Manila
In the heart of Malate, Wanderers knows precisely what backpackers want and delivers beautifully with a mix of clean dorms and private rooms (some with…
Must-see hotels in Philippines
Coron Town
Tucked away at the end of a narrow road lined with sari-sari (neighbourhood) stores is this tasteful Spanish-style villa with a rambling pool in the…
Cebu City
Flying Fish has an eye-catching design that makes heavy use of upcycled and recycled materials, a mellow bar-cafe, a plunge pool and superb-value air…
Siquijor
The huge wooden beachfront cottages, with furnished sunset-facing balconies, are front and centre at the Irish-run Bruce, which sprawls along a prime…
Bicol
One of the classier hotels in town has 40 contemporary rooms decked out in muted greys, beautiful linen and private balconies with views of Mt Mayon. It…
Leyte
The best place to stay in Hinunangan, with a garden facing a lovely dark-sand beach. 'Boutique' is pushing it, but rooms and suites are very spacious …
Malapascua Island
This locally run hostel is well set up, with a choice of dorms (four, 10 or 14 beds) each with reading light and privacy curtain – though bunks are…
Puerto Princesa
The meticulously maintained garden courtyard and pergola make centrally located Casa Linda feel like a country refuge. The surrounding wood-floored rooms…
Donsol
The four appealing bamboo and thatch cottages and two 'tree house' rooms here are a classic backpackers bolthole set in a lovely garden back from the…
Southeast Luzon
In the middle of the beach strip, this simple but friendly guesthouse has a clutch of small, clean budget rooms on two floors with a rooftop restaurant…
Panglao Island
If you're looking for something a little luxurious near Alona Beach but don't want to pay five-star prices, this cluster of beautifully designed stand…
El Nido
Razed and rebuilt from scratch in 2017, the dozen cottages here, perched above the popular beach bar of the same name, have quickly become a prime place…
El Nido
A super-friendly, locally run hostel with a generous breakfast (for a hostel) in a three-storey high-rise a five-minute walk from Hama St. The private…
Western Visayas
An attractive modern two-storey building on a grey-sand beach 2km from Poctoy port. Walls are painted in bright colours and rooms simply furnished;…
Around Manila
About 2km from the bus station on the outskirts of town, this is one of Lucena's best value deals. The large complex features rooms well back from the…
Talima Beach Villas & Dive Resort
Cebu
Talima enjoys a lovely beachside location on the northwest of the island and offers a choice of rooms, some sleeping four, as well as a two-bedroom villa…
Bacolod
Bright yellow and somewhat grand in appearance, the Planta is a comfortable and good-value choice. However, not much is within walking distance. Popular…
Negros
One of the best midrange dive resorts in Dauin, Liquid offers simple nipa-hut rooms with sea-facing balconies and more upmarket and stylish common areas…
Davao
One of downtown's best midrange options and one of the few anywhere in the city to be housed in a building with colonial-era architectural features. The…
Boracay
A bit of old Boracay on the most glorious and least crowded patch of White Beach, north of Station 1. Sea Wind has expanded in waves and some rooms are…
Cagayan de Oro
Occupying the 4th and 5th floors of a mini-mall with several restaurants, GC Suites is a welcome low-cost addition to this part of town. All rooms have…
Leyte
Peter's is just off the road on a pebble beach with a great variety of rooms catering to all budgets. The dorms and budget rooms are in the main building…
Cebu
These 14 simple yet homely, overwater cottages with private balconies are perfect for those in search of tranquillity, except when the day trippers arrive…
Around Manila
Accessible only by boat, this is the place to really get away from it all. The unlimited diving and snorkelling on the house reef doesn’t hurt either;…
Cagayan de Oro
Something of a fish out of water, this towering building looks like a Trump casino with flashy gold-coloured windows. It offers international business…
Samar
Almost a hip hotel, this sleek, contemporary place offers inviting, though small, rooms with neutral colour schemes, large flat-screen TV with cable and…
Veronica's Inn Bed & Breakfast
Puerto Galera
Alone at the far east end of Talipanan Beach, Veronica's is a real find. The eight rooms are austere, but with great common areas upstairs and down – plus…
Around Manila
One of the few dive-oriented places that approaches the budget category, Arthur's has very liveable rooms with little patios around a grassy courtyard. To…
Vigan
The renovated exterior of this historical wooden building hides light, bright, modern rooms with particularly comfortable beds and polished floors. Some…
Around Manila
Near the far end of Waterfront Beach, Subic Park exudes a certain faded charm with its wicker furniture and sweeping staircase (no lift), and remains a…
Manila
You come here mainly because it’s relatively quiet and isolated, and because it’s a rare Manila midranger with a decent pool – perfect after a sweltering…
Manila
While a boutique hotel within Intramuros' old walls may not suit the area, the Bayleaf is rightfully popular for its rooms decked out in vibrant colour…
Negros
Azure, the only Filipino-owned resort in Dauin, has tastefully minimalist rooms with nice local decorations and wooden touches. The two-storey whitewashed…
Around Manila
The refurbished Solana is a good choice for those seeking some R&R, with its swimming pool, swim-out pontoon and all-inclusive packages. All of the…
Southeast Luzon
Ten kilometres south of Virac, Twin Rocks sits in a secluded cove facing a small beach, looking out on a lampshade-like pair of boulders. The location is…
Boracay
Inside the white-sand enclosure concealed behind a stockade fence like an Old West fort lies a Boracay gem. With an A+ for originality, these seven ('pito…
Dream Paradise Mountain Resort & Spa
Western Visayas
Like a tropical Potala Palace, this sprawling, gaily coloured hillside complex soars over the rice paddies below, bursting with balconies, stairways,…
Panglao Island
Exclusively for divers, this nipa-hut complex has a laid-back communal vibe and is perfect for scubaheads on a budget. There are only a few rooms, all…
Balicasag Island
Run by the Philippine Tourism Authority, the only resort on Balicasag has air-con duplex nipa cottages with private (cold-water) bathrooms and generous…
Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa has a dearth of good midrange hotels, so this leafy compound is a breath of fresh air if you don't mind being a bit out of the centre. The…
