Palmeras, Zamboanga

I am a seasoned traveller in Asia. The hotel is clean, and hotel's restaurant quite good. Note that the hotel is quite far out of town on a country road. However, the hotel ONLY caters to Phillipine nationals, and is NOT recommended for foreign visitors. Contrary to what is advertised and posted and told, they have serious problems accepting foreign cards (simply stating an AmEx Platimum card is no good, stating again and again to pay cash in pesos only). TV worked intermittently, during (frequent) brownout no hot water, otherwise very little hot water at best. Staff at restaurant was only interested in SMS-ing, ignoring us completely. Hotel refused to exchange Euros outright (with equivalent of several hundred euros in petty cash at front desk). Front desk staff only offered that they could exchange cash the morning of my departure if I would just give them cash, they would go into town to exchange, all the while of course I was pushed to pay for my room. Clear fraudulent intent. When still no exchange was concluded at check-out time I was delayed and intimidated. Since the hotel knew when my flight out would depart I was put in very awkward situation. I was left with no option but to pay for the room via credit card, although I had given the staff euros to be exchanged and pay for the room. I was pushed for more cash, staff again stating that my crads "were no good". When it became clear I was going to leave the hotel they accepted credit card payment. Gievn that the front desk staff handling my "exchange" did not return before my departure I cancelled the credit card charge after I returned home. Given the clear fraudulent intentions of the staff I discourage non-Pinoy nationals from using this hotel.

very quite, away from the maddening crowd, accessible to commercial district thru public conveyance., friendly atmosphere, family friendly god for executives....except no frills nightlife