Philippines review #16…read more After searching for a room online, I came across and chose this unit for my 6 day stay in Manila. This is the "Alcoves 4, premier studio", one of 11 units this company has in 5 different buildings around the Makati area. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/alcoves-apts-aguirre-radissons-units-makati?select=z1EP9I9JANaFGsk5xXlr9w http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/alcoves-apts-aguirre-radissons-units-makati?select=-OBTsQqpytyAAoXm3DGz6g LOCATION: In Makati and only 3 long blocks from the very nice Greenbelt Mall. It's only a few blocks further to the (less fancy) Glorietta shopping mall. Just on the other side of Greenbelt is the Landmark department store, which has a large supermarket, plus food court on the basement level. There are also a number of different restaurants within 2-3 blocks, including a Mc Donald's that's open 24 hrs. SERVICE: As this is a condo, there is no front desk per se, no room service etc, only building security. After arriving, I filled out a form at the security desk, then went directly to the unit on the 22nd floor. An Alcoves representative was waiting for us in the unit and explained the features of the unit, how to work the keyless door lock, the controls on the cooktop in the kitchen, the A/C, the cable TV, log in to the wifi, etc, which was quite nice. Amenities? A pool and gym on the 8th floor. Also an in room safe, blow dryer, iron & ironing board, are available by request. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/alcoves-apts-aguirre-radissons-units-makati?select=Fb5-fhRsgmnqky1ZYWYjaA A cleaning crew comes to clean the unit, replace towels, etc, every other day, so you won't need to. The room has a clean, somewhat modern feel to it. I particularly liked the divider with the bamboo. The bed was pretty firm, which is normally fine for me, but for some reason became uncomfortable the last couple nights. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/alcoves-apts-aguirre-radissons-units-makati?select=rkcXJB35ffzImOdnjU8uPQ There's also a small covered balcony with a small table and 2 chairs. Even though the temps were in the high 80's / low 90's most of the time, it was nice on occasion to sit there and enjoy the view. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/alcoves-apts-aguirre-radissons-units-makati?select=2GXo7i5-QNZVMib3A4S8vw The kitchen was small, but very usable with a 2 burner halogen (electric) cooktop, a small fridge, microwave, toaster oven, dishes, utensils and a couple pans. We made breakfast a few times and pork adobo once. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/alcoves-apts-aguirre-radissons-units-makati?select=DKBWqMyLkiGNZcsElNkcSQ The bathroom was small, but worked. They include soap, plus a dispenser in the shower with shampoo and shower gel. Unfortunately the shower gel ran out during our stay and their supplier was out, so they brought small bars of soap to replace it. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/alcoves-apts-aguirre-radissons-units-makati?select=Hd_oH8pcGvUL3VenM3TCgA The only negatives were: #1 Due to poor plumbing design (by US standards) I'd get an unpleasant "sewer smell" from the kitchen sink every time I'd run the water. #2 While not a true "problem", the A/C unit is too small for the room. While it WAS able to maintain a comfortable temperature for me, it ran continuously, never cycling off the entire time I was there. OVERALL: Yes I could have booked some other place for less (or a nice hotel for more), but at $58 a night total, this was a nice room with wi-fi and a kitchenette and I was pleased overall.

Stayed at Avida Towers during my visit to Metro Manila in one of the condos. It is centrally…read morelocated and has gated security 24/7 with the SM Mall right across the street for your convenience. This is a bustling area with easy transportation and comfortable accommodations. There's a swimming pool available for guests and fast, efficient elevators in the building. Well kept, plenty of parking and excellent staff that gave outstanding customer service during our entire stay, I highly recommend staying at this location if you're in the City of Paranaque, Metro Manila.

