Jaeson J.
Google
Review: Disappointing Stay
My family and I stayed at SO Sofitel for New Year’s, booking a total of five rooms, and unfortunately, the overall experience was far below expectations. This is not a property I would like to return to.
First, the room design prioritizes aesthetics over functionality. The rain shower design is poorly thought out, making it inconvenient to use. Across multiple rooms, the wash basin drains were extremely slow, and in some rooms the bathtub drains could not be closed at all. Even the Illy coffee machines were unstable, to the point where you literally need to hold the cup while the coffee extracts to prevent it from tipping over.
Service was another major disappointment. While I understand it was high season, the hotel was charging premium New Year rates. With that level of revenue, proper staffing is not optional — it is a basic expectation. Instead, service felt overwhelmed, slow, and inattentive, clearly a result of insufficient manpower planning.
Several key facilities were also underwhelming. The spa lobby and common bathrooms are very small, and the fitness center feels cramped and limited for a hotel of this category. On top of that, we did not receive the pool access rooms we originally booked, which was frustrating and unacceptable.
The New Year Gala Dinner was also a letdown. The food selection was limited, the variety was poor, and the overall quality was average at best. Even the dessert section was extremely minimal. The atmosphere reflected that, as there were noticeably few guests attending.
Now for the positives, because credit where it is due:
The White Oven restaurant chef did a great job, and the food quality there was genuinely good — though pricing is very high. The bike lane around the resort is fantastic, although the bikes themselves clearly need better maintenance. The swimming pool activities were also a nice touch for families.
Overall, this stay felt like a hotel relying on its brand name rather than delivering real value. When you pay premium holiday rates, you expect premium service, functioning rooms, and a smooth guest experience — none of which were consistently delivered here. Sadly, I will not be returning to SO Sofitel.