Hostel of the Day: THE ROMEHELLO – Affordable, Hospitable & High-Rated Accommodation That Felt Like Home

After few months ago, my friends and I flew to Europe for a 3.5-week vacation. We visited 3 countries – France, Italy and Spain. Accommodation in Europe is expensive compared to here in Asia so we decided to stay in hostels throughout the trip. We explored Rome for 6 days and 5 nights and stayed with The RomeHello. Join me in today’s hostel of the day feature as I show you this affordable, hospitable and high-rated hostel in the heart of Rome, Italy.

The Romehello

The RomeHello is an affordable and high-rated hostel found in the center of Rome in Italy. The large hostel is located within a 6-storey building a few minutes away from Roma Termini. It has spacious communal areas in the ground floor and private and dormitory rooms found from the ground floor up to 5th floor.

As of writing, the hostel has ratings ranging from 9.3 to 9.6 from over 17,000 reviews in Agoda, Booking.com, Hostelworld and Expedia. The hostel staff and management deserve all the praises and good reviews they received from these sites. Let us know more about the hostel, its facilities and amenities below in the write up below.

Location & Access

The RomeHello is located at Via Torino 45 in Rome, Italy. It is 150 meters by foot from Repubblica-Teatro dell’Opera Station in the Metro Line A. It is 750 meters away or 7-10 minutes by foot from Roma Termini Station.

The hostel has a central location and is near famous Roman landmarks. It is 10 minutes away by foot to the Trevi Fountain, 15 minutes by foot to The Spanish Steps, Colosseum and Piazza Venezia and 20 to 25 minute-walk to the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. It is also near cafés, restaurants, shops and even supermarkets.

Rome–Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) is 30 kilometers away and can be reached either by bus, taxi or the 35-minute Leonardo Express from Roma Termini. Rome’s other airport, Rome–Ciampino International Airport (CIA), is 15 kilometers away and can be reached either by taxi or shuttle buses from Roma Termini.

Room Options

The RomeHello is a hostel for all; it has both private and dormitory rooms. Guests who want privacy throughout their visit can stay in the private rooms while those traveling on a tight budget can choose to stay in the dormitory rooms.

The hostel’s private room configurations are as follows: double room, quadruple room, twin room, twin bunk bed room and triple room. All these private rooms feature ensuite bathrooms, mini fridge with water bottles, televisions, towels and toiletries, small tables and chairs, USB sockets in the bedside tables and cabinets.

The dormitory rooms are arranged in the following configurations: 3-bed mixed dormitory room, 4-bed mixed dormitory room, 8-bed mixed dormitory room, 10-bed mixed dormitory room and 3-bed female-only dormitory room. All dormitory beds feature bed covers, duvet, pillows, individual lamps, electrical and USB sockets, lockers under the beds and personal shelves. All dormitory rooms have in-room showers and toilets. Towels and toiletries are not included in these shared rooms.

My friend and I booked our stay with Agoda and got a bed in a 4-bed mixed dormitory room. We paid €89.26 each for 5 nights – €17.85 per night. My bank charged me ₱5,468.12 (including 1.85% foreign currency conversion fee) for this 5-night stay – roughly ₱1,094 per night.

We were assigned 1 single bed each in one of the ground floor 4-bed mixed dormitory rooms. The room had a bunk bed and 2 single beds. The room was spacious, clean and near the communal lounge and laundry room.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

The RomeHello has one of the longest lists of guest facilities and amenities in all my hostel of the day features. Check out the long list below:

Free Wi-Fi Access – All hostel guests have access to a free wi-fi connection available throughout the property.

Free Drink Coupon Upon Check-In – The hostel gives their guests a free drink coupon upon check-in. This coupon can be redeemed at The Barrel Bar & Grill by Tyler anytime during the stay.

Buffet Breakfast at The Barrel Bar & Grill by Tyler – Hostel guests can avail of a buffet breakfast at The Barrel Bar & Grill by Tyler from 8:00am to 10:30am for only €7 per person. Guests enjoy a selection of eggs, bacon, sausages, fresh fruits, cold cuts, cheese and cereals. They also enjoy a variety of drinks – coffee, tea, fruit juices and water – included in the buffet rate.

In-House Bar & RestaurantThe Barrel Bar & Grill by Tyler is the hostel’s in-house bar and restaurant. It is open from lunch until late night to cater to both guests and non-guests. Hostel guests get 10% off when they dine at The Barrel by showing their hostel access card.

In-Room Shower & Toilet – Dormitory and private rooms at The RomeHello feature in-room shower and toilet facilities. The showers are equipped with heating systems.

Air Conditioning & Heating Systems – All rooms are have air conditioning and heating systems which can be used depending on season.

Communal Lounge Area – The hostel has a spacious communal lounge area where guests can spend their idle time watching the television or talking to co-travelers. It is also the perfect place to meet and make friends with the other guests.

Shared Kitchen & Dining Area – The RomeHello has a shared kitchen for those who want to cook their own meals during their stay. They also have a dining area where people can have their meals.

Communal Shower & Toilet – The hostel has a communal shower and toilet that is open to all guests. Even guests who already checked out can still take a shower before they leave for their next destination.

Spacious Inner Courtyard – The property has a spacious inner courtyard where events are held. It is also a place where people can relax for some fresh air.

Games Area – The hostel has a ping pong table in the inner courtyard and a table football in the lounge area which guests can play with. They also have boardgames which can be borrowed and played with other people.

Snack & Drink Vending Machines – Fancy a snack or drink? You can get some in the vending machines located inside the shared kitchen or near the lockers.

Daily Hostel Activities – The hostel hosts daily activities which guests can join. It ranges from movie nights, community dinners to game nights, karaoke nights and drinking games. Do not forget to check-out the weekly activity calendar near the elevator during your stay.

Hostel Tours & Experiences – Aside from the daily activities, the hostel also hosts tours and experiences which guests can enjoy. Pasta and pizza cooking classes are held every Monday and Tuesday for €8 per person per class. They also conduct tip-based walking tours on specific days of the week. Make sure to check with reception if you are keen on joining these activities.

