I signed up for the Diamond Indulgence program almost a year ago, this is Diamond Hotel's paid membership program offering several benefits and having had a wonderful experience at Corniche and The Cake Club before, I decided to try and check out what Diamond Hotel has to offer.
First off, the sales associate, when she was still trying to sell the program to me, specifically mentioned that she will be assisting me with reservations when I'm ready to use any of my vouchers. She also mentioned that vouchers can be combined. Let me tell you, not true. The following week when I texted her to check on available dates for check-in she replied by giving me the hotel's trunk line.
Net price: Php 6,500
Inclusions (as of Feb 2016):
*No free night
- 3 Special Occasion Certificates - voucher entitles holder to a 50% discount on food bill valid for lunch buffet at Corniche when dining in a table of six to twelve persons
- 2 Complimentary Second Round of Drinks at the Sky Lounge
- Complimentary Bottle of House Wine when dining with a minimum spend of P2000
- 50% Discount at Yurakuen
- Lunch or Dinner buffet at Corniche for 2
- (4) 500 peso cash certificate valid only for dinner at Corniche
- 2 Member for a Meal certificates
- Buy One Night, Get One Night Free (only on Deluxe rooms) certificate
- Buy Two Nights, Get Third Night Free (only on Deluxe rooms) certificate
- 50% off on Rack Rates certificate
- Three Days Trial Workout (must be consecutive)
- Massage at P900 pesos
- Card also entitles the member to 50% discount when dining with one guest at the hotel restaurants and 20% discount at the Lobby Lounge and The Cake Club at Power Plant Mall.
The main draw of the program for me was the fact that I was told that I can combine the certificates which would allow me to save on dining or room reservations because of the cash certificates but that is not the case. I do not care much for the beverage benefits as I'm not much of a drinker. In order to take full advantage of the benefits, you must be staying pretty close by to the property.
I also tried to book a room more than a month in advance but I was told that the Deluxe rooms, the only category allowed for members to use, were all fully booked. I can upgrade to a Premier room but I would have to shell out an additional 11,000 for two nights. So, no. The difference by the way is that the Premier rooms are newly renovated rooms.
I had to make do on the only weekend that would work for me and the hotel even if I had no reason to check in just so I can use the voucher before it expires. I won't write a separate review.
- Deluxe room is spacious but is very dated.
- Bathroom is luxurious and clean. Water pressure is strong and the heating consistent.
- Wifi is limited to three devices but is reliable and very fast.
- Location is not great. Robinson's Place Manila is about a 5-minute walk away but it is not a plesant walk. There are convenience stores nearby and a Pancake House and Starbucks right by the hotel.
- I booked a non-smoking room but was given a smoking one when I was checking in at 1PM as there were no available non-smoking rooms yet. I was informed that I can transfer later within the day if the smell was too strong. When I called at around 7PM asking to be transferred, I was told three times that there were no available rooms. When I told them that I wish to just check-out instead because I was getting a terrible headache, they called me back a few minutes later with my new room keys.
- The hotel has a smart casual dress code which does not allow you to wear flip flops at any of their restaurants even during breakfast which was very inconvenient. I would understand dinner but come on, breakfast?
Overall, I would say that the membership package is not worth it. If you're looking for a hotel membership, you'd get better value signing up for the AccorPlus membership. This gives you one free night plus no dress code at the very posh Spiral.
