Kabayan Hotel Pasay

With a smartly dressed security guard at the main entrance, and a doorman ready to welcome guests, Kabayan Hotel Pasay does not, at first glance, look like a property that would offer dormitories with shared bathrooms. The lobby, although not luxurious, is pleasant, with lots of wood accents, and a mix of traditional Filipino decor and generic contemporary touches. The rest of the common spaces aren’t as attractive, but similar in style to what other value properties in town offer. The cafe features an area with bamboo and wicker furniture, and a separate, brighter one with generic wooden cafeteria chars and tables, as well as a few couches and armchairs along the windows. Rooms are tiny, simple and basic (technologies are non-existent) but functional for a short stay. Families and solo business travelers are drawn to the property for its low rates and varied room types, which include singles, doubles, and triples, as well as dormitories with nice bunk beds, and Japanese-style capsule dorms. Although basic, this is a decent pick for backpackers, travelers on a budget, and those with an early flight out of Manila. 

The hotel is located on the corner of Taft Avenue and the EDSA, two of Manila’s main thoroughfares. The area is bustling and lively, with supermarkets, small local shops, and restaurants -- but the streets around the property are not as attractive as other more central neighborhoods in Manila, and some may find them a little sketchy at night. This location near the airport is convenient for those with an early flight out of Manila and for those who plan to take taxis, but there are no major attractions within easy walking distance. However, there is an MTR station and an LRT stop just around the corner from the hotel, which makes moving around Manila easy and cheap. Mall of Asia, one of the most famous shopping centers in the Philippines, is down the road; Metro Point Mall is directly across the street. Intramuros, Rizal Park and Fort Santiago are all within a 15-minute drive from the hotel in normal driving conditions

Aside from the low rates, Kabayan's multiple room layouts and occupancy capacities are one of its biggest selling points. The hotel offers single, double and triple rooms with private bathrooms; dormitories for up to six guests with shared bathrooms, and Japanese-style Kapsule Rooms for up to 10 guests. While some may find the experience of staying in a capsule somewhat claustrophobic, it can be fun and surprisingly comfortable (minus the pillows, which are thin). Rooms are clean, contemporary, and a notch above standard hostels -- but tiny and absolutely barebones. Wi-Fi (although spotty in some rooms) is free for all guests, and some rooms feature a mini-fridge, but little else is offered in the way of amenities. Decor is simple and mostly contemporary, with wooden or box-spring beds, basic wooden furniture, and wooden floors. Some rooms feature attractive accent walls in pastel colors, padded headboards, and a couple of tropical motifs on walls. Bathrooms, both shared and private, are tiny, with narrow showers and rain showerheads. Kapsule Room guests are given a locker, a towel, a blanket, and flip-flops on arrival. 

Pinoy Star Café serves up a free, hearty Filipino-style breakfast daily. The morning menu includes several options to choose from, all served with garlic rice, juice and coffee. The cafe remains open throughout the day, and offers a cheap, average traditional Filipino menu -- including pancit, lumpia, leche flan, and tocino -- as well as snacks and shakes.

The hotel also features airport transfer service, which is a plus given that metered taxis often get stuck in Manila’s heavy traffic and end up being far more expensive than expected. Free Wi-Fi and a few parking spaces are also available.