Luggage Storage – Guests who arrive before the check-in hours and guests who need to leave their bags after check-out can have their stuff stored at the luggage room at no extra cost. Please approach reception if you want to use the luggage room before check-in or after check-out.

Locker Rentals – Guests who cannot leave their valuables in the luggage room can rent the lockers in the communal lounge area for safe storage.

Luggage Weighing Scale – The hostel has a luggage weighing scale which guests can use for only €1.

Self-service Coin Laundry – The RomeHello has a self-service coin laundry at the ground floor. The laundry service is easy to use. These machines are mostly used during night time and are best used in the morning.

Hair Dryer & Ironing Facilities – All rooms are equipped with hair dryers. Guests who need to iron clothes can use the ironing facilities found inside the laundry room.

Computer Access – There are 2 computers in the communal lounge area which guests can use to plan their itineraries, book their next flights and accommodations.

Printing Access – Guests who need to print documents can have them printed by reception. Please reach out to them for the updated printing rates.

24-Hour Reception – The RomeHello’s reception is open 24 hours every day of the week. Check-in starts at 2:00pm while check-out is until 11:00am.

Multi-Lingual Staff – The hostel’s staff speak many languages – Italian, English, Filipino and a few more. Guests who do not speak Italian or English can still communicate with and ask questions to the staff at any time.

Daily Housekeeping – The hostel housekeeping checks and cleans the rooms and toilets daily. They make sure that the hostel facilities and rooms are kept clean and tidy.

Secured Room Access – The rooms can be accessed using a randomly-generated lock code that is assigned individually per guest.

Secured Hostel Premises – The hostel is equipped with 24/7 video surveillance system that makes sure that no outsiders go inside the guest-only premises. Also, all guests need to go past reception when they want to enter the hostel.

Lift Access – Guests who have large luggage do not need to worry about bringing them up to the higher floors. They can use the lift to go up to and down from their rooms.

Hostel Experience

I had an awesome stay at The RomeHello. I enjoyed every bit from check-in to check-out; I could have extended if my itinerary allowed me to do so.

The hostel ticked all the boxes for me but has specifically excelled in the following. First, their rates were affordable. The hostel provided more than what guests pay for per night. They had one of the best value rates within the city. Second, the hostel’s location was perfect for my itinerary. It was near Repubblica Station of Metro Line A; it was also near Roma Termini. The popular Rome spots were all 10-25 minutes away by foot. The hostel was also located in a small quiet laneway, excluded from all the city noise.

Third, the €7 breakfast buffet at The Barrel was exceptional. The buffet had a good spread of eggs, bread, cold cuts, sausages, bacon, cheese, fresh fruits and drinks. Fourth, the property had a long list of activities, tours and experiences that enhanced the guest’s hostel experience. I joined the pasta cooking class for €8; I knew how to cook the ‘real’ carbonara at the same time also met people from all over the world.

Fifth, the hostel managed to keep its cleanliness throughout the day despite all the activities and guests coming in and out every day. Lastly, The RomeHello’s staff were the friendliest and most hospitable ones I have dealt with during this trip. I met a few Filipino hostel staff and was instantly treated like their close friends. At some point, it felt home. The stay felt like I am in the Philippines because of them. Shoutout to the ate’s and kuya’s of The RomeHello – thank you for making my stay a memorable one!

On the other side of the line, I cannot think of anything which the hostel can or needs to improve on. If there is one thing I can comment on, it is the long list of activities they have. I did not have enough time to join all of them during my stay. I need to go back to The RomeHello to just join all the activities.

Will I recommend The RomeHello? YES! It is an easy 15 over 10 for me. In my opinion, The RomeHello is an epitome of a perfect hostel. The hostel has affordable rates, clean rooms and communal areas, friendly and hospitable staff, a central location, fun activities, tours and experiences to join and a traveler-friendly atmosphere. What more can you ask for? No need to think twice, book with The Romehello for your trip to Rome.

Do you have questions about The RomeHello? Feel free to reach out to them on the following platforms:

The RomeHello
Address: Via Torino 45 00184, Rome, Italy
Phone Number: +39 06 9686 0070
E-mail address: ciao@theromehello.com
Website: www.theromehello.com
Faceook: www.facebook.com/theromehello
Instagram: www.instagram.com/theromehello


Have you stayed with The RomeHello in the past? Care to share your hostel experience in the comments section below? Do you have any questions about the hostel or my experience? Feel free comment down below. You may also send these questions via e-mail 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’ll find my other hostel reviews about Le Village Montmartre in Paris, The Bed KLCC in Kuala Lumpur & Z Hostel here in the Philippines. Before you go, can you visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Hostel of the Day: LE VILLAGE MONTMARTRE BY HIPHOPHOSTELS – Authentic & Affordable Parisian Property in the Artist District

A few months ago, my friends & I flew to Europe for a 3.5-week holiday. Our first stop was the beautiful French capital – Paris. We explored Paris for 5 days & 4 nights & decided to stay in an authentic Parisian & affordable hostel. The hostel where we stayed at – Le Village Montmartre by Hiphophostels – will be today’s Hostel of the Day feature. Read on below to know more about why you should stay in this hostel on your next visit to Paris.

Le Village Montmartre

Le Village Montmartre is an authentic Parisian hostel found in Montmartre – the city’s artist district. The hostel is situated in a 5-storey (including ground floor) old building along Rue d’Orsel just a few meters away from the famous Sacré-Coeur Basilica.

Le Village Montmartre is part of the Hiphophostels Group – a chain of affordable Parisian hostels & hotels. The 30-year-old hostel group has about 20 properties around Paris. Their hostels & hotels, including Le Village, are located in the city’s most famous & important areas like Montmartre, Latin Quarter & Belleville. The group also offers affordable rates for as low as €15 per night. Check out the hostel group’s website to know more.

