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4.0
#4 of 12 guest houses in Manila
Location
Rooms
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Welcome to Makabata Guesthouse and Cafe! We are a social enterprise and youth training center run by Bahay Tuluyan, a children's rights organization. We have 14 rooms guesthouse designed with comfort and affordability at heart. We strive to provide intrepid travellers with a unique experience with a relaxing stay.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Budget
Languages Spoken
English, Filipino
Location
2218 Leveriza Street Malate, Manila, Luzon 2218 Philippines
Makabata Guesthouse & Cafe
45 reviews
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Makabata guesthouse is a social enterprise and youth training facility run by Bahay Tuluyan. We stayed 6 nights and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The room was very spacious and immaculately clean, with large ensuite and balcony. It was air conditioned and included free wifi and a delicious breakfast, pancakes, juice, fruit and tea. We also had afternoon tea at the guesthouse, coffee and cookies, yummy! We had airport pick up and the check-in process was very efficient, the guys carried our bags to our room. There is a 24 hour security guard. The staff and volunteers are very helpful and friendly. The location is fantastic, close to the Harrison and Robinson shopping centres. Our only complaint was the noise every morning from the church service directly opposite the guesthouse.
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Date of stay: March 2013
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We arrived very late at night and were picked up at the airport by the very welcoming staff. Pancakes for breakfast were delicious. We also enjoyed the freshly baked pizzas and the the cafe latte, which was made with excellent flavored local coffee. Makabata is very comfortable and absolutely spotless. It is within walking distance to many of Manila's attractions, but it's location lets you experience how friendly the local Filipinos are. The staff were always cheerful and helpful. I will definitely stay at Makabata again on my next trip to Manila.
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Date of stay: February 2013
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Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:Â We had one of the front rooms which gave us spectacular view of the fire works on Chinese New...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I first stayed at Makabata in Sept 2012 and again October 2012 and hopefully will stay there again later in 2013.
We booked online and let them know that we would arrive about 1am in the morning, they arranged to have someone available to attend to us when we arrived as the reception was already closed at that time. We were not let down, we were warmly welcomed by 3 young volunteers who happily helped us with our bags carrying them up to our room and even went out to a local store to get us some soft drinks.
If you want to meet authentic philippinos stay here. The staff, recruited from the local area are very enthusiastic, friendly, helpful and honest. The work experience they are gaining from working in the guest house is invaluable for their future.
The guest house is part of a non-govt organisation working with children in the Phils. The profits go to helping and educating children.
Makabata is located right in the middle of an exciting, thriving, busy little area, so don't expect peace and quiet, but if that's what you want then maybe the Phils is not for you anyway. It is a 5 minute walk to Harrisons Plaza shopping mall and about 15 minutes to the bay side. We found it handy for all our transport requirements - taxi, jeepney, train etc. The location is great as it is about 20mins to the airport. Local markets, shopping malls and historic areas like intramuros are easily accessible by jeepney or taxi. We had our washing done in the laundrette about 3 doors down the street.
The whole complex is immaculately clean and tidy. The room we stayed in (front superior with balcony) was spacious and the bathroom was outstanding, big shower with hot water and good water pressure and large mirror etc. The room also had air-con and cable tv.
We always felt secure at Makabata, there is a guard always on duty outside and we were able to leave our valuables with the management if we wanted. When we left to go for a few weeks island hopping we were also able to leave our main luggage with Makabata. Being that Makabata is a haven for the ethical traveller, so it does not have the sleezy atmosphere that some of the other guest houses and hotels attract in Manila.
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Date of stay: September 2012
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Check out their website. We liked the front room facing the street.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This place is mainly staffed by at-risk youth in order to give them a chance at taking another path in life. The ones we met while there were very friendly and well-meaning, but by our observations they are not getting sufficient hospitality training. This could easily be remedied with just a little more effort. The room was spacious, reasonably clean and had a large, en-suite toilet. Good sunset views from the top floor terrace.
Downsides to this location need to be considered carefully. The neighborhood is very messy and unclean (like much of Manila.) Worse is the church directly opposite the guesthouse which has loudspeakers attached to its steeple. These were blaring various messages, sermons, etc at extremely unfortunate times, particularly early on Sunday morning. If you choose to stay here, insist on a room that does not front the street.
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Date of stay: February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Malaya Salas, Other at Makabata Guesthouse & Cafe
Responded Dec 27, 2022
Thank you for taking the time to leave a feedback. We'll strive to do better. Thank you for your patience.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed at Makabata Gueshouse for 4 nights in May 2013. We choose this hotel as it was our first time in Manila and we wanted a safe place to stay.
Lisa in the reception was fantastic, helping us with all our questions, telling us the right prices for things such as taxi. All the staff at the guesthouse are lovely and very helpful. There is also a security guard sitting outside the hotel which makes it feel very safe. We got breakfast every morning (pancakes were great).
