2-Star Hotels in Central Luzon, Philippines

Our experience with this beach resort is really far from what we were expecting. First of all, the staff there did not even show a single sign of hospitality. The moment we got there, we were standing for almost a minute looking for the person in charge, only to find them sitting at the table watching us with no expression and then just asked us the name on the booking, which I found rude and really not the right way of welcoming a guest. Second of all, we originally booked a family room with two double decks, but what was given to us was two double decks and one single bed. They could've informed us of the sudden change and we would surely understand, but no—we just knew it the moment we got inside the room. There are other things that were not informed to us, like the usage of the refrigerator. We were not informed that the refrigerator is for sharing. The ref was already full and they still wanted us to share it. They could've informed us in the first place so we would leave room. We paid 250 per night for ref usage, which I found outrageous. There are things I want to add that I did not like, like the rope they set up to put your wet clothes near where the table is placed, and it is not really ideal since clothes are dripping everywhere, especially on the table. The faucet is something they did not even give time to replace, and I found it disgusting. Every time I have to touch the faucet, I feel a greasy feeling and an unpleasant smell. Nevertheless, the price is quite cheap and affordable, and the beach is only a few steps away. I just hope they train their staff to be more hospitable and teach them proper manners, because even until the time we left the resort, no one showed up to say goodbye or thank us for our stay. We simply left as if nothing had happened.

Jamjens Lodge is a simple, cozy place that’s perfect if you’re looking for a quiet and relaxed stay. The lodge has a laid-back, homey feel, making it easy to unwind after a long day of exploring. The rooms are clean and comfortable, with the basics you need for a pleasant stay. One of the highlights is the friendly and accommodating staff—they’re approachable, helpful, and genuinely make you feel welcome. The location is convenient and peaceful, ideal for travelers who prefer a more low-key environment rather than a busy resort vibe. Overall, Jamjens Lodge is a good value for the price, especially for guests who appreciate simplicity, cleanliness, and warm hospitality. A solid choice for a no-frills stay where comfort and friendliness matter most.

I recently stayed at Samba Blue Water Resort in Olongapo City, Zambales, and I’d like to share my full experience. From the peaceful beach atmosphere to the accommodating staff, it was a stay that truly stood out — both for its strengths and for a few areas that could be improved. The moment I arrived at Samba Blue, I could tell this wasn’t just another commercial beachfront resort. It had a laid-back, local island vibe that immediately made me feel at ease. The entrance was welcoming, check-in was smooth, and the staff made me feel like a valued guest from the start. I stayed in one of their rooms and it offered a good balance of comfort and nature. The space was clean, the bed was comfortable, and the room had the essentials I needed for a relaxing beach getaway. The sound of the waves in the background and the breeze flowing through the resort made it easy to unwind. If you're someone who enjoys a more ”back-to-basics” island experience, you’ll probably love the rustic charm. The beach area is the real highlight. The shoreline was clean, and there were enough shaded areas and cabanas to relax in. I loved that the resort maintained a peaceful, non-crowded vibe, even though there were several other guests staying at the same time. The pool area and sun deck were well-maintained, and I enjoyed the acoustic night setup they had on the weekend — it was a perfect way to end the day with some live music under the stars. They also offer water activities like jet skiing and banana boat rides, which add excitement if you’re in the mood for adventure.

The staffs on the front desk are rude, we are just asking if we can left our baggaes there since on the other sogo branch they have luggage area and it is included on the amenities offered by the hotel. This is okay if the receiptionist answered us politely but there being rude.

We extended our stay, so we kept the same room and the same issue. The water drains slowly in the sink, and sometimes it gets clogged. On the second day, we ordered food. According to their menu: Sinigang – 285 Half chicken – 300 Rice – 40 × 2 = 80 Coffee – 50 × 2 = 100 The total should have been 805, but we were charged 840. I only noticed it late and couldn’t get the change anymore. I find this misleading since the prices don’t match what’s on the menu.

Place is very accessible. Rooms are clean and very quiet. There are nearby fastfood and restaurants in the area.

The staff was really friendly and helped us so much. The room was clean and the bathroom was quite big. The location is a little far from the beach but you can find try cycles just in front of the hotel. The price is reasonable for what you get.

“Great location, accommodating staff, and convenient access to Subic’s attractions. Not perfect, but overall a comfortable stay and good value for money. Will definitely consider staying here again.”

Check in was easy. Staffs were polite. Everything was good except when I tried connecting to the Internet. I am a regular customer to wifi password is already saved. However this time I got an error. I called reception they connected me to a different Internet but result is the same. Can't connect in the room. I really need the Internet for work purposes. I text the number In the room. I got a reply immediately. Internet was fixed in 30mins. But during my 24hr stay. I still get the occasional error. Overall stay could have been perfect if not for the Internet issue. I also found out other people were complaining about it. It's sort of the staff are telling them connection is not available inside the room

We had a good stay overall. We chose Sogo because it’s more affordable than other hotels. One thing we noticed is that some staff didn’t seem aware that we were staying for three nights, since we were often asked if we were already checking out whenever we went out. Still, it wasn’t a big deal. The staff were very kind, polite, and accommodating. We had a nice and enjoyable three-night stay. Thank you to all the staff!