RedDoorz Plus Banawe: Manila's BEST Hidden Gem Hotel?
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the, uh, allegedly "Best Hidden Gem" that is RedDoorz Plus Banawe: Manila! And let me tell you, after sifting through the mountain of amenities, let's see if this place actually lives up to the hype. Consider this a brutally honest, probably-too-detailed, and definitely-not-sponsored review (because, let's be real, who sponsors me?).
First Impressions (and Ramblings…Naturally):
Okay, so Banawe. Famous for… well, I'm not entirely sure! But it's a bustling part of Manila, and that means the accessibility factor is, like, crucial.
- Accessibility: Now, RedDoorz is trying, bless their hearts. They've got an elevator (hallelujah!), which is a BIG win. They claim to have facilities for disabled guests, but I'd definitely call ahead and double-check because what passes for "accessible" in Manila can be… optimistic.
- Getting Around: Getting to this "hidden gem" is Manila-style fun. Airport Transfer? Yes, but I'd recommend Uber or Grab to avoid any taxi nightmares (trust me, I've been there). Free on-site parking? Score! Valet parking? Nope. You're on your own with that.
The Room: A Deep Dive into the Details (and My Feelings):
Let's face it, the room is where the magic should happen. Here's a laundry list of what's on offer (and my take on it):
"Available in All Rooms" (and my mood swings):
- Air Conditioning: YES! Manila heat is no joke. Thank God.
- Alarm Clock: Yawn. Who uses these anymore?
- Bathrobes: Fancy! But will I actually use them? Probably not.
- Bathroom Phone: Seriously? Do people still call from the bathroom?
- Bathtub: Yes! (if you like baths, which I do)
- Blackout Curtains: Crucial for those epic Manila naps.
- Carpeting: Pray it’s clean. Really, pray.
- Closet: Essential. Gotta hang up my… well, whatever I'm wearing.
- Coffee/Tea Maker: YES! Fuel for caffeine-fueled explorations.
- Complimentary Tea: Good! I like tea.
- Daily Housekeeping: Praise be. The less I have to clean, the better.
- Desk: Useful for… writing reviews, obviously.
- Extra Long Bed: Important for those of us who are, well, taller than average.
- Free Bottled Water: Gotta stay hydrated, friends!
- Hair Dryer: Standard.
- High Floor: (fingers crossed) I hope for a decent view, because the Manila skyline is kinda awesome.
- In-room Safe Box: Okay. I guess.
- Internet Access – Wireless (Free): The MOST IMPORTANT thing in the list!
- Ironing facilities: Useful if you are traveling with ironed clothes.
- Laptop workspace: Check.
- Linens: Hope they're clean.
- Mini bar: Meh. I’m more of a "go out and explore" kind of person myself.
- Mirror: Yes.
- Non-smoking: Yes.
- On-demand Movies: Score if you want a lazy night.
- Private Bathroom: Yes, please.
- Reading Light: I might use it.
- Refrigerator: Helpful for drinks and leftovers.
- Satellite/cable channels: Nice for a bit of downtime.
- Scale: NOOOOO!
- Seating area: Ideal for working or relaxing.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Nice for a change.
- Shower: Fine.
- Slippers: Comfortable.
- Smoke detector: Good to know.
- Socket near the bed: THANK YOU! One of life’s simple pleasures.
- Sofa: Could be useful
- Soundproofing: Let’s hope.
- Telephone: Who uses these, again?
- Toiletries: Important.
- Towels: Clean towels are important.
- Umbrella: Very useful.
- Visual alarm: Good.
- Wake-up service: Old school.
- Window that opens: Okay.
Extra Toilet: This is a nice touch.
Interconnecting room(s) available: Great for families.
Safety/security feature: Yay safety!
Smoke detector: Also Yay!
Additional Toilet: I see, I see.
Alarm, reading light, socket near the bed, sofa, soundproofing, telephones So glad they have them!
Cleanliness and Safety (Because, Let's Be Realistic):
This is where things get really important. Manila is, well, Manila. So:
- Anti-viral cleaning products: YES!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Essential.
