PROXY by The Oriental Albay Review: Our New Year’s Eve Stay in Legazpi

After spending hours on the road during our unexpected South Luzon Loop road trip from Manila to Albay, we were fortunate to secure a room at PROXY by The Oriental Albay just in time for New Year’s Eve. What we expected to be nothing more than a comfortable place to spend the night turned into one of the most memorable parts of our journey. From welcoming the New Year with fellow guests to watching a spectacular fireworks display, our stay became a celebration we’ll always look back on fondly.

In this review, I’m sharing our honest experience staying at PROXY by The Oriental Albay—from our first impressions and the room we stayed in to the hotel’s amenities, service, and the unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Legazpi for your next trip, here’s what our stay was really like.

Quick Stay Information

Hotel: PROXY by The Oriental Albay
Location: Purok 1, Barangay 33, Peñaranda St., Legazpi Port District, Legazpi City, Albay, Philippines
Stayed: December 31, 2025 – January 1, 2026
Purpose: New Year’s Eve stopover during our South Luzon Loop road trip

*Hotel’s Exterior Features: Front and Back*

First Impressions

Seeing the hotel’s large signage after Waze notified us that we were nearing our destination instantly lifted everyone’s spirits. After being on the road for almost half a day, finally catching sight of the hotel filled us with excitement. We were all like, “Sa wakas!” 😂 And that’s just from seeing the sign—we were still about two to three minutes away from the entrance. Haha.

Upon entering the property, we got a little confused about where the correct entrance was. One of the security guards politely called our attention and pointed us in the right direction because we had accidentally taken the wrong one. I guess we can blame it on the sleepiness and exhaustion from the long drive. 😅

After getting our bearings, we were finally able to park in their spacious parking area located just in front of the Proxy Convention Center. I also appreciated that there were plenty of trees surrounding the area, which helped keep our vehicle from getting too hot under the afternoon sun. It’s a small detail, but I loved how they incorporated nature into the hotel’s overall aesthetic.

The property was also decorated with large murals in different areas, adding a vibrant artistic charm that made the hotel feel even more welcoming. As we walked toward the lobby, I also noticed a shuttle on standby for guests who needed transportation to and from the airport.

Before reaching the lobby entrance, we crossed a small bridge built over the drainage canal that surrounds the property. It was a simple architectural feature, but together with the landscaped surroundings, it blended nicely with the hotel’s overall design.

The Lobby

What I loved most about the lobby was that it had its own personality. Although the hotel embraces classic Oriental design elements, they were beautifully blended with a trendy, modern-chic aesthetic that felt fresh, welcoming, and definitely Instagram-worthy.

One feature that instantly caught my attention was the artwork beside the staircase, just across the hallway leading to the elevators. It boldly read, “You Got This Sh*t.” 😂 I honestly loved it. It was such a fun and unexpected touch, and somehow it felt like exactly the kind of encouragement someone might need that day.

While waiting, I also noticed a small selection of board games and books on the shelves for guests to enjoy. There was even an arcade machine nearby, although I’m not entirely sure if it was operational since we didn’t get the chance to try it.

Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait very long before our room was ready. The check-in process was quick, smooth, and hassle-free, making our first impression of the hotel even more pleasant.

Our Room

Lucky as we had been since the start of this adventure, we were able to secure Room 303, a Deluxe Twin Room with a view of the majestic Mayon Volcano. It honestly felt like another blessing along the way.

When we first checked in that afternoon, the view was covered by thick clouds, almost as if Mayon was being a little shy and wasn’t quite ready to reveal its beauty. 😂 But the following morning was a completely different story. We woke up to a breathtaking view of the volcano in all its glory, and I found myself staring at it for quite a while. It was simply mesmerizing—even with the NDRRMC alert on our phones informing us that Mayon was under Alert Level 2. 😅

Our Deluxe Twin Room was clean, spacious, and equipped with all the basic necessities for a comfortable stay. It came with complimentary bottled water and coffee, an electric kettle, a safety deposit box, a Smart TV, bathrobes, toiletries, a hot and cold shower, and plenty of power outlets for charging our devices.

The only minor inconvenience we encountered was the placement of the power outlet for the electric kettle. It was tucked too far underneath the table, and since there wasn’t an opening for the cord to pass through, the kettle couldn’t comfortably sit on top of the table while plugged in. Our simple solution was to place it on a chair beside the table so the cord could easily reach the outlet. 😅

Other than that small inconvenience, our stay was peaceful, comfortable, and very convenient. Waking up to the iconic view of Mayon Volcano alone made the experience even more memorable.

The Buffet / Jeremy’s Kitchen

The hotel also has its own in-house restaurant, Jeremy’s Kitchen, where the complimentary breakfast buffet is served every morning for hotel guests.

