Makati Loft Steal: 901 Manila Paradise Under Budget!
Makati Loft Steal: 901 Manila Paradise Under Budget!
Makati Loft Steal: Manila Paradise? Budget Be Damned! (A Chaotic Review)
Okay, folks, buckle up. This isn’t your polished brochure review. This is the raw, unfiltered, caffeine-fueled truth about my stay at the "Makati Loft Steal: 901 Manila Paradise Under Budget!" Let's just say the under budget part was the most accurate, but hey, maybe I got lucky? Or maybe, just maybe, I stumbled into a comedy of errors disguised as a hotel stay.
SEO & Metadata (Because I'm supposed to, apparently):
- Keywords: Makati hotel, budget hotel Philippines, Manila, accessible rooms, free wifi, swimming pool, spa, fitness center, restaurants, Makati stay, Manila accommodations
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the Makati Loft Steal: 901 Manila Paradise Under Budget!, covering accessibility, amenities, cleanliness, and actual experience, with all the messy details you need.
Accessibility (Let's start with the practical, shall we?)
I, thankfully, don't require a wheelchair, but I’m always mindful of accessibility. The website promised "facilities for disabled guests." Okay, vague. Getting to the lobby was okay, the elevator was there, thank goodness. The actual implementation of said facilities? Let's just say it felt more like a gentle suggestion than a concrete reality. Wide doorways? Nope. Ramps where needed? Hmmm, debatable. I saw a ramp, somewhere. Better to call ahead and clarify what they actually have. It was definitely not a 10/10 in this department.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges
I did not see any particularly accessible restaurants or lounges. The space was limited and tight as it is.
Wheelchair accessible
See above. Partially, maybe. Call ahead and be VERY specific.
Internet Access & Free Wi-Fi (The modern essential, obviously!)
Alright, the free wifi in all rooms was a big selling point. My inner social media addict (and, you know, someone who needs to work sometimes) rejoiced! And…it mostly worked. Mostly. There were moments of glorious speed. Then there were moments where I was pretty sure I was trying to connect via carrier pigeon. It was inconsistent. Sometimes, the hotel's wifi in general was good, but bad in one of the rooms, or bad in the lobby. One time, someone had a meeting, so they set up their own wifi, then all the other wifi in the lobby also got bad. The "free wifi in all rooms" was technically true, but reliability…well, let’s just say I burned through my data plan faster than expected.
Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas
There was a LAN option, I don't have time to mess with that. Public wifi was also spotty.
Things to Do (Because, y'know, sometimes you leave the room)
Yeah, Makati is the place where the money is in Manila. I'm not going to lie, though, I was mostly there to crash after a long trip.
Ways to Relax (Or Attempt To!)
Okay, this is where things get…interesting. The website boasts a spa, a pool with a view, a fitness center… Sounds idyllic, right? Well…
The Pool: Hope vs. Reality
The pool with a view was, shall we say, aspirational. The view existed…somewhere. It was mostly blocked by buildings. The water was…clean enough? I’m not sure what a pool that’s "clean enough" really means, but I'm pretty sure it's not the same type of pristine as the brochure shows. It was a decent place though to cool off after a long walk in the heat.
Spa/Sauna
The website also had a Spa. I walked around the hotel and found a place. I saw a massage, so I checked that out. The massage itself? It was…fine. Nothing spectacular, nothing disastrous. But the music? Oh, the music. It was a looping track of what sounded like elevator music mixed with whale songs. I swear, by the end of the massage, I was half-expecting a pod of dolphins to swim through the room. Hilarious, in a slightly traumatizing way.
Fitness Center (Where my motivation went to die)
The "fitness center" was…tiny. I mean, TINY. Two treadmills, a weight machine that looked like it had seen better decades, and a dumbbell rack. It was functional, but not exactly inspiring. My motivation to exercise evaporated before I even put on my shoes.
Cleanliness & Safety (The Biggie)
Look, I'm not a germaphobe, but I do like to feel…safe.
Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment
They had all of these things. Seriously, kudos. The lobby, the elevators, all seemed to be regularly cleaned. The room itself…well, it was clean enough. I saw no glaring red flags, but I am not trained at identifying anything major, so I can't say.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Fueling the Adventure!)
