ABBEY: When we returned to Manila, we split our stay between Grand Westside Hotel and Holiday Inn Express.
We first checked in at Grand Westside Hotel, known as the largest hotel in the Philippines by room count, with a total of 1,530 rooms. One big plus is its location, as Ayala Malls Manila Bay is just a short walk away. We booked two rooms and were assigned connecting rooms, which was very convenient. However, it took about six hours before the connecting doors were opened, possibly due to the holiday rush.
The rooms themselves were spacious enough for us to unpack our luggage comfortably. The bed and linens felt clean, and we had a restful night’s sleep before flying to Palawan.
After our Palawan escapade, we stayed at Holiday Inn Express. Aside from the Christmas season, the hotel was also busy hosting delegates for the 2025 Junior World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. Despite this, check-in was quick and only took a few minutes.
Once we reached our floor, we noticed an unpleasant smell, something like urine or a hospice-like scent, which was stronger because the hallway felt warm. We dropped our bags and headed out for dinner. Later that night, we realized our room was directly facing the highway. We ended up sleeping to the constant sound of revving vehicles. By morning, we requested a quieter room at the reception before heading to the breakfast buffet.
The new room still faced the highway, but the noise level was more manageable. For breakfast, I enjoyed the tapa and salabat, which was a nice start to the day. One thing worth noting is the hotel’s convenient location, as it is close to NAIA Terminal 3, making it a practical choice for travelers with early flights.
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| Grand Westside vs Holiday Inn Express Newport World: Our Honest Balikbayan Hotel Review Near NAIA |
For this trip, we narrowed our options down to:
1. Holiday Inn Express Newport World Resorts, which is literally across NAIA Terminal 3
2. Grand Westside Hotel Manila in Entertainment City, only 8 minutes from NAIA Terminal 1
We compared both hotels based on:
•Distance to NAIA
•Price per night
•Room quality after long flights
•Family-friendly features
•Suitability for business travelers
These are the things that actually matter to balikbayans coming home.
So here’s my review.
And yes—expect this to be a more blunt review than Abbey’s 😂
Price Per Night (As of Our Stay)
1. Grand Westside Hotel Manila:
₱4,900.00 per night
2. Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport World:
₱4,902.95 per night (with breakfast)
Pricing is almost identical—so value really comes down to room quality and overall comfort.
Room Quality & Comfort (After Long Flights)
1. Grand Westside Hotel Manila — 4/5
The room layout is impressive. It’s well-lit, modern, and spacious enough to open three large suitcases comfortably—a huge plus after an international flight.
•Bed: Fluffy and comfortable
•Lighting: Bright and relaxing
•Space: Excellent for long stays
The only awkward part?
The shower curtain instead of a glass partition. It felt unusual at first, but honestly, it wasn’t a deal-breaker.
We were given a connecting room, and here’s the surprising part—even with the connecting door slightly ajar, we couldn’t hear the TV from the next room at all.
That’s what you call excellent soundproofing. Big win.
2. Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport World — 2/5
Let me be honest—this property is clearly aging.
Our first room was on the 3rd floor, and the moment you walk down the hallway, a strong stench hits you. It smelled like carpet that had been soaked and never properly dried.
At first, we thought: Maybe the room itself will be better?
Wrong.
•Room cleanliness: Yes, it was clean
•Noise: Unacceptable
It sounded like the windows were open—revving cars, road noise, nonstop.
•Bathroom:
There was a strong drainage smell coming from the bathroom that eventually filled the room.
The rubber lining on the glass partition was falling off.
We were staying for three nights, and honestly, that wasn’t acceptable at this price point.
The next day, Abbey was already ready to move hotels if they didn’t relocate us. Thankfully, they moved us to another room. Cleaner, No drainage smell, Better overall condition
However, the road noise was still there.
This hotel seriously needs better soundproofing and renovation.
Family-Friendly Features (Great for Reunions)
1. Grand Westside Hotel Manila
• Interconnected rooms
• Kiddie pool and lap pool
• Sauna
• PWD-accessible rooms
These features make it ideal for balikbayan family reunions, especially when traveling with kids or elderly parents.
2. Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport World
• Free breakfast buffet
• Convenient if you have meetings around Newport
• Works best if you’re mostly outside the hotel
It’s functional, but not suggested for family stays.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for space, comfort, better soundproofing, family-friendly amenities, and overall value near NAIA, Grand Westside Hotel Manila is the better choice for most balikbayans.
Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport World works for quick business trips, but for actually coming home and resting properly?
Grand Westside Hotel wins—no contest.
***
Grand Westside Hotel Manila
(W) https://www.grandwestsidemanila.com/en
(A) Westside City, Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines 1701
Holiday Inn Express Newport World Resorts
(W) https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/pasay/mnlrm/hoteldetail
(A) 1 Jasmine Drive Pasay, 1309 Philippines
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