In case you don’t know, I’ve featured the hostels I’ve been to since 2017. I already wrote about hostels from Asia, Australia & Europe. Check out all these hostel of the day features here.

Location & Access

Le Village Montmartre is located at 20 Rue d’Orsel in the 18th arrondissement (Montmartre area) of Paris, France. The hostel doors are about 400 meters away (or 7 to 10 minutes by foot) from the famous La Basilique du Sacré Cœur de Montmartre or The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris.

The hostel has a good location. It is 2-3 minutes by foot to Anvers Station on the Blue Line / Metro Line 2. It is 1-2 stations away from Gare du Nord – one of Paris’ main train stations. It is less than 30 seconds away to 2 supermarkets – G20 (our favorite) & Franpix. It is also near to a lot of restaurants, cafes & souvenir shops.

Le Village is about an hour away by train from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. It is about 40 minutes away from the airport by private transportation, Uber or FreeNow. Its location is an easy 10 out of 10; it made going around Paris by train easy.

Room Options

Le Village Montmartre has rooms for all travelers. The hostel has private rooms for those who want their own space during trips. It also has dormitory rooms for those who are traveling on a budget. Their private rooms have the following arrangements – double room with a double bed, twin room with 2 single beds, triple room with a single bed & a bunk bed & quadruple room with 2 bunk beds. All these rooms have air conditioning & heating systems. These also have private bathrooms & toilets with hair dryers. Bath towels are provided in these private rooms.

On the other hand, the dormitory rooms have the following configurations – 4-bed mixed dormitory room with 2 bunk beds, 4-bed female dormitory room with 2 bunk beds & 12-bed dormitory room with 6 bunk beds. All these dormitory rooms have in-room toilets & showers; these are also equipped with air conditioning & heating systems. Dormitory room guests are assigned lockers where they can store their valuables. Please note that guests need to bring their own padlocks & bath towels. Those who don’t have bath towels can rent them from reception.

Room & dormitory bed rates vary depending on season. We stayed in a 4-bed mixed dormitory room & paid €132 each (including city tax) for 4 nights – that’s €33 per night. My bank charged me a little over ₱8,100 (including foreign transaction conversion fees) for these 4 nights – roughly ₱2,025 per night. Note that we booked our stay 5 months before our intended trip. This is already cheap considering how expensive Paris is in general. Believe it or not, this property was one of the cheapest at the time of booking.

Each dormitory bed has a pillow, bed cover & a thin blanket. It also has a personal reading light & power socket. The dormitory room we got has a good amount of space to move around & has a window overlooking the communal terrace. It also has a shower (with hot water) & toilet, a small table & chair & lockers for 4 people.

Guest Perks, Facilities & Amenities

Like any other hostel, Le Village Montmartre by Hiphophostels has a long list of facilities & amenities which guests can enjoy during their stay.

Free Wi-Fi Access – All guests can access the hostel’s complimentary & stable Wi-Fi.

Breakfast Service – The property offers daily breakfast service to those who availed of this option at the time of booking. The big breakfast is available for purchase on the day itself or upon check-in for €9. It is also offered at a discounted rate of €6 if you confirm you’ll get it days before check-in. Breakfast is available daily from 7:00am to 10:00am.

Private Showers & Toilets – All private & dormitory rooms have their own toilet & shower areas. Please take note that bath towels are not included in dormitory rooms. Guests can rent one from reception for €2,5.

Air Conditioning & Heating Systems – All rooms are equipped with an air conditioner & a heater which guests can use depending on the season.

Shared Kitchen & Dining Area – The hostel also has a shared kitchen & dining area for those who want to prepare meals & eat these meals during their stay.

Communal Lounge Area – Guests can relax & chill in the hostel’s communal lounge area. There are seats & tables near reception that are available for all.

Communal Outdoor Terrace – The hostel has a communal outdoor terrace on the 1st floor. This area is open from 6:00am to 10:00pm.

Luggage Storage – Incoming & outgoing guests don’t need to worry where they’ll leave their bags before check-in or after check-out. Le Village Montmartre offers luggage storage for all guests.

Free Lockers – It also has free lockers for valuables which guests can’t leave inside the dormitory & private rooms. Please reach out to reception in case you want to use these lockers.

Hair Dryer & Ironing Facilities – The toilets have built-in hair dryers which guests can use when they need it. Ironing facilities are also available upon request from reception.

Computer Access – Need to book a flight ticket or research your itinerary? Le Village Montmartre has a computer which guests can use. Don’t hesitate to use the computer near the locker area.

Printing Services – The hostel also offers printing services for those who need it. Reach out to the person assigned in reception to know the latest rate.

Tour Desk & Ticket Service – Le Village Montmartre has an inhouse tour desk & ticket service. They offer airport transfers for a fee; they also offer Parisian Boat Cruise tickets for a discounted price. Make sure to check with reception which specific tours & tickets they offer.

24-Hour Reception – Guests arriving early in the morning or late at night don’t need to worry whether they can go inside the hostel or not. Reception is open 24 hours daily. Check-in starts at 3:00pm & check-out is until 11:00am.

Multi-Lingual Staff – The hostel’s staff speak many languages – French, Spanish, English & a few more. Guests who don’t speak French or English can still communicate with & ask questions to the staff at any time.

Daily Housekeeping – The hostel housekeeping checks & cleans the rooms & toilets daily. They make sure that the hostel facilities & rooms are kept clean & tidy.

Secured Hostel Access – The hostels doors are secured. Guests need to ring the doorbell so they can enter the hostel premises. Room access is limited to guests via their respective keycards.

The hostel doors. It is always locked & can only be unlocked by the person at reception. Secured!!

Lift Access – Le Village Montmartre has a small lift for guests who have big & heavy luggage & bags.

Hostel Experience

We had a nice stay at Le Village Montmartre. We won’t consider it eventful because we were out most of the time & we were only there to rest & sleep at night.

The hostel’s winning points are the price, the location & the excellent pre-booked breakfast. The hostel’s price for my 4-night stay was definitely the winner. It was the cheapest we got at the time, plus it even included the best possible cancellation terms. It was very cheap for an expensive city like Paris, France.