We arrived on December 31 just in time for lunch, which wasn’t included in our room package, so we dined at the restaurant at our own expense. It costs a The lunch spread welcomed us with a selection of authentic Bicolano dishes, a region well known for its rich flavors and love for spicy cuisine. Among the specialties served were the classic Bicol Express, Laing, and Kinunot na Pagi.

The following morning, we returned for the complimentary breakfast buffet and noticed that it offered a wider variety of dishes compared to the lunch menu. There were plenty of options to choose from, making it easy for everyone in our family to find something they enjoyed.

It was my first time trying authentic Bicolano cuisine, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Although I didn’t get the chance to try the Kinunot na Pagi, I absolutely enjoyed the Bicol Express and Laing. Their flavors were rich, comforting, and lived up to Bicol’s reputation for delicious local cuisine.

Proxy Convention Center

The highlight of our stay began at the Proxy Convention Center, where the Grand Dinner Buffet for the New Year’s Eve celebration was held. The buffet featured an impressive variety of dishes, and I found myself going back for seconds… and thirds. 😂 I think I made about three rounds just for the main courses alone, plus another two trips for the desserts. Safe to say, I definitely made the most of the buffet!

Guests were also treated to complimentary cocktails, which my mom happily enjoyed throughout the evening. 🍹

One thing I have to admit, though, is that despite all the hotel buffets we’ve been to over the years, I’m still too shy to walk around taking photos of every single food station before everyone starts eating. 😂 Just like during our stays at Astoria Palawan and our La Union getaway, I always tell myself that I’ll document everything first… but in the end, I get too conscious and just head straight to my table. So if a few dishes are missing from the photos, that’s the reason. Haha.

The BAR Code

The BAR Code was where the foam party took place after the Grand Dinner Buffet. The venue wasn’t particularly large, and I actually think the seating capacity could only accommodate about half of the guests from the Proxy Convention Center. Nevertheless, as midnight drew closer, more and more people gathered in the open area until it was eventually filled with guests eagerly waiting for the New Year’s countdown.

If you’d like to see more photos and videos from the celebration, be sure to check out my New Year’s Eve Highlights at PROXY by The Oriental Albay by clicking HERE.

Other Amenities & Facilities

Unfortunately, our stay was a little too short for us to enjoy all of the hotel’s amenities. We weren’t able to take a dip in the swimming pool, unwind at the spa, or spend time exploring the beautiful Magayon Garden. With our South Luzon adventure waiting for us the next morning, we had to make the most of the limited time we had.

Even so, our stay at PROXY by The Oriental Albay was more than enough to leave a wonderful first impression. From the comfortable accommodations and warm hospitality to the memorable New Year’s Eve celebration, it was the perfect place to begin our spontaneous South Luzon road trip.

We’re already looking forward to coming back someday—and next time, we’ll definitely make the most of everything the hotel has to offer. 🥰

If you’re planning your own stay at PROXY by The Oriental Albay and would like to know more about their rooms, rates, amenities, or upcoming events, you can reach out to them directly through their official contact channels. I’ve also included some of their essential information below to help you plan your visit.

What We Loved

Comfortable accommodations after a long day of riding.
Friendly and accommodating staff.
A festive and memorable New Year’s Eve celebration.
Convenient location for continuing our journey around Southern Luzon.
A relaxing atmosphere that made us feel at home.

Things to Consider

Since we only stayed overnight, we weren’t able to fully experience all of the hotel’s facilities. If you’re planning a longer stay, you may want to explore more of the amenities available and check with the hotel regarding current room packages and inclusions.

Final Thoughts

Our stay at PROXY by The Oriental Albay may have been short, but it was definitely one of the highlights of our South Luzon Loop adventure. From the comfortable accommodations and welcoming staff to the festive New Year’s Eve celebration, the hotel gave us a memorable way to end one year and welcome another.

Although we didn’t have enough time to enjoy all of the amenities, that simply gives us another reason to come back. Hopefully, on our next visit, we’ll finally get to relax by the swimming pool, explore the Magayon Garden, and experience everything else the property has to offer.

Category	Rating
⭐ Overall Experience	4.8/5
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-Friendly	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🏍️ Motorcycle-Friendly	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🚗 Parking Convenience	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🛏️ Room Comfort	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🧹 Cleanliness	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🍽️ Food & Dining	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
📍 Location	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
💰 Value for Money	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

If you’re looking for a comfortable place to stay in Albay—whether you’re visiting with family, friends, or even for a special occasion like New Year’s Eve—I can definitely recommend giving PROXY by The Oriental Albay a try.

What about you? Have you ever celebrated New Year’s Eve away from home or stayed at PROXY by The Oriental Albay? I’d love to hear about your experience, or if you’re planning a trip to Albay soon, feel free to leave your questions in the comments below. 🥰

For More Information:

Waze Driving Directions: Click Here
Proxy by The Oriental Albay: FB Page
Phone: 0998 551 1111 | 0948 311 1111
Email: albay-reservations@theorientalhotels.com

Book your PROXY by The Oriental Albay experience here: