Manila's BEST Kept Secret: HUGE Room, Free WiFi @ 201 Clipper House!
Manila's BEST Kept Secret: HUGE Room, Free WiFi @ 201 Clipper House! - A Brutally Honest Review (and a Plea to Book!)
Okay, listen up, travel weary souls! You're scrolling, you're searching, you're probably crying because Manila hotels seem to be a crapshoot. Well, I'm here to tell you about a place that might just save your sanity: 201 Clipper House. And buckle up, because this ain't your typical fluffy review. Prepare for the truth.
First things first: Accessibility (and My Mild Panic)
Let's be real, accessibility is critical, especially in a city as chaotic as Manila. While I didn't explicitly test everything (I'm ambulatory, thankfully), the presence of an elevator is HUGE. Seriously, a lifesaver. I saw a few facilities for disabled guests listed, but it's worth contacting them directly to confirm details. Honestly, navigating Manila with mobility issues is a whole level of adventure, so double-check. They also mention a car park [on-site] and a car park [free of charge]. Score! Getting to the place is usually the hardest part. SEO Keywords: Manila hotels accessibility, wheelchair accessible Manila, elevator Manila hotels, disabled facilities Manila Rooms & The Glorious "HUGE" Alright, the big sell: HUGE Room. I'm talking… actually huge. I walked in and almost tripped over the space. I paced. I did a little happy dance (don’t judge!), and it felt like I had my own apartment for the price of… well, a decent hotel room. Seriously, you can move around. The air conditioning blasted like a polar vortex in the July heat, which was a GODSEND. And the free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Thank. God. The Wi-Fi [free] was actually reliable! I could stream, work, stalk my ex's Instagram… the possibilities were endless.
What's Actually in the Room (The Good, the Bad, and the Surprisingly Thoughtful)
- The Good:
- Air conditioning: ICE COLD. Perfection.
- Free Wi-Fi: (Did I mention this?)
- Comfortable Bed: Slept like a baby.
- Desk: Essential for actually doing work (if you must).
- Coffee/tea maker: Caffeine is life.
- Refrigerator: Cold drinks! Stock up!
- Blackout curtains: Because Manila is bright, loud, and needs to be shut out sometimes.
- The 'Meh':
- While there was a mini bar, it wasn't bursting with options. Bring your own snacks.
- The decor isn't exactly "luxury." Think… functional. Don't go expecting the Ritz.
- Additional toilet Not in my room. That's a plus!
- The Surprisingly Thoughtful:
- Complimentary tea: Nice touch.
- Bathrobes & Slippers: Small gestures that make you feel pampered.
- Ironing facilities: wrinkles? Never.
SEO Keywords: Manila hotel rooms, large hotel rooms Manila, free wifi hotel Manila, Manila accommodation, spacious hotel rooms Cleanliness and Safety- Don't get Sick!
Okay, this is where 201 Clipper House kinda shines. I'm a germaphobe, and I was actually impressed. They've invested in Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. They offer room sanitization opt-out available (a nice touch!), and you can tell they're trying hard. There's Hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff wear masks religiously. First aid kit is present. While I didn’t need it, knowing it’s there is reassuring. They've also added smoke alarms, fire extinguisher in the corridors, and a security [24-hour] presence. SEO Keywords: safe hotels Manila, clean hotels Manila, Manila hotel safety, hygiene hotel Manila, Manila hotel sanitation
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Or, How I Lived Off Room Service)
This is where things get a little dicey. The restaurants on-site were limited (but, hey, it's a hidden gem, remember?). There is a bar and coffee shop. They clearly offer room service [24-hour]!!! This is a huge win in Manila – late-night cravings are real. I basically lived off their Asian cuisine in restaurant, and maybe… just maybe… it was all a blur of noodles and chicken adobo. I did have bottle of water by default, which I always appreciate. SEO Keywords: hotel restaurants Manila, room service Manila, Asian cuisine Manila, Manila bar hotel
Services and Conveniences (The Stuff That Makes Life Easier)
They’ve nailed the essentials! Daily housekeeping? Yes, please. Laundry service? Needed after all those noodle-fueled adventures. There’s luggage storage, concierge service (super helpful for navigating the city), and a convenience store for those midnight snack runs. My favorite was the cash withdrawal feature. SEO Keywords: Manila hotel convenience, hotel services Manila, laundry service Manila, concierge service Manila
Things To Do (And How I Relaxed… Or Tried To)
Okay, let's be honest. I mostly came to Manila to WORK. But there's a swimming pool [outdoor] with pool with view there. Tempting? Yes. Did I actually use it? Uh… maybe next time. There is a fitness center, which I intended to use… but, you know. Work. They also have a spa/sauna. Could be nice. Other options include a massage and a steamroom.
