Hotel airs side on SEA Games football teams' accommodation problems

Century Park Hotel Manila on Sunday night aired its explanation on the problems raised by football teams from Cambodia and Thailand.

In a Facebook post, the hotel said the signed agreement with the organizers include standard check-in time at 2:00 p.m. The hotel admitted it was aware that the Cambodia team will be arriving earlier than expected, but occupancy was full.

"We were told that team members from Cambodia were coming in early on November 23, 2019 the night before. As much as we wanted to accommodate the request, it was not possible due to full occupancy. Standard check out is until 12:00NN," Century Park Hotel said. "However, as early as 8:25am, some members were given an early check-in due to availability of rooms," it added.

The hotel offered the athletes its function rooms to serve as temporary holding area after breakfast. It also insisted on more chairs if needed, but the team declined.

"We asked them if they needed more chairs but they declined, preferring the floors so they could lie down to rest. Lunch was also served to them accordingly," Century Park Hotel said in a statement.

For Thailand's complaint of repeating menu, the hotel said the cycle menu was part of the agreement with the organizers, as well as the number of water bottles given to each person. However, Century Park Hotel said it will coordinate with the organizers for the said concern.

"Rest assured that we continue to uphold our mission to provide a home away from home to all our guests. We will strive to make the SEA Games delegation’s stay a memorable one in the coming days," the hotel said.

On late Sunday night, Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) chair Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano personally visited the affected athletes to apologize and assure them that the Philippines' hosting will be a memorable one.

In a statement issued Sunday, the PHISGOC also apologized to several international football teams after they encountered transportation and hotel arrangements problems upon their arrival in the country over the weekend.

Malacañang on Sunday also apologized for the poor reception some delegates received upon their arrival.

“We can no longer undo what has been done. The Office of the President will not offer any excuses. As host country, we apologize for the unintentional inconvenience suffered by our athlete-guests,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement. —KG, GMA News