everything. Did I bring enough sunscreen? Did I remember my adapter? (Pro tip: always forget the adapter). Also, staring at the loft, judging my climbing ability. Looks… steep.
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: The ADOBO QUEST BEGINS! This is not a drill. I've read about this perfect adobo spot, and my stomach is rumbling like a volcano. Google Maps it is! Wait. Wrong way. Okay, re-route. Oh god, I'm lost. Everyone's staring at me. (Maybe I should stop sweating so profusely.) Finally, after asking approximately seventeen people (and nearly getting run over by a tricycle), I find it. The restaurant is… tiny. Like, fit-four-tables-and-a-prayer tiny. The adobo? OH. MY. GOD. Melting-in-your-mouth, savory, perfect. I ate it so fast, I almost didn't take a picture. Rookie mistake, I know.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Food coma. Seriously. Napping. Justifying the nap to myself. It’s called “research!” I deserve a vacation.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Attempt at exploring my surroundings. Walk around the block. Immediately overwhelmed by the noise, the smells, the sheer density of people. Buy a mango from a street vendor. It's the best mango I've ever tasted (and I've tasted a LOT of mangoes). Decide I need a cold drink. Find a small shop, order something I think I know (turns out it's something I can’t explain, but it was delicious). Feel like I’m finally kinda getting the hang of this.
- 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Back to the studio. The sheer luxury of air conditioning. Shower (needed). Check the internet. Order some food delivery. Maybe start planning tomorrow… or maybe stay here forever. Hmm…
Day 2: White Water Rafting – Or: When I Nearly Became a River Snack
- 7:00 AM: Morning. Wake up with a slight ache in my back from that loft bed. It ain't the most comfy, but the view from up there is kinda cool. The wifi, still flawless. Coffee. Lots of coffee. Today: White water rafting. This I've been excited about all my life.
- 8:00 AM: The hotel pick-up van. Turns out this is a “shared” excursion. I'm with a group of people who all seem to know each other already. (Awkward.) But the scenery on the drive is incredible. Rolling hills, lush greenery, and… cows. Lots of cows.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The river. OMG. The river. The adrenaline starts pumping. The guides are shouting instructions I can barely understand. We’re assigned paddles, helmets, and life jackets that look like they haven't been updated since the Jurassic period. The rapids hit. And WHOA. This is intense! Screaming (mostly from me), paddling like a madwoman, and hanging on for dear life. There were times where I thought was going over! The water is freezing! The beauty is unreal. And then, the most terrifying moment: We get stuck on a rock. The raft tips precariously. I'm thrown into the churning water. Pure panic. But the guides are amazing, pulling me back in. Alive. Wet. Exhausted.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch. After that terrifying adventure, Lunch is the most delicious thing I’ve ever consumed.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The ride back to the studio. Reflecting on my near-death experience. Appreciating life. Also, nursing a few bruises.
- 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Soaking in the air conditioning of the studio, playing games, and re-evaluating my life choices. Maybe I’m not cut out for adventure. Maybe I should just stay in here and eat adobo for the rest of my life. (Tempting).
- 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant. I don't remember the food, I do remember the waiter that kept asking me the same questions over and over, while staring at my wet hair.
Day 3: The Market, the Mall, and the Moral Dilemma of Souvenir Shopping
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Try and eat some of that local food that I don’t understand. It's good. Mostly.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The market. Oh. My. Goodness. Fruits, vegetables, fish that are still looking at you, mountains of spices, and a cacophony of voices. This is a sensory explosion! I buy a basket. I buy a ridiculous hat. I get completely lost. I almost buy a whole roasted pig. So much to see. So much to smell. So much to… buy!
- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: The mall. A complete contrast to the market. Air-conditioned bliss. But… it feels… wrong. Trying to find souvenirs. The moral dilemma of consumerism. Do I need this “CDO” t-shirt? Do I need this plastic model of a jeepney? (Yes, I do. Don’t judge me.)
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Back to the studio. Collapse on the bed. The internet is glorious. Check emails. Check social media. Realize I haven't spoken to anyone in two days. Feel a pang of longing.
- 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Explore the surrounding neighborhood more thoroughly. Find a small park. Sit and watch children playing. The simplicity is beautiful. Buy another mango. (Addicted).
