Grand Astoria Hotel

For a budget hotel under 2k, this is a nice, cozy place in Zamboanga City. The location is handy for malls, the barter area, restaurants, and downtown. The rooms are clean, the aircon is cold, and there’s a hot-and-cold shower. My son’s favorite part was the free breakfast, especially the tocino, tapa, and fried bangus. I’m not much for taking pictures, so I don’t have any to share.

The family room was spacious enough for four, and the beds were okay. That’s about the only positive, though. There were lots of tiny roaches, the shower water barely flowed, and the aircon couldn’t cool such a large room. The pillows weren’t comfortable either. It felt expensive for what we got.

After paying over php3k a night at Winn hotel and Garden Orchids hotel, I was satisfied with my room at Casa Canelar for under php2k. The A/C worked well and the shower had hot water. The room was clean and met American standards. I’m genuinely impressed, and I’d recommend it to tourists. You can’t beat it for under $40usd.

The customer service was very, very good. The staff accommodated our requests with a smile, and I’d definitely stay here again. The hotel is a little old, but they keep it clean. Breakfast is served at Gerry's Grill downstairs and makes for a hearty meal. The bedding is a bit worn and should be replaced.