SEO Keywords: things to do Manila, Manila hotel pool, Manila hotel spa, fitness center Manila
For the Kids (I Am Not One, But it's Worth Noting)
They're Family/child friendly. While I didn't see much in the way of specific kids facilities, it offers Babysitting service and Kids meal, which is a plus for families. SEO Keywords: family hotel Manila, kids friendly hotel Manila, babysitting hotel Manila
Getting Around (The Manila Maze)
They offer Airport transfer, which is ESSENTIAL. Manila traffic is a beast. There's taxi service, and also car park [free of charge] and car park [on-site]. SEO Keywords: Manila airport transfer, taxi Manila, car park Manila
The Downside (Because Nothing's Perfect) Here's the honest truth: 201 Clipper House is not a luxury hotel. It's comfortable, convenient, and clean, but don't expect marble floors and gold faucets. The overall style is… functional. I did notice some imperfections. The shower, while functional, wasn't exactly spa-like. Also, while the staff was friendly, English proficiency varied. It added to the charm, but not a place to go if you're looking for high end. My Verdict & A CRAZY-GOOD OFFER!
So, should you book 201 Clipper House? Absolutely. PROVIDED you’re looking for:
- Spacious and comfortable rooms.
- Reliable Wi-Fi.
- A clean and safe environment.
- Convenient location (relative to Manila traffic, anyway).
- A relaxed, no-frills atmosphere.
- A great price!
Here's the Deal:
Because you're reading this review, I'm guessing you're smart. You're looking for a good value. You're DONE with the hotel roulette. So, book your stay at 201 Clipper House now! And when you do, tell them the crazy lady who wrote this review sent you!
I can't guarantee you'll get a discount (I wish I could!), but I promise you won't regret choosing 201 Clipper House. They’re a true hidden gem, and that’s a rare thing in Manila. So, go! Explore! And maybe, just maybe, leave some noodles for me next time!
Unveiling L'Esquisse: Colmar's Most Stunning Hotel & Spa (Opening Soon!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is…attempting to survive Manila. And trust me, it's an adventure. Base camp: Stay @201 Clipper House, Free WiFi, BIG ROOM Manila Philippines. Let's see if this actually is a big room and if the WiFi is capable of supporting more than a single Facebook stalk.
Day 1: Arrival, Delusions of Grandeur, and Instant Ramen Dreams
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Arrive at NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport). Oh God, the airport. Let’s brace ourselves. First impressions are often inaccurate… and sometimes, they're spot on. I'm pretty sure I just witnessed a dance-off between a customs official, a lost luggage cart, and a rogue pack of stray cats. Anyway, pray to the travel gods that my bags arrive. (And that I don't accidentally offend anyone with my, uh, unique brand of charisma.)
- Rambling Interlude: Airport Arrival: One of my favorite things about arriving at a new place is the sense of pure, unadulterated bewilderment. You're suddenly adrift in a sea of new faces, strange smells (spicy, usually), and a language you only vaguely understand. It's exhilarating and terrifying, all at once.
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Taxi/Grab to Clipper House. Pray transportation doesn't become a hostage situation. Okay, so the official guide says "Grab is best" or "Negotiate a price with a taxi." I swear half the time, I just end up staring at the driver, trying to decipher this entire intricate web of driving routes. Every moment is a gamble. I imagine every driver is thinking, "Alright, let's see how far we can get before the car breaks down… or until the passenger starts screaming."
- 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Check-in at Clipper House, Pray the BIG ROOM is ACTUALLY big AND the aircon works. Oh boy, fingers crossed. I'm expecting "BIG ROOM" to mean "slightly larger than a shoebox." And the WiFi? May the internet gods be with us. Because if I can't stream cat videos to distract myself from the jetlag, I don't know what I'll do.
- Anecdote: Once, in a "BIG ROOM" in Thailand, I discovered the "bed" was less of a place to sleep and more of a glorified torture device. Turns out, it was made of concrete, wrapped in a single, threadbare sheet. I slept on the floor for three days. Let's hope this one doesn't have the same unique charm.
- 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Unpack, Assess the Situation, and Freshen Up. Okay, time for reality check. Is the room depressing? Is the bathroom a biohazard? Does it come with questionable stains on the furniture? I’m not a clean-freak, but I do appreciate a place that, at the very least, is not actively trying to kill me.
