Hop Inn Hotel Makati Avenue: Top 10 Reasons Why We Love Our Stay

Hop Inn Hotel originated from Thailand and now has two branches here in the Philippines: Makati Avenue and Ermita Manila.

Ever since we heard about Hop Inn Hotel, we've always been wanting to try it.  Honestly, it has exceeded our expectations that we've loved our stay.

Top 10 Reasons Why We Love Our Stay at Hop Inn Makati Ave
10. Adequate Parking Spaces

• Hop Inn Makati Avenue dedicates it front space for car park.  If you have a car and want to stay for a night to spare yourself from the city traffic, this is a great choice.

9. Easy to Find

• Hop Inn Makati Avenue is easy to find.  It is not surrounded by any tall buildings.  And, it is found in the corner of Makati Avenue and J.P. Rizal.

8. Free Fast and Reliable WiFi

• Hop Inn Makati Avenue has free fast and reliable WiFi which covers every part of the hotel.

7. Strategic Location

• Hop Inn Makati Avenue is found at the heart of Makati's Night Life.  Diners and pubs are accessible by walking.  There are many passerby all day and all night long so you can feel safe and secured going out and about.

6. Courteous Staff

• The staffs are very courteous and accommodating to requests.  Although no phones are located at the rooms, you can find them at the hall near the elevators.  And sure enough, someone will go up and knock to address your needs.

5. Adequate Elevators

• There are adequate elevators so we did not experience any waiting time. 

4. Bright, Clean and Spacious

• Whether it's the hallway, rooms and even the bathrooms, everything is bright, clean and spacious. 

3. Safe

• All the rooms have a glow in the dark fire escape plan by the door.  (Yes! The glow in the dark idea is so cool.)  Each floor is equipped with fire extinguishers and fire exit.  The walls of the rooms are sturdy and cemented.  Each room is also equipped with safes.  And, the entire area is a non-smoking area.  There is a smoke-detector in every room to assure that.

2. Comfortable Rooms

• The beds, pillows and comforters are very soft.  There's a luggage port under the bed.  The air-conditioning is cool and very silent.  There is a desk area with a view of the urban structures.  There is a clothes rack with hangers to hang and dry your clothes.  There are many electrical sockets for charging your gadgets.  Their cable TV has a lot of channel options.  The rooms are divided by cemented walls and not just wooden planks.  There bathroom is equipped with a shower with heater.  There is even a hairdryer.

1. Very Affordable

• Considering the location, comfort, service and lots of inclusions like 2 bottle waters, fresh towels and soap/shampoo (but no toothbrush and toothpaste), the price is very affordable!  This is considered a budget hotel.  And, yes we dare say a very good one!

So there you have it, our top 10 reasons why we love our stay at Hop Inn Makati Avenue.  We are definitely considering staying here again.
 

Hop Inn Hotel Makati Avenue
Hotel Address	7806 Makati Ave, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
Contact	(632) 816-7866	Reservation Required	No (Encouraged)
Payment Options	Cash	Public Transport	Jeep, Taxi
Room Types	Room Amenities		Price
Standard - Twin	• Good For 2 Persons • 2 Single Bed • 1 hair dryer • Hot/cold water / bathtub / shower • 24 hrs. cable TV / In-house movie channels • Air-conditioned • Safety deposit box • Free Wifi		1,400 php
Standard - Double Room	• Good For 2 Persons • 1 Queen-size bed • 1 Single Bed • 1 hair dryer • Hot/cold water / bathtub / shower • 24 hrs. cable TV / In-house movie channels • Air-conditioned • Safety deposit box • Free Wifi		1,400 php
Standard - Sea View	• Good For 2 Persons • 1 Queen-size bed • 1 Single Bed • 1 hair dryer • Hot/cold water / bathtub / shower • 24 hrs. cable TV / In-house movie channels • Air-conditioned • Safety deposit box • Free Wifi		1,800 php
General Amenities		Parking	Yes
Travel Tripsters Hotel Review Rating		Hop Inn Hotel Makati Avenue Map
Location	★★★★
Room Comfort	★★★★
Cleanliness	★★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★★

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Bus Stop Dive Resort: 10 Reasons Why It Is the Best Choice For Diving in Batangas

Whether it's for the budget or homey hospitality, I am always in search for new places to stay that isn't too hyped.  A few weeks ago, I discovered Bus Stop Dive Resort in Anilao/Bauan Batangas.