The hostel’s location was also a good selling point. It may be outside the main city & far from the other touristic place, but it is very accessible. It’s a few minutes away from Sacré-Coeur & Anvers Station of the Metro Line 2. It is also located in the lively & artistic district of Montmartre. Lastly, the pre-booked €6 breakfast was superb. It included croissant, pain au chocolat, baguette, butter, cheese, jam, yogurt, a cup of coffee (or tea) & a glass of juice. It was worth the price.

On the flipside, we wish the hostel had periodic activities which guests could join during their stay. We were there for 4 nights & we didn’t see anything happening. It doesn’t have to be a loud & chaotic party, but it can be something like a community dinner or games night where guests can join & meet other travelers. We’re sure many guests will be up for these activities.

Will I recommend Le Village Montmartre? Definitely! Will I go back & stay with them in the future? It’s a yes. You can never go wrong with this authentic & affordable hostel while in Paris. What are you waiting for? Go ahead & book directly with the hostel to enjoy the best rates!

Do you have any questions about Le Village Montmartre by Hiphophostels? Feel free to reach out to them on the following platforms:

Le Village Montmartre by Hiphophostels
Address: 20 Rue d’Orsel, Paris, France
Phone Number: +33 1 42 64 22 02
E-mail Address: contact@villagehostel.fr
Website: www.villagehostel.fr
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LeVillageMontmartre


Have you stayed at Le Village Montmartre in the past? How was your experience? Share your experiences in the comments section below. By any chance, are you planning to book your stay with Le Village? Do you have any questions about the property? Feel free to post them in the comment section. You may also send those questions via e-mail 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. Before you go, can you visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

2022 Wrap-Up: Reopening, Reunions & Revenge Travel

It’s 2023 – Happy New Year! I hope you had a memorable time welcoming the new year with your families & friends. Before I start planning the year, I’d like to wrap-up the eventful 2022. It was the first year that pandemic-related restrictions had been scrapped, if not relaxed. It was also the first time in a few years that we’ve spent more time physically with our families, friends & colleagues. It was also the first in a long time that we Filipinos were given the hassle-free means of traveling locally & abroad. Join me as I look back on how 2022 went for me & this website.

Flight Reports

The work from home set-up allowed me to pack all my things in the metro & move back to my hometown in Albay. I am currently based here until God knows when. This also meant that I have been flying in & out of Bicol International Airport almost every month. Out of all these flights, 6 of them were featured under the Flight Reports section this year – see list below.

Flight Report: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 2922 – Legazpi to Manila – First PAL Flight in 3 Years
Flight Report: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 2919 – Manila to Legazpi – From a Crowded Terminal 2 Experience to a Delayed Flight Back to Albay
Flight Report: CEBGO DG 6192 – Legazpi to Manila – Delayed First DG Flight Out of BIA [March 2022]
Flight Report: CEBGO DG 6207 – Legazpi to Cebu – My First-Ever Regional Flight Out of Bicol [May 2022]
Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 325 – Manila to Legazpi – Last-Minute Cheap Jet Flight Back to Bicolandia [May 2022]
Flight Report: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 2920 – Daraga (DRP formerly Legazpi LGP) to Manila – Last-Minute Mabuhay Miles Redemption Ticket to the Metro [December 2022]

I also took some flights out of Manila, Davao, Singapore & even Kuala Lumpur. Check out the list of these non-Legazpi flights below.

Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 971 – Manila to Davao – Excellent ₱872 Domestic Flight on a New Generation Fuel-Efficient Aircraft [March 2022]
Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 982 – Davao to Manila – From a Missing Pre-Booked Seat to a Delayed Late Night Flight Back to the Metro [March 2022]
Flight Report: SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 915 – Manila to Singapore – First International Flight After 31 Months [June 2022]
Flight Report: SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 114 – Singapore to Kuala Lumpur – Delayed Short Hop on One of the World’s Busiest International Routes [June 2022]
Flight Report: SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 107 – Kuala Lumpur to Singapore – First Ever Flight on the Controversial Boeing 737 Max 8 Aircraft [July 2022]
Flight Report: SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 916 – Singapore to Manila – Excellent but Turbulent Flight Back to Manila [July 2022]

These posted flight reports don’t cover all the flights I took in 2022. There are still a lot missing – mostly from Emirates, then Air France & Vueling Airlines. I hope to share them on this website soon!

Hostel of the Day

With travel requirements scrapped & borders now open, I took some trips within the Philippines & even abroad. This meant that I stayed in some hostels & led to these hostels being featured on the website. I wrote about the 2 hostels I stayed with in Kuala Lumpur. I also had my first ever collaboration with our friends at Z Hostel Philippines. They invited me to stay with them for a few days & to experience the Z Hostel vibe.

Hostel of the Day: PODS THE BACKPACKERS HOME & CAFÉ – A True Backpacker’s Home Near Kuala Lumpur’s Central Transportation Hub
Hostel of the Day: THE BED KLCC – Modern & Premium Capsule Hostel in Kuala Lumpur City Center
Hostel of the Day: Z HOSTEL PHILIPPINES – Makati’s Prime & Best Value Hostel in the Heart of Poblacion

I stayed in a few more hostels somewhere far, but I have yet to reveal the details in future posts. Watch out for these 4 hostels! For now, check out the hostel features posted in 2022.

Trips

2022 was another memorable travel year. For the first time since late 2019, I came back to what I love doing the most – traveling. I’ve revisited some local & international destinations & also explored new countries, cities & places I haven’t been to in the past. Let’s look back at the trips I had in 2022.

PS. I will refrain from posting group photos with friends for confidentiality purposes.

HOSTED FRIENDS IN BICOL

After almost 10 years, my college friends (N9) flew back to my hometown in Bicol. I hosted them for 3 days & 2 nights here, took them to a private coastal beach & accompanied them around Legazpi. The last time they visited me in Bicol was back in November 2012.

