When we were checking for accommodations in Puerto Princesa, one of our criterias was to be near a beach. Preferably beachfront. Another criteria was to be away from the busy buzz of the city but not that far away just in case we wanted to do something in the city. That was when we decided to stay in Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. A bit higher than the usual rates compared to budget hotels and backpacker lodge but definitely worth the price.
For discounts book your stay at Microtel Puerto Princesa via Agoda, click here.
- Location
- Room
- Bathroom
- Internet, Electric Sockets and Mobile Signal
- Breakfast
- Hotel Grounds
- Restaurant
- Stores Accessibility
- How to get there
- Conclusion
Location
In terms of location Microtel Inn & Suites got what I wanted. Somewhere in beachfront and away from the busy city streets, but not that far away. It’s located in Brgy. San Manuel.
To give you a better idea on where it is located check the Google Map below.
If you are a bit worried that you will have a hard time going to Microtel Inn & Suites from the airport you do not have to worry since a reservation here includes a pick-up and drop-off to the airport for your check-in and check-out, respectively.
One of the van that they use for pick-up and drop-off from the airport.
When we checked in at Microtel we came from El Nido and I am happy to let you know that our van transfer from El Nido to Puerto Princsea dropped us off at the hotel. There were some delays on the drop off though since we had some of the passengers were catching their flight. And since Microtel is a bit far from the usual route of the van going to the airport we decided to allow the driver to drop us off last as long as he would let do a drive thru to Jollibee (we were craving).
There are no tricycles or jeepneys that always pass by the hotel that you can just wave to and ride in Microtel but the resort has covered that. I shall discuss on how to get and get out of Microtel in the how to get there section of this review. It includes a free ride to and fro Robinsons Place.
If you also book your tours with travel agencies in Puerto Princesa, like the Underground River and Honda Bay Tours, they could pick you up and drop you off at Microtel Palawan.
Room
The room we got was 2 Queen Beds with Beach View, which I really loved. The room was big with high ceiling, beds were big and comfortable, the air conditioning was working well, we got a refrigerator inside the room and the room was really clean.
Anyways, here are what was inside our room.
- Queen Size Beds
- Comfort Room (CR) – I have written about this below.
- Small Refrigerator
- Closet with drawers and hangers
- Cable TV
- Air conditioner
- Ceiling Fan
- A table and a chair
- Luggage Rack
- Mirror
- Trash Bin
Their websites says that the beds were chiropractor approved. I really do not know what type of bed is chiropractor approved but what I can tell you is that I was very happy with their bed, not to fluffy and not too hard. I loved the fact that each bed had 3 pillows. I’m a pillow guy!
Light switches were accessible from the bed which was really helpful since you do not need to stand just to turn off the lights. The lights too were not too bright nor too dim. If you need additional lighting during the daytime you can open the blinds.
The view outside the room
Below are more photos of the room.
Most of the time we did not use the airconditioning and the ceiling fan because as it is the room was well insulated and had a cool temperature even if it was in the middle of the day.
By the way the room and bathroom was cleaned everyday.
The room from the outside.
Bathroom
The bathroom was clean and also spacious and has a sink, toilet bowl and shower area.
Taken with a GoPro
They also provided towels and some soap.
Soap, hand towels, dental kits, shampoo and conditioner and off lotion.
Taken with a GoPro
Water pressure was strong and hot water was working which I am really happy with.
Shower
There was a hairdryer too.
And I am very happy to announce they provided one of the most basic needs inside a comfort room, a bidet with good strong water pressure.
Electric Sockets, Internet and Mobile Signal
There were about 4 electric sockets inside the room that we can use. Which is enough really for us who carry not many electronics gadgets but I think this would be a problem if you have lots but that can be solved by using triple cube adapter.
In common areas like the lobby there are some electric sockets that you can use.
This was where we usually did our work online.
WiFi Internet was fast but only available in common areas.
Mobile Signal is a bit of a challenge. What I noticed was that mobile signal was a bit weak when we were in our room (groundfloor, beachfront) but when I go out to the entrance of the hotel there was a good amount of signal, the hotel lobby had a good amount of signal. At the beach the signal becomes weak this might be because the hotel was blocking the signal.
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Mobile Internet (Globe) had the same problem but was really fast when accessible. We usually worked in the common area and I use my mobile internet to watch high definition Youtube videos.