As implied by the name, it is among the many dive resosts in Batangas.  So why here?  Let me give you 10 reasons why it is one of the best if not the best choice in Batangas.

10 Reasons Why Its the Best Choice for Diving in Batangas

10. Short Drive and Short Boat Ride

Driving to the Bus Stop Dive Resort Boat Station is only around an hour and a half drive from Metro Manila.  There is adequate parking slots to leave your car there well-guarded during your entire stay.

There boat ride is only 10 to 15 minutes long.  The waves are usually calm so you can still ride a boat even after sunset.

9. Affordable and Clean Accommodation

The accommodation is clean and very affordable.  An overnight stay stats at 500 php per head.

There are many types of rooms to choose from.  You have a terrace with sea view.  And, the bathroom is equipped with shower.

8. Freshly Cooked Homey Food

As you can see they have a clean kitchen that's open for everyone to walk into and inspect anytime.

The food is freshly cooked with fresh local ingredients bought from the town market.

Sotanghon na Mackarel, Adobong Manok, Lumpiang Ubod and Rice

Most of us are too busy to enjoy home-cooked meals.  And, some of the foreign guests are unfamiliar with our favorite home-cooked dishes.

Thus, for breakfast, lunch or dinner... Bus Stop serves dishes that will surely warm up your hearts and stomach with homey cooked dishes.

I really enjoyed these simple dishes.  It is indeed one of the plus factors of my relaxing stay at Bus Stop.

7. Calming View and Music of the Sea

There is nothing more refreshing and relaxing than looking at the clear blue sea and listening to the sounds of the waves.

I find it relieving to pace my breath with the sound of the waves.

6. Beautiful Seascapes

The sea isn't just a plain open sea.

There are many rocks and floras that create a beautiful seascape perfect for photography.

Just look at how emotional my shots are.

You can get different outputs depending on the time and mood of the day.

5. Great Nap Place

When was the last time you have a nap outside the four corners of your room?  I bet that is nothing compared to this right?

Feel the fresh sea breeze brush across you cheeks and the rest of your skin as you take your nap.

4. Get to Watch a Scenic Sunset

One of the best reasons to stay for the night is to be able to sit by the shore, maybe grab some beer and just appreciate the orange hues spreading across the greyish skies.

This is one of my favorite shots.

3. Instagram Worthy Photos

You can find a lot of Instagram worthy photos in this place.  The possibilities is limitless depending on your creativity.

2. Pet-Friendly

If you're looking for pet-friendly locations, this is one of them.

1. Direct Diving Spot

They have a direct diving spot just ashore.  Just in front of the place is already a marine sanctuary formerly known as Bus Stop.  Unlike in Anilao where you will spend on renting a boat out on top of their high and commercialized accommodation rates, here you can just rent some gears and hire a dive master and you're all set to go.  Even if you're not a diver, you can just do snorkeling ad on a fair da ysee lots of fishes in the calm and crystal clear water.

Check out my first dive and trek experience at Bus Stop Dive Resort on my next post.

Bus Stop Dive Resort
Hotel Address	Bauan San Pablo Batangas Philippines
Contact	(632) 435-3545	Reservation Required	No (Encouraged)
Payment Options	Cash	Public Transport	Bus + Tricycle
Room Types	Room Amenities		Price
Varies	• Twin or Single Bed		500 php/head
General Amenities	Cottage huts	Parking	No
Travel Tripsters Hotel Review Rating		Bus Stop Dive Resort
Location	★★★★
Room Comfort	★★★
Cleanliness	★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★★

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Club Balai Isabel Resort: 12 Things You Can Do on Your Overnight Stay (Talisay Batangas)

A few weeks ago, my friends and I had a spontaneous overnight getaway to Club Balai Isabel Resort.  Club Balai Isabel Resort is a top-notch resort in Talisay, Batangas.  It is only 2 hours away from Manila.

