Seoul Trip 2014: Great Stay At Apple Backpackers

After much checking and inquiry made, our group decided to stay at Apple Backpackers for the trip for 7 days.  The management of the this place is quick to send responses as we ask for a quoted price for the period of stay and even give a free stay on the 7th day.

The place. The place is well kept though the hallways were small. Those tasked in the receptions were friendly and approachable. Though some were not fluent in English, they still tried to assist you with the easiest means in travelling from point A to B. The place also has common room for cooking and dining with fridge. They also offer free coffee and tea.

Hallway

Cooking and Washing Area

Common Area

Common Area

Another good thing here, there are lots of leaflets and guides in various language that is very useful going around the city particularly those with subway guide.  There were even magazines/handouts with discounts for amenities and theater shows.

Handouts and Guides

Handouts and Guides

As for location, it is walking distance from the highway and subway at Jongo-3. Food is not a problem since there are lots of restaurant, coffee shop and convenient store within the area plus a cinema a few blocks away.

Free Tea and Coffee

The room.  The room we stayed in is good for 4 people and with private bath room and television (that we even bothered to turn on). It is spacious that we can even keep the luggage bags inside. The beds, a double bed and a double deck, are comfy though the pillow is quite hard. They provided a side table and a bigger one for other stuff and writing. They also provided a hair dryer. The bathroom is also big and clean.

Though there were few problems I’ve noticed. For the bathroom, it takes sometime before the water turns hot so patience is needed if warm bath is needed. Another is the sockets in the room were round instead of the normal flat. Good thing is that they provide adaptor for this. And since the room is private we have to ask the receptionist each morning for cleaning as they don’t enter such room for privacy’s sake. In line with this, you need to bring the used towel at the bin near the reception and get a fresh one at the stand along with the soaps.

Overall, I recommend this Apple Backpackers. It is a good place to stay for those in budget and convenience. Another tip, the place is near the drop off/pick up point for airport limousine bus.

A Day Spent on Jack's Ridge

A Review on Jack's Ridge, Davao

Our stay in Jack’s Ridge is an out of the blue decision since I was not able to remember places I’ve researched except this one. So I advise the driver to drop us there and he obligingly does so. Once in the place I can say it has a good location with a good overview of the city and the Davao Gulf (even better at night) but I am limited only on checking its amenities like restaurants, piano bar and the amphitheater.

The receptionist was friendly and patient to explain the terms from down payment to staying there. And the rest of the staff there is accommodating and friendly though they ask me a couple of times where I came from. The said part is he is quite slow to process my request and makes me wait a bit longer (almost 30 minutes).

For the room, it is a small hut complete with small cable television (an old school one), telephone for in-house call, towels and soap, personal refrigerator, and small side cabinet plus the menu of the restaurants. The room size is small that we look so packed inside along with the things inside (imagine sardines in a can). The room has small veranda with the view of the city also and it is the only place in the room that allow us to access Wi fi but the signal is not too weak to almost none thus we end up going to the café for a stronger signal. Also the fridge on the room is too old that there were rust forming on some parts inside and I recommend not using it. And at night, there are many mosquitos lounging around the room and the stairs.
Amenities wise it’s good to have 3 restaurants to choose from though the price particularly Taklobo Restaurant is quite expensive and all of them have service charge on top of the bill. The pool is good but they got a different charge for its use (as shown on the sign near the area) so we’d opted not to check on it anymore.

Overall, Jack’s Ridge is a good place to eat (if you want to spend a little) and unwind due to the view it offers, the park and the big amphitheater. But I don’t recommend staying there for two reasons: 1.) It is far from the town center and 2.) the hut/room we stay is not a good one for my opinion. And there are there are many pension, inns and hotel in Davao much better to stay.

Tidbits on Jack’s Ridge (some taken from their site):

Jack's Ridge is located in Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao city. It is 30 minutes away from the town proper. It has 3 main restaurants namely Taklobo Restaurant, Kai’s Bar and Grill and the Karlo’s Coffee. Its location was part of the headquarters of the retreating Japanese forces towards the end the of World War II.

Chriscent Ville Pension House Tagbilaran City

Good place to stay in the city. Staffs are friendly and easy to approach. Room is clean though not well maintained. But I can still say safe and comfortable to stay in. The place is near church, mall, dinner and other accommodation.

It’s all worth the payment.

Palawan 2011: Stay at Ysabelle Mansion

Finding a good place on a trip is hard with lots of things to consider –location, amenities and room. But I feel lucky that me and Bernz have the same taste of a “good place” to stay. So during the Puerto Princesa Trip, we opted to stay in Ysabelle Mansion.

Upon arrival at the airport, we are picked up the owner’s husband at the airport with a welcome banner. Quite impressive because other hotels I’ve checked in before does not offer such service. Also they give us a ride back to the airport during our last day.

Once in the hotel, I notice it is clean and nice. It is accentuated with local products to add homey effect. There is small garden and veranda. Also they offer free wi fi connection to its residents. However the place is far from the city proper thus when heading back here, some tricycle drivers ask for payment for PHP 20.00 or more to cover a trip.

Our room is big and spacious. It has television with cable and one lamp. Also they provide Good morning complimentary set – toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo and soap. I can say it’s too big for 2 persons with 2 double beds, though they only add one cabinet to occupants with a couple of hangers. With girls staying, the cabinet won’t fit our clothes thus we opted to use it to house our used clothes. The bed is a little old yet still comfy to sleep on, pillows are small and thin but I can say the sheets and bed cover are still new.

They also have a small restaurant that offers mostly breakfast set with all the sinangag (fried rice) and egg combination with various add on to choice from like tocino, tapa, hotdog and corn beef. And upon checking on the menu, I can say that they prefer to serve local meals but I wish they consider to add other stuff like sandwiches. Also they require pre-order for breakfast meals. The price of the food is expensive and in small portion as I compared to other breakfast I’ve eaten.

The owners are friendly and approachable. I even see them allowed a guest or two to use the computer to book flights. However, the sad part is, some of their staffs are not friendly and not accommodating. I even need to call them twice just to notice me.

Overall, the room is great, service needs improvement (or the staff needs training) however I might think twice staying here again since I prefer a location much nearer to restaurant and stores.

Coron 2009: Home Away From Home

We stayed at Mommita's Place during our 4 days stay in Coron. It was an old house that is transformed into lodge. The lodge is easy to find since many locals knows the owner and there are nearby stores to buy necessities if necessary. The owner of the house whom we called mamita is very friendly and accommodating. She always makes sure everyone is well tendered. Also she also ask one of her staff to accompany our group for the trips (a big plus to take care of the food and pics :D )

The place have 2 dinning room to accommodate all travelers staying there. The food served is so good and yummy. It was cooked by Tito Lito, Mommita's brother. Most food served is fresh seafood. Lucky if there is no high tide for those big delicious crabs served.

The room where we stayed is big and clean though it has low ceiling. It was equipped with air-con and fan. Though it was not well lighted thus you need to go to the other side of the room where the light bulb is located to be able to find stuff in the bag.

Another big plus is our comfort room is big that 2 person can take a bath on the same time particularly if you are in a big group like us or in a hurry to leave. However there is no hot water. :( But if someone don't like sharing, there is common bathroom outside.

I’ve seen also some of the other rooms (we sneak on some open doors :D)and they are also spacious and well maintained though some do not have their own bath room.

The place has a small tereza on the 2nd floor with the only cable television. It’s a nice place to spend the evening to play games, drink, smoke or just relax.

I recommend this place as one good place to stay in Coron. It’s very homey and cheaper than the other hotel in the area!