I had just moved out of this dorm after graduating. I stayed for about half of my years in college…read more It was the cheapest dormitory within the area. The dorm itself isn't very nice. I prefer a more "condo-ish" interior. I found it a bit weird that the guards tend to be nosy. One time, I was just about to leave the dorm and go back to province when suddenly the guard followed me outside of the gate and asked where I was going and why even if I was on the phone and in very much a hurry. Their so-called library isn't apparently air-conditioned and the interior of my building wasn't fully symmetrical. The floors weren't all "pantay" and the elevator's very slow. The fridge usually doesn't have any space, some of the food I put there go missing, likewise with the condiments like oil, salt, and pepper that I leave in the kitchen just like my fellow dormers. It was an alright place to stay at if you wanna settle for less. But if you really want that perfect city life, I would prefer somewhere better and more sulit.

My very good friend Lexie lived here all 4 years of college life and she always felt very content,…read morenot feeling the need to move anywhere else or to dorm on-campus. She was roommates with her best friend and the two of them always just said how comfortable it was and how the security was really tight. One time that I went over, the guard didn't even want to let me in at first, but after some assurance from Lexie that I wasn't gonna be there long, the guard allowed it. She was perfectly nice about all of it though. Those were just the rules! As you enter the dorm building, you see right away a courtyard area, right in the middle of everything, with all these plants and flowers and wooden benches. Pretty homey! It's like they have their own little garden right in there. Some blockmates and I (all girls only haha) actually had a pleasant study session there, freshman year. Going inside the room, you can see how it's pretty spacious! They had a double room I guess, which fit two twin size beds easily with much space left to move around. They also had their own bathroom inside the room, closets, and a big table to one side where their toaster, fridge, and other food stuff were on. It's more like a small apartment than just a dorm. And it was cool they could have a toaster. I don't think you can have that in the dorms on campus, lol. Even the other nicer dorms in the area are just basic bedrooms, and the bathrooms are even outside. I could see how it was very comfortable at Dormitoryana. You could rest easy with the good security as well. Would have been nice to live there, indeed. (If only I could have dormed! But I lived too near school, hahaha).

Alphaland Makati Place is the newest addition to the upscale high-rise buildings sprouting in and…read morearound Barangay Bel-Air area. This residential, shopping, and leisure complex sits across The Columns in Malugay Street. It's also near One Central by Megaworld. Although the residential areas are yet to be completed, the exclusive leisure complex known as the City Club is already open for guests and members. Honestly, I haven't been to the City Club but I heard it's equipped with covered tennis and badminton courts, huge swimming pools, and other sports and fitness amenities. The part of Alphaland Makati Place that I have been to several times is the shopping and dining area. Although there are still many stores under construction, the ones that are presently open are good reason enough to visit the place. You can find shops like Rustan's Supermarket, Handyman Home Center, Generic Pharmacy, Dairy Queen, and National Bookstore. New and exciting restaurants to try are Akira, Burst, and OLIC. There's also Speakeasy, which is more of a drinking place or watering hole. If you like to while away your time there's a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf outlet at the ground floor and a tea place named Fiftea at the basement beside Rustan's Supermarket.

Beautiful hotel-like residence. Front desk with concierge service. Lobby is welcoming and cool…read moreduring the hot days outside. Doormen always ready to help as well as being courteous and friendly!!

A great clean place to live if you're in this area! I had to review it here for the record…read more Actually, it's a perfect location in Mandaluyong area and close to everything walking distance that you will need.... from restaurants, banks, groceries, shopping and transportation. The building is off Lourdes but if you don't drive slow, I can see you missing the entrance to this place as there is construction around it. This twin tower building is next to the up coming Westin residence that is being built still. The Sonata building is a pretty secure residential place as there is a guard at the entrance to driveway, a guard before cars can go in. The guards are good at knowing the regulars here when you get dropped off by Grab cars. There is also guards over looking the front entrance to the building. If you have guests coming to visit you, they have to sign in and take your picture before they can call your condo. The staff is super nice and friendly. The place offers a gym, pool, kids play area and lounging area for guests with AC and TV. There is a boutique and salon at the bottom floor of tower 1. I really enjoyed it here so if you plan to purchase one of these condos, this is a perfect location to live in. We stayed here for a month as this was in Airbnb for a decent price. [17/100]