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner. Maybe I'll try the local food again. Maybe.
Day 4: Farewell and Future Plans (or, How I Secretly Fell in Love with CDO)
- 8:00 AM: One last adobo at the tiny, perfect restaurant. Saying goodbye feels… bittersweet.
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Packing. Again. The suitcase is now a disaster zone. Remembering the adapter. (Check!)
- 11:00 AM: The drive to the airport. The familiar sensory overload of the streets. A final look at the city.
- 12:00 PM: Departure. Looking back, I realized that CDO is definitely the place I want to be.
- Forevermore: Planning my return. Because Cagayan de Oro, you crazy, wonderful city, you’ve stolen a piece of
Is this place *really* as Hot as they say? What about the hype?
I mean, the photos? Glorious. Modern, minimalist, Instagram-ready. My initial reaction: "OMG, I'm finally an adult!" And then I saw the price tag. My adulting dreams got a reality check.
But yeah, it's definitely a desirable place. Finding a decent place in CDO is a challenge, and this one *does* look good. Remember, it's the *perception* as much as the physical reality!
Okay, so the "Furnished" part...what's *really* included? Like, does it come with a washing machine? Do I have to buy a spatula?!
It *usually* means you get a bed (praise the lord), a table, maybe a chair (if you're lucky). A fridge is almost mandatory. The really juicy ones will have a microwave too! Some have a sofa. Don't expect everything.
The best advice here? ASK. Ask *specifically*. Ask about EVERYTHING. "Is there a washing machine?" "Are there pots and pans?" "Does the couch smell vaguely of...cat?" (Important question). Don't like me to be surprised. I hated being surprised!
And trust me, you'll probably still need to buy *something*. I needed a coffee maker, and that was life-changing.
Fiber Fast! Promises, Promises! How's the internet speed, *really*? My livelihood depends on it! (Please!!)
They *say* it’s fast. I experienced it once...it wasn't terrible. But, look, let's be realistic. "Fast" is relative. "Fiber Fast" *could* mean the fastest you can get in CDO, which...still might not be what you're used to if you're coming from somewhere else.
Ask for the *actual* download and upload speeds. Get it in writing. And pray to the internet gods. Because the internet is a fickle beast. I literally had a project deadline once and the internet crapped out on me! Panic is an understatement. Never. Again.
The Location, Location, Location! Where *exactly* is this place, and is the neighborhood...you know... safe?
You need to know: How close is it to the places where you need to be? To your work? To your favourite food joints? To the mall? Or is it like a twenty-minute tricycle ride to civilization?
And, safety is critical. Walk around the neighborhood, especially at night. Talk to the locals. Get a feel for the vibe. Safety is priceless. Trust your gut.
My own experience there was a bit mixed. One night I walked back from a friend's house and it was fine. The next night? I could not walk for fear of bad things happening. The neighborhood may be safe during the day, but you have to really scope it out and see it at night!
What kind of amenities does this place have? (Pool? Gym? A tiny patch of green grass? My soul craves green grass... )
**Pool?** Possible. But often they're small, or shared. Check.
**Gym?** Maybe a tiny one with one treadmill and some sad weights. Manage your expectations.
A tiny patch of green grass? Unlikely. My soul also craves green grass. Look for a park nearby. Or be prepared for a whole lotta concrete.
Parking? This is a very important point if you have a car. Does it have secure parking? Is it free? Or are you circling the neighborhood for hours, praying for a spot?
The Price: Is it worth it? What am I *really* paying for?
What are you paying for? Primarily, location, convenience and style. If you're okay with a slightly higher price for a modern, cool-looking place in a good location with fast internet, then maybe. It’s all about the trade-offs. You are paying for the convenience of a ready-made place.
Always compare prices. Look at other options. Sometimes, you can find a nicer, bigger place for the same price (or less!) if you're willing to compromise on location or style. I swear, I saw one place that was a total dump, but the owner was asking as much as the studio loft! (I did not take it. Obviously.)
Remember: add the cost of utilities, association dues (if any) and other fees. And then, most importantly, really decide if it's worth it for you!
Okay, I've heard horror stories about landlords. What's the deal with the management/landlord? "Friendly" or "Nightmare Fuel"?
