I was first introduced to the world of hostels back in 2008 when I happened to stay at a nice little spot called "The Inn Crowd" in Singapore, Singapore. I found myself neck deep in the ways of hostel life and culture, and I fell hard. I became convinced that there was no better way to travel.
Having said that, it's always frustrated me how there seemed to be a complete lack of hostels in Manila. I know that the city isn't as popular with tourists as say, Thailand or Hong Kong, but I think that our city has its own unique charm that can't be replicated anywhere else in the world. So, I was very happy to find out that a hostel called MNL Boutique Hostel had just opened its doors in the heart of Makati and I decided to stay overnight to assess the place.
Wow. With 8 inch spring mattresses and hotel grade linen, this ain't no shabby "bed" disguised as a futon that'll leave you sore and sleepless the next day. No, no, no. What's so great about this hostel is that the owners envisioned a place where they themselves would be happy to stay in, and this was the beautiful outcome. I was fortunate enough to have had the owners (Maica, Celina and Gonz) in when I stayed there and gotten the chance to speak with them. Very nice, accommodating and down-to-earth people.
Wifi is fast and free, meaning there's no need to worry about missing important emails from work, home or what not. Secure key card access is also available. Power rain shower is great, and for those who are unfortunate enough to land a bunk beside a loud snorer, the hostel offers free earplugs. Yay!
If you're from Manila, you understand how great the central location of this place is. For tourists, it's not far off from Intramuros. The in room lockers also help you maintain peace of mind about the safety of your belongings. For those looking to get out of the city, simply approach the front desk for information on guided tours. I loved this place and I would probably stay here again just for fun or to make a few new friends along the way. Rates aren't bad at all, and no doubt, the chill out area is my favorite section of the place as it provides a space to relax or socialize with other guests. Thank you Maica, Celina and Gonz for raising the bar when it comes to providing high quality yet affordable lodging for both tourists and locals alike! Mabuhay! read more