Are you looking for a place to stay in Baguio for 1000 pesos and below per night? Spending the Christmas holidays in cold Baguio seems like a good idea.

So, I did a quick online research.There are hotels listed in Booking.com that have rooms for less than 1000 pesos per night. The travel dates are from December 21 to 27, 2020.

Where to stay in Baguio for 1000 pesos and below per night from December 21 to 27, 2020:

1. Wanay’s Rocky Mountain Homestay

Wanay’s Rocky Mountain Homestay is located in Summerfields Subdivision, Goshenland, Pico La Trinidad, Benguet. It is not near the city center but you will have a good view of Baguio. Click here to locate. The room rate for six nights is 3600 pesos for two adults, exclusive of taxes and charges.

2. Amara Transient

Amara Transient is located at 418 Cuneta Compound, Mines View. The room rate for two adults for six nights is 4201 pesos, exclusive of taxes and charges. It has a Very Good rating based on 101 reviews. It is near Good Shepherd and Mines View Park. Click here to locate.

3. Macbeth’s Transient House

This transient house is located in Purok 4, Holy Ghost Extension, Baguio City. It is near popular tourist attractions like Mines View Park and Camp John Hay. Click here to locate. A double room good for two adults for six nights will cost you 4590 pesos, exclusive of taxes and charges.

4. Oyo 549 Sajj Building

Oyo 549 Sajj Building is located at 49 Rimando Road, Aurora Hill Proper, Baguio City. To locate this hotel rated great for travelers, click here. A room for 6 nights for two adults is 4715 pesos, exclusive of 566 pesos taxes and charges.

5. Koinonia Retreat Center

Koinonia Retreat Center is located at 30 Fairbreeze Street, Bakakeng Norte, Baguio City. Locate this guest house here. A room good for two for six nights is only 4800 pesos plus 576 pesos for taxes and charges.

6. Oyo 704 Yang’s Homestay

This family stay is located at 1 Queen of Peace Road, Baguio City. Locate it here. It is near the Lourdes Grotto. A room good for two adults for six nights is only 5201 pesos, exclusive of taxes and charges.

7. Casa Bell Inn

This inn, well-liked by couples, is located in MMGARA Bldg, Marcos Highway. Click here to locate on the map. A room good for two for six nights costs 4726 pesos plus 709 pesos for taxes and charges.

8. Hya Transient

Hya Transient has 3 units available, offering mountain views. It is located at 23 B Chapis Village, Bakakeng Central. Click here to locate. A unit good for two adults for six nights costs 6000 pesos, inclusive of taxes and charges.

Travel requirements to enter Baguio City

As of October 28, 2020, Baguio now allows up to 500 tourists per day, of all ages from the entire Luzon to enter.

Below are the travel requirements for tourists to enter Baguio City:

• A Baguio VISITA (Visitor Information and Travel Assistance) account. Sign up here and upload a valid ID and current photo
• Approved travel with issued QR-coded Tourist Pass (QTP) by:
  1. Scheduling a visit with your Baguio VISITA account
  2. Uploading a confirmed itinerary
  3. Uploading a proof of accommodation booking with a hotel accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT)
  4. Filling out an online health declaration
  5. Uploading the negative results of COVID-19 taken prior to travel and valid within 72 hours from extraction or done upon arrival. Click here where to get RT PCR test for 4000 pesos and below.

• Triage procedures upon arrival at any of the following sites:
  1. CAP Convention Center John Hay Triage – Open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  2. Baguio Convention Center Triage – Open 24 hours

Triage is the sorting out and classification of patients or casualties to determine priority of need and proper place of treatment.

The Baguio City Tourism Office has also allowed:

• Staying in own, relative’s or friend’s house
• Same-day trips
• Trip to BLISTT (Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, Tublay) tourist attractions
• Long-term vacations

Missing Baguio

I was born in Baguio. For the longest time, I have been planning to visit my hometown. Then, COVID-19 happened unfortunately. As of October 23, only tourists coming from Luzon are allowed to enter Baguio. Hence, I will have to postpone my trip until it reopens to the rest of the country. I am from the Western Visayas Region, specifically Boracay.