A few weeks after, my former officemates-turned-friends also paid a visit. I hosted them for 4 days & 3 nights, spent most of the time on the beach & took them around Legazpi on their last day.

It was fun showing my friends around the province. I hope more friends will visit me here soon!

DAVAO

I mentioned in my That No Travel 2020 post that we planned to fly to Davao for a reunion at the same time to celebrate a friend’s birthday. This plan happened after 2 years. Loose inter-regional travel restrictions allowed us to travel from Manila to Davao for 3 full days.

We’ve all been to Davao after our college graduation so we just went around the city & ate. We visited a few restaurants, took a day trip to Samal Island & again eat, eat & eat. We just enjoyed our time together after 2 years of not seeing each other physically.

CEBU CITY & BANTAYAN ISLAND

Last May, my high school friends & I flew to Cebu for a quick weekend getaway. We took the direct regional service from Legazpi to Cebu & immediately went around the Queen City of the South. The following day, we took a 3.5-hour drive up north & rode the ferry to the famous Bantayan Island. We stayed there for 2 full days. We all flew back home from the new Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal 2.

CEBU-YAS WEEKEND: 4 Days Around Cebu City & Bantayan Island [May 2022]

KUALA LUMPUR

After being on the ground for 31 months, I flew to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia via Singapore. I used my KrisFlyer miles & got a good return ticket with Singapore Airlines. I stayed in the city for a week, temporarily worked from the hostel & went to meet people from Couchsurfing hangouts.

Friends from the Philippines followed to Kuala Lumpur after a few days. They joined me for 3 full days around the city. I took them around KLCC, Bukit Bintang, Batu Caves, Chinatown, Masjid Jamek & Genting Highlands. Check out the full Kuala Lumpur blog list below.

3-Day Kuala Lumpur Weekend: Do-It-Yourself Below 20K Trip Around Malaysia’s Modern Capital City [July 2022]

EUROPE 2022

In late 2022, my friends & I flew to the other side of the world & spent 2.5 weeks around Paris, Rome, Florence, Milan & Barcelona. I used my Emirates ticket credit that I booked back in January 2022. We spent the first 5 days in Paris, then we flew to Rome & explored the city for another 5 days. The remaining 12 days were spent equally between Florence & Milan in Italy & Barcelona in Spain.

I haven’t posted anything about this Europe 2022 trip on the website, but I will start in the next few weeks. I have over 20 planned blog posts for this trip alone. Watch out for the Emirates flight reports, new hostel of the day features, city itineraries & day trip photoblogs – everything about this trip to Europe – in the next few weeks & months.

Wrap-Up

2022 was definitely a year for the books. The world has reopened & people have started to move around places. People went out & spent quality time with families & friends. The same people also restarted travelling. Revenge travel is real.

Personally, I am thankful for all the times I got to reunite & spend time with my family, friends & colleagues. I am delighted that I got to see most of them in person after numerous times of seeing them virtually. Hopefully, the worst is over for the pandemic. There is no other way for all of us but to learn from & to move on from the lessons of this historical event.

What’s In It for 2023

You might wonder what my plans are for this year. Unfortunately, I am unable to share everything until all plans are finalized or until everything has happened already. It is still risky to plan far ahead given the possible global economic crisis. I do hope that everything pans out well.

One thing is for sure – I will share every detail of my recently-concluded trip to Europe. Please expect more itineraries, budget travel posts, flight reports & hostel of the day features.


Thank you for being with me in 2022. I hope all of you stay & even invite more friends to join us on this journey called 2023.

Wishing you, your family & friends a fruitful & meaningful new year. Take care!

Regards,
Paolo 🙂

Flight Report: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 2920 – Daraga (DRP formerly Legazpi LGP) to Manila – Last-Minute Mabuhay Miles Redemption Ticket to the Metro [December 2022]

Hey, long time no post! Not many of you know, but I recently finished a 24-day trip around Paris, Italy & Barcelona. Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to start writing about the trip. I’ve been busy with Christmas festivities & reunions since I arrived back from Europe. Don’t worry, I will start writing about them in the next few weeks.

For today, I want to share with you my recent experience with Philippine Airlines on their PR 2920 flight from Daraga, Albay (DRP – formerly LGP Legazpi) to Manila (MNL). This flight was unique because it happened during the 1st day of using the new 3-letter DRP airport designator code & it was booked using Mabuhay Miles – Philippine Airlines’ loyalty program. Join me in today’s flight report & find out how this flight went.

Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines, commonly known as PAL, is the Philippines’ flag carrier. The airline started operations back in 1941 & is currently the region’s oldest commercial airline. Majority of the stake in PAL is owned by PAL Holdings under Dr. Lucio Tan – also the owner of one of the country’s biggest conglomerates – LT Group. World-famous ANA Holdings, the parent company of All Nippon Airways, also owns a minor stake in the airline.

Philippine Airlines operates around 60 Airbus, Bombardier & Boeing aircraft to over 40 international & 31 domestic routes. Its hubs are located in Manila, Cebu, Davao, Clark & Kalibo. PAL is the country’s biggest full-service airline offering premium experience to its passengers. They offer business class, premium economy & economy class to most of its routes.

PAL is not a member of any airline alliance but has code-share flights with major carriers such as All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, Gulf Air & many more. PAL also has its own frequent flyer program called Mabuhay MilesPAL is also the only Philippine-based carrier to receive a 4-star rating from world-renowned air transport rating organization Skytrax.

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

Airfare & Inclusions

It’s not a secret that airfares are more expensive during the festive season. Many people take advantage of the Christmas holidays & go home to their respective hometowns. The demand for plane seats is higher than usual. I didn’t have a fixed schedule at that time, so I had no choice but to book the ticket last-minute. The one-way bare fares for both Philippine Airlines & Cebu Pacific Air at the time of booking were at around ₱4,000 to ₱5,000 without baggage. On the other hand, there were no available CEB Super Pass seats on my preferred flight.