Breakfast
We had two breakfasts in Microtel Inn & Suites Palawan both of them were buffet with lots of different food to choose from.
Viands
Fruits and Dessert
Soup and salad
Water and Juice
Cereal, Coffee and Tea
Bread
My favorite was the omelet station where I ordered my extra extra cheesy omelet. (I love cheese!)
Mushroom, Cheese and Corn
When ordering omelet just tell the cook your how your omelet to be done and when he is finished he will deliver it to your table. Just be patient if he has lots of orders.
First Breakfast
Second Breakfast.
Breakfast was located in front of the pool area.
See the blue doors, that was where we had our breakfast.
As it turns out the breakfast and the area where it was served was operated by the restaurant named Senordamla.
The restaurant or breakfast area.
All in all, I had happy breakfasts.
Hotel Grounds
There is a lot to cover here so let us start on their lobby, which is actually divided into areas.
Lobby
Because the front desk is located here I shall call this place the Front Desk Lobby. This is where you would want to sit down and just talk or read a book.
Because it is in front of the beach and this is where people usually pass by to get to the beach I shall call this lobby the Beach Lobby. This place is where we usually work.
There was also a water dispenser that you can get a cup and water from.
Beach
You can swim on the beach or rent a kayak if you want to.
Microtel Puerto Princesa is facing east so the sunrise might be beautiful. Unfortunately, it was cloudy during the two mornings of our stay.
Entrace to the beach from the lobby
Swimming Pool
If you are not fond of the beach then you might want to try their swimming pool. Located in front of their breakfast area.
There’s an outdoor shower area just in case might want to go out for a swim. I think you can also take a bath here when you have already checked out in the morning and had a tour for the whole day.
Entrance and Parking Lot
Night Time
I would also recommend going around the hotel during night time. It has a different charm at night.
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Restaurant
As I have said on the breakfast part of this post, the breakfast operation is ran by the restaurant Senordamla and we got to order some of their food during lunch time.
Here are their photos.
Porkchop in Lemon (350 Pesos)
Sinigang na Bulalo, Solo (175 Pesos)
Hot Calamnsi Juice (75 Pesos)
A cup of rice is 30 Pesos/cup.
If you’re already in resort during the night time and would not like to go out, do not worry, Senordamla got you covered. They are open from 6AM to 10PM. Last order is at 9:30 PM.
Store Accessibility
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham is located far away from the City Proper therefore stores are not located near the hotel. But I think you can order some bottled water and some snacks at the front desk.
How to get there
Since Microtel is a bit far off the city proper the hotel prepared something for it to be less challenging for travelers who are staying there.
Free Shuttle Transfer to and from Robinsons Mall
Aside from the inclusion of pick-up and drop-off from the airport, they also provide free van/shuttle transfer to Robinsons Mall.
The trip is only about 10-15 minutes but you have to reserve your seats an hour before the scheduled trip that you want. This is required. I will repeat it again in bold and black letters.
You have to reserve your seats an hour before the scheduled trip that you want.
We tried reserving our seats less than an hour before but they do not allow this. They seriously do not allow this even if you beg. So kindly read the text above again.
Other Transportation
Just in case the free shuttle schedule does not have the time that you want there are other options you can choose from. See the rates below.
One time we needed to go out but our schedule does not coincide with the free shuttle, we requested for a tricycle to pick us up and drop us off just past Robinsons Mall. The front desk called a tricycle and after 10 minutes the tricycle was there. I think they also offer this even during the night time.
There was also a time that we ate at Ka-Inato for dinner but failed to book the free shuttle in advance, what we did was crossed the national highway where there were a line of tricycles waiting and asked them to take us to Microtel. If I remember correctly the rate was about 15-20 Pesos/person but you will be joined by other passengers. You can request to rent the whole tricycle for around 60 to 80 Pesos.
Conclusion
Would I recommend Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan?
It really depends on two things. Do you want to be away from the busy buzz of the city? Does you have a budget for staying at Microtel? You can check the price of staying at Microtel in Agoda. Click here.
If you answer yes to both question then I would highly recommend staying at Microtel Palawan. Situated away from the busy city of Puerto Princesa, you can definitely relax here.
I would stay here again given the budget and I want to de-stress.
Book via Agoda for discounts in Microtel Inn & Suites Puerto Princesa.