Once considered one of the most beautiful cities in Asia, Manila was almost completely destroyed during World War II. The Philippine capital has been rebuilt since then – and it managed to retain some of its historic charm in the process. This is a big city, full of people and the traffic that goes with them, but it is an interesting cultural destination and the gateway for most people to the Philippines. And the good news is that there are plenty of cheap hotels in Manila.
There are many distinct districts in central Manila, each of which has something of its own flavor. The river divides the city into easily distinguished North and South sections, but even beyond that there are further divisions. Before you determine exactly where you will be looking for cheap hotels in Manila, it would be a good idea to find the locations of the attractions you want to see so that you can figure out whether the hotels you have in mind are close by.
Of the many neighborhoods in this massive city, some of the names you may want to look for when hunting for cheap hotels in Manila are Intramuros (means “within the walls,” it is the oldest part of the city and south of the river), Ermita (just south of Intramuros, south of the river, former red light district), Malate (just south of Ermita, south of the river, known for its nightlife), and Sampaloc (north of the river, home of the University of Santo Tomas and Dangwa Flower Market).
Some of the cheap hotels in Manila worth considering are City Garden Suites Manila (in Ermita area, 92 rooms, free breakfast with some rooms, WiFi access available), The Midland Plaza (in Ermita area, standard rooms as well as 1- and 2-bedroom suites, dial-up internet access available), Garden Plaza Hotel and Suites (near both Malate and Ermita areas, all rooms have kitchenettes and dining areas, fitness center, outdoor pool, local shuttle available), CSB Hotel (boutique hotel, laundry service, shuttle service, on-site cafe), and The Pearl Manila Hotel (in Ermita area, near Convention Center, 129 rooms, internet available, one free bottle of water each day, free buffet breakfast).