- 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Wander Around the Area. Find ATM, Convenience Store, and Maybe…Food. This is where the adventure really begins. Stumbling around unfamiliar streets, completely lost, slowly discovering the neighborhood… It's the best and worst part of traveling. Finding a convenience store is my first priority. Snacks are essential for emotional stability. Maybe a can of something cold.
- Quirky Observation: Manila is a symphony of honking car horns, the rhythmic "clack-clack" of flip-flops on the pavement, and the ever-present rumble of something mechanical that I can't quite identify. It's…a lot. Feeling overwhelmed is an understatement.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner. Preferably, something that won't give me food poisoning. This is an important mission. I'm not trying to start my Manila experience with a battle against the porcelain throne. Googling "safe street food" but honestly, it seems to be a crapshoot everywhere.
- Emotional Reaction: Oh, the food. I'm simultaneously excited and utterly terrified. My stomach is a fickle beast.
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Crash in a chair to check the WIFI, or just immediately pass out from exhaustion and jetlag. The internet's the most likely bet. If the wifi is good, I might actually update social media. If not, sleep it is.
- 8:00 PM till the end: Attempt to sleep while being serenaded by the world's loudest karaoke singers. Let's face it. This is Manila.
Day 2: Intramuros and the Ghosts of Colonialism, and a Quest for Authentic Filipino Cuisine
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Wake up. (Maybe.). If the karaoke singers haven't given me a heart attack.
- 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Breakfast at Clipper House (If it's a thing). Or just eat the instant ramen I packed.
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Travel to Intramuros. Okay, I'm going full-on tourist. I'm taking the plunge!
- 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM: Explore Intramuros. Churches, old forts, cobbled streets. Sounds historically interesting, but also potentially scorching hot. Sunscreen. Water. All necessary. I'm anticipating a mix of awe and profound sunburn.
- Messier Structure and Occasional Rambles: Intramuros… It’s like stepping into a history book. The Spanish colonial era, the Japanese occupation, the battles, the lives lived within those walls… It’s moving, really, and a little overwhelming. And then there's the sheer heat. I'm pretty sure I'm melting. Where's the nearest air-conditioned coffee shop?
- 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Lunch – the quest for authentic Filipino Cuisine Begins! This is important. I'm looking for honest-to-goodness, authentic food. No bland, tourist-trap versions, please. Adobo, sinigang… the food blogs have made my stomach a rumbling vessel of want.
- Stronger Emotional Reactions: I AM SO EXCITED TO EAT.
- 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Shopping and Wandering. Maybe find some souvenirs. Or just get lost in the hustle and bustle.
- 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM: Travel back to Clipper House. Because your feet will be killing you.
- 6:30 PM - Dinner: Dinner near Clipper House. Maybe try that street food place, if I'm feeling brave (or hungry).
- Evening: Relax and plan for tomorrow. If there is even an ounce of energy left. Or re-download dating apps and try meeting new people…
Day 3: The Manila Improv Games, and the Dreaded Traffic
- 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Actually wake up. The karaoke must have been less epic last night.
- 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Breakfast and Logistics. Coffee! Research where I'm going today!
- 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Travel to the Manila Improv Games. (Or whatever quirky activity I find). Transport: Grab. Again. Pray.
- 10:30 AM - 1 PM: Improv Games. (Or whatever I'm doing). I may have been a fool, as I'm not sure I like improv, I guess, I'll never know, unless I try it!
- Doubling Down on a Single Experience: Ok. So, I took a course to learn more about improv. The teacher was funny, the people were nice, but the actual improv? I bombed. HARD. I'm not sure why, but standing In the middle of a room, with everyone watching me, and creating a story was impossible. I froze. I panicked. I blanked and had the worst experience.
- 1 PM - 3 PM: Lunch and recover from the improv experience. Hopefully, it's not a traumatizing experience.
- 3 PM - 5 PM: Travel to the other side of the city. Traffic. Enough said.
- 5 PM - 6 PM: Dinner. More food.
- Evening: Pack, plan, and prepare for departure. Or just watch a movie…
Day 4: Departure Day - See You Later, Manila!
- Morning: Final assessment of the Big Room - and the WiFi. Did it work? Was it worth the price?
- Morning - Check out, Farewell, and Head to the Airport.
- Airport and Security: Let's hope security is less intense than last time.
- **Goodbye
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