Where to Eat Lunch in BGC – F1 Hotel Buffet Review

 I just had my post-birthday celebration at the F1 Hotel BGC simply because I got some buffet vouchers. Food is free, but, of course, the commute going there is not. But it didn't stop us from going because... It's buffet! Plus, it has a decent review on Tripadvisor so I'm thinking it was worth going to. 

Saturday Lunch Buffet Review at the F1 Hotel in BGC, Manila

The Commute

Thanks to Grab Car, we didn't have a hard time commuting, but the price of P500+ from Paranaque to BGC (plus toll fee) was too expensive for me. I just thought that it was worth it since there were four of us traveling, and I was also paying for the convenience. Still, it's a huge ouch for my wallet. 

The Hotel

It was a modest hotel tucked in the heart of BGC unlike the more luxurious 4- or 5-star options nearby. There was no grand lobby or expansive lounge on the ground floor, just a straightforward entrance that reflected its low-key charm.

F1 Hotel was one of the first hotels built in the area, which is probably why they have a great location, right beside the Landmark. We were welcomed by nice security guards, where I asked what floor the buffet was on. I didn't ask the receptionist anymore because they were all pretty busy, so we headed straight to the elevator going to the 3rd floor without fuss. 

F All-Day Dining

Buffet Price: Php 1999 (regular price)*

*I think they're offering a discount on their website now, offering a whopping 50% off. 

Here's a short video of the buffet spread in F All-Day Dining Restaurant: 

The restaurant itself was pretty decent. It's spacious and has a good hotel ambiance. Food was good and fresh, but they didn't have a vast variety - there was no pizza, no fries, no Chinese food section. They do have a seafood station, a pasta station, Filipino food, maki/sushi station, a salad station, and then desserts. 

For the drinks, they only served water and hot tea. I wish I had asked for a brewed coffee, but I was embarrassed to ask. They don't have a variety of drinks compared to other buffet places. You have to order drinks separately if you want something like iced tea or soft drinks, which you'll have to pay for separately. 

Even if food selections were limited, they were all freshly cooked and tasted good. The roast beef was succulent and cooked to perfection. 

My dessert plate

The dessert spread was good. I wasn't able to try their bibingka and ginataang mais, but they sure looked good. I think I graduated with the choco fountain already because I didn't touch it. But if I were in my 20s, I'd go for their choco fountain. I personally loved the blueberry cheesecake, the mandarin orange cream. the coffee jelly and the small cake slices.  

In addition, we also love their crepe station. They have plenty of variety on what kind of crepe you would like. They have Nutella, mangoes, cream, biscoff, and more. I chose mangoes and cream with vanilla ice cream on top and chocolate drizzle. My son ordered Nutella and almond crepe with vanilla ice cream. And since there were no long lines, we just went back for more. 

 Advantages of a Smaller Hotel Buffet Experience

1. Hotel restaurants are more intimate. When you're eating in a hotel buffet, ambiance is the first thing you will notice - the room, the music, the air conditioning, the arrangement of the tables and chairs, and more. Plus, compared to other buffet places in malls, there are fewer lines and less chaos. I used to eat in a buffet place in SM Southmall, and there were long lines plus congested tables. Food was just okay, but due to the experience we had, we might not go back there unless it's a company-sponsored event or when someone treats us, of course! You really can't deny that hotel restaurants have a more intimate feeling and are a great place to bring a date or to celebrate an intimate occasion. 
   
   
2. Quality over quantity. I did mention that the F1 Hotel has less food, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy its spread. I tasted almost each one from appetizer to dessert, and everything tasted freshly cooked or freshly made, even the bread tasted good. 
   
   
3. Good customer service. Waiters were always around to check if you needed something. Since the place is not that big, they can easily spot you if you raise your hand to call their attention. 
   
   
4. The experience leaves a lasting impression. You have to admit that when someone treats you to a buffet in a hotel, it's more memorable than the times you ate in a buffet place in malls. I once heard in a TV interview that when you're selling something like coffee, you're not just selling the product — you're selling an experience. That memorable experience keeps people coming back, not just the coffee itself. Same goes with buffets! 

Conclusion

In all honesty, our buffet experience was good overall. We enjoyed the food, especially the desserts! I just wish they had drinks like juices, soft drinks, or coffee in their spread.