Every time I go to Zambales, I always stay here. It's the only resort in Sitio Liwliwa that has a…read morehalf pipe, for all the skateboarding enthusiasts out there. Before it was called Good Karma, this resort was called the Pit Bowl. This is because prior to being a half pipe, it used to be a skate bowl. The owner, DK, also has a cute little pitbull-American bulldog mix, so that's where the name partly came from. It's a great little place that's perfect for backpackers who really don't mind roughing it. I say this because there are two outdoor bathrooms, and one has a broken lock that needs to be tied up. Also, at night, frogs tend to congregate outside the bathroom door, so if you're not into that, maybe stay at other hostels in the area. It's within walking distance of the beach and Mommy Phoebe's cafeteria, so you won't have trouble finding food.

There's nothing like a quick trip to the beach to de-stress. But if you are a bit tired of…read moreBatangas, have a limited budget, and ready to go a little farther from Manila, Zambales is a good option. My sister and I do this and we always stay at The Circle Hostel - bare bones accommodation, but not without its charms. Anyway, all we need is a place for our bags and the use of a shower since we stay at the beach all day. The place is less than a minute's walk to the beach and is near eateries and a convenience store. They have a locker service, and for those staying overnight, offer free basic breakfast (banana, toast, and coffee) and different accommodation types. You can choose to sleep on hammocks, inside tents, or on bunk beds dorm-style. Hammocks are the cheapest and I was surprised at how comfortable it was. No backache in the morning and ready for surfing lessons! The hostel also lets you paint, draw, or write on their walls. It's a nice touch that lends the place extra warmth. I feel like I'm at a hippie surfer's haven in Bali!

It looked just like a house, and not at all like a hostel. This was what I thought as I entered Our…read moreMelting Pot (OMP). It has even a nice garden! Inside, the house was bright and airy. Actually, the structure was a former seminary, as I was to learn later. In fact, part of the profits from OMP will go to the formation of nuns and priests. So staying here also means supporting their work. As with hostels, the bathroom was shared (save for one room with a private bathroom), but we had our own room with a queen-sized bed. There were also dorm beds, of course, which start at a little over P400, with breakfast. Our room was worth P1,000. The bed was comfortable, and the ventilation was cool - this was Tagaytay, after all. The overall vibe was homey. What I also like is its convenient location - it's just a five-minute walk from the main road. It's very easy to commute to.

The redeeming quality is the view from the roof, but they have implemented an over the top RFID…read moredebit chip wristband system which is visitor-unfriendly, especially considering the drink selection is not particularly impressive nor was the vibe of the place. I've heard this place was the hotspot prior to the pandemic but nowadays they could certainly do more to win back their business.

Tucked away in the busy streets of Makati, this hidden gem of a place is definitely worth a visit…read more My friend and I have once decided to meet up here right after our work just to chill (it was just a walking distance from where I was working then). I never stayed in the hostel so my review is only for the rooftop bar. It has a nice view of the city and the drinks and foods were really cheap. The atmosphere was very casual and chill, especially during early at night. By the time it was getting late, more people had been coming in and the scene was starting to feel more like a club with loud music. Highly recommended if you're looking for a relaxed place to chill and have drinks.

(I am reviewing Tambayan's bar)…read more I really wanted to give Tambayan a higher grade. A gorgeous, fresh, and exciting addition to Malate's food scene, Tambayan is the type of establishment that Malate desperately needs. However, I wasn't too keen on the dishes we had. We ordered their Sisig Rolls and their Chicken Tenders, and while the Tenders were just okay, the Rolls was a bit underwhelming and a bit too oily. The waitress who was assigned to our quadrant also seemed to be a bit out of it, although that could be due to a number of things. Now, to be fair, we didn't order the main entrees as we were hopping from place to place. We've heard a lot of good things about their main dishes that I'm willing to go back for a second try. And seriously, the place is just too gorgeous to fail. It just has to work. It just has to. For now, 3 stars.

The good people of this establishment recreates this colonial mansion to a refuge for the weary…read moretraveler. It offers spacious capsule beds engineered to maximize privacy and accommodate one's creature comforts. The wet areas are always kept clean and it smells clean. The sheets are clean, and crisp. The best thing about this place is the staff. They are kind, accommodating, and would always go out of their way and go the extra mile to deliver an experience beyond what I paid for. Tambayan is more to me than a transient stop; It's my second home.

