We Stayed at Two Hotels Near NAIA — Here’s Why Grand Westside Was the Better Choice for Balikbayans

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.

Grand Westside vs Holiday Inn Express Newport World:
Our Honest Balikbayan Hotel Review Near NAIA

WILL: We are always on the lookout for a good hotel whenever we fly back to Manila. As balikbayans, location and price are always our top priorities—especially when our itinerary revolves around the airport.

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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Where to Stay in El Nido: Honest Review of Maremegmeg Beach Club & Charlie’s

 ABBEY: 

Maremegmeg Beach Club

Wilma and I spent our first night at Maremegmeg Beach Club. We were picked up from Lio (El Nido) Airport and brought straight to the guest waiting area. We arrived around 8:00 AM, which was way too early for the 2:00 PM check-in, but they welcomed us with a refreshing fresh watermelon drink. We then had breakfast at their restaurant, choosing danggit and beef tapa to start the day.

With no time to waste, we headed straight to the beach and soaked in the stunning views of the sea and surrounding islands. The infinity pool offers the same breathtaking scenery. We spent hours swimming, lounging, and sipping margaritas and sangrias.

By the afternoon, our room was finally ready. After climbing a few flights of stairs (yes, no elevators), we were pleasantly surprised by how huge the room was. The balcony overlooked the resort, and we caught a beautiful sunset from there. It really felt like we got a lot of space for what we paid.

Come early evening, the bar area came alive. Guests were enjoying dinner with an upbeat DJ mix in the background. We ordered smash cheeseburgers and nachos, paired with cuba libre and mojito cocktails. Back in our room, we prepared for our massage. While there’s still room for improvement in the masseuse’s technique, the session sent us straight to sleep. That might also be thanks to the cocktails and a full day of travel.

The next thing we knew, it was breakfast. I happily loaded my plate with bacon, sausages, and daing with bagoong rice. We squeezed in one last dip at the beach before heading to our next stop, Charlie’s El Nido.

Charlie’s El Nido

Similar to our previous stay, we arrived early and waited for the official check-in time at Charlie’s El Nido. This time, we were welcomed with calamansi slushies with mint, which were refreshing and perfect for the heat.

We explored the resort, found the gym, and managed to squeeze in an hour-long workout. For lunch, we had ginisang munggo and lechon kawali, both of which were delicious and comforting.

Our room was spacious and came with a balcony overlooking the pool. While the furnishings felt a bit old-style, the room was still comfortable. Charlie’s also provides shuttle service to and from El Nido Town, which is very convenient.

The staff made a clear effort to ensure our stay was comfortable. They waited for us during our late dinner, were attentive during lunch, and even served Wilma a huge frozen margarita. That said, there are a few areas where they can improve. When settling the accommodation payment, we almost got billed twice for our booking, which we only caught by double-checking. The island tour could have turned into a disaster when we found out from the tour agency that the hotel’s reservation did not push through. Lastly, the shuttle pickup at Lio Beach would benefit from clear signage and stricter adherence to pickup timings.

Overall, staying at both Maremegmeg Beach Club and Charlie’s El Nido gave us two very different but memorable experiences in El Nido, each with its own strengths and areas for improvement.

Guest room at Charlie’s El Nido Palawan

Maremegmeg Beach Club beachfront resort in El Nido Palawan

WILL: On every travel you will need an accommodation that will suit your preference and budget. Here in Palawan here are the questions you need to consider before booking your stay. 

• Budget 
• Location 
• Comfort 
• Amenities 
• Service 

Below are what I want to emphasize in our Palawan accommodations 

Maremegmeg: We want to splurge to LIHIM but due to their unresponsiveness we chose Maremegmeg. Our second in the list and we do not regret it. 

Maremegmeg is a beach club that consists of only 12 rooms and mabned by almost more than 25 staffs. Now I understand why they immediately knew your preferences, your name and the quality-focus service. 

It is also beach front — swimmable beach I should highlight. And the location of one of the best sunset on the island. 

One and only McDonalds is 1 block away from the resort. Speaking of food, Maremegmeg have restaurants and bar that you will not think of where you’ll buy your next meal. Oh, the buffet breakfast is also exciting. Dangit and their freshly squeezed juices are for the win. 

Oh their room, 

If you really want to experience a serenity and yet fun night in El Nido, put Maremegmeg in your list. 

Charlie’s: This is far from the beach and centre. I was allured to get this because of their free shuttle service which we experienced it inconveniently because the very less frequency. Charlie’s should reconsider to put timing. 

