Category: Travel

Hostel of the Day: THE BED BUKIT BINTANG – Affordable Central Kuala Lumpur Accommodation Perfect for Groups

In July 2022, I flew to Kuala Lumpur for a week-long trip outside the Philippines, the first one since the pandemic. I stayed with friends in the KL Sentral area and moved to The Bed KLCC after they left. I wrote about my experience at The Bed KLCC in one of my previous “Hostel of the Day” features. Since then, the property owners have opened a new branch in Kuala Lumpur’s shopping district, called The Bed Bukit Bintang.

My friends and I flew to Kuala Lumpur in May 2024 for a quick weekend trip and decided to stay at The Bed Bukit Bintang. The unbeatable rates and central location made us book the property right away. Allow me to share some details about this affordable, centrally located accommodation, perfect for those traveling in groups.

The Bed Bukit Bintang

The Bed Bukit Bintang, like its sister property The Bed KLCC, is a posh and modern capsule hotel that blends both comfort and style in its room offerings. The property is located on Level 5 of the famous Fahrenheit 88 building in Kuala Lumpur’s bustling Bukit Bintang district.

The property occupies the floor where the building’s swimming pool facility is located. The hostel occupies only part of the floor and offers both stylish capsule beds and comfortable private rooms at affordable price points.

Location & Access

The Bed Bukit Bintang is located at Lot 5-06 & 5-02, Fahrenheit 88, KL Plaza, No. 179, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The property is on the 5th level of the Fahrenheit 88 building, directly across from The Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

The property is situated in an area filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants. The nearest supermarket and convenience store are both within a 5-minute walk from the property. The Bukit Bintang Monorail Station is just a 6-minute walk away, and Changkat, Kuala Lumpur’s party district, is about 10 minutes on foot.

The property is about a 20 to 30-minute walk or train ride to KL Sentral, the city’s central transportation hub. From there, passengers can take a bus or the express train to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The airport is about an hour away by car or private transportation.

The Bed Bukit Bintang’s location earns a solid 10 out of 10. It is close to everything a guest needs, from shops and supermarkets to cafes, restaurants, and public transportation options.

Room Options & Cost

The Bed Bukit Bintang offers both private and shared rooms, catering to all types of travelers.

The shared rooms come in the following configurations: front-entry single mixed pod, side-entry single mixed pod, female-only side-entry single mixed pod, premium side-entry single mixed pod, and female-only premium side-entry mixed pod. All pods feature a pull-down privacy partition, individual reading light, pillow, blanket, and charging ports. Guests also have access to shared bathrooms and toilets.

The Bed Bukit Bintang also offers private rooms with the following configurations: an 18 sq m queen suite pod with a double bed for 2 guests, a 20 sq m king suite pod with a large double bed for 2 people, and a 25 sq m studio room with 1 double bed and 1 large double bed, ideal for 4 people. These rooms include reading lamps and in-room lighting, with the studio room featuring its own air conditioning system. Guests are also given towels and dental kits upon check-in. Nightly rates for these rooms vary depending on the booking platform used.

My friends and I booked through Agoda and stayed in two types of rooms. We reserved two queen suite pods and paid ₱13,492 (after discounts) for 2 rooms over 4 nights. We also booked 1 studio room for 4 people, paying ₱11,112.61 (after discounts) for 4 nights. This worked out to around ₱700 to ₱850 per person per night for these private rooms.

The Bed Bukit Bintang offers affordable nightly rates for both shared and private rooms. Considering the property’s prime location, facilities, and guest benefits (including free breakfast), the rates we paid definitely offered great value.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

Guests of The Bed Bukit Bintang enjoy the following facilities and amenities:

Free & Fast Wi-Fi – Guests at The Bed Bukit Bintang have access to a free and fast Wi-Fi connection.

Clean & Well-Maintained Communal Showers and Toilets – All guests have access to communal shower and toilet facilities, which are consistently clean and well-maintained by the staff.

Communal Powder Area – The property features a communal powder area where guests can prepare for the day. Cotton buds, hair dryers, and flat irons are also available for use.

Complimentary Breakfast – The Bed Bukit Bintang offers a simple complimentary breakfast, including bread with jam, waffles, croissants, eggs, rice, baked beans, and typical breakfast drinks.

Common Lounge – The property has both indoor and outdoor common lounges, where guests are welcome to relax at any time of the day. The outdoor lounge also serves as the designated smoking area.

Shared Kitchen & Dining Area – The hostel has a shared kitchen and dining area where guests can prepare meals and enjoy them. A refrigerator is available for storing food, drinks, and even cooked meals during your stay.

Complimentary Coffee & Tea – Guests can make their own coffee or tea in the dining area whenever the common area is open.

Unlimited Drinking Water Refills – The Bed Bukit Bintang provides unlimited drinking water refills to all its guests. The water dispenser is located near the refrigerator. Be sure to bring your own water container.

Centralized Air Conditioning System – The property features a centralized air conditioning system, which operates from 8 p.m. each night.

Swimming Pool – Guests have access to the swimming pool located on the same level as the hostel.

Shoe Storage Area & In-Room Slippers – Guests are required to leave their shoes in the shoe lockers near the reception. In-room slippers, provided by the hostel, should be worn to access the rooms.

Luggage Storage – The Bed Bukit Bintang offers free luggage storage for both arriving and departing guests. Please approach reception if you would like to store your bags while waiting for your bus or flight.

Daily Housekeeping – The hostel offers daily housekeeping services for all rooms and beds. Be sure to place the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign if you prefer not to have your room tidied during your stay.

24-Hour Reception – The property’s reception is open 24 hours a day, so there is no need to worry if your flight or bus arrives after midnight, or if you need to leave for the airport early in the morning.

Friendly & Multi-Lingual Staff – The Bed Bukit Bintang has a friendly and multi-lingual staff who speak Malay, English, and Chinese.

Laundry Services – The property offers laundry services for an additional fee. Please check with reception if you need to wash your clothes during your stay.

Hostel Shop – The Bed Bukit Bintang has a small shop where guests can rent towels, buy cup noodles, or purchase anything they may need during their stay.

Prayer Room – The hostel has a prayer room available for guests who wish to pray at any time of day.

Lift Access – The Fahrenheit 88 Building has lifts that guests can use to travel to and from Level 5. Guests with large bags or luggage do not need to worry about carrying them up to the hostel.

Secured Hostel Access – Access to the dormitory and private rooms is restricted to guests only. Key cards are provided at check-in, which work only for the assigned rooms.

Hostel Experience

My friends and I had a delightful accommodation experience at The Bed Bukit Bintang. While it is not perfect, it excels in many areas.

First, the price is very affordable considering its inclusions, location, and amenities. Our nightly rates did not even reach ₱1,000 per person, even though we all stayed in private rooms. Second, the studio room we booked offered plenty of space to move around. Its pool views also added extra value to the stay.

Third, The Bed Bukit Bintang’s location is excellent. Situated in the heart of the bustling Bukit Bintang area, it is just a few minutes’ walk to hundreds of restaurants, cafes, and shops. It is also conveniently close to the Bukit Bintang Monorail Station. Fourth, the property offers a simple complimentary breakfast for all guests, with a good range of options to choose from.

Fifth, for a hot and humid city like Kuala Lumpur, unlimited access to drinking water is extremely helpful. The Bed Bukit Bintang provides unlimited water refills for all guests, with a water dispenser located near the communal lounge. Lastly, the hostel has a swimming pool that guests can enjoy during their stay—an amenity that is rare for budget accommodations. My friends and I had a great time enjoying an afternoon swim.

As mentioned earlier, the hostel is not perfect and does have some inconveniences. First, the toilets and showers are communal, shared by both male and female guests. This setup may not be ideal for everyone, but I was totally comfortable with it. The shared facilities were clean and well-maintained throughout our stay.

Second, the air conditioning in the dormitory, king, and queen rooms is centralized, which can make the rooms feel hot and uncomfortable during the day. The studio room, however, has its own air conditioning system, which guests can control themselves.

Third, I hope the hostel addresses the smell in the shoe storage area. It was not very pleasant and could benefit from better ventilation. Lastly, while the hostel was quiet during our stay, I think adding seasonal activities could encourage more guest interaction and spark conversations.

Despite a few minor inconveniences, my friends and I still had a wonderful stay at The Bed Bukit Bintang. The accommodation is affordable, centrally located, and perfect for groups. I have two other friends who stayed in the dormitory room on separate occasions, and they also shared that they had a great time. Overall, The Bed Bukit Bintang offers great value for money, and I wouldn’t hesitate to return the next time I’m in Kuala Lumpur.

If you have any curiosities about the property and about a potential upcoming stay, please feel free to reach out to them on the following channels:

The Bed Bukit Bintang
Address: Lot 5-06 & 5-02, Fahrenheit 88, KL Plaza, No. 179, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phone Number: +60 16-618 3584
Email: thebedbukitbintang@gmail.com / booking@thebedklcc.com
Website: www.thebedklcc.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebedbukitbintang
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/thebedbukitbintang

This wraps up my post about The Bed Bukit Bintang. What do you think of the hostel? Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Hostel of the Day feature. Please also take time to check out my previous HOTD features by clicking this. You will find my other hostel reviews about Le Village Montmartre in Paris, The Bed KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, The RomeHello in Rome, Yesinn Youth Hostel in Hong Kong, Yeah Hostel in Barcelona, Imano Tokyo Ginza Hostel in Tokyo, The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi in Osaka, and  Z Hostel here in the Philippines.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries, hostel of the day features, and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Tuesday Tips: 6 SUGGESTIONS on HOW to PLAN Your NEXT SAKURA TRIP

Planning a Sakura trip can be stressful. For one, no one knows the exact date of the Sakura trees’ full bloom in each city until at least a week before. Secondly, everything — from plane tickets to hotel accommodations — gets expensive due to high demand from both locals and tourists.

