February 19 was my Lola's burial day. And pagkatapos ng libing diretso uwi na kami. Ni hindi na kami nakapagpalit ng damit. And knowing us Filipinos, we believed in "Pamahiin". So kailangan muna magpagpag. And in our case my Mom insisted na maligo muna kami bago umuwi sa bahay namin sa Batangas. Di kami naligo sa bahay ng Lola namin kasi maarte ang Mom ko sa mga ganung bagay. Madumi kasi yung cr dun hahaha.
Before this trip, I've been searching the net for affordable rooms around Caloocan. And in the forums that I've searched, there's a lot to choose from! Ooooh they knew so many motel/hotels. Haha. The list was endless but these are the ones that caught my attention coz they have good reviews:
- Nice Hotel
- Astrotel
- Asia Novotel
- Hotel Sogo
- Victoria Court
The first three are said to be clean and affordable and the last too is so pricey that I didn't even consider going there. Also they don't allow children there. We have a 4 year old kid with us so it's a must that the place we will be spending a few hours allows children to stay.
Anyway, ang dahilan kung bakit gusto ko mag search ng mga room kasi balak namin na dun maligo. Hihi. So, liligo lang naman kaya di naman na kailangan mahal diba?
I searched and searched all about those first three hotels on my lists. Nalaman ko na di naga-allow ang Nice Hotel ng Kids, so 'X' na sya sa list. Asia Novotel is pricey for me so another 'X'.
That leaves Astrotel.
I've heard good reviews Bout this hotel. I even liked their Facebook Page which is: https://www.facebook.com/Astrotel.Page
Official Website: http://www.astrotel.com.ph/
But one review about this hotel made me hesitant to go. hehe.
Link here: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/18570541
Nakita ko sa page nila na may mga promos sila. 3 hours for P185 if you have their discount card and promo picture.
The discount card is downloadable sa FB Page nila and it looks like this:
Nakalagay sa page nila na ipi-present lang ito sa front desk then after mag check out they will give you the physical card to be used in the future. Ang gaganda ng rooms nila infairness. you will see sa FB page nila.
This is their promo:
I don't have a picture of the entrance of this hotel kasi tinamad ako saka di ko naman akalain na gagawa ako ng review haha.
Galing kami sa Puregold so we had to take the Overpass para makatawid sa kabila. Pag pasok dun, parang may maliit na convenience store. Then lalagpas ka dun at papasok sa isang pinto. And Voila! Receiving Area na. The theme of this hotel is Space or Futuristic design daw.
So ang Front desk nila looks a bit like this:
Medyo madilim sya at maliit. Seats are white. May nauna samin na couple so we sat down muna. Medyo mainit din o dahil din siguro galing kami sa labas. May monitor sila na nakapatong sa Front Desk na naka-indicate doon kung magkano ang mga rooms nila. They have 3 kinds of room. Ang natatandaan ko lang eh DELUXE haha.
Nung kami na, I asked if may available silang room na kasya kami. We are 5 including my 4 y/o godson. Sabi nila pang 2 persons lang daw talaga ang kwarto nila. The guy the suggested na mag 2 rooms kami tutal free naman ang bata. Eh per room it's P375. Liligo lang kami aabutin pa ng 750. hahaha. I asked about their promo na 3hrs/P185. Parang nag-alangan yung lalaki. Sabi ko sa Fb page nila yun ko nakita. He spoke to the girl sa Front Desk. May tinawagan sa phone. Sabi nya yung normal rate lang daw available. So nag-isip mga kasama ko. Tight ang budget namin at liligo lang naman kami kaya nag-alangan din kami. Sabi ng mom ko wag na lang. Pati Dad ko tumayo na para umalis. Nung nakatayo na kami lahat biglang sabi ng Guy ibibigay na daw nya yung 2 rooms for P185 each. (Yun naman pala eh! Gusto pa magwo-walk out kuno muna customers hahaha) Kaso sabi ng Dad ko wag na aalis na lang kami. But the Guy insisted na we should take the rooms. Tapos sabi ng mom ko Sige na kasi naisip din nya na malayo pa byahe namin hahaha. And we're tired. We were given keys and di ko alam nagbayad na din pala Mom ko bago kami umakyat. I thought after pa mag check out haha. We took the elevator. Our rooms are 314 and 316. 1 room ang pagitan. My parents are reluctant to leave us alone in our room. Me, my sister and my godson in one room and my Mom and Dad to the other. They checked our room firsts and nagbilin ng sandamukal bago pumunta sa room nila. Our room was decent thought I am a bit disappointed kasi I expected so much kasi ang gaganda ng rooms nila sa FB page nila. Siguro mga VIP rooms yun. I have some pics here.
Medyo madilim ano? Haha. Isa lang maiireklamo ko sa kwartong 'to. Yung TV! Nakow walang kasing labo! Wala kaming mapanuod. Tsk. Papanuorin ko sana yung kasama namin Kid ng Cartoon Network kaso wala eh sagad sa pagkalabo TV nila. Hahaha.
All in all okay naman stay namin dito. Medyo malamig yung room pag gising namin nung umidlip kami bago maligo kaya pina-off ko sa kapatid ko yung aircon sandali.
GOOD:
- May silipan ang door kaya pwede mo tingnan yung nasa labas bago mo buksan ang pinto.
- May double lock ang pinto.
- Hot and Cold water. Though nangamote ako kakaangat ng isang button dun. Hassle haha.
- Clean sheets. Soft but weird pillow.
- Elevator.
- Clean & Quiet.
BAD:
- Towels strongly smelled like bleach. A bit Rough on the skin.
- TV is useless.
- Remote control is attached to a cord. (takot manakaw po? haha)
- Thin blanket. Wala magagawa sa lamig ng aircon.
- Employees seemed not aware/updated with their promo o gusto lang talaga ipipilit pa ng customer bago ma-avail.
- Amoy sigarilyo yung room.
- Medyo madilim ang room.
First time ko mag check-in sa ganito (o kahit sa anong hotel) and for me, Ayos naman ang experience.
Ratings: ♛♛♛
ASTROTEL MONUMENTO
Address: 186 William Shaw St. 087 Caloocan City Metro Manila
Phone: +63(2)3650580
