Budget Hotels in Quezon City, Metro Manila. Philippines

Quezon City is one of the most dynamic areas of Metropolitan Manila, and is a melting pot of people from all walks of life. There are hundreds of artsy shops, quaint restaurants, hole-in-the-wall establishments, and quirky cafes that add character to Quezon City. The city is named after former Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon, and it was even the Philippine’s capital during the years 1946 to 1972.

More travelers are discovering the numerous attractions that Quezon City has to offer, and the growth of budget hotels has risen dramatically. Experiencing the eclectic, indie vibe of the city doesn’t have to hurt your wallet; read on below to see some recommended budget hotels.

1.       The Orange Place Hotel, located at 26 Kamias Road has standard, fan rooms, family rooms, and budget queen rooms for travelers visiting alone or with companions. The rooms are equipped with basic amenities and have wooden furniture, while the hotel has a restaurant serving affordable local fare.

2.       Dangay Suites Apartment at 99-A Dangay Street in Project 7, has rooms which can be rented out daily or monthly. The compound has two buildings with 3 storeys each, housing 15 homey apartments. What originally started out as monthly rentals for local families, Dangay Suites transformed into a transient home catering to local and international travelers in 2009. There are daily and monthly rates for occupancies ranging from 1 to 8 persons, and room amenities at Dangay include utilities, water, cable television, private bathroom, and air-conditioning.

3.       Sir Williams Hotel is also a home alternative to budget hotels in Quezon City. It’s located at 39 Timog Avenue, just a 5 minute walk from shops and restaurants in the area. Sir Williams offers 7 types of rooms, from basic standard rooms to a one bedroom suite to accommodate travelers looking for cheap hotels. Each room features a 21 inch flat screen television, air conditioner, hair dryer, and telephone.

4.       Mariposa Budget Hotel in Cubao is one of the hotels in the Mariposa group that are known for offering quality budget accommodation in Manila. It is conveniently located within the Araneta Commercial Center, and offers guests a choice between Mega and Deluxe rooms. Each  air-conditioned room comes with LCD television, private bath, hot and cold shower.

5.       Stonehouse Bed and Breakfast at 1315 E. Rodriguez Avenue is a charming accommodation option in Quezon City. Guests can choose from 9 different room types, each of which is equipped with private bath, air conditioning, wireless internet access, and cable television. Daily newspapers are also available for guests who want to read up on the latest local news at Stonehouse. The hotel is also equipped with a business center, jazz bar, and restaurant, making Stonehouse Bed and Breakfast one of the top choices for budget accommodation in Quezon City.

List of Hotel Bars and their Specialty Drinks

As of last year, with the Department of Tourism’s push for everything being more fun in the Philippines, it was decided that if Singapore had the aptly named Singapore Sling in the historical Raffles Hotel, then the Makati Shangri-La would also have a signature drink for Manila, called, the “Manila Sunshine” of course.

 The “Manila Sunshine” is made with lambanog, a coconut wine, as its base. It is also mixed with local fruits including mangos and pineapple, with a dash of triple sec, and the local rum much loved by tourist, Tanduay. The cocktail is then garnished with lemongrass and a sliver of sliced pineapple. A non-alcoholic version of the drink is also available, appropriately called the “Virgin Manila Sunshine”.

 Not to be outdone, The Mandarin Hotel’s Martinis Bar provides live music in a sophisticated setting, and of course –excellent martinis. Have your fill of the hotel signature drinks in the form of the Ginger Martini, Calamansi Martini, and the Coconut Martini. If you’re looking for something not easily replicated in other bars though, have a “Manileno”, a mojito/caipirinha mix made of the local dark rum muddled with fresh ginger and topped with ginger ale.

If cocktails aren’t quite your thing, then head over to Dusit Thani Hotel’s bar and restaurant called Fiesta San Miguel.  Here you can take partake of their signature drinks in the form of unlimited San Miguel Draft Beer with beer matches such as currywurst, fish and chips, and adobo pizza. You can take your drinks in the main area backdropped by big brewery kettles while listening to the Top 40 tunes provided by the house DJ. If you’re looking for a more laidback evening with your friends or workmates, head over to the terrace to bask in the open air for a relaxed evening.

 A reliable list of hotel signature drinks in Manila would not be complete without mentioning the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila’s grand restaurant Spiral. With 21 dining ateliers to cater to your every gustatory need, including a peking duck oven, a churrasco, a cheese room, a hug chocolate station, and all the sushi and sashimi you could ever hope to eat in an evening –there is certainly the a drink to match your every need. But because this is a French-run hotel, you might as well have something from their impressive wine cellar. Have their in-house sommelier choose a wine to go with your food, and don’t be afraid to tell them your budget beforehand, they won’t sneer at you if you want something affordable.

 The Salon de Ning of the Peninsula Manila provides the setting for a 1930s Shanghai ala Wong Kar Wai’s film “In The Mood For Love”.  Lose yourself in the cocktail lounge’s signature drink “Ning Sling”, a blend of Belvedere Pomerancza, lychee liqueur, passionfruit fruit puree, and orange juice.