Last year, my friends and I went on a 20-day Sakura trip. We started our journey in the cold and snowy Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Then, we went to Osaka to relax and work for a few days. Afterward, we continued our journey south to Hiroshima and Miyajima Island, using the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass. We used the same pass to return to Osaka, where we based ourselves and took day trips to Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. We spent a few days in Kyoto before finishing our trip in Nagoya and Inuyama.

Months before our trip, we had planned our schedule to coincide with the forecasted Sakura full blooms in Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and even Nagoya. However, the colder-than-expected weather delayed the Sakura full bloom by almost a week or two. Believe it or not, we only managed to witness the full bloom in Nagoya towards the end of the trip.

In today’s Tuesday Tips post, I will share some suggestions on how you can plan your next Sakura trip. While I cannot guarantee that you’ll catch the full bloom, I can offer tips on how to save money and make the most of your trip. These suggestions are based on our experiences from last year.

Plan Trip Dates Ahead

First things first: plan your trip dates in advance. Historically, the Sakura trees are best viewed in famous cities during the last week of March through the first two weeks of April. If you can schedule your trip to include these weeks, it would be ideal.

Book Plane Tickets and Accommodations Ahead

Once you have an idea of when the Sakura trees are best viewed, you can start looking for affordable plane tickets and accommodations ahead of time.

My friends and I booked our Manila to Nagoya plane tickets as early as July the year before for a trip in late March. We waited for the return flight forecasts and purchased our tickets four months in advance. The ticket to Nagoya only cost us a little over ₱3,000, including baggage. The return ticket, however, cost almost ₱11,000 due to the late booking and baggage fees. If only we had booked everything earlier, we could have gotten a much cheaper return ticket.

95% of our accommodations (see photos below) were booked up to nine months in advance. My friends and I took advantage of credit card promotions with Agoda and Booking.com. We also made sure to book places with free cancellation and a pay-later option. Even during peak times like this, accommodations are cheaper when booked months in advance. Plus, you get access to the best options since others have not started planning yet.

Having our plane tickets and accommodations settled early gave us plenty of time to research and plan our itinerary.

Stay Longer and Base in Selected Cities

As mentioned above, no one knows the exact date of the Sakura full bloom. Everyone depends on forecasts made by the Japanese authorities. Staying longer in your selected cities gives you the time and flexibility to adjust according to these forecasts.

It is also ideal to choose one or two cities as your base while chasing Sakura. In our case, we based ourselves in cities like Osaka and Kyoto, which are within reach of many other cities like Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. Staying longer in these cities also gave us more time to wait for or chase the Sakura, depending on where it was best viewed during our visit.

Monitor Sakura Forecasts

I suggest that you continuously monitor the official Sakura forecasts released by the Japanese authorities. These forecasts are available as early as January and are updated every few weeks. However, I do not recommend planning your trip solely around these forecasts, as they are always subject to change.

These forecasts will give you an idea of where to go during your selected trip dates and which day trips you can take from your chosen bases.

Keep Itinerary and Schedule Flexible

I do not recommend Sakura trips for first-time visitors to Japan. Ideally, when chasing Sakura, you should have already visited the usual attractions in Japan. This allows you to focus entirely on chasing Sakura and doing nothing else. You will not have to worry about missing out on a temple or a particular site because you have already seen it before.

There are thousands of places, parks, and areas where Sakura can be viewed during this season. Keeping your itinerary flexible gives you the freedom to visit wherever Sakura is in bloom.

Last year, on our few days in Osaka, we had not seen any Sakura trees in full bloom. Fortunately, I came across a random Instagram post showing that a small park (Nakaoe Park) near Osaka Castle had Sakura trees in full bloom. Since we had no plans after visiting Osaka Castle, my friends and I decided to go to this park and were able to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms.

On another occasion, it was a random day in Kyoto when I saw online that the Sakura trees were starting to bloom along the Philosopher’s Path. My friends and I immediately went to the area that afternoon, and we were treated to stunning views of cherry blossoms lining the long, beautiful path by the river.

Purchase Passes Perfect for Your Final Itinerary

Lastly, Japan offers hundreds of visitor passes that might be perfect for your plans or itinerary. Be sure to check if one fits your needs for additional savings.

In our case last year, my friends and I took advantage of the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass. We used this pass to take the Shinkansen to and from Hiroshima from Osaka, as well as for the trains and ferry rides to and from Miyajima Island, the train to Nara, and the Shinkansen rides to Kobe, Himeji, and back to Osaka. We only paid ¥17,000 for the pass, but we got ¥33,000 worth of Shinkansen, local train, and ferry rides out of it.