- Hand sanitizer: Praise be.
- Hygiene certification: Again, crucial.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Definitely necessary.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: This soothes my germaphobe soul.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Hope they're actually implementing it!
- CCTV in common areas & outside: Makes me feel a bit safer.
- Fire extinguisher & Smoke alarms: Always a good thing.
- Front desk [24-hour]: That’s convenient.
- Non-smoking rooms: Excellent!
- Safety/security feature: See above.
- Security [24-hour]: More like it!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (The Fun Stuff):
- Restaurants & Bar: YES! I’ll need sustenance.
- Breakfast [buffet]: I want to eat everything.
- Room service [24-hour]: Awesome if you’re feeling lazy.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Always.
- Coffee shop: Good if you like it.
- Bottle of water: Thanks.
- Snack bar: I'll probably get the snacks.
- Poolside bar: I’m in.
- A la carte in restaurant: I might eat something.
- Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: I see!
Services and Conveniences (The Perks):
- Air conditioning in public area: A MUST.
- Cash withdrawal: Good to know.
- Concierge: I’ll need this.
- Convenience store: Perfect.
- Daily housekeeping: Thank you.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Again, double-check.
- Ironing service: Thank you.
- Laundry service: I need this.
- Luggage storage: Excellent.
- Safety deposit boxes: Okay.
- Smoking area: Good for smokers.
- Terrace: Nice.
- Access, CCTV in common areas, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: Excellent!
Things to Do/Ways to Relax (The Good Stuff):
Okay, so this is where we get to relax, right? Well, RedDoorz Plus Banawe claims to have a few options:
- Fitness center & Gym: I’ll be honest: I might use these.
- Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes, please! This is the kind of relaxation I need.
- Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath: Maybe.
- Pool with view: Is it a good view?
- For the kids, Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Got this.
- **Additional Facilities, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Doorman, Dry
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This RedDoorz Plus @ Banawe itinerary isn't your Instagram-perfect travel diary. This is the real, messy, slightly-hungover, and definitely opinionated truth.
A RedDoorz Rollercoaster: Banawe, Bugged-Out and Brilliant (Maybe)
Day 1: Arrival and the Art of the Adobo Apocalypse
1:00 PM: Manila Madness – The Taxi Tango: Landed at NAIA, sweating like a pig in a sauna (Manila humidity, you are a force). Negotiating a taxi felt like a high-stakes poker game in a fish market. "Meter on! Meter on!" I bellowed, channeling my inner street fighter. Managed to escape with only a slightly inflated fare (victory!). The Banawe traffic was a symphony of honking and near-misses. I swear, I aged a year just getting here.
3:00 PM: RedDoorz Reconnaissance: Found the RedDoorz Plus @ Banawe. Looks… decent. Definitely seen better, definitely seen worse. The air conditioning is humming like a dying refrigerator, which is a tad concerning. The lobby smells vaguely of cleaning fluid and desperation. Honestly, expectations are set low, but hey, a bed is a bed.
4:00 PM: Room Revelation - And a Little Bit of Agony: My room. Okay, it's clean-ish. Spotty water stains on the ceiling. The view is… a wall. The TV is a 1990s hand-me-down, but hey, at least it works. The bed looks comfy, it's a good thing. Tried the shower and it takes a bit to get the hot water just right. All is good.
5:00 PM: Food Quest - Battling the Adobo Beast: Stepped outside in search of sustenance. My stomach growled, I was hungry. The streets of Banawe are a delicious sensory overload: the sizzle of street food, the perfume of jasmine, the blare of karaoke. Ended up at a local eatery. Ordered adobo – a Filipino staple. This adobo, I tell you, was an experience. The sauce was rich, the pork melt-in-your-mouth tender. Honestly, I almost cried, it was that good.
7:00 PM: Karaoke Catastrophe - My Singing Career Ends: The karaoke beckoned. I don't sing. Ever. But the beer, the atmosphere, the sheer audacity of it all… Well, I grabbed the mic. Let's just say my rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" sounded more like a dying cat wailing in a wind tunnel. The locals were incredibly polite, but I swear, I saw one woman subtly cross herself. Decided to stick to silent observation.