I checked my Mabuhay Miles account & saw that I have enough miles to use for a one-way ticket to Manila. I immediately redeemed these miles using the airline’s portal & booked this PR 2920 flight from Daraga to Manila. I used 4,500 miles & only paid ₱870 for taxes & fees. The redeemed Mabuhay Miles ticket included 7-kilogram carry-on baggage, 20-kilogram check-in baggage allowance & a free standard (non-aisle & non-exit) seat.

I may have used up most of my Mabuhay Miles, but I believe I got a good deal with this ticket. I booked it 9 days before the intended flight date during a peak travel period. I was also happy that the ticket included a free check-in baggage allowance. This ticket was definitely a steal!

Travel Requirements

There are no COVID-19 related travel requirements between Albay & Metro Manila. These requirements were abolished a few months ago. The process & requirements are back to the old times where passengers were only asked to bring a valid ID during counter check-in & sometimes, boarding.

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

2 days before the flight, I received an e-mail from Philippine Airlines that Bicol International Airport’s designator code will be changed from LGP to DRP effective December 15, 2022. This e-mail required passengers to accept the said changes. Unfortunately, it resulted in an error on the Philippine Airlines website. Minutes after the initial e-mail, I also received an email from the airline containing the official announcement of changing the airport designator code to DRP. I immediately called the airline & had my ticket sorted.

24 hours before the flight, I received another airline from Philippine Airlines informing me that online check-in was already available for my flight. I checked in right away for my flight. The new Philippine Airlines mobile application displayed my mobile boarding pass & the flight details on the homepage.

Flight Information

This Daraga (DRP) to Manila (MNL) flight was operated by a 15.2-year-old Airbus A320-214 aircraft. The plane was initially delivered to Philippine Airlines in November 2007. The plane was initially configured with 12 business class seats & 144 economy class seats but was reconfigured to 180 all economy class seats in May 2022.

PR 2920 took off from Bicol International Airport 22 minutes behind schedule at 5:17pm. The flight took 50 minutes & landed smoothly at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 6:07pm. The flight landed 12 minutes behind schedule.

Ground & Airport Experience

CHECK-IN

I arrived at Bicol International Airport 2 hours & 45 minutes before the flight & I was surprised to see the check-in counters open that early. I went to the counters to drop my luggage & get my paper boarding pass. Check-in process took less than a minute – no queues, no whatsoever.

PRE-DEPARTURE

After check-in, I went up to the pre-departure area & waited for the flight. Bicol International Airport’s pre-departure area has more food & pasalubong store choices now compared to when it opened back in October 2021. There’s a dedicated laptop area for those who need to do some work while waiting for their respective flights. There are charging stations on both sides – provided by Smart & Philippine Airlines; there are a lot of seats to choose from.

The Philippine Airlines ground staff informed passengers of the expected aircraft arrival time after it departed Manila. The plane touched down at 4:25pm.

BOARDING

Boarding process started at 4:42pm. Priority passengers, senior citizens & those travelling with kids boarded the plane first. Regular passengers followed. Everyone boarded the plane using the jet bridge & only through the front door. The boarding process finished at 5:07pm.

Please note that face masks are mandatory on all flights within the Philippines. The ground staff announced this during the boarding process.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Philippine Airlines Airbus A320 aircraft has 180 seats in an all-economy class cabin configuration. Each row has 6 seats divided into 2 by an aisle. According to SeatGuru, all seats on this Airbus A320 aircraft have a seat width of 19.7 inches. Economy plus seats have a seat pitch / legroom of 34 inches, while standard economy seats have a legroom of 29-30 inches.

Each seat features a tray table, a small pocket with the aircraft safety card, individual air vents & reading lights. The seats don’t feature personal entertainment screens because this type of aircraft is only used in domestic short haul services.

I got window seat 54K for this flight. The seat had a decent recline & a clean tray table. The seatbelt needs to be replaced since it’s already worn out. In fact, most of the seats on this flight are already worn out. These are still functional but would need some refit soon.

INFLIGHT SNACK

After take-off, the crew went around & gave out a pack of green peas & dried mangoes with a cup of water. Philippine Airlines is the only domestic major carrier that offers complimentary snacks on board. Better than nothing.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Philippine Airlines did not offer inflight entertainment options for this flight & aircraft. The flight only took 50 minutes & this additional feature isn’t essential.

LAVATORY

I didn’t get the chance to visit the lavatory on this Airbus A320 aircraft. The 3 lavatories were occupied throughout the flight. Some even queued for a few minutes just to use the lavatory.

Cabin Crew Service

Philippine Airlines brands their service as the ‘Heart of the Filipino.’ The cabin crew on this Legazpi to Manila flight embodied that way of service & gave their best in catering to the needs of the passengers. They welcomed all passengers with their best smiles & helped in putting passengers’ bags in the overhead compartment. They gave passengers the best possible service they could provide. Kudos!

Disembarkation & Baggage Claim

The cabin crew implemented an organized disembarkation process for this flight. They called 5 rows at a time & asked passengers seated on these rows to stand up, get their bags & disembark. All passengers followed & got off the plane in an orderly manner.

Baggage claims didn’t take long. Our check-in bags were already at Carousel 4 a few minutes after we arrived at the baggage claim area.

Final Thoughts

It was another excellent flight with Philippine Airlines. The positive points outweighed the negative points by a mile.

Let’s start with the positive points. First is miles redemption & value for money. This flight only cost 4,500 Mabuhay Miles & ₱870 worth of taxes & fees. This was a steal considering the redemption ticket was booked 9 days before the intended flight date & during peak travel season. The original flights were priced at 4.5x the fare I paid above. Second, the redemption ticket already included 20 kilograms of check-in baggage allowance. This allowance could easily cost ₱500 if you booked the regular ticket. Third, the check-in counters opened earlier than the usual 2 hours before the flight schedule. This made the check-in process easier & faster as the ground staff didn’t have to deal with a lot of passengers at a time.