I hope these suggestions help you plan your next Sakura trip. It might be too late to use them for this year, but hopefully, they will come in handy for your next trip. Sakura season in Japan is truly magical, and with a bit of planning, you can really enjoy it without the stress. Keep these tips in mind, and take your time to enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossoms. Best of luck with your future trips — I hope you catch the perfect bloom and have an unforgettable experience!

Have you been to Japan during Sakura, or are you planning to visit soon? I would love to hear about your experiences or any questions you might have! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. If you have any further questions or need more details, you can also reach me directly at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I am happy to help with any clarifications or travel tips.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Tuesday Tips post. Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Sakura 2024: NAGOYA & INUYAMA – Peak Sakura Around Aichi Prefecture’s Capital City + First-Ever Traditional Japanese Festival Experience [April 2024]

Early last year, my friends and I flew to Japan to experience the world-famous cherry blossom season. We began our journey in the snowy, cold towns of Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Then, we traveled to Osaka to relax for a few days. After that, we took the Shinkansen down to Hiroshima for 48 hours before heading back to Osaka. We used our JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass to take quick trips to Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. We then made our way to Kyoto, where we witnessed the beginning of the full Sakura bloom in the city. Our 20-day Japan trip ended in the capital of Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya.

We spent a few days exploring the city and even visited the nearby town of Inuyama, where we experienced our first-ever traditional Japanese festival. We visited some usual sights, but focused mostly on the Sakura, food, and last-minute shopping. Allow me to share more details about the final leg of our 2024 Sakura trip below.

Nagoya & Inuyama

Nagoya is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and one of Japan’s industrial and financial centers. Located in the heart of Honshu Island, Nagoya is the country’s fourth most populous city but is often overlooked in favor of the usual Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. The city has a laid-back yet modern vibe, with a unique character that is loved by both foreigners and expatriates.

Inuyama is a small city located north of Nagoya, known for its beautiful wooden castle. The city is also famous for its historic houses and the annual Inuyama Festival.

In case you missed it, I visited Nagoya back in 2016. It was the first stop on my 13-day solo trip around Japan. You can check out my previous post about Nagoya here.

Flights To & From Nagoya

The Philippines’ major carriers, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air, offer daily flights to Nagoya from Manila. My friends and I avoided the peak airport crowds by flying with Cebu Pacific Air to and from Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya.

I have written about these two flights, and I hope you can check them out here: Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 5038 – Manila to Nagoya – Perfectly-Timed Low-Cost Flight to Central Japan and Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 5039 – Nagoya to Manila – Unexpected Inflight Treats on Our Expensive Flight Back to Manila.

A few years ago, I wrote about how to apply for a Japan tourist visa. Click here to learn more about getting one for yourself.

Kyoto to Nagoya

Kyoto and Nagoya are connected by multiple train and bus routes daily. My friends and I took the most economical option and traveled by highway bus from Kyoto Station to JR Nagoya Station.

We took the Meitetsu Bus, which left Kyoto Station at 1:30 p.m. local time and arrived at JR Nagoya Station at 4:00 p.m. This 2.5-hour bus ride cost us only ¥2,600 each, which was charged as ₱998.16 on my credit card statement. We booked our tickets via the Japan Bus Online website.

Accommodation

My friends initially planned to stay only 3 nights in Nagoya, but the additional local Philippine holiday prompted us to extend our stay by one more night. We stayed at Hotel ACTEL Nagoya Nishiki for all 4 nights.

We stayed in a twin room for the first 3 nights, paying ₱5,423.23 per person, and then in a single room on the last night for ₱1,188.99 per person after all discounts. We enjoyed our stay in the hotel’s beautifully designed, modern, and minimalist rooms.

The hotel is located in the vibrant Sakae area, just a few meters from the subway station and the Oasis 21 landmark. While it does not offer breakfast or meal service, it provides a complimentary beauty and amenity bar, as well as a coffee vending machine.

Going Around Nagoya

Nagoya is connected by a vast transportation system, including buses, local subway lines, and inter-city train services. The city also offers a wide variety of duration-based tourist passes.

My friends and I did not purchase any tourist passes. Instead, we used our IC cards for all transportation during our visit around Nagoya.

Places Visited in Nagoya

Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle is one of Japan’s National Treasures. Built during the Edo period, the castle has withstood countless wars, calamities, and developments, and it still stands beautifully in the heart of Nagoya.

Entry to Nagoya Castle grounds costs ¥500 per person. Tickets are bought at the castle grounds entrance.

Nagoya Castle Grounds

The grounds of Nagoya Castle were surrounded by cherry blossom trees in full bloom during our visit. The castle grounds were bustling with visitors on a Saturday afternoon, with some people having picnics under the beautiful Sakura trees.

Meijō Park

Meijō Park is an expansive green space located next to the Nagoya Castle grounds. It featured beautiful floral displays during our visit last year.

Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER

Formerly known as the Nagoya TV Tower, this landmark was the country’s first radio tower. It is now an observatory offering panoramic views of the Sakae area.

Oasis 21

Oasis 21 is another notable landmark in the Sakae area. The building houses shops, restaurants, cafes, and even a bus terminal. Its glass roof structure features water, which is believed to cool down the underground shopping and entertainment area.

Misokatsu Yabaton

My friends and I visited Misokatsu Yabaton restaurant twice to enjoy Nagoya’s famous miso katsu.

The restaurant serves a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet topped with a rich and sweet miso-based sauce. It is served with a cabbage salad, miso soup, and rice. It is a must-try when in Nagoya.

Inuyama Festival

Our visit to Nagoya coincided with the annual Inuyama Festival. This traditional festival, held in the small city of Inuyama, is known for its three-tiered floats adorned with dancing mechanical puppets that are paraded around the city. The parade is accompanied by traditional drum and flute music, especially during the peak Sakura period.

My friends and I attended the rehearsal festival, which took place the night before the actual event. The festival floats were stunning, particularly at night. It was a fun experience, with mostly locals and a few foreign visitors (like us)!

Overall, our time in Nagoya and Inuyama was an amazing experience. We enjoyed the beautiful sights, like the cherry blossoms at Nagoya Castle, and had a blast at the Inuyama Festival. From exploring the city to trying local food, Nagoya gave us memories we will never forget. It was the perfect way to end our 20-day trip around Japan.

Have you been to Nagoya and Inuyama, or are you planning to visit soon? I would love to hear about your experiences or any questions you might have! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. If you have any further questions or need more details, you can also reach me directly at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I am happy to help with any clarifications or travel tips.

Thanks for joining me in today’s blog post. In case you missed it, my friends and I flew to Japan for 20 days to experience the cherry blossom season from March to April 2024. You can find all posts related to this trip under the Sakura 2024 category. You can also check out our Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, and Kyoto visits.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

 

Sakura 2024: KYOTO – Unexpected Discoveries in Japan’s Famous Old Capital City [April 2024]

Early last year, my friends and I flew to Japan for about 20 days to chase the cherry blossoms. We started our journey in Takayama and Shirakawa-go, where we were surprised by the snowy weather in what was supposed to be early spring. We then traveled to Osaka for a few days before taking the Shinkansen further south to Hiroshima, where we spent 48 hours exploring history, food, and more sightseeing. We returned to Osaka to drop off our luggage and took day trips to Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. After that, we moved on to the beautiful city of Kyoto.

We spent four full days in Kyoto. Although we had visited the city in the past, this trip was focused on chasing cherry blossoms. We avoided some of the usual sights like Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kinkaku-ji, and instead had unexpected discoveries that made this part of the trip even more fun and memorable. Allow me to share more details about our Kyoto experience below.

I have been to Kyoto several times before – in 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2023. I hope you check out those individual posts as well.

Kyoto

Once the capital of Japan, Kyoto is a large and renowned city on the country’s Honshu Island. It is famous for its beautiful temples, shrines, imperial palaces, gardens, and traditional wooden houses. Along with Tokyo and Osaka, Kyoto is often considered one of the three main destinations for people visiting Japan for the first time.

Flights to Japan

There are no direct flights connecting the Philippines and Kyoto, Japan. Filipinos typically fly into Kansai International Airport in Osaka before heading to Kyoto. My friends and I took the unconventional route, flying in and out of Chubu International Airport in Nagoya.

We flew with the country’s largest low-cost airline, Cebu Pacific Air. I wrote about both our inbound and outbound flights, and I hope you can check them out here: Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 5038 – Manila to Nagoya – Perfectly-Timed Low-Cost Flight to Central Japan & Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 5039 – Nagoya to Manila – Unexpected Inflight Treats on Our Expensive Flight Back to Manila.

A few years ago, I wrote about how to apply for a Japan tourist visa. Click here to learn more about getting one for yourself.

Osaka to Kyoto

Osaka and Kyoto are linked by several train lines: Shinkansen service, the JR Kyoto Line, the Hankyu Kyoto Line, and the Keihan Main Line. The best train line or route to take will depend on which areas of these cities you are coming from and going to.

I mentioned in previous posts that my friends and I got the JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass. However, we ended up not using the pass or the JR Kyoto Line because we found a faster and more convenient route via the local subway, with a transfer to the Hankyu Kyoto Line. We used our IC cards for these train rides.

Accommodation

My friends and I stayed at The Pocket Hotel Kyoto-Karasumagojo for four nights. We booked this hotel for its location and budget-friendly price. We reserved a twin room with a shared bathroom for ₱11,140.14 for two people, and we made our reservation about 9 months in advance.

