Formerly the Amigo Terrace, a homegrown hotel located within the heritage district of Iloilo, the rebranded Citadines Amigo Hotel now boasts a beautiful fusion of 1980’s architecture and post-modern interior styles. The blending of the old and new flairs commands a double dose of retaining its already familiar homey ambiance among Ilonggos and the addition of appealing aesthetics to the city’s visitors.
First built in 1984, Amigo Terrace became Citadines Amigo after Ascott Limited — a Singapore hospitality company that owns the Citadines hotel brand — bought, rebranded and re-opened it in June 2021.
Festive Colors brings in the pop vibe
True to its branding, Citadines — coined from the French word that means "from the city" — reflects the festive spirit of Iloilo through its vibrant colors which some of it even highlights several popping hues of the Dinagyang Festival.
During our two-night stay here (with the first one spent anxiously waiting for the result of my RT-PCR test), I felt right at home due to my room’s comfortable layout which is both spacious and charmingly designed.
There's a long work desk in front of the large screen LED TV, a table to eat and a soft queen bed. It even comes with cooking ware, utensils, a ref and a balcony. Not bad to spend a couple of nights of mandatory quarantine.
Since we were advised not to leave our room until our test comes back negative, meals were delivered to our rooms. The food packs I received always came in generous servings featuring some of the city’s favorite like the Chicken Inasal with a few side dishes to boot.
Citadines Amigos’ Amenities
I stayed in the hotel's Studio room. Other rooms include a Studio Executive room, Junior Suite and a One-Bedroom Executive. Citadines also offers serviced apartment accommodations for long-staying guests.
The morning after we got our negative results — thank God — we were finally allowed to go out of our rooms and finally spend our first day of Panay exploration. But before that, breakfast by the pool first.
A buffet breakfast served by the outdoor swimming pool and garden, offered some sumptuous choices. The hotel also has its own fitness center, launderette and a soon to open all-day dining restaurant (by the time you read this, it might have been opened already).
Over-all, I love the rebranded look of Citadines Amigos even though I never experienced the old Amigos Terrace hotel. As short as our two-night stay, I would definitely consider staying in this hotel next time I visit the “City of Love”.