Click here for the places you can stay in Boracay for 2000 pesos and below per night.

Learn more about Baguio City by watching the vlogs of my friend Je Carino of Kwentong Pinas. He is based in Baguio City. Watching his vlogs makes me miss my hometown all the more! Thanks Je for lending me some of the beautiful shots of the country’s summer capital.

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Are you looking for a place to stay in Boracay for 2000 pesos and below per night? Well, you are just in luck! To attract visitors and help reboot tourism, most hotels and resorts on the island have slashed their rates by as much as 50 to 75% in time for the Boracay reopening.

Moreover, I happen to have friends on the island who have extended special room rates exclusively for my blog readers. Truly, living on the island for two years has its perks. Below are my top picks where to stay in Boracay for P 2000 and below per night.

Where to stay in Boracay for 2000 pesos and below per night

1. La Banca House At Boracay

Situated in Angol Beach, a more quiet part of the island, La Banca House At Boracay boasts of leisure, serenity and privacy within reach. Mention my blog to avail of an exclusive room rate of P 2000 per night for two persons. This rate is for a limited time only. It comes with breakfast for two. What a deal!

For reservations, call 0956-490-3114, 0921-810-4433, +63 (36) 288-9477 to 78 or email reservations.labancahouse@gmail.com. Ask for my good friend Mr. Eugene Flores.

2. Kaiyana Boracay Beach Resort

Another secluded beachfront resort is Kaiyana Boracay Beach Resort located in Angol Beach, Station 3.

This resort is family-run. Hence, you can expect the warm hospitality only a family-owned hotel can offer. Enjoy a quality and comfortable stay in Kaiyana Boracay Beach Resort.

For a limited time, Julie, owner and friend, is offering P 2000 per night good for two, exclusively for my blog readers. For reservations, call +63362724256.

3. Rob and Fred’s Room

Located just 5 minutes from the beach front of Boracay Station 3 is Rob and Fred’s Room. Rob and Fred’s Room is one of the favorite resorts of budget travelers in Station 3. As one of my blog readers, you may avail of special rates. Just mention my blog.

My friend, Jen, is offering rooms at Rob and Fred’s Room good for two, with one bed, for only P 800 per night.

They also have rooms good for two to three persons for only P 1500 per night. Remember to mention my blog when you make a reservation.

To book, please call +639498924863 or email robfred2020@gmail.com. Ask for Ms. Jenifer Lee. Rates are subject to availability and may change without prior notice.

4. Bamboo Beach Boracay Resort

Bamboo Beach Boracay Resort is situated at the beachfront of Station 3. I made their promotional video last year. Watch Bamboo Beach Boracay Resort’s promotional video below.

For the reopening, Bamboo Beach Boracay Resort has special room rates. For as low as P 1600 per night, you can book a room for two. Rate is inclusive of plated breakfast for two. For only P 2700 per night, you can get a room good for four inclusive of plated breakfast for four. Travel period is up to May 31, 2021. Rates are subject to room availability

They can also arrange an island hopping activity and door-to-door airport transfers for you.

For reservations, email: bamboo_resort@yahoo.com or info@bamboobeachresort.com.ph.

You may also call:

• Landline: 036-288 5047 / 036-288 3109
• Mobile Nos.: 0995 106 0874 / 0929 388 7701

5. Niu Ohana East Bay

Niu Ohana East Bay is located in Bolabog Beach, the eastern part of the island. You will certainly enjoy having your breakfast at Ohana while watching the Boracay sunrise.

Their rate for a Standard Room good for two is P 1280 per night. For reservations call +639308295318 and mention that you are one of my blog readers. They also have other room categories:

6. Frendz Resort and Hostel Boracay

Frendz Resort and Hostel Boracay is a multi-awarded hostel on Boracay island. It is located in Station 2. The ambiance is rustic and exudes an island vibe. Before moving to Boracay, this was one of my favorite places to stay with friends while on vacation.