The Pocket Hotel Kyoto-Karasumagojo is a boutique hotel under the Sotetsu Hotel Management. It is located at 423 Matsuyacho Gojodori Karasuma Higashi Iru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 600-8105 Japan. It is just a 1-minute walk from Exit 1 of Gojo Station on the Karasuma Line of the Kyoto Municipal Subway. The hotel is about a 10- to 15-minute walk from Kyoto’s Shinkyogoku Shopping Street and about a 15- to 20-minute walk to and from Kyoto Station.

The hotel has 121 private rooms and features high-speed Wi-Fi in all rooms, shared bathrooms (on specific floors), a laundry room for guests who need to wash clothes, male and female toilets on each floor, and complimentary daily bath amenities and sleepwear changes. It also has a small lounge area on the ground floor, near the reception. The hotel features self-check-in and check-out facilities and only accepts cashless payments through credit cards and QR codes.

Going Around Kyoto

Kyoto is connected by a vast transportation system, including buses, local subway lines, and inter-city train lines. The city also offers a wide variety of duration-based tourist passes.

My friends and I did not purchase any passes. We used our JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass for travel to and from Arashiyama on our first day, and we used our IC cards for the remainder of our stay in Kyoto.

Unexpected Discoveries

We intentionally avoided some popular places like Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, and Nishiki Market. We had already visited quite a few of these popular spots and wanted to explore them at night this time.

ARASHIYAMA

We visited Arashiyama during sunset and witnessed some amazing views from the other side of the Togetsukyo Bridge. We also noticed that there were very few visitors around at that time. Afterward, we stopped by the dimly lit Bamboo Forest before heading back to Kyoto.

HŌKAN-JI TEMPLE

We walked from our hotel to Hōkan-ji Temple to see how the place looked at night. We also stopped by % ARABICA Kyoto Higashiyama for coffee.

NINENZAKA

The famous Ninenzaka looked beautiful at night. It was much less crowded compared to how it is during the daytime.

GION

We walked around Gion on our way back to the city center. The streets were full of people exploring the historic district.

KIYAMACHI-DORI

Kiyamachi-Dori had beautiful cherry blossom trees in full bloom. My friends and I visited this area both during the day and at night to take some photos with the Sakura trees.

PHILOSOPHER’S PATH

The Philosopher’s Path is a scenic route along a cherry blossom tree-lined canal that runs between Ginkaku-ji and the Higashiyama neighborhood.

We visited the path a few days before the expected full bloom and were treated to a stunning sight of the cherry blossom trees in bloom.

NANZEN-JI

Nanzen-ji is a Buddhist temple and serves as the head temple of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism.

KEAGE INCLINE

Keage Incline is a former railway that connects Lake Biwa Canal to the Kamo River. It is now a gently sloping pedestrian path lined with cherry blossom trees.

KYOTO SHINKYOGOKU SHOPPING STREET

Kyoto Shinkyogoku Shopping Street is a pedestrian arcade, or shotengai, offering everything a shopper could want—from clothing stores and artisan boutiques to drugstores, entertainment venues (like karaoke), cafes, and restaurants.

That wraps up our Kyoto adventures from April 2024. From the unexpected cherry blossom trails at Keage Incline to the beautiful Philosopher’s Path, this leg of the journey was full of surprises. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out my previous Kyoto experiences.

My friends and I also visited Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Osaka, Hiroshima, Himeji, Nara, and Kobe during this trip. You can find all posts related to this adventure under the Sakura 2024 category.

Have you been to Kyoto, or are you planning to visit soon? I would love to hear about your experiences or any questions you might have! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. If you have any further questions or need more details, you can also reach me directly at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I am happy to help with any clarifications or travel tips.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me expand my reach and keep you updated with the latest blog posts, itineraries, and flight reports on this website. Thank you, and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Flight Report: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 2927 – Cebu to Daraga (Legazpi) – Domestic Comfort Class Experience on a Turboprop Aircraft [October 2024]

A few months ago, I decided to book a last-minute flight with Philippine Airlines from Manila to Daraga (Legazpi) via Cebu. I opted for the airline’s domestic premium economy service, Comfort Class. This was the best option available to me, as I had been stuck in Manila for a few days due to flooding near our province.

In this post, I will discuss the second leg of my Comfort Class ticket – from Cebu to Daraga (Legazpi) aboard the airline’s DH8 turboprop aircraft. I will share details about the ticket price, the ground experience at Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and the inflight experience on this premium economy service.

I have already written about the first leg of the journey, from Manila to Cebu on PR 2853, also in Comfort Class. I hope you will check out the flight report here.

Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines, commonly known as PAL, is the Philippines’ flag carrier. The airline began operations in 1941 and is currently the region’s oldest commercial airline. It is part of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies and is also partly owned by ANA Holdings, the parent company of All Nippon Airways.

Philippine Airlines operates a fleet of nearly 50 Airbus, Boeing, and De Havilland aircraft, serving over 70 domestic and international destinations across Asia, Australia, North America, and the Middle East. The airline has a wholly owned subsidiary, PAL Express, which operates its domestic regional routes. PAL flies out of its hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao.

