Spent 3-nights here on business and it was perfect for the duration. The rooms are larger than most, come with a kettle, android TV, a great spacious shower and real black-out curtains. The A/C was super efficient and as the room really holds the cold air in well, you can turn off the A/C for long periods at a time given the room remained cool.

The rooms are starting to show their age but they are well maintained and the rooms relatively clean. I say "relatively" because long hairs were all over the bathroom and hotel room floor.

Jollibee and a 7/11 are a 3-minute walk from the hotel.

The breakfast buffet is local style fare which is fine but it was a limited choice.

They take on a lot of interns so the front desk isn't the most efficient and questions to them get tossed around from person to person as they weren't being supervised by senior staff.

The service crews in the hotel restaurant were excellent and attended to the guests well.

Be advised to download the Grab app to your phone if you don't already have it. Grab triclyes are readily available contrary to what hotel staff tell you. I took a Grab tricycle to the airport and it only cost PHP 77. Haggling with the tricycle drivers will only cost you 3 or 4 times more otherwise.

I'll definitely stay again on my next business trip.

– Joseph C. Dean

I recently stayed at Hotel Essencia, and overall, it was a pleasant and practical experience. The hotel is older and its design clearly reflects that, but it is well maintained and offers a pretty decent room for a very reasonable price. If you’re looking for an affordable place to stay without unnecessary frills, this hotel is a solid choice.

The room was clean, comfortable, and spacious enough for a short to medium stay. All basic amenities were in working condition, and housekeeping did a good job keeping everything tidy. One nice bonus was the free breakfast, which was simple but satisfying and a great way to start the day without extra cost.

Another highlight is the hotel’s location. It’s within walking distance of the boulevard, making it easy to enjoy seaside walks, nearby restaurants, cafés, and local spots. Convenience stores and transport options are also close by.

The staff were friendly, polite, and always willing to help. While Hotel Essencia is not a luxury hotel, it offers good value, comfort, and a great location. I would recommend it to budget-conscious travelers visiting Dumaguete.

– Ley

The room was a good size and generally comfortable. However, the one we were given didn’t have a proper outside window—just one facing a lit light well. Unfortunately, this meant no fresh air, and the room often felt quite stuffy.
The bathroom was decent, although oddly the toilet was positioned quite far from the back wall. On the plus side, the water pressure was strong and there was reliable hot water throughout our stay. The Wi-Fi, however, didn’t work at all while we were there. Despite several days of trying, the issue wasn’t resolved. In 2026, that’s simply not acceptable.
The buffet breakfast was very good, with plenty of variety. A few dishes needed replenishing at times, but the kitchen staff were friendly and helpful when informed.
The location is convenient, just a short walk to the boardwalk and ferry port. I’d also recommend stopping by the local donut shop nearby — they were absolutely delicious.
One final tip: if you’re arriving from the airport, avoid the trikes waiting directly outside as they tend to overcharge. Walk a little further out for a much better price, or take an easy rider if you’re travelling light — it’s even cheaper.

– Alain Merle