The Pearl Manila Hotel

The location is great, and it's one of the most affordable 3-star hotels in the area. The 12-hour and 24-hour rates are close, so booking in 24-hour increments saves money. Higher-floor rooms may have a Manila Bay view, but otherwise it's just an endless city skyline outside. The rooms are old but quiet, even though the hotel is very near the LRT. The pool and front desk are on the 9th floor, where the LRT can get really loud around the pool. Elevators can be frustratingly slow, especially from higher floors. The rooms and facilities are old, but they do the job just fine. Great value for money.

The outdoor pool is a nice place to relax, and the staff are generally friendly and accommodating. The Pearl Manila Hotel has spacious rooms and a convenient base near Rizal Park and Intramuros for seeing Manila's historical sites. It does show its age and would benefit from renovation. Some guests have mentioned cleanliness problems, including old linens and occasional pests. The air conditioning can be noisy, Wi-Fi is only available in public areas, and breakfast is decent but the food is average. It's worth considering if you want a budget-friendly, central location, as long as you're ready to compromise on amenities and upkeep.

I'd been there before and had a nice experience, but my recent visit to ask about function hall rates left me disappointed. We're students, and I expected we might be treated differently from guests. The manager told us clearly, in a sarcastic and disappointed tone, that they didn't have any flyers or brochures anymore because of students who came to inquire. The hotel had been one of our class's affordable options, but I guess we'll no longer go there after what happened. Just sharing my experience.

We stayed from December 20 to 27, 2023, and found the location handy, close to the things we needed. The hotel was clean and our room had the space and comfort we wanted, with a couch and big windows or a balcony. My husband and I aren't fussy, so the dated look didn't bother us much, though the building was put up in 2001 and the online photos haven't been updated. Renovations were underway during our stay, and we got to use the pool before it was drained. The staff were polite and helpful. Noise was the bigger issue: even on the 16th floor, we could hear cars and the LRT through the windows, which aren't soundproof. If you're a light sleeper, that could make it hard to sleep. It's an affordable option if you don't mind the older rooms. I'd come back after the renovation, and hope they improve the soundproofing.