Hotel Avenija

The front desk girl was really nice and personable, and the customer service was 10/10. I was nervous coming in because the reviews were mixed and even my cab driver said I wouldn't like the place. I was travelling for fun after work in my flight attendant uniform, and people might expect me to want luxury, but I just need a clean room in a good location. This was bare bones, tiny and windowless, but clean, cozy, and had toiletries and air conditioning. Nothing bothered me, and I genuinely enjoyed the stay. It's definitely not fancy, so it may not suit someone looking for that. I loved being in a neighborhood that didn't feel touristy. There were friendly people, lots of excellent street food, a 7-11 around the corner and several 24-hour restaurants. Right across the street was a small locally owned spot with huge vats and dishes of homemade Filipino food. The area has real people and older buildings that could use some love. The Philippines is a developing country, and you can see some of that here, but the people and food made it a great location and a fairly authentic cultural experience. I'd love to visit them again.

The room looked clean, but it had an old, musty smell that was probably from the building's age. The location is ideal and the price is very affordable, which made the experience all the more disappointing after the photos online looked so good. We didn't feel safe enough to stay the night: there was no security guard and the rooms had no double lock. The whole place felt creepy, with dim hallways that gave me the sense someone was watching from every door. At night I worried someone might knock or suddenly come in. I hope management improves the safety with guards, locks and CCTV, along with the lighting and ventilation. It could be a much better option for future guests.

Check-in and parking were no problem, and there are plenty of places to eat nearby. It's also really close to SM. But the hotel is very basic, and the complaints about the bedsheets and other things not being sparkling clean are true. Good thing we brought our own. No breakfast is served, so bring toiletries too or buy them at the 7-11 downstairs. The rooms have no windows, so if you need to get up early, set an alarm. You can't tell if morning has come.

Clean and safe, and worth the price. Parking is available, though it gets tight with a large vehicle.