9:00 PM: Back to Base - The Sweet Embrace of Exhaustion: Back in my room, sprawled on the bed like a starfish. The aircon is… still humming. The walls might be thin. I can hear the faint sounds of a party next door. Trying to get some sleep, and pray the cockroaches aren't too friendly.
Day 2: Temples, Traffic, and the Terror of the Rice Porridge
8:00 AM: Wake Up Call - Breakfast Brawl: Okay, so the promised "free breakfast" at RedDoorz turned out to be a sad plate of lukewarm rice porridge and a single, anemic-looking fried egg. The porridge tasted like wallpaper paste. I managed to choke down a few spoonfuls, mostly out of principle.
9:00 AM: The Temple Trek - A Moment of Zen (Maybe): Decided to brave the Manila traffic again and visit a temple. Finding a decent ride was a battle. Eventually, with a bit of haggling and a lot of gesturing, I found a ride. Finally made it to what seemed like the edge of the city. Temple. I was ready for serenity. I managed to find some moments of peace. I took a deep breath, and I needed it.
12:00 PM: Return to the Hotel - The Room's Welcome: Back at the RedDoorz. The chaos of Manila took it all out of me. I sat on the bed, I might've even passed out for a while. It was good to be back!
2:00 PM: Afternoon Adventure - Finding the Heart of Banawe I decided to wander. To explore. To find the soul of Banawe, or at least a decent snack shop. The streets were crowded with activity. I did a bit more exploring in the area.
5:00 PM: Dinner - Trying Filipino Street Food: After the temple, I was starving and a little overwhelmed. Time to try the street food! Grilled everything. The textures were fantastic, the spices, amazing.
8:00 PM: The Final Act - My Final Hours: I spent the rest of the evening on the bed, watching TV and praying for a quiet night.
Day 3: Farewell, Philippines (and Good Riddance, Maybe?)
7:00 AM: The Final Breach - One more Sad Breakfast: The last, sad plate of rice porridge. This time, I didn't even attempt it. Just grabbed a banana from the street and a coffee.
8:00 AM: Checkout Chaos - The Last Dance: Checkout was surprisingly painless. The staff were, actually, very kind.
9:00 AM: Taxi Triumph, and Off I Go! More taxi negotiations. They went great this time. Out of Banawe and to the airport.
*Final words: The RedDoorz Plus @ Banawe was… an experience. Not luxurious, not perfect, but undeniably *real. Manila is a chaotic, vibrant, and overwhelming city. It's a place that can exhaust you, frustrate you, and then, in the same breath, dazzle you with its beauty and warmth. RedDoorz, well, it's a reminder that travel isn't always about perfect hotels and flawless itineraries. Sometimes, it's about the imperfections, the unexpected detours, and the sheer, unadulterated humanity of it all.
(Post-trip reflection: Would I go back? Sure. Would I stay at the same RedDoorz? Maybe. But this time, I'm bringing earplugs… and maybe a can of bug spray.)
Escape to Paradise: Hua Hin Beach Bliss & Cicada Market Fun!
RedDoorz Plus Banawe: Manila's BEST Hidden Gem? Let's Get Real. FAQ.
Okay, so… Is RedDoorz Plus Banawe *actually* a hidden gem? Like, is it worth trekking out there?
Alright, let's be real. "Hidden gem" is a phrase thrown around like confetti these days. Is it a diamond in the rough? Maybe a polished pebble? Here's the deal: Banawe, by itself, isn't exactly *tourist central*. You're heading towards the heart of Chinese-Filipino culture and, frankly, a whole lot of traffic. So, if you’re expecting a pristine, Instagram-ready getaway, maybe lower your expectations a little. BUT… for the price and what you get, yeah, it’s pretty darn good. Especially if you're there for the *food*. Oh, the food! More on that in a bit…
Location, Location, Location! How's the neighborhood of Banawe itself? Is it safe?