Upon arrival, they gave us a very soothing slushy. A welcome drink that stands out to others. But me mindful on what Charlie is billing you. I was so shock that the receptions billing us for almost Php70k. Well, it was settled right away when Abbey and I questioned the amount and she found out that she billed one of the room twice. Another mishap of the same receptionist is when we booked an Island Hopping Tour C for the next day and we foubd out that she forgot to book us. Whattt?? Good thing that their Tour Provider Spyder look for ways for us to get in to another group. Whew. 

The outer facade of the buildings are well maintained but the rooms are quite outdated given ot was only built 5 years ago. 

The shower pressure is inconsistent and the lavatory faucet have gunk build up. 

Nothing fancy in bed. Old style cabinets and drawers. 

What I really commend is the restaurant in El Nido. Morning, lunch and even in late evening they are there to make sure our tummies are happy haha. 

So that’s it. Will you stay in these accomodations in El Nido Palawan after you read out blog? 

***

Maremegmeg Beach Club

(W) https://mbcelnido.com/

(A) Sitio Maremegmeg, El Nido, 5313 Palawan, Philippines

(E)reservations@mbcelnido.com

Charlie’s El Nido

(W) https://www.charlieselnido.com/

(A) Km 279 National Highway, Barangay Villa Libertad, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines 5313 

(E)reservations@charlieselnido.com

SAVE MONEY ON YOUR TRAVEL HERE!!!

Expedia Booking.com, Hostelworld: Your one-stop-shop for hotel and hostel bookings. Find your perfect home away from home with Expedia's extensive listings.

KKDAY: Not Just for Attractions. KKDAY offers excellent options for accommodations. Explore and book with confidence.

GetYourGuide: Don't just visit your destination — experience it. Book your activities with GetYourGuide!

Cubao's Hidden Cheap Hotel -- Ibis Styles Manila Araneta City

ABBEY: For our staycation before heading to Bulacan, we chose to spend a night at Ibis Styles Araneta City in Cubao. From the moment we entered the hotel, we were welcomed by a giant glove sculpture in the lobby, which added a playful touch to our arrival. Check-in was a breeze—just a couple of minutes, and we were on our way to our room.

The room was immaculate, exuding a cozy ambiance that made us feel instantly relaxed and ready to unwind. The fragrant toiletries added a touch of luxury, and I took full advantage of the hot shower, letting the warm water wash away the day’s fatigue.

One of the perks of staying at Ibis Styles is its direct connection to the nearby malls. We couldn't resist exploring, so we strolled through the shops and grabbed some snacks at Manam. The place was bustling, so for dinner, we opted for a KFC takeaway, bringing our meal back to the comfort of our room.

As we settled in, we tried to catch a bit of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, but the cozy bed quickly lulled us to sleep. Before we knew it, morning had arrived, and it was time to pack up and check out.When it comes to transportation, there's no need to worry—plenty of options are available right outside the hotel, making travel a breeze.

A Modern Hotel in the Heart of Quezon City: Our Ibis Styles Experience

WILL: Cubao, Quezon City, often known for its bustling streets, love hotels, and the infamous pickpocket, isn't the first place you'd expect to find an upscale hotel. Yet, the Accor Group has strategically placed Ibis Styles Manila Araneta City right to Gateway Mall, a move that left me both surprised and impressed.

Initially, I wondered who this Ibis Styles Manila Araneta City would cater to. However, during our stay, we observed a diverse crowd—business travelers, seminar attendees, and international guests. It’s clear that Ibis Styles has tapped into a niche market here, providing a fresh and modern option for those visiting the area on business.

Check-In/Check-Out Experience: As an All Accor Plus member, Abbey and I experienced the perks of priority service. The check-in and check-out process was seamless, reflecting the efficiency that the Accor Group is known for.

Room Experience: The room was charming, with a layout that reminded me of our stay in Danang. However, I noticed one peculiar omission—there was no proper desk, a surprising detail for a hotel branded as business-friendly. Despite this, the room hit all the right marks in terms of cleanliness, making our stay comfortable.

Location and Amenities: One of the major perks of Ibis Styles Manila Araneta City is its location. Being adjacent to Gateway Mall, we had easy access to a variety of dining options, which made exploring the area a delight.

Final Verdict: Will we return? Absolutely! Despite some minor drawbacks, Ibis Styles Manila Araneta City offers a unique and convenient option for those visiting Cubao. It’s a refreshing addition to the area, and we look forward to our next stay. 

Per Night: Php3,206.50

***

Ibis Styles Manila Araneta City

(W) https://all.accor.com/

(A) General Roxas Avenue, Araneta City, Quezon City 0810 Philippines