They have three room categories. The room rates are good for two persons.

Frendz also has dormitory-type rooms for only P 600 per person per night. If you do not mind sharing a room with a stranger, you can stay in one of their dorms. All their dorm rooms follow 50% occupancy policy in compliance with the Minimum Health Standards to curb COVID-19.

For an 8-bed dormitory, only four persons are allowed; for a 6-bed room, only three persons are allowed; and for a 4-bed dorm only two guests are allowed.

If you want to meet friends, stay at Frendz Resort and Hostel Boracay. For reservations, go to their website here. Rest assured that you will be taken good care of at Frendz. All of the staff of Frendz are my friends and have become my family on the island, too.

Quiet Boracay

If you want to enjoy a more tranquil Boracay, this is the best time to visit. The island remains COVID-free since lockdown and we want to keep it that way. Establishments follow the minimum health standards and are regularly inspected by the local government unit of Malay. Rest assured that you will be safe while staying on the island in the new normal.

Click here for the requirements to enter Boracay.

Click here for the updated list of hotels and resorts in Boracay with the Department of Tourism accreditation and Certificate of Authority to Operate.

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Are you looking for a hotel for your short stay in Metro Manila? Are you looking for a decent, clean and affordable hotel that is near Makati or Ortigas Business District? You might want to check out GARV’S Boutique Hotel along Boni Avenue in Mandaluyong City.

GARV’S Boutique Hotel is located in front of the Mandaluyong Medical Center.

GARV’S Boutique Hotel offers no-frills accommodation that is perfect for your short business trips to Metro Manila. It is also great for backpackers who are looking for halfway stay during their stopover in Metro Manila before heading to their final destinations.

GARV’S Boutique Hotel has a modern industrial minimalist design. The combination of white and gray with a touch of green gives a tranquil and simple yet sophisticated atmosphere.

GARV’S Boutique Hotel has twelve (12) rooms. Below are their room rates:

A promo rate of Php 1,199 nett per night for a Deluxe Standard Room is ongoing until April 30, 2018. For bookings, call +632-637-8839 or email garvsboutiquehotel@gmail.com. They also have a Facebook Page and an Instagram account.

I stayed in a Deluxe Standard Room with a queen size bed. The room smelled clean. Air conditioning was great. The sheets and towels were fresh. The toilet was spotless and a Guest Kit was provided compliments of the hotel.

In case you need extra, you can purchase one for Php 50.00 or you can visit Watsons Health and Beauty Store which is right next to Chowking.

The room has free wifi, a landline and a flat TV with ABS CBN TV Plus. Also, I got to fly my drone on the roof deck which to me is perfect for small gatherings.

Below is a short video clip that I prepared and posted on my Facebook Page featuring GARV’S Boutique Hotel.

[facebook url="https://www.facebook.com/joeljawsandrada/videos/1753666928023297/" /]

To watch in high definition, view the Youtube post below:

The hotel does not have room service and a cafe. However, there are nearby restaurants to choose from.

[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m16!1m12!1m3!1d811.7581315943934!2d121.03502300049493!3d14.576600659826626!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!2m1!1sRestaurants!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sph!4v1523293117320&w=600&h=450]

• Chowking- Chinese/ Filipino Fast Food, open 24 hours
• Jollibee- Fast Food with Filipino Flavors, open from 6 AM to 11 PM
• Greenwich- Pizza Restaurant, open from 7 AM to 10 PM
• R&J Bulalohan- Filipino Restaurant, open 24 hours
• Nerry’s Grill- Restaurant, open from 12 AM to 11:30 PM
• Cusina Negrense- Filipino Restaurant, open from 11AM to 11PM
• Jelly Belly’s Restaurant- open from 8 AM to 12 AM

Or, you can ride a public utility jeepney to Forum Robinsons Mall located at No. 30 EDSA corner Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City, open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM. Fare is Php 8.00.

Moreover, GARV’S Boutique Hotel also offers dorm accommodation for long-staying guests at Php 2,500 per person per month.

