Melo Villareal
MNL Boutique Hostel Manila Review
“Where are you from?” That’s the first question I got from another Filipino hostel guest while sitting on the hostel’s purple sofa. “I’m from Manila, do I look like a foreigner to you?” We both laughed and that’s how we started our conversation.
My Bed for a night at MNL Hostel
My friends know me well. I don’t usually stay in a hostel, not because I don’t like sharing rooms with strangers. It’s because I’m quite concerned that they might not get their well-deserved sleep (I snore like a century-old train just so you know).
So what am I doing in a hostel? First, I’ve got nothing to do, so I thought reviewing hostels will be helpful for my readers. Second, I learned that they have individual rooms available. So after booking my room via Agoda.com, I immediately packed my bags and headed to MNL Hostel in Makati for an overnight stay.
Staying in a hostel is not only a cheaper alternative to hotels when it comes to accommodation. It also allows you to meet other like-minded travelers and make new friends with a common passion—to conquer the universe haha.
Converted from an old house, I easily felt the homey ambiance from the moment I stepped inside the hostel. Upon arriving at the hostel, Celina Cruz (one of the owners) graciously gave me a quick tour inside the hostel. After a quick chat with Celine, I met Vince, a British guy with Italian heritage, who fell in love with the Philippines and considers MNL Hostel in Makati as his home whenever he is in town.
Vince shared that he fell in love with the Philippines’ distinct character, which is quite different from other Asian countries. Apart from the county’s unique charm, he loves that almost everyone speaks English. According to him, every Pinoy he has met is not just fun-loving; most of them share the love for music just like him.
I was also introduced to Marc, a long-staying guest who is also location-independent. He is a Filipino software engineer who works with his clients any time of the day. During his free time, he helps some guests find their way to their target destination. While sharing his travel experiences, he also helped me remove the Adware virus on my Macbook Pro. That truly made my day.
Location
MNL Boutique Hostel Manila is located one block from Makati Avenue, right at the back of A Venue Mall. It’s not hard to find. The woven pattern in neon paint on the hostel’s facade made it easy to identify and locate. There are restaurants, bars, groceries, fast food chains, spas, and other specialty shops, all of which are a stone’s throw away from the hostel.
Rooms
I had a queen-size bed, and it’s really comfortable. It has a white comforter similar to what you see in 3- or 4-star hotels; the only difference is that I am paying less. 🙂 This hostel in Makati has various room categories such as Double Room, Twin Room, 8-bed Mixed Dorm, 4-bed Mixed Dorm, 6-bed Mixed Dorm, 4-bed Female Dorm, 4-bed Male Dorm, 2bed Mixed Dorm, and 6-bed Special Mixed Dorm.
Facilities
I was genuinely impressed with the cleanliness of the place. The communal area was huge and complete with a sofa, a desktop computer, a flat-screen TV with surround stereo, travel guidebooks, board games, and two guitars. Several shared toilets and bathrooms are available on the ground and second floors. They are all clean and not smelly, unlike some hostels I stayed in Singapore.
Each bed has its own electrical plug so the guests can comfortably recharge their mobile phones and other gadgets while sleeping.
I like how they turned each wall into a canvas, from the wall outside the hostel to walls in the living room. It reminds me of a friend’s house, who is a visual artist. I particularly like the nice artworks inside their restrooms and the unique Pinoy-inspired paintings displayed in each room.
There’s a spacious communal kitchen next to the living room, complete with a fridge, where you can store your food. There’s also free coffee and tea beside the hot and cold water dispenser, where you can get free water.
I’m also impressed with their fast, reliable, and free WiFi connection. (Tip: work in the common area or in the kitchen.)
Security
The hostel provides an area to secure the bags of customers waiting to check-in and those who are already checked out and waiting for their flight or trip. Inside the standard rooms, they have lockers with enough space for your valuables. They also have CCTVs recording activity in the common areas, including hallways and pantry.
The Staff
The staff are truly exceptional, and they are always willing to help. Upon arriving at the hostel, they immediately gave me a map locator, showing a quick guide on how to go to different locations nearby when coming from the Hostel. It provided me with step-by-step instructions, including which jeepney to ride. The hostel staff also allows guests to use their WiFi or shower for free before and after they check out at the hostel. It’s like you are staying at a friend’s or relative’s house. They will treat you not as a guest but as a part of the family.
Food
The restaurant offers free bread and assorted jams for breakfast. If you prefer to eat out, there are various restaurant options. These range from hole-in-the-wall eateries to Filipino-themed restaurants and other famous restaurants offering international cuisine.
How to get there
From Ninoy Aquino International Airport:
The most convenient way to get to our hostel is to take a taxi from the airport and give the driver the following instructions:
- Ask the driver to take you to A. Venue Mall on Makati Avenue
- You will see a Barrio Fiesta Beside A.Venue Mall.
- Walk into Valdez St., and MNL will be at the next corner (Santiago St.)
Distance is about 8.5km, the trip takes about 20 mins, traffic-free and approx. 1 hour during peak times.
Overall Experience
I’ll be honest: I don’t consider myself a backpacker, and I only stay in hostels whenever I travel with friends. My experience at MNL Boutique Hostel Manila changed my mindset about staying in hostels. It made me realize so many things, and I also learned a lot about traveling and life from other guests.
Will I recommend it? Absolutely YES! This hostel is not only for backpackers but also for budget-conscious travelers. Hostels like MNL Boutique Hostel Manila are a local tourism game-changer. Many Filipinos are now starting to travel regularly due to these hostels’ presence and cheaper airfares’ availability.
Btw, MNL Beach Hostel is now open in Boracay (check rates)… I should go there soon!
MNL Boutique Hostel Manila (book with Agoda)
Address: Valdez cor. Santiago St.,
Poblacion, Makati City
Land phone: +63 2 511 75 14?
Mobile Phone: +63 917 812 5707
Email: stayandplay@MNLBoutiqueHostel.com
Website: www.mnlboutiquehostel.com
FB Page: Facebook.com/MNLBoutiqueHostel
Also read:
- 9 Tips to Make Your Stay in a Hostel Safer, Better and Hassle-Free
- Top 10 Best Hostels in Metro Manila
- Top 8 Best Hostels in Osaka: The Ultimate Guide