Where 2 Next Manila Hostel is a haven of cool in Malate. Quirky, fun, and comfy, this hostel has…read moreeverything a budget traveller needs. The rooms are spartan but clean. The shared bathrooms are clean and presentable. If you need to chill out, heat food, or just throw back a beer, their rather expansive lobby's got that covered. There's no wi-fi per room, but you're more than free to hang out in the lobby, which does have wi-fi. Where2Next is located in Adriatico St, right in the middle of all the chaos. There are a couple of good restaurants and outlets just outside the hostel, which is a plus. You're also walking distance from the Baywalk, which is another plus. So if you're looking for a place to stay in Manila but you're on a budget, do check out Where 2 Next. Money well spent.

My friends and I were coming from Su Zhou, a great dimsum place in Malate, and we were looking for…read morea cheap place to drink in the area, where we could just chill. A tall order in Malate, where establishments try to one-up each other and clamor for your attention. Luckily, my lady friend Aleli knew of a hostel in the area, whose owner she was close to, Where 2 Next. The sign outside is bright and inviting, and inside it's all swank and freshness, clean lines and colors mixing with more ornate furniture and decor. The lobby is hella spacious, with a lot of seating to kick back and relax. I especially love the balcony with its little bohemian alcove in the corner. It'st just a view of Adriatico below, but it's a nice place to have a chat over cold, cheap beer. The best thing about Where 2 Next is the environment of warmth and friendliness they create. We were having beers in the balcony and I just had a quick whiz in the bathroom when I was quickly greeted to have a shot of tequila with the hotel staff and the foreign guests. My friends and I did not plan to get hammered that night, but we had a great time staying up late.

Looking for a nice, safe and inexpensive place to stay in Manila?…read moreThe YMCA of Manila Hostel could be your best bet. Located just beside the SM mall in Manila and just behind the Manila City Hall, the hostel has two floors of rooms with different types of accommodations for all budgets. The most affordable are dorm type rooms offering bed space at P250 per person. There are also rooms that go for P1,000 a night for single or double occupancy, with a special rate of P850 for YMCA members. In another floor, the rooms are slightly larger and are available for P1,150 for members and P1,300 for non members. Extra beds are P400 per. All the rooms are air-conditioned, and that's about it. No pool, no gym although there are function rooms. To ease the boredom, there's cable TV for rent, as well as VCD players and karaoke machines at P100 per day each. While not exactly backpacker rates, the tourist and travelers' facility is ideal for those who need to stay for a few days at an affordable cost. The location is obviously a big plus.

I wonder why is your landline keeps on ringing? Please post…read moreyour new contact number for inquiries. Thank you.

Hotel Paradis is a pretty good hotel all things considered. Located on the sixth floor of the Good…read moreEarth building, entry can be through Bustos or at the Good Earth shopping center itself. Yes, it's essentially a hotel for couples who want to spend some quality time together. But unlike another such hotel nearby, this one has food and beverage service. The heavenly theme is quite amusing, with the receptionists playing the role of angels, with wings and all. With this hotel, there are no pretensions of being what it's not. Minors are not allowed, unlike some similar hotels which allow families to check in with their kids. So Hotel Paradis is really for couples to engage in that most pleasurable of activities, good old fashioned sex. To add to the excitement, this is the only hotel that I know of that also sells sex toys for those checking in. There are a couple of sidewalk vendors along Avenida who sell these adult toys, but most folks are too shy to buy them out in the open.

*Note: I booked this hotel for my wedding. So, this was my home for 2 nights!…read more This location is great for couples and big families. They offer great prices for the size of the rooms which also includes breakfast. It is near Starmall, SM Megamall and Shangri-la Mall. Not the safest area to walk but the hotel provides all guests with a free shuttle service to these shopping malls. The hotel staff are very helpful and will attend to ALL your needs without question by phone or by room visit. (Note: This was a big plus point for me especially since I had how many people coming in and out of my room during the day of my wedding.) Almost all the rooms include a living room, cable tv, kitchenette with medium size refrigerator, dinning table, and all rooms have Free WiFi! The only negative comment I have is that there is no microwave in the rooms. The hotel has an indoor gym and a roof top swimming pool. There is also a function rooms for meetings or other functions. Overall, I feel bad that I can't fully share my experience here because, well, everything was a blur during my wedding day! But, this was a good hotel. I mean, I was able to have everyone's make up done here. Photoshoots too! Plus, for brides-to-be, this is conveniently near the Archbishop's Palace (the chapel where I got married). If you want a hotel with the basic necessities at a good price, this is the place to be! :)

I planned a surprise birthday party for my girlfriend, but this hotel is really not for us. The…read morerooms are dirty, the staff were not friendly, and they charge 15 pesos per minute if you call locally. I can write here a bunch of things to complain to. But then, that's just my opinion. If I were you, I'd choose a better hotel. DO NOT BOOK HERE, IT'S A WASTE OF MONEY