PAL is the country’s largest full-service airline, offering a premium experience to its passengers. It provides business class, premium economy, and economy class on most of its routes. Although it is not a member of any airline alliance, it has codeshare agreements with major carriers such as All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, Gulf Air, and many others.

The airline also offers a lifestyle and loyalty program called Mabuhay Miles. It is the only Philippine-based carrier to receive a 4-star rating from the world-renowned air transport rating organization Skytrax. Philippine Airlines is known for its warm and heartfelt hospitality, which is uniquely rooted in Filipino culture.

In case you missed it, I post reviews and features of my flights since June 2019. I’ve covered airlines such as EVA Air, Indonesia Air Asia, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Airfare & Inclusions

I booked this Manila to Daraga (Legazpi) via Cebu Comfort Class ticket five days before the intended flight date. It cost ₱7,281 for one person. The ticket included a 25-kilogram checked luggage allowance, a 7-kilogram carry-on allowance, dedicated airport check-in counters, complimentary seat selection, access to the Mabuhay Lounge (at both Manila and Cebu airports), priority boarding on both legs, a priority baggage tag, a dedicated onboard cabin, and an onboard selection of gourmet sandwich snacks.

For context, direct Manila to Legazpi (Daraga) regular economy class tickets were priced over ₱9,000 per person at the time of booking. These regular economy tickets did not include any special perks. The other competitor, Cebu Pacific Air, offered a fare almost identical to the regular PAL economy ticket, but without a checked baggage allowance.

While the Comfort Class ticket was still relatively expensive, it was a great deal compared to regular economy prices at the time of booking. It included most of the perks of business class, minus the onboard cabin and meal service.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service & a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Before The Flight

Three hours after booking the ticket, I received an email offering me the opportunity to bid for a business class upgrade. I received another upgrade offer email three days before the flight.

Twenty-four hours before the Manila to Cebu flight, I received an email notifying me that online check-in was now available. I checked in for both the Manila to Cebu and Cebu to Legazpi (Daraga) flights and received my mobile boarding passes.

Aircraft & Flight Information

Philippine Airlines flight PR 2927, from Cebu to Daraga (Legazpi), was operated by a 6-year-old (at the time of the flight) De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 Next Generation turboprop aircraft. The plane was delivered to the airline in November 2018 but was sold to another company in August 2022. It was leased back by the airline in November 2023 and re-delivered the same month. The aircraft features 6 Comfort Class seats and 80 regular economy class seats.

Flight PR 2927 took off from Mactan-Cebu International Airport at 4:31 p.m., cruised at an altitude of 14,000 feet, and landed at Bicol International Airport in Daraga at exactly 5:30 p.m. This short domestic turboprop flight lasted 59 minutes.

Ground & Airport Experience

CEBU DOMESTIC TRANSFER PROCESS

Philippine Airlines passengers connecting to another PAL domestic flight at Mactan-Cebu International Airport have access to a dedicated transfer and security area that leads directly to the Terminal 1 domestic pre-departure area. Passengers do not need to go to the arrival hall to retrieve their checked luggage, as it will be transferred by the airline to their next flight.

This dedicated transfer lane and security area made the domestic transfer experience quick and easy. I arrived at the domestic pre-departure area in less than 5 minutes after disembarking.

CEBU DOMESTIC MABUHAY LOUNGE EXPERIENCE

Domestic Comfort Class passengers are granted access to the domestic Mabuhay Lounge at Cebu Airport.

The lounge was spacious, with plenty of seating options. It also featured a dedicated work area for those needing to open their laptops and get some work done. Additionally, it offered more food and snack options compared to the Manila lounge.

I visited the lounge a few minutes before 2:00 p.m. and settled into one of the available workstations. I got some work done while enjoying snacks and drinks.

BOARDING

Flights operated by turboprop aircraft typically board from Gates 26A and 26B at Mactan-Cebu International Airport. This flight to Daraga (Legazpi) boarded from Gate 26B.

At 3:41 p.m., the ground staff announced boarding for all passengers. Comfort Class passengers, status holders, and those traveling with children, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens had a separate boarding queue from regular economy class passengers.

We boarded a bus to the assigned aircraft. However, after waiting for a few minutes, we returned to the boarding gate. Apparently, the Daraga station was experiencing ramp and tarmac congestion, which caused a slight delay in our boarding. At 4:10 p.m., we went back to the aircraft and the boarding process resumed.

Ten minutes later, the cabin crew closed the airplane doors. The boarding process was completed in 10 minutes. The plane pushed back at 4:22 p.m. and headed to the runway for takeoff.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Cebu to Daraga (Legazpi) flight was operated by a 6-year-old DH8 aircraft (at the time of the flight). The aircraft features 6 Comfort Class (domestic premium economy) seats and 80 regular economy class seats in a 2-2 layout. The cabin does not include the airline’s business class product.

