Riverside Inn Iloilo City

We found out about this inn because we have a colleague who is from Iloilo. This inn is located just in from of University of San Agustin which is less than 4kms away from the city proper, just one jeepney ride away; also is one jeepney ride from SM Iloilo, minimum fare. 

The inn is pretty basic which is fair enough for the cheap price we paid. The room amenities are basic as well but good enough for two nights stay. I am impressed with the spacious toilet and bathroom which is usually compromised in most cheap inns. They don't have a grand lobby and signage in front so you could miss this easily. There are food stalls at the ground floor and it is on the main road.

Here are some of the photos I got for our room:

Centre Point Wireless Road

We got their Three-Bedroom Suite for two nights. Our stay was awesome! Everything is clean and well-maintained. It felt like we have our own flat unit in the center of Bangkok. We also got spectacular view of the city. Follows are my first-hand experiences:

• Wireless Road is one of Bangkok center business districts so expect to have traffic here especially during peak hours.
• They have ample space for parking and waiting area for vehicles.
• Upon entering the lobby, you can smell the aroma of their special scent. Very soothing! They have huge lobby as well. You may also get maps and guides from the reception. Their staff are well-accommodating too!
• They have ample elevator (about at least six) to service all of their floors. Nice and new elevator too!
• One complaint we have is that their corridor (on the rooms floor) are not air-conditioned so it may be hot during noon time.
• (may I reiterate?) Their room is spectacular and classy and huge! All of us were amazed upon entering the suite.
• Our suite have 3 bedrooms (2 each with queen-size bed and one with single bed), each with ensuite bathroom.
• I got the smallest room (good for one person) but I am still impressed. I want to have a room like that too!
• Their breakfast is pleasing too! Though not really comparable with those from five-star hotels but they are more that enough for me. I got tasted my first macaroons here!

the bathroom of the single room, this one has a door from the living room

the single-bed room, with city view

the kitchen/utilities section, with provided kitchen utensils and appliances

the dining area

the living room with access to the balcony

the room with queen-sized bed

view from the balcony door

city view at night from our balcony

Legacy Express Bangkok

Stayed here for two nights last March 2013. Two major reasons why we chose this hotel is that it is very close to the BTS Station (and is along the main road) and it is very affordable. Well, it didn't failed us! Reviews I've read for this hotel are true and all of my family was impressed with it. Here are some of my insights and observations:

• Taxi drivers might have difficult time understanding the address, just show them the full address and mention that it is at the corner of Soi 1.
• Only about 3 minutes to the BTS Station and is along the Sukhumvit Road (one of the busiest road in Bangkok)
• They just don't have parking and waiting area for your taxi/van pick ups.
• Their staff are very helpful, don't hesitate to ask for assistance especially in getting a cab. Trust me on this!
• Maybe it is not mentioned on their site but they now have buffet breakfast that comes with your accommodation. Not that a lot of choices though but it will keep your stomach full.
• Small and slow elevator though, it only fits around six people without travelling bags.
• First impression upon seeing the hotel is that they are very chic and contemporary. This applies even on the hotel interiors and rooms.
• Rooms are well-kept and simple. You would just have a small window to view the outside. All the basic amenities of five-star hotels are also provided. Great!
• Their WiFi works pretty good anywhere you are in the hotel. Impressive!

hallway facing the back of the hotel

hallway facing the front of the hotel

our standard room

the comfort room

Royal Oberoi Resort Hotel, Puerto Princesa City

We stayed here for 4 days and 3 nights during my last visit to the city last November 2012. Here are some of my reviews for this accommodation:

• Their reservation through email was very quick and hassle free. The owner, Mark, responds to my queries almost everyday. You can even ask for the tally computation for better understanding.
• Their facade isn't that inviting that you couldn't even imagine that it was a resort hotel inside. Just like a typical subdivision gate.
• The location was a bit off the city proper, about 30 minutes travel by tricycle and the (rough) road leading to the place is creepy and dark at night.
• Their entire vicinity is really huge - the pool, the garden and the restaurant/events place. Everything is well-kept as well and enough attendants to assist and guide you when you need them.
• Their pool is huge and quite deep for Asians like us. I think the shallowest is around 5 feet deep. Though they don't change the water everyday, I can see that they put treatment chemicals every night to the pool.
• Their restaurant is also huge! It is actually two floors but I think we can only access the ground. It is non-aircon but the air is enough to keep us cool and be one with the environment. You got to try their burger and pizza!
• The rooms are tidy as well. I appreciate their decorations and fixtures that made the room more pleasing to the eye. We had the villa type and my only concern is that there is only one aircon (at the second floor) and their shower area drainage wasn't that properly placed. Aside from that, everything is fine.

Here are some of my captured photos of the place...

the double bed at the second floor

the balcony looking through the outside of the resort

view from the second floor loft 

the second floor bed and sofa set

shower area located on the first floor

master bed at the ground floor

our delicious welcome drinks!

the pool and the pool-bar at night

their restaurant

my free breakfast

free breakfast on my last day

I highly recommend this accommodation if you want to have a quiet time during your stay in Puerto Princesa City. Definitely we will be back to this place!

Puerto Princesa City Itinerary and Budget

Luan Vu Hostel

We stayed here last November 2012 for two nights. Here are some of my insights to this Hostel:

• Very cheap accommodation in the heart of the Backpacker's district

• Prices comes with daily breakfast which is usually plated egg and sausage meal with unlimited bread (toasted) and juice or coffee

• Finding this Hostel might do a trick as it is located on a very small alley from the main street (Bui Vien). Locals that we asked for didn't knew reading it's address as well. It's near the Mini-Stop along Bui Vien St.

• The receptionists are very helpful and friendly! They provided us a map when we arrived and hke-helped us figure our way to the grocery to buy some take-home goodies.

• They have very clean corridors as you would take off your shoes before going upstairs.

• You may also ask for tours and they will be the one to contact the tour agency for you. The tour guide will just fetch you at your doorsteps before the start of the tour. Their tour is also recommendable and is at par with the rest of the agencies around.

• The rooms are spacious enough for our needs. There ain't any window though but it's very tidy and well kept; even the comfort room is nice.

• The WiFi works well even inside the rooms.

Some photos of the hostel...

3rd floor corridor

the reception and lobby

my breakfast

i forgot what juice this is

with our very friendly receptionist

Over-all, I would love to come back to this place and very recommendable to anyone!

Backpacking Indochina Itinerary and Budget