By the way, there is a spa on the ground floor. I did not get to try it but will do on my next staycation at GARV’S Boutique Hotel.

So the next time you visit Metro Manila, try GARV’S Boutique Hotel. Signing out for now. Peace!

The post GARV’S BOUTIQUE HOTEL | AFFORDABLE DECENT NO-FRILLS ACCOMMODATION appeared first on JOEL JAWS ANDRADA.

After booking a budget ticket to Jakarta via Air Asia, I thought that the next best thing to do was to book a hotel that would be easy on the pocket as well. I was going to Jakarta to attend two meetings. The venue of the first meeting was located at the client’s office in South Jakarta. I opened Google maps and typed my client’s office address. After the location pin showed up, I typed “hotels nearby”. A number of hotels showed up in an instant with their corresponding room rates per night. I was easily intrigued by the room rates of ZEN Rooms SCBD at P 553.49 per night.

Wow! What a bargain! I clicked their icon and was directed to their website. At those budget-friendly rates, they offer the following amenities:

• 20 Sq m Room
• 24-hour Front Desk
• Common Kitchen
• Flat Screen TV
• Non Smoking Room
• Parking
• Smoking Room
• Study Desk

Their online customer service was also very helpful. I chatted with Dayne and she was accommodating with my inquiries. I did not book my stay immediately because I was a little bit wary quite frankly. How can a hotel charge so low and be able to provide the amenities that they claim? So, I gave it a thought for a week. Well, honestly, I did not really have time to think about it since I was too busy. A week before my date of departure, I finally decided to take the risk and booked my stay at ZEN Rooms SCBD anyway. I mean, what was there to lose? I am not picky. I just needed a place to sleep in.

Can you believe this? I only paid P 1,660.46 for a three-night stay in Jakarta, Indonesia!

Upon arrival at the CGK or Soekarno–Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, I grabbed my mobile, clicked the GRAB icon, inputted ZEN Rooms SCBD and requested for a GRAB driver. I paid IDR 128,000 or PHP 486 for GRAB and IDR 35,000 or PHP 133.00 for toll fees.

Here is ZEN Rooms SCBD on Google Maps:

[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3966.215046030436!2d106.80340631476919!3d-6.235359995486437!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x2e69f1432e9472d9%3A0xc3ce40bd70c024e3!2sZEN+Rooms+SCBD!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sid!4v1521734796771&w=600&h=450]

Arriving at the hotel, it almost felt like I was coming home to my former apartment in Project 8, Quezon City. It was homey and I was welcomed by Echo, the receptionist aka caretaker. I received a ZEN Rooms Toiletries Bag containing a bottle of shampoo, bath gel, soap and a dental kit.

The room was tidy and smelled clean. Of course, it was not a five-star hotel accommodation but it was decent and just right for my budget. It had good air-conditioning, LCD TV with basic cable channels, personal refrigerator, safety deposit box, closet and two bottles of complimentary mineral water.

The room had a wall clock but no battery. LOL.

Unfortunately, there was no hot shower. But who needs one anyway when in tropical Jakarta? There was also no adapter available. Good thing I brought my Air Asia Travel Adapter.

So if you are a smart traveler, you might want to choose ZEN Rooms in Jakarta, Indonesia.

ZEN Rooms operates in Southeast Asia’s top destinations offering quality and affordable accommodation. They have 5,000 rooms across 50 cities in 7 countries.

With ZEN Rooms, I was able to spend less on accommodation and got extra money to go around Jakarta and spend on good food.

DISCOUNT COUPON CODE

By the way, I have a discount coupon code  that you can use valid until June 27, 2018. Just click here. Avail of $20 discount* at ZEN Rooms Hotels when you travel to Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong.

*$50 Minimum booking value. 

Signing out for now. Peace!

The post SERIOUSLY? 3-NIGHT STAY IN JAKARTA AT ZENROOMS SCBD FOR LESS THAN P2000! appeared first on JOEL JAWS ANDRADA.