This place has been creating quite the buzz all over social media. I was introduced to this venue…read morewhen I attended Pecha Kucha Manila, a popular, international event that translates to "chit chat" in Japanese which is also being held all over the world in various cities. This year's Pecha Kucha was held here at A Space. A Space is a relatively new co-working space and events venue located near Greenbelt. Aside from a co-working space for startups, freelancers and entrepreneurs, they also have an art gallery which doubles as an event space for larger groups. It's a great space that gives off a vibe that's conducive for working both independently and collaboratively. It's also a nice place for events that are more on the casual, intimate and laid back feel. The whole space is designed like a modern loft with an industrial touch. I know they offer more than just events spaces and co-working spaces, as I've heard that they also do coffee, and they do partner up with other startups and entrepreneurs for all sorts of projects and events, so you can expect to hear more about this place in the near future.

I first encountered A Space during a pechakucha event. Just across Greenbelt, this place at first…read moredoesn't look like much, with a building façade that is more or less common in the area's surrounding the mall. A quick trip up the elevators, however (say hi to the guard first), will show you that what the brown building hides is a fun, quirky concept more than anything else. As narrated by the founder, A Space is supposed to be less office, more haven where ideas and innovation are given ample room to grow. Everything is thematic, and each theme is conducive to developing a different aspect of your abstract concept. Hell, there's even a space called "Frank", for frank and straight talk, complete with a larger-than-life image of everyone's favorite straight-shooting badass, Jason Statham. A veritable first for me, my visit to A Space had me, honestly, wrestling with the concept after years of being hammered in a traditional corporate set-up. But I guess A Space is effective at its intended use, as the more I ruminate, the more the concept makes sense to me. As an added bonus, go ask "Paeng" to tell you his best Filipino joke.

Tita Flory's apartments are recommended if you're a student, a young professional starting out in…read morehis or her career, or a young couple with no kids yet. It's a 2-storey complex of studio apartments one tambling away from the bustling Maginhawa scene. Each studio apartment has its own kitchen counter, bathroom, and living/bedroom/dining space. Yes, there are slashes between those functions because the space is tiny - about 20 square meters. It's ideal for just 1-2 people in each apartment. You have your own electricity and water meter, on which bills are sent directly to your room. WiFi? You gotta have yours installed yourself. Pros: Bathrooms are bigger than expected; Security is good - CCTV cameras are placed around the gate and one along the hallway; Peaceful, quiet, and private; Tita Flory is a really nice woman; and, of course, LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION. Cons: Relatively expensive, compared to other studio apartments in Krus na Ligas (KnL); Can't throw big dance parties. Unless being in a clown car version of an apartment is your thing. Lounging-lounging lang; She doesn't have a phone number. You have to wait patiently for Tita Flory to go downstairs after pressing the doorbell several times; Limited parking space. TL;DR - Consider living here if you want a small "tulugan lang" and temporary living space while you get your act together. It's decent and safe and comfy.

I was pretty surprised when an old building in downtown Sta Cruz, Manila was quietly converted into…read morea residential apartment building. This was about two years ago. From what I gathered, the entire building had been turned into studio type apartment units, with an average cost of between P7,000 to P8,000 per month. The units at 8000 Plaza Residence are bare and have high ceilings, which is a plus because the air is better ventilated. Anyone who wants to rent a unit has to sign a one-year contract minimum, so it's no sleazy motel type apartelle. Since the units are small, they are ideal for single or double occupancy only. Three or four adults can share it but it would be most cramped. The advantage of this apartment building is, of course, location, location, location as the people in the real estate industry like to say. The LRT station is a few steps away and Quiapo is withing walking distance.

Saan po ako pwede maka hingi ng # niyo po. Mag iinquire po sana ako ng room na good for 7 people…read more Sana mabasa niyo po. Salamat po