The day we were leaving our bus wasn't leaving until 10pm and we didn't want to pay for a room that day, but the staff in Makabata let us put our bag in their office which they locked and even gave us a key to a room to go and have a shower before we left.
If you are looking for a 5 star hotel this is not for you, things could be a little bit more organized but keep in mind that this is a charity organization and helps disadvantaged children so your money will help someone in need.
But rooms are clean and I have no complaints about Makabata.
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Date of stay: May 2013
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Knowing your hard earned cash is going towards a project that makes a difference to the community you are staying in and is a great place to stay with truly lovely, friendly, helpful staff = no brainer! Stayed here twice in May 2013 and August 2013 while travelling around the Philippines and couldn't fault it. We're backpackers and found Makabata amazing value for money, with a lovely little breakfast included. Stayed in the same room which was spotless both times and additions in between stays included cable tv and a router outside the room which made the wifi in the room ultra-fast. Don't really get some of the comments on safety - yes its a densely populated, developing area in a capital city, but also very friendly and we had no problems walking to and from Mabini Street and around day or night. Taxis and tricycles are plentiful, and the really helpful security guard can help you find transport by the meter right outside anyhow, so no getting ripped off.. Good karma all round!
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Date of stay: August 2013
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Room 508 is great - high floor = less noise, windows to two sides so plenty of light and views,...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The ONLY solid thing about this hotel is the wifi as they have routers on the floor. The bad points are that... it's in a bad area pretty dirty and dangerous, the rooms are clean but in need of work, the AC does not work well so it was too hot, the staff do not really have a clue what they are doing...
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Date of stay: May 2013
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Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Very clean and comfortable guesthouse, staff always very eager to help, good location about 5mins from the LRT station so easy to get around Manila but out of the typical 'tourist' area, very good breakfast pancakes!
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Date of stay: December 2012
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My first time to this guesthouse. We reserved for the room 501. And the view was amazing there. There was a balcony. It was good for 3 only but we had an extra bed for 400 pesos. They serve free breakfast. The pancake i ordered took 30 mins for me to wait. I was the first one to order but the other people who came late was first served with pancakes. I guess there is no good communication between the staff there and i hope they change that. Some staff are nice and some aren't. The shower dont work properly in our room. The view was amazing as well as the staff. Friendly, well mostly. Just ask to them nicely. No elevator but it is under construction now.
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Date of stay: April 2016
Value
Location
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Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Â Fifth floor, there elevator is still on construction. 501 to be specific. Good for three. The...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Malaya Salas, Other at Makabata Guesthouse & Cafe
Responded Dec 27, 2022
Thank you for staying with us! We'll strive to do better. Your recommendation will greatly help us in supporting children's rights advocacies. The elevator is now working. Thank you for your patience.
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Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed 6 nights at the Makabata Guesthouse, it is a wonderful social enterprise that provides great training opportunities for young disadvantaged youth.
Our airport pickup way great, check-in efficient and our bags carried to our 5th floor accommodation, breakfast has a good selection, sometimes a little slow but delicious.
The accommodation was spacious and very clean. We had a problem with our sink blocking, once it was reported in was fixed the same day.
It was great to experience the local neighbourhood and visit the local shopping centre which is a short walk away.
The coffee and cakes and pizza made by the students were delicious, Lisa the supervisor was very efficient and is doing an excellent job with the staff training, keep up the great work.
The staff are doing an outstanding job at Makabata keep up the good work.
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Date of stay: February 2015
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good morning. Makabata Guesthouse is approximately 9km from the airport. Here is some information regarding transport by taxi:
Tell your driver that you are going to Leveriza Street, off Quirino Ave in Malate. The closest landmarks are Manila Zoo, Paraiso ng Batang Maynila children's playground and Our Lady of Assumption Parish Church. Leveriza St is a one way street so tell your driver to enter via Adriatico St. Remember, taxi drivers are required to use their meter and cannot charge extra for bad traffic or time of day. The taxi ride from the airport should take 20 - 40 minutes (traffic can really make this vary) and cost between P150 and P300.
Thank you!
Hello, and thank you for your interest in Makabata Guesthouse and Cafe!
Yes, of course. Unfortunately I can't attach them directly to this response, however a picture of the family room is actually included in the Trip advisor photo section under 'Room/Suite', it's the second photo. For additional photos or assistance you can visit our Facebook page, or email us directly.
Thank you,
Makabata Guesthouse and Cafe
There are more places to choose from in the Manila area.
PRICE RANGE
₱1,741 - ₱2,379 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
PhilippinesLuzonMetro ManilaManilaMalate
NUMBER OF ROOMS
14
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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