Restaurants, A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant, Bottle of water…
The food situation was something of a rollercoaster, as is most of Asia. The breakfast buffet was a mixed bag. Some items were good. Others…well, let’s just say they weren’t exactly Michelin-star material. I did enjoy the coffee, and there was some variety. I think I tried everything at least once. There was also a 24-hour room service, and it has a lot. You could pick a lot of different cuisines.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things!)
Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center
The staff were pleasant, the air conditioning was working, and dry cleaning service was available. Standard stuff, right? The concierge was helpful, though a little overwhelmed at times. The luggage storage was appreciated, though it felt like my bags were in a different zip code than the lobby. They made it there though.
For the Kids (Because, sometimes, life throws you a curveball)
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal
I didn't have any kids, but they seemed to have all of the kid stuff. Good place to bring the family.
Getting Around (Navigating the Chaos)
Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking
Getting around? Well, taxi service was readily available (and a must-have in Manila). The car park [free of charge] was a bonus. Getting to the hotel from the airport was another story. Traffic in Manila…let's just say it's an experience. Give yourself plenty of time.
Available in all rooms (The Nitty Gritty)
Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens
My room, the "Makati Loft Steal" room, was… functional. The air conditioning blasted like a hurricane. The shower worked. The bed was comfortable enough. But there were a few quirks, a few small things that were missing. I
Orlando Airport Hotel: Unbeatable Luxury & Location!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! Here's the rollercoaster of a schedule I think I've cobbled together for my Affordable Makati Loft 901 Manila Philippines adventure. Disclaimer: This is going to be about as perfectly planned as a toddler's crayon drawing. Expect chaos, expect snacks, and expect me to probably cry at least once (happy or sad, who knows!).
Day 1: Arrival – Manila Madness and Mango Bliss
Morning (or, let's be realistic, Late Morning): Airport Arrival. Ugh. Airports. My nemesis. Assuming I haven't already lost my luggage due to a rogue airport baggage handler (it's happened, okay?!), I'll be navigating the chaotic beauty of NAIA. Grab a Grab (ride-hailing service – essential!) to the loft. Pray to the travel gods for minimal traffic. Seriously, traffic in Manila is a whole other dimension.
Afternoon: Unpack (or attempt to). Assess the damage (aka, my clothes scattered across every surface). First impressions of the loft: hopefully, it's not a cockroach convention. (Sorry, Manila, but I have issues.) Then, the real mission: find the nearest 7-Eleven. For a first timer, that's where your budget starts. Because one thing you need to know about me, nothing happens without a caffeine injection on my first day. A little bit of that and I'm good to go.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening: First impressions of Makati. The goal? Get to Poblacion. Heard it's the happening place, full of bars and restaurants. And street food! Oh my god, the street food! I'm already picturing myself, chin dripping with adobo sauce, eyes watering from some spicy chili. Expect a lot of "oohs" and "aahs" because, I cannot control myself. I'll be wandering around, getting lost, and loving every chaotic second. This is where I'll begin my culinary pilgrimage, starting with a street side vendor and all the way to some fancy restaurants.
Evening: Full Belly and Sunset City View After a full plate, it's time for a break. Since I'm in Poblacion, I'll look for some rooftop bar with a nice view to enjoy the sunset. Then, dinner will be next. I'm still figuring it out which restaurant but I'll play it by ear.
Day 2: Cultural Immersion (and Possibly a Spiritual Breakdown)
- Morning: Intramuros, here I come! I envision myself gracefully gliding through the cobblestone streets, a stunning vision in my linen pants. Reality? Probably sweating profusely, swatting at mosquitoes, and accidentally tripping over a historical landmark. Still, I'm excited. I plan to go on a bamboo bike tour… which is a terrible idea for someone as clumsy as me.
- Afternoon: Escolta Street. A bit of shopping, maybe. Probably overspending. Bargaining is definitely not my strong suit. I'll tell myself I'm buying "souvenirs," but let's be honest, it's mostly stuff I'll never use. But it's the experience, right? That's what I tell myself.
