Affordable Japanese-Inspired Accommodation at The Travel City of the Philippines

This may sound cliché, but with my recent experience at Kabayan Hotel in Pasay City - Yes, the Travel City of the Philippines - the saying "Don't judge the book by its cover" fits perfectly well and just sounds right. So, yeah, let me share more of this story to you here...


With so many hotels, condotels, and even motels around the metro, I wonder how one chooses their accommodation? I'd like to assume that fellow travelers - local and international alike - would agree on these three things: proximity, comfortability and price.

Kabayan Hotel Lobby

Pinoy Star Cafe

In my recent trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, I’ve met a number of backpackers who value not just the money that they spend on the road, but also the time. Given the short amount of time in every destination that they will visit, and most of them tend to sacrifice some expenses just to get a comfortable accommodation.

Events Area

Hallway at the 2nd Floor

Last weekend, in my effort to promote the Philippines, specifically Metro Manila, I took the challenged of finding an affordable accommodation that is not just budget-friendly but also decent and close to main point of the metro. This is when I stumbled upon Kabayan Hotel, a local brand of hotel located at the very heart of the metropolis. This hotel is a stone-throw away from one of the busiest intersections in Metro Manila, where the busiest stations of LRT and MRT are located.

OFW Help Desk

Transport Counter

Located along EDSA, Pasay City, I was surprised to know that this establishment offers a unique, Japanese-inspired accommodation that might be a good option for anyone traveling here in Metro Manila on a budget! Priced at Php1050.00 per person per night, this kind of accommodation isn’t just found in Japan anymore. Comes with free breakfast, Kabayan Hotel has five rooms with 10 Kapsule Beds each – two rooms for male guests and 3 rooms for female guests. But according to the officer-in-charge on the day of my visit, sometimes the number of rooms per gender differs depending on the influx of guests.

Must-try: Merienda Buffet for Php130.00

We all know how expensive a decent hotel in the metro could be, so if you are coming here in Manila and will just be staying in a hotel just to get some sleep, these Kapsule Beds (that is not a typo) are not bad at all.

My Free Breakfast - Rice with Tapa, Egg and Embutido, 
Fruit Juice and Fruits for Dessert

My Dinner Set Meal - Php140.00 ($3.00) - 
Rice, Fish, Butterd Veggies, Soup and Fruit Juice

Something for my Sweet Tooth: 
Fried Ube Halaya Dessert - Winner!

As for the experience, I must admit that it was a little intimidating at first. I’m not really accustomed to sharing a room with total strangers, but since the each Kapsule is enclosed and arranged like bunk beds with curtain door at my foot, which is also the entrance, it felt like secure and private. The bed was also okay - twin size - and convenient experience that anyone could really crash into. The room also offers a locker where you could put your important belongings and a clean bathroom and comfort room.

Kapsule Beds

Every accommodation comes with one pillow, one blanket and a bath towel. Also, guests can avail some of their free amenities such as free transport from Kabayan Hotel to SM Mall of Asia.

Electricity Outlet inside the Kapsule

Lockers and Two Bathrooms

Another good thing that I like Kabayan Hotel and its Kapsule Beds is that the proximity of this hotel to transport station. Aside from MRT and LRT, which can give you quick access to the other cities in Metro Manila such as Makati, Manila, and Quezon, the hotels is also near the bus stations that ply to the north and to southern most part of the Philippines. It is also around 20 minutes away from Ninoy Aquino International  Airport, so if you have a super early flight and you are coming from the farthest areas of the metropolis, this place could be a good a convenient option for you to consider.

This is me after checking in - enjoying the Free Wi-Fi

With my curtain door half-shut

For more information and room or Kapsule reservation, you can visit their website http://www.kabayanhotel.com.ph or check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/kabayanhotel.com.ph/.



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