Hotel Life

Meet Prince Plaza II Condotel.

Meet Prince Plaza II Condotel.

I’ve just come back from a 3-week visit to the Philippines and Singapore!  I made sure to stay at a range of places to be able to share with you folks my experiences at different hotels, in different areas of town.  Hotels do, after all, become our temporary homes in our adventures.  First on the list is Prince Plaza II Condotel, condo units that are turned into hotel suites for guests – complete with free amenities like toiletries, towels, and access to the gym and pool.

Prince Plaza II

  • 3-star rating
  • More details on their website.
  • Rate:  Walk-up rate is 4900 PHP per night for a studio room (about $136 CDN/night) for two adults.
    • Advance booking reduces rate to about 3000 PHP/night ($85 CDN/night) using sites like Booking.com
    • Rate includes buffet breakfast for two
    • All rooms include a kitchen with basic cooking gear
  • 101 Dela Rosa Street (corner of Legazpi and Dela Rosa)
  • Across from Greenbelt 5 mall and walking distance (via covered walkways) to other major hotels and malls such as Glorietta and SM Makati.

Meet Prince Plaza II Condotel. Meet Prince Plaza II Condotel.

Accomodations

Prince Plaza II gave us a complimentary upgrade to a 1BR suite (which usually goes for about 6800 PHP or $190 CDN/night).  Needless to say, we were thrilled with the extra space.  The dining area had plenty of space to leave our luggage lying around.  In addition to the en-suite master bathroom, the main living area also had its own 3-piece bathroom.  Each bathroom had free toiletries, towels, and a rainfall showerhead.  We ended up staying here for our entire stay in Manila (8 nights, including our late-evening arrival).

The suite also had a large and comfortable couch, and extra guests could stay for an extra person fee, and additional for their breakfast.  Also, there is an option to opt out of the buffet breakfast for a lower rate.  There is, after all, a kitchen with cooking utensils handy for long-term stays.

The comfortable-enough bed comes with basic sheets and extra linens are available upon request.  We decided we didn’t require extra blankets.  Two air conditioners kept the suite cool.

Meet Prince Plaza II Condotel.

Facilities

Facilities are on the Upper Penthouse floor – along with the complimentary breakfast buffet.  To use the gym or the rooftop pool, notify the guards through the hallway phone so they can unlock the doors.  You have to sign in with your room number.

Meet Prince Plaza II Condotel.The gym was tiny with very basic facilities – but no one seemed to be using it during our stay.  The rooftop pool was a great way to cool off at the end of your day.  Due to the humidity of the city, we opted to use this facility mid-afternoon after our arrival as we adjusted to the 13-hour time difference.  It was large enough that you could do a few laps.  Similar to the gym, it may have been overwhelming if many guests came up to use it – but as you can see, we were the only ones up there at this time.

Buffet Breakfast

Meet Prince Plaza II Condotel.As mentioned above, a buffet breakfast is complimentary with most rates.  The key ulam and soups changed daily with some staples making an appearance daily.  The juice also did a rotation and they made sure to cater to both Western and local appetites with their options.  A note explains that you can also have an omelette if you order it through the staff.

The food was decent and a great way to start the day.  Those opting out of breakfast can cook in their suite or patron the many restaurants accessible through the nearby malls and on the streets.  These restaurants include international chains such as KFC or Subway, as well as local fast food joints.  Also right below the hotel is a 7-11 for your midnight snacks and toiletries/first-aid needs!

Temporary Home Worthy?

Not a lot of complaints from me.  The wi-fi can be dicey at times and we had some issues calling outside with the telephone.  For the price that you pay, however, you get more than you would normally get for those rates.  Laundry services, for example, went for 90 PHP/kilogram – that’s about $2.50/kg!   Book in advance and you’re more likely to also get those complimentary upgrades.  I’d recommend this for families or couples looking for an affordable stay, with these conveniences and unbeatable location.

xoxo,

Judianne

Meet Prince Plaza II Condotel.

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