- Late Afternoon: A quick change of pace. Binondo Chinatown is a must. I'm dreaming of dumplings, noodles, and all the other delectable things I can't pronounce. I'm going to need a map, a translator, and a whole lot of napkins, because this could get messy.
- Evening: A little break and reflection. Maybe a massage? Or Netflix and chill at the loft, before hitting the bar again.
Day 3: The Great Taal Volcano Adventure (Or, My Near-Death Experience)
- Morning: Okay, this is the big one. Taal Volcano. The pictures look incredible. The reality? Probably a sweaty, dusty, bumpy jeepney ride, followed by a hike that will leave me questioning all my life choices. But I'm determined! It's all about those views, right? I swear, if I fall into the volcano, I'm blaming the travel agencies.
- Afternoon: Post-volcano recovery. Food. Lots of food. Maybe a beer. Probably complaining about my aching legs. The usual.
- Evening: Back to Makati. Dinner at some place I haven't been to yet.
- Late Night: Late Night. Back on the bar.
Day 4: Last Hurrah! (And Panic Packing)
- Morning: Brunch and chill at some cafe. Maybe a little shopping for last minute gifts.
- Afternoon: Packing – the dreaded task. I will inevitably overpack, then realize I've only worn half my clothes. Then, some last-minute sightseeing within Makati… and find more food.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Last walk around the city. Feeling the last breeze of the city.
- Evening: Airport again!
Random Ramblings, Quirks, and Emotional Outbursts:
- Food anxiety: I'm a picky eater, but I'm also adventurous… sometimes. This is going to be a culinary tightrope walk. Expect me to order something ridiculously spicy and then weep dramatically. Expect me to discover some amazing new dish and then mourn the fact that I can't eat it every day.
- Transportation Drama: I have a terrible sense of direction and an even worse sense of time. The jeepneys and tricycles (local transport) will be my undoing. I will get lost. I will miss my stop. I will probably end up somewhere completely random. But hey, that's part of the adventure, right?
- The Heat: I'm a northern girl who thrives in cold weather. The humidity is my worst nightmare. I'll be sporting a permanent sheen of sweat. I'll be constantly seeking shade. I'll probably melt.
- Emotional Rollercoaster: I'm prone to sudden bursts of joy and equally sudden bouts of melancholic reflection. Expect me to be overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers, the beauty of the scenery, and the sheer, glorious, messy chaos of it all. I might cry. I might laugh. I might do both simultaneously.
- The Loft: The loft itself is a mystery. Will it be a charming, quirky haven? A cramped, slightly moldy box? I have no idea. Either way, it's an adventure.
So, there you have it. A roadmap to potential disaster. I'm equal parts terrified and ecstatic. Wish me luck! I'll need it. And maybe send snacks. Lots and lots of snacks.
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Makati Loft Steal: 901 Manila Paradise Under Budget! (Ugh, Still Can't Believe It) - FAQ-ish Thing
Okay, spill the beans! What IS this 'Makati Loft Steal' you keep rambling about? Is it actually real, or am I hallucinating from too much street food?
Alright, alright, settle down. Yes, it's REAL. I found this, like, actual *loft* in Makati – the heart of Manila, where everything's supposed to cost a king's ransom – and it was… well, ludicrously affordable. Basically, it's a compact, well-designed loft apartment in a decent building. Think exposed brick (my favorite!), big windows (hello, sunlight!), and a surprisingly functional layout. I actually *lived* there for a while. Still kinda pinching myself. My bank account still can't quite believe it happened. The street food, by the way, is amazing. Don't even get me started on *kwek-kwek*...
"Under budget" – define, please. My budget’s basically a pack of instant noodles and a dream.
Okay, realistic expectations here. We're not talking free. But I'm talking about something *way* less than what you'd expect for a similar space, location, amenities in Makati. Think...a significant portion of what you’d pay for a shoebox in, say, Mandaluyong (which, let's be honest, is a soul-sucking abyss of traffic hell). I'm talking, under certain conditions, less than what you'd pay sometimes in quieter suburbs. It was a *steal*, guys! That's the point! It's all about knowing where to look, being ready to pounce on a good deal, and maybe… just maybe… a little bit of luck. I can't give you the EXACT price, because (a) I don't want to dox myself, and (b) prices fluctuate like the Philippine peso. But trust me, it was *good*.
