by Trix Deseo
So you've managed to get past the ruckus that is
coveting a hundred peso worth of plane ticket online. Together with your
friends, you've clicked almost endlessly, waited extra patiently, and
finally, secured a seat for your next month's barkada outing. Your
destination? The serene and beautiful Palawan.
The next hurdle is
snagging yet another good deal in finding a budget-friendly hotel. Big
hotel chains are out of the question since this is an impromptu trip.
Besides, you would want to reserve your money for the tour packages
you'll be needing for the trip, right? Again, you use your mighty
Googling powers and come up with a list of the places that won't injure
your wallet. But as you scan the options for the hotels that fall under
the "below a thousand per night" category, you can't help but think
twice. The dubious-looking, make-shift inns do not exactly give you that
feeling of security. Will you really be sleeping peacefully in there?
And then you come across this article about La Charica. Congratulations,
you may have found yourself one of the best deals you can get in
Palawan.
La Charica is a fairly-new boutique hotel at 126 Abad
Santos St., Puerto Princesa City. It's in a perfect location since
you're just five to ten minutes from everywhere. Rizal Avenue, the main
road where most of the shops and the restaurants are at, is a just a
short walk away from Abad Santos.
I've come across La Charica's
site while personally searching for a budget hotel to stay at within the
city. Its website? A lot more decent than 90 percent of what I saw from
the others online. A quick browse on the pictures that featured the
charming little spots in the hotel convinced me to research further. One
look at their rates, and I was sold. I quickly informed the travel
agency I was coordinating with and they approved of La Charica since the
hotel is also one of their partner establishments. Off to Palawan!
Upon
arrival, we quickly found the driver outside the airport holding a
placard with our surname on it. I'd be ungrateful not to note that he
was quite jolly and helpful. His niceness made up for the outmoded hotel
van that's supposed to take us to the hotel. After a little less than
ten minutes of travel, we were welcomed pleasantly in.
The hotel
is small and amiable. It's not exactly what you would describe as chic
and elegant, but that doesn't make it any less attractive.
From
the reception counter to the waiting area, there's a notable focus on
neutral colors and the use of polished wood. They've also exerted a
little effort in putting an indoor rock falls and quaint chandeliers.
Outside is a small garden, with huts, a bar, slightly bigger falls, and Mickey Mouse ceramics on the rocky pavement.
One
flight of stairs up would lead you to a terrace with a refreshing view
of trees around. This is the best spot to access their free wifi, and
relax undisturbed.
We were initially booked to occupy a regular
Family Room (P2,400/night) at the first floor of the hotel but perhaps
because we went there during lean season, they were generous enough to
offer us the Penthouse Suite (P5,500/night) at no additional cost.
It
would take four flights of stairs to reach the Penthouse Suite. Those
who're not up to taking that much stairs all the time are advised to
take rooms at the lower floors. A Double Occupancy Room would set you
back P1,300 while a stay at the Dormitory will require each person to
pay P450 per night.
The Penthouse Suite isn't as fancy as what it
sounds like. Do not expect a chichi room with walk-in closets, bath
tubs, fluffy comforters, and wall-mounted LED TVs. La Charica's
Penthouse Suite is basically one big air-conditioned room with one
double bed and two singles, one small bathroom, a cable TV set, a
mini-ref and an outdoor terrace with a sofa, garden table, a rocking
chair, and a sink. When you're booked in here, you could basically do
whatever you want without disturbing the rest of the hotel.
The
suite is best for barkadas and families. After a tiring day tour,
lounging by the terrace with some chips and drinks is the perfect way to
end the night. Just make sure to slather on heavy-duty mosquito
repellent lotions every now and then.
They provide basic
breakfast, which consists of an egg, not-so-warm toast, banana, and
instant coffee that is complimentary to every booking. You may also opt
to pay extra for more items on their menu. But then again, Palawan's
best restaurants are one trike ride away from La Charica. Finding a good
breakfast place is no feat.
La Charica also offers 24-hour room
service, security, and a stand by generator. You may also want to know
that the hotel is equipped with smoke detectors and fire alarms. Massage
services, foreign exchange, and tour packages are also available upon
inquiry.
If you're planning a trip to Puerto Princesa, you might
want to save yourself from sepending too much and consider this lovely
hotel that's safe but is friendly on the budget. Besides, why would you
need a hotel with a pool if Honda Bay's pristine beaches are less than
an hour away? Those bucks that you'll save? Use them instead to partake
in the culinary offerings, adventures, and endless surprises Palawan can
offer. Visit www.lacharica.com
Source: http://www.clickthecity.com/travel/a/11638/palawan-on-a-budget-la-charica-hotel
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