Front Desk

All guests are required to drop by the Front Desk.  This is where you can get your keys, deposit your valuables and book your spa service or other activities.

Club Balai Isabel is a big compound so it has a variety of accommodations to offer.  It is estimated that their maximum capacity is around 800 people.  You can choose from so many types of rooms as well as villas and cottages that are recommended for groups.

I really appreciate that everything is well-maintained.  At night, all the trees are lighted so you can roam around leisurely.

This is our 2-storey room with 3 queen beds, 2 twin beds and 1 single bed on the first floor.  We also have a TV dresser and a cabinet.  The rest rooms both on the first and second level are very clean.  They provided a complete stash of  toiletries: lemongrass soap, shampoo with condition, toothbrush and toilet paper.  Clean towels are also provided. 

We had complimentary water and coffee.  There's a mini fridge under the kitchen counter and an electric kettle.

There's a private veranda overseeing the landscape by the Terazza Cafe.

12 Things You Can Do on Your Overnight Stay
After settling in on your cozy accomodation, here are my suggestions on what you can do on your overnight stay.

12. Take a picnic

 
11. Take a stroll

Club Balai Isabel has a beautiful landscape.  There's also a butterfly sanctuary.

My favorite relaxation place is Tagong Gubat.  The place is very serene.

Coming from the city, the environment it offers is calm at peace and in tune with nature.

Taking a stroll here will surely bring you a soothing feeling.

10. Try the obstacle course

Photo Credits to www.thedailyposh.net

If you're with a big group, you can challenge each other with the obstacle courses.

9. Rent a bike

Bike Rental (300 php/hour)  Photo Taken by Aylin of thedailyposh.net

There are many bikes to choose from.  There's even a double bike.

8. Go for a swim

Club Balai Isabel has 3 swimming pools.  This is the largest one. 

The second largest is closer to the Terazza Cafe and the lake.

7. Day dream by the lake

Although it's a lake, they placed some sand so it feels like a beach front.

Indeed, one of the strongest points of Club Balai Isabel is its Taal Lake View.

Take time to chill here. 

If weather permits, you could also catch the sunset.

This is my first time to see Taal Lake from Batangas... I usually see it from Tagaytay.
 
6. Pray

Inside Balai Club Isabel is the Spousal of Mary and Joseph Chapel.  Many Catholic weddings have taken place here.

Every Sunday at 9 am, there is a mass.

5. Play Ball

Club Balai Isabel has a Basketball Court and a Tennis Court.  They also have Billiards and Darts.

4. Avail of their spa service (600 php/hour)
You can book a massage service to take place on your room or on their spa near the Butterfly Sanctuary.  If you want a hard pressure, I highly recommend Alice.  I was satisfied with her service.


3. Kayak by the lake

Double Seater Kayak (300 php/hour)

2. Speed through the lake with a Jetski

Jetski (2,000 php/30 minutes)

1. Ride the banana boat or speed boat

Banana Boat (150 php/head)

 

This sums up our Travel Tripster suggestions which you can do during your overnight stay whether you're in Club Balai Isabel for a family or friends outing, seminar, wedding or corporate events.  Enjoy!

New Activity: Conquer Club Balai Isabel's Aquapark  

(click to go to separate article)

Bonus: Eat
Have some Bulalo(475 php) at Terraza Cafe (see extensive feature here)! 
 

Club Balai Isabel Resort
Hotel Address	Talisay-Tanuan Road (infront of Banga Elemetary School), Batangas City, Philippines
Contact	(632) 897-0229	Reservation Required	Yes
Payment Options	Cash	Public Transport	Jeep, Tricycle
Room Types	Room Amenities		Price
N/A	N/A (refer to www.balaiisabel.com for info)		N/A
General Amenities	•3 Swimming Pools •2 Obstacle Courses	Parking	Yes
Travel Tripsters Hotel Review Rating		Eurotel Baguio Map
Location	★★★
Room Comfort	★★★★
Cleanliness	★★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★

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