Lokal Hostel

For the low price, I got what I paid for. It was a little hard to sleep with music and noise from the bar on the second floor, though it stopped around 2 a.m. and we managed to get some rest. They no longer serve breakfast. The staff were good, and the place was very welcoming to tourists.

I paid around Php750 a night with taxes through Agoda for a solo room and stayed four nights. For that price, it was decent enough as a temporary place to sleep after being out all day. It’s close to my office and within walking distance of the lively Poblacion spots. The air conditioning cooled the room quickly, and each light had its own switch, so I could adjust the lighting. There’s a nice, though slightly pricey, restobar on the second floor and a Lotto outlet at street level. A convenience store is right across the road, and public transport is easy to find. The rooms are on the third floor, with no lift, so it’s inaccessible for people with disabilities, children, pregnant people, and older guests. The bathroom was barely big enough for me to shower, and the sink drained slowly. The bed made loud crunching sounds when I lay down. The walls are very thin, so I could hear people next door, in the hall, and in the shared kitchen beside my room.

It’s okay if you’re on a tight budget, as long as you don’t expect much. The staff were friendly, but the bed wasn’t ready when I arrived, even though I’d booked online through Hostelworld. They only provide a pillow and blanket, and you have to pay for a towel. The room was messy, and both the common room and kitchen smelled.

I left after 15 minutes and moved to Bunks 5021 Hostel right next door. After writing the review below, I emailed the hostel about the problems but couldn’t get the refund I wanted. “I came because someone recommended this hostel. The reception felt even more humid than Manila, and there was nobody at the desk when I arrived. When a staff member came in, she was rude and answered my questions casually while talking to her boyfriend on headphones as I stood there trying to arrange the booking. I’d just arrived on an international flight and was exhausted, so I wanted to rest right away and forgot to check the rooms and toilets first. The room smelled musty from the air conditioning, as if it hadn’t been cleaned for a while. The beds still weren’t made after 4 p.m. The mattress sagged and looked dirty, and I had to ask reception for a blanket and pillowcase. There were long-term guests in the room with all their things spread out. One man kept trying to talk to me despite my body language making it clear I wasn’t interested. The room also had poor lighting. People were allowed to get drunk in the common room, something I hadn’t seen at other hostels, even social ones. One guest stared at me lewdly and made me uncomfortable. I decided to leave even though I’d already paid. I asked for half my money back, but the staff member said she couldn’t because it was already in the system. She didn’t give me a receipt for the transaction either. Worst place to stay in Poblacion!”