Where to Stay in Puerto Princesa: Dallas Inn

Cozy little fan rooms for PhP300 a night (twin sharing or dorm basis) with free wifi and unlimited coffee? It’s not often that you chance upon finds like these in a tourism giant like Puerto Princesa. In Dallas Inn, however, they have all these and more- they have Ate Oring.

Free drinking water (hot and cold), coffee and milk tea

The most gracious and approachable host that she is, Ate Oring will help you fix your day’s schedule and hook you up with only the best tour providers. She would even share her stories with you in the mornings over a cup of hot milk tea or coffee. She’ll ask you how you found her place and in the case of a friend recommending it, she’ll recall with all clarity the name of that friend who’s stayed at Dallas Inn weeks or even months before you.

spotless clean bathroom

The place is actually a private residence converted into an inn by Ate Oring and her family. The rooms are clean and it is encouraged that guests leave their footwear outside their rooms in the shoe rack provided.

Clean sheets, towels, free soap - bare necessities

perfect mornings here at Dallas inn comprise of two things- coffee and a good conversation

There is a common living room where a table is set up holding the mugs, hot water, and sachets of instant NaiCha (milk tea) and coffee. Just near the gate, a mini lounge is provided with a native woven hammock and some chairs and a table, perfect for lazy afternoons after tiring countryside tours.

lazy lounge

I highly recommend the place for those wanting to stay for a night or two in Puerto Princesa on a budget without compromising comfort. Well I should say that more than being budget-friendly, clean, and cozy, the place owes a chunk of its character to Ate Oring and the many backpackers from around the globe that make Dallas Inn their home in Puerto Princesa City.

huge map on the wall where backpackers could pop in pins to represent where in the world they're from

Dallas Inn & Cafe

Cel No.: +639199678558
Complete Address: #11 Carandang St. Mangahan
Puerto Princesa City Palawan, Philippines
contact person: Oring Gonzales
email: dallasinnpalawan@yahoo.com

Where to Stay in Davao City: The Royal House Travel Inn and Suites

Upon touchdown, around 2:30 pm, I hailed a jeepney that would take me to the downtown area (thanks to habagatcentral’s directions on how to get in and out of Davao Int’l Airport) for just P14. I had a prior reservation at the Royal House Inn and Suites in C.M. Recto, formerly known as Claveria and still called by that name by the locals. I must have missed my stop because the jeepney was already dropping off the last remaining passengers at Illustre St., which was perhaps the last stop before the driver begins the next route cycle. Oh well, I thought, might as well have lunch first before figuring out how to get to the hotel (which I realized hours after  was just within walking distance from Mang Inasal in Illustre as the taxi meter read P55 pesos only).

Yes, disappointed with myself for breaking my public commute vow on my first day of travel, I paid 55pesos to the taxi driver who took me to my hotel. He very willingly provided the change. This is what distinguishes Davao (and Baguio too!) taxi drivers from the rest of the country: they charge exactly as what the meter tells. Not like in Metro Manila where you give P100 for a P75-meter reading and where the driver demands an additional P50 “dahil traffic sa EDSA”.

The Royal House Inn has a very welcoming lobby with walls adorned with paintings and a high ceiling decked out with chandeliers. When morning comes, I wake up to the sounds of birds merrily chirping by the hotel mini-aviary smacked in the center of the building where the ceiling opens up to the sky and rain pours down at night ensuring the guests of a good night’s sleep.

 

I originally booked the room with company in mind but my friend backed out because of work commitments so I had the double economy room all to myself. With 850pesos per night, this is pretty affordable by all standards. Air-conditioned, equipped with cable TV and a shower heater, the large room is well worth the pay. There’s also Wifi connection by the lobby which I very much abused with FB and twitter on my nightly itinerary. Haha

Gohotels: A review

For individuals needing an affordable yet quality place to stay for a night or two in Metro Manila, gohotels is one good choice. For 888pesos (advanced booking), one can reserve a room (good for 2) for a one-night stay.

Nested along the bustling highway that is EDSA, Gohotels is just a few meters away from MRT-Boni Avenue Station and is beside Robinson’s Pioneer.

Gohotels perhaps stands by the adage to live by the basics only. And true enough, it only gives us what is essential in a hotel — in-room safe, private bath with hot and cold showers, aircon unit, 2 bath towels, foot towels, single use soap and shampoo with conditioner, sanitary bag and tissue paper, 22 inch LCD TV with cable, free wi-fi in rooms (?, it wasn’t working when we were there) and on the lobbies, and high quality non-allergenic pillows.

There is no room service and if you want your room made up, you have to request the staff and it comes with a fee. And for meals and other necessities, one can opt for Mini-stop 24-hour Convenience store and Tokyo Cafe, which are in the same building (Robinsons Cybergate Plaza).

Here are some photos we took while we stayed there for a night because we had an early morning flight the next day.

The hotel rooms are actually only on the 5th and 6th floors of the building.