Fourth, Philippine Airlines still gives out complimentary snacks on a short domestic hop like this from Daraga to Manila. I flew with Singapore Airlines on their Singapore to Kuala Lumpur & Kuala Lumpur to Singapore routes & I was only given a drink of choice – no nuts, crackers or whatsoever. Props to PAL for keeping the onboard service. Fifth, it’s been a while since I experienced an orderly disembarkation process on a plane. The crew on this flight managed to ask all passengers to follow the disembarkation process they organized. Lastly, the cabin crew on this flight was excellent. Their quality of service was top-notch – indeed the Heart of the Filipino.

This flight wasn’t perfect. The flight left Bicol International Airport 22 minutes behind schedule & landed 12 minutes after the intended schedule. These delays are inevitable in a congested airport like Ninoy Aquino International Airport, but it still somewhat affected the whole flight experience. Second & finally, the seats on this Airbus A320 aircraft need some refit. The seatbelts are already worn out & could use some replacement.

Will I fly them again in the future? Definitely – it’s a no-brainer. I hope I can also fly their international sector in the future.

For those interested in the nerdy details of this flight, see below:

Airline: Philippine Airlines
Flight Date: 15 December 2022
Flight Number: PR 2920
Route: Daraga, Albay (DRP) to Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Duration: 50 minutes
Seat Number: 54K
Aircraft: Airbus A320-214
Aircraft Registration: RP-C8610
Engines: 2 x CFM International Engines
Age: 15.2 years old
Delivered: November 2007


Have you flown with Philippine Airlines recently? How was your experience with the country’s flag carrier? Feel free to share your personal experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about flying Philippine Airlines? You may post them below or you may send an e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s flight report. Stay tuned for the next one coming in shortly. I also have a few flights lined up in the coming weeks & months. Before you go, can you visit my social media channels –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Hostel of the Day: THE BED KLCC – Modern & Premium Capsule Hostel in Kuala Lumpur City Center

A few months ago, I flew to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a week. I was joined by my friends for 3 full days & I took them around the beautiful city. I already posted about this 3-day budget Kuala Lumpur – check out this blog post to know more. After they left, I moved to another hostel named The Bed KLCC. This capsule hotel is the topic for today’s Hostel of the Day review. Join me as I share with you my experience & some facts about this modern & premium capsule hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

In case you missed it & aside from the KL on a budget post I mentioned above, I’ve also shared details about all my flights to & from Kuala Lumpur on Singapore Airlines – Manila to Singapore, Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur to Singapore & Singapore to Manila. I also shared details about the 1st hostel I stayed with in KL – PODs The Backpackers Home & Café. Don’t forget to also check them out!

The Bed KLCC

The Bed KLCC is a modern & posh capsule hostel that opened in 2017. The property’s goal is to provide comfortable & affordable accommodation in the Kuala Lumpur City Center. The hostel occupies part of the ground floor, 1st & 2nd floors of the famous Vortex Building. Reception is found in the ground floor with The Bean KLCC Café. The communal lounge & dining area is found on the 1st floor. The private & dormitory rooms are found on both the 1st & 2nd floors.

In case you don’t know, I’ve featured the hostels I’ve been to since 2017. I already wrote about hostels from Asia, Australia & Europe. Check out all these hostel of the day features here.

Location & Access

The Bed KLCC is located at No 12, Jalan Sultan Ismail in Kuala Lumpur City Center. It is accessible to major train lines – a short walk from KJ12 Dang Wangi Station of the LRT Kelana Jaya Line, MR8 Bukit Nanas Station of the KL Monorail & SBK18A Bukit Bintang Station (nearest Exit 7) of the MRT Sungai Buloh – Kajang Line. The GoKL City Buss Blue & Green Lines also stop near the property.

The property is about 25-30 minutes walk & train trip to KL Sentral – the city’s central transportation hub. From there, passengers can take the bus or the express train to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The airport is an hour away by car or private transportation.

The Bed KLCC is pretty much near everything in KLCC. The nearest convenience store is literally opposite reception & The Bean KLCC. There are a handful of restaurants nearby such as Hard Rock Café KL, McDonalds, Gravy Baby & Healy Mac’s Irish Bar & Restaurant. Suria KLCC & the iconic Petronas Towers are 10 minutes away by foot.

The Bed KLCC’s location is easy a 10 out of 10. It is located within the city center & is near almost everything a visitor needs.

Private & Dormitory Rooms

The Bed KLCC has numerous types of rooms that can cater to all types of travelers. Those travelling on budget can stay in their dormitory rooms while those who are travelling with their friends or partners & want privacy can opt for the private rooms.

A bed in a dormitory room costs RM55-RM65 per night. The front entry bod costs RM55 while the side entry & female-only pods cost RM65 per night. A night stay in the dormitory room includes access to free Wi-Fi, air-conditioned rooms, roll-down partitions per bed, unlimited drinking water refill & shared bathrooms. The bed also includes a pillow & blanket, towel, reading light, power socket & a clothes hanger.

The Bed KLCC has 5 types of private rooms. The single pod suite costs RM100 per night & includes a single bed, a working table with mirror plus all the amenities found in the dormitory bed / room. The private twin pod & queen pod suite cost RM130, while the family & travel buddy rooms (all for 4 people) cost RM170 per night. All these private rooms have access to shared washrooms & toilets per area / group of rooms. The room rates mentioned above are the rates published by the property on their website. Please take note that other booking platforms such as Agoda, Booking.com, Hostelworld & Traveloka have their own promotional rates.

I booked my stay with Booking.com & paid RM270 for 3 nights in a private single pod suite. I got the room for RM90 per night. Thanks to my Booking.com Genius Level 2 loyalty status, I got a 10% off per night. This booking also had a flexible cancellation term which was perfect for travelling these days. My bank charged me ₱3,455.56 including the foreign currency conversion fee for all 3 nights. That translates to around ₱1,151.85 per night. It’s expensive for a city like Kuala Lumpur but I believe the cost is worth the price given the property’s facilities & amenities. You can get cheaper hotels or hostels than this,  but you can’t match the premium experience The Bed KLCC gives to their guests.