The neighborhood? Bustling. Loud. Smells of delicious things (and sometimes, let's be honest, questionable things). It’s a working-class area, so it's not a spa retreat. During the day, it's generally safe. I wandered around, even felt comfortable enough to try and order food in broken Filipino (which always gets a laugh, trust me). However, like anywhere in Manila, exercise common sense, especially at night. I'd recommend sticking to well-lit areas after dark, and if you're unsure, just grab a Grab (ride-sharing app). It’s the best way to explore the area
What's the room *actually* like? Is it clean? And is it a cramped space?
Clean? Generally, yes. Let's just say I'm a bit of a germaphobe, and I survived. They definitely put effort into keeping the rooms tidy. The beds are comfortable enough, which is HUGE after a day of battling Manila's chaos. And space-wise? Okay, yeah, it's not a ballroom. Think of it as efficiently designed. Don’t expect to be doing cartwheels. It’s perfectly adequate for crashing after stuffing yourself with dim sum. My tip: pack light. You won’t have much room to spread out.
Any horror stories about the room? Like, leaky faucets, screaming neighbors, that sort of thing?
Okay, full disclosure. The first time I went, the air conditioner was a little... *spirited*. It sounded like a jet engine taking off. And let's just say the walls aren't exactly soundproof. I did hear a karaoke session at 3 AM that I could've *sworn* was happening *inside* my room. But, honestly? It’s the Philippines. Embrace the chaos! It’s part of the experience. The second time around, I asked for a different room, and it was fine. Just put in the request while booking, be a little assertive without being a jerk, and it’s usually okay. The hotel staff are genuinely trying their best.
What about the amenities? Do they have Wi-Fi? Is breakfast included?
Wi-Fi is available, and it's generally okay. Not lightning-fast, mind you, but good enough to stream a movie or check your emails. Breakfast? Usually not included, but DON'T WORRY. The best part of staying here is the food scene *around* the hotel. So many amazing places to choose from! They often have a small restaurant or will have some sort of option, but do yourself a favor and explore. Plus, there's usually a 7-Eleven nearby for late-night snacks (emergency chocolate, anyone?).
Speaking of food… Is it true the food scene is amazing? And if so, give me some specifics!
AMAZING is an understatement. Banawe is a CHINESE FOOD PARADISE. Seriously, you could spend a week just eating your way through this place. For dim sum, check out *King Chef*. Their *siomai* is heavenly. For authentic Chinese cuisine, definitely go to *Sincerity Fried Chicken*. You may be thinking, "fried chicken? Really?" Trust me on this one. It’s legendary. Don't skip the rice toppings at any of the hole-in-the-wall places either. Prepare to loosen your belt, your taste buds are in for a treat, and be prepared for a serious food coma. Also, be sure to head to a *pasteleria* for egg tarts. Worth it.
How easy is it to book? Is it easy to get to?
Booking is a breeze. RedDoorz has a user-friendly app and website. Check the reviews first, but in general, it’s pretty straightforward. Getting there? Traffic is the main hurdle. Give yourself plenty of time, especially during rush hour. Grab is your best bet. Just be prepared for the potential for a very… *interesting* ride! Manila traffic is not for the faint of heart. Allow for, at the very least, 90 minutes in the ride to and fro.
What about parking? Is there parking available? Can I bring a car?
Parking *can* be tricky in Banawe. It can be limited at the hotel, so it's best to inquire beforehand. If you're driving, it's generally advised to call ahead and double-check parking availability, and if not, be prepared to pay for parking at a nearby establishment. Parking on the street is generally not recommended due to the high-traffic volume in the area.
So, should I stay at RedDoorz Plus Banawe? Give me the honest verdict!
Okay, the *honest* verdict? If you're looking for a budget-friendly place to crash while you EXPLORE THE FOOD SCENE, absolutely yes. The convenience of being near all that amazing food is worth its weight in gold (or, you know, the cost of a hotel room). If you're expecting luxury, serene quiet, or a five-star experience, then maybe temper your expectations. It’s not perfect, but it'Hotel Deals Search