According to the Philippine Airlines website, each Comfort Class seat has a pitch of 33 inches, while each regular economy seat has a pitch of 29 inches. All seats on this aircraft have a width of 16.92 inches and a recline of 3 inches.

Each Comfort Class seat is equipped with a seat pocket containing the aircraft safety card, an airsickness bag, and an inflight magazine. It also includes a pillow, a blanket, and a bottle of water. Additional features include an assigned air vent, a cabin crew call button, and a reading light.

I was assigned seat 2A for this flight to Daraga (Legazpi). The seat was comfortable, offering the most generous legroom on the flight. The extra amenities (pillow, blanket, and bottle of water) added to the overall comfort during the flight.

INFLIGHT SNACK

Comfort Class passengers are served gourmet sandwiches and a drink of their choice as inflight snacks. On our flight, the only option available was the beef sandwich. The cabin crew served the snack alongside a pack of peas and a drink, with the choice of apple or orange juice.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Philippine Airlines’ DH8 aircraft do not feature in-seat entertainment screens or inflight entertainment systems.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

Philippine Airlines does not offer inflight Wi-Fi on its domestic flights.

LAVATORY

The aircraft has only one lavatory, located in the front section of the cabin. The cabin crew regularly checked its cleanliness and ensured it was well-maintained throughout the flight.

I visited the lavatory before landing and found it to be spotless and fragrant.

Cabin Crew Encounters

The cabin crew on this flight paid special attention to Comfort Class passengers, even going so far as to open our tray tables during the snack service. They were very attentive, regularly checking in to see if we wanted more snacks or drinks.

They also greeted us with their best smiles from the moment we boarded until disembarkation.

Disembarkation

I was the first to disembark the plane due to my proximity to the aircraft door. I also received my checked luggage first, thanks to the priority tag for Comfort Class passengers.

Flight Experience

It turned out to be a memorable domestic Comfort Class experience with Philippine Airlines. Despite the unexpected challenges caused by the typhoon and bus cancellations, I’m glad I decided to stick to my planned schedule and give it a try.

Philippine Airlines’ domestic Comfort Class stands out in several ways. First, the ticket price was reasonable, especially considering it was booked just five days before the flight. It was even more affordable than the direct flights to Legazpi. Additionally, it included the perks I mentioned earlier.

Second, the domestic transfer experience at Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal 1 was quick and efficient. It did not take long for all connecting passengers to reach the pre-departure area. Third, the Comfort Class ticket offered business class-like perks, such as domestic lounge access at Cebu Airport, priority boarding, and priority luggage services.

Fourth, the onboard experience was superb—from the pillow, blanket, and bottled water in the seat to the onboard sandwich service with a drink of choice. Fifth, the cabin crew on this flight was outstanding. They truly embodied the ‘Heart of the Filipino’ service, as advertised by Philippine Airlines.

On the other hand, I did notice that the aircraft’s age was becoming apparent in the plane’s interiors. I think it is time for Philippine Airlines to consider refitting the cabins across its entire fleet. Additionally, while I previously mentioned that the ticket price was reasonable, I still feel it is on the higher end of the price range. As someone who typically flies budget economy, the fare still felt expensive—but it was worth it.

Lastly, the boarding process took longer than usual. The bus had to return to the terminal due to tarmac congestion at the destination airport. It would have been ideal if the boarding process had been delayed slightly to accommodate the issue at Daraga Airport.

Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed my Comfort Class experience with Philippine Airlines. Will I try it again? Maybe yes, maybe no. It will always depend on the circumstances. I am keen to try their retrofitted widebody business class product on the Airbus A330 or the newer cabins on the Airbus A350 aircraft.

Here is a summary of our flight and the aircraft used for the journey from Mactan, Cebu to Daraga (Legazpi):

Airline: Philippines Airlines
Flight Date: 29 October 2024
Flight Number: PR 2927
Route: Cebu, Philippines (CEB) to Daraga (DRP) (Legazpi), Philippines
Duration: 59 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 2A
Aircraft: De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 Next Generation
Aircraft Registration: RP-C5912
Engines: 2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada Engines
Age: 6-years-old
Delivered: November 2018

Overall, my experience with Philippine Airlines’ Comfort Class was a positive one. Despite a few minor setbacks, the service and comfort made it worth the price. If you are considering a more comfortable domestic flight, I would recommend giving it a try.

Have you flown Philippine Airlines in their Domestic Comfort Class? How was your experience? Will you fly with them again in that class? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Post your questions in the comments section below, or send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

I hope you can check out my previous flight reports with Singapore Airlines and other airlines like Emirates, EVA Air, Air France, Vietnam Airlines, and Cebu Pacific Air. I hope you also look forward to more flight reports in the future.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you in the next flight report!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.