What's the catch? There's ALWAYS a catch. Am I going to find a ghost roommate? Or a leaky ceiling that rains cockroaches?
Look, nothing's perfect. Remember those “small flaws” you heard about? Some are real. The "catch," well, it depends. Yeah, maybe the building's amenities are a little… *basic*. No infinity pool overlooking the city (though, let's be honest, I barely use pools anyway). Maybe the gym is, like, two treadmills and a rusty weight bench. And yeah, there *was* the time the water heater went out and I had to shower in ice water for three days. (Brrr! I'm still recovering from that. The memories!) No ghosts and no roaches though! I'm dead serious about the roaches. So, the "catch" is usually more a case of "compromises" than deal breakers. You're trading luxury for affordability and location, location, location. Plus, it's a darn good location.
How did you FIND this unicorn of an apartment? Did you sacrifice a goat? Tell me the secret!
I'm no sorcerer! No, I didn’t sacrifice a goat. I used a combination of tireless searching and a healthy dose of frustration. Facebook Marketplace, OLX, the usual suspects. I set up alerts. I stalked listings like a hawk. I responded to ads within, like, *minutes*. Seriously, the second I saw it, I was on the phone. I had to beat other vultures to get there first. It involved a LOT of scrolling, weeding through dodgy listings, and ignoring desperate pleas from pushy real estate agents. But persistence, my friend. That's the key. And probably not a goat. Though, maybe, like, a tiny, metaphorical goat of impatience.
The Building (Details, Details!) - Give me specifics. Amenities? Neighborhood? Is it safe?
Alright, the building itself? Decent. Not fancy. Basic security (yay!). The neighborhood? Prime. Close to everything. I could walk to work! The commute alone saved me a fortune (and my sanity). There were shops, restaurants, laundry services, and pharmacies everywhere. The only issue? Constant construction noise. Still, it was worth it! The building had a small gym; I think I used it exactly twice in the whole time I lived there. The other issue? The lift was always a little… suspect. More than once I thought I will get stuck in the lift! But hey, all things considered, totally liveable. Was it safe? I always felt safe. The building had 24/7 security, and the area was well-lit and patrolled.
I'm a total newbie to renting. What should I watch out for? What are some common mistakes to avoid?
Oh boy, okay. First, *read the fine print*! Seriously! Landlords, even with good intentions, don’t always have the same goals as their tenants. Don’t be rushed into signing anything until you fully understand the contract. Second, always, always, ALWAYS take pictures of the place *before* you move in. Document everything! Any existing damage, any quirks, ANYTHING! That way, when you move out, you can prove the state of the apartment before you lived there. Third: Get the details. Ask questions! Negotiate! Landlords are usually open to bargaining, especially if you look like a good tenant. Fourth, and this is an important one: *trust your gut*. If something feels shady, it probably is. Move on. There are always other options. And finally - have a solid guarantor or co-signer.
Was it actually nice to live there though? Like, did you *enjoy* the experience? Did you ever think, "wow, I made a good decision"?
YES! Absolutely! It was fantastic. I loved that place. I mean, sure the water heater saga was tough, but that was really an isolated incident. Every morning I'd wake up and think, "Man, I can't believe this is mine!" It was a true Makati loft. It was my own space in the heart of the city without me having to sell a kidney to pay for it. I could walk everywhere, the food was amazing, and the people were great. Honestly? One of the best living experiences I've had. I remember one time, I'd had a really rough week at work. I came home, kicked off my shoes, opened a bottle of San Miguel, and looked out the window at the city lights. And I just smiled. That moment, that feeling? That was worth every single peso. I still miss that place.
Could I do this, too? Seriously, can I find my own Makati loft steal? Give me hope!
YES! Absolutely! Probably! Well, I’m not guaranteeing anything, because the market is crazy. But yes, you absolutely *can* find your own dealLuxury Living in Santo Domingo: Is Residencial LP9 the BEST Choice?
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