In case you haven’t read it, I also post reviews & features of my flights since June 2019. I’ve covered airlines such as EVA AirIndonesia Air AsiaSingapore Airlines, Philippine Airlines & Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

The Bed KLCC has a long list of facilities & amenities available to all guests. Check out these facilities & amenities below:

Fast & Free Wi-Fi – All guests have access to fast & free Wi-Fi. Their internet connection is perfect for those who want to work remotely from Kuala Lumpur.

Daily Breakfast Service – The property offers daily breakfast service to those who availed of this option at the time of booking. Unfortunately, I did not avail of the hostel’s free breakfast.

Aesthetic Communal Lounge – The Bed KLCC has one of the most aesthetic hostel communal lounges I’ve seen in my years of travelling. It is at par with the coziness of Steel House Copenhagen’s communal lounge.

Spacious Dining & Food Preparation Area – The hostel has a spacious dining & food preparation area for guests who want to eat or prepare their food in the hostel.

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

In-House Café – The Bed KLCC has an in-house café called The Bean KLCC. The café offers coffee, tea & some snacks & sandwiches.

Well-Maintained Communal Shower & Toilet Areas – The property has clean & spotless shower & toilet areas. These common areas are found on the 1st floor & are well-maintained.

Private Room Amenities – Private rooms have amenities that are not found in dormitory rooms. The rooms have working tables & chairs, toiletries (including toothbrush & toothpaste), storage spaces & reading lamps.

Private Wash Rooms – Guests in the private rooms have access to clean private wash rooms. These wash rooms are complete with toilet papers, hand soap, shampoo with conditioner & liquid body soap.

Travel Desk – The Bed KLCC also has a travel desk for those who want to avail of local tours & airport transfers. Feel free to approach the hostel staff to find out more about this service.

Luggage Storage – Guests who arrive earlier than the check-in time or those who will leave hours after the property’s check-out time can store their luggage with the property. Don’t hesitate to ask reception where you can leave your bags.

Laundry Services – The property also offers laundry services for those who need their clothes / belongings washed during the stay. Please ask reception on how you can avail of this service.

Communal Powder Room – The Bed KLCC also has a communal powder room for those who need to use it. It is located near the communal shower & toilets.

Hair Dryer & Ironing Facilities – The hostel also provides hair dryer & ironing facilities. These are found inside the powder room.

Unlimited Drinking Water Refill – The Bed KLCC offers unlimited drinking water refill to all its guests. The water dispenser is found near the sink in the communal food preparation area. Don’t forget to bring you own water container.

Shoe Storage Areas & In-Room Slippers – Guests need to leave their shoes in their respective shoe lockers. All rooms should be accessed using the in-room slippers provided by the hostel.

Centralized Air Conditioning System – The property has a centralized air conditioning system. This means that air conditioning is only open at night (I think at 8pm) until 8am. The communal areas remain well ventilated throughout the day.

24-Hour Reception – The property’s reception is open for 24 hours. No need to worry if your flight or bus arrives after midnight or if you need to leave for the airport in the wee hours of the morning.

Boardgames / Puzzles – There are boardgames & puzzles which guests can play with during their stay.

Printing & Scanning Services – The hostel also offers printing & scanning services for a fee. Feel free to approach reception to avail of these services.

Friendly & Multi-Lingual Staff – The Bed KLCC has friendly & multi-lingual staff. They have staff who speak Malay, English & even Filipino.

Secured Hotel Access – Only guests have access to the dormitory & private rooms. Guests are given key cards during check-in that work on their assigned floor / level.

Lift Access – Guests who have luggage & big bags need not worry about bringing their bags to their rooms. The hostel has 2 lifts which can be accessed using the hostel key cards.

Hostel Experience

I had a lovely & quiet stay with The Bed KLCC. I arrived around 8:00pm & was greeted by one of the Filipino staff at reception. I was even assisted by one of the staff & helped me bring my bags up to my private room. Great welcome from the staff!

The single pod suite was decent, neat, but didn’t have much space. The room layout was alright. The room gets super cold at night; guests do not have the power to control the in-room temperature. The thick comforters somewhat help ease the super cold temperature. I hope the property management can find a way to have the best possible temperature at night or at least improve the room ventilation systems. 

The property’s highlight for me is its communal lounge & dining area. This communal space is very aesthetic. It looks & feels very cozy, modern & premium. I initially planned to work in my room for 2 days but ended up doing it in one of the high chairs & tables in the common area. The area was quiet & perfect for work.

The Bed KLCC pretty much remained quiet throughout my stay. I didn’t get the chance to meet some co-travelers / guests. I hope or wish the hostel can organize activities for those who want to join & meet other people. It doesn’t have to be a loud and noisy party; it can even be just a community dinner or game night or other social activities. I’m sure there are guests who will join.

Will I recommend The Bed KLCC? Definitely! It’s a premium, modern & cozy property found in the middle of Kuala Lumpur City Center. It is at the higher end of the affordability range in Kuala Lumpur but it surely lives up to its price. If only I knew that I’d be working most of the time from the common area, I should have stayed in one of those dormitory beds instead. Anyway, I still had a great stay with The Bed KLCC!

Do you have questions about The Bed KLCC? I’ve listed their contact details below. Feel free to reach out to them on the following platforms:

The Bed KLCC
Address: G1 @ Vortex KLCC, No 12, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Phone Number: +60 3 2715 2413
E-mail Address: booking@thebedklcc.com / thebedklcc@gmail.com
Website: www.thebedklcc.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebedkl
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebedklcc


Have you stayed with The Bed KLCC? How was your experience? Share your experiences in the comments section below. By any chance, are you planning to book your stay with The Bed KLCC? Do you have any questions about the property? Feel free to post them in the comment section. You may also send those questions via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Hostel of the Day feature. I cannot wait to share more hostels to all of you. Please also take time to check out my previous HOTD features by clicking this. Before you go, can you visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.