10 Must-Do Things When in Manila, Philippines

It is riddled with corruption, poverty, and hellish traffic but there’s a lot to like about warm-hearted and sunny Manila — the capital city of the Philippines. 

Here are some of the things to do when you find yourself in town: 

1. Check in at The Corporate Inn Hotel Manila along Kalaw. This accommodation in Manila offers top-notch service and very reasonable rates. Our rooms and suites come with air-conditioning, LED TV, Wi-Fi access, as well as a hot & cold shower. In addition, the Manila accommodation also has a business centre, massage service, car rental, and ample parking space. Rates start at PHP 1,788 or $35/ night. 

2. Visit Fort Santiago. The former headquarters of the Spanish colonial administration and served as a prison during the American and Japanese occupation. 

3. Check out the Spolarium at the National Museum of the Philippines 

4. Grab some lunch at Binondo. Try the dumplings at Dong Bei, the signature fried chicken at Sincerity Cafe & Restaurant, the famous hopia at Eng Bee Tin Bakery, and the deep-fried asado and bola-bola at Shanghai Fried Siopao. 

5. Sip Cuban rum, smoke hand rolled cigars, and dance to pulsating salsa beats at Cafe Havana at 1903 M. Adriatico Street. You also have the option of enjoying cold beers and cocktails at Fred’s Revolucion in Escolta. 

6. Experience traditional Filipino favorite at Ilustrado on General Luna Street. For Spanish cuisine like the paella negra and those tasty tapas from Casa Armas at Nakpil Street. 

7. Say a little prayer or just admire the century-old architecture of San Agustin Church and the Manila Cathedral. 

8. Feast on fresh seafood at overlooking Manila Bay at Seafood Wharf on South Boulevard. 

9. Go on an adventure at Manila Ocean Park. 

10. Take a stroll through Rizal Park and check out the monument, ornamental gardens, and open-air chess pavilion.

A Reprieve for the Holiday Rush: Weekends at Casa Bocobo Hotel in Manila

Take a short break from Manila's heavy traffic and Christmas rush this December. Casa Bocobo Hotel, an accommodation in Manila's historic and cultural district of Malate, is offering a chill weekend deal for solitary travelers and families alike before the end of 2014. The budget-friendly package, Weekend Delight, is an economical option to get away from it all, even if just for 1 or 2 days.

Weekend Delight can be used for check-ins made on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. With hotel rates starting at PHP 1,625 for every weekend night, you and your friends can decide on a date without worrying about the budget. Aside from room accommodations, you will also be entitled to filling breakfasts and free Wi-Fi Internet access anywhere in hotel. These inclusions suit slow mornings — an essential part of every relaxing weekend.

Here are some things to keep in mind when booking this hotel deal in Manila:
Check-in and check-out time: 2 and 12 PM, respectively.
Some room options may not accommodate children ages 12 or younger.
Children taller than 4 feet will be charged an extra person rate of PHP 800.
Hourly rate for early check-in or late check-out is PHP 250, subject to room availability.
All rooms are non-smoking, and smoking inside a room will cost PHP 1,500 per day or per incident.
Guests can use the hotel's limited parking space at a first-come-first-served basis.
To book the deal, guests have to pay a non-refundable 10 percent reservation guarantee.
Weekend Delight promo details may change without prior notice.

However, since the deal can only be used until December 28, 2014, you need to make a quick decision to book the promo. It is available at the website of Casa Bocobo Hotel, http://www.casabocobo.com.ph/. Just click the Check Availability and Prices button, then choose the details of your stay in the booking engine powered by DirectWithHotels. The system guarantees instant reservation confirmation and secures booking prepayments with DigiCert, Trustwave, and AsiaPay. As proof that the system has received your prepayment, you will get an email with your accommodation details.

Despite being a budget hotel, Casa Bocobo goes beyond the expectation of its guests with its spacious room options. The accommodations are set in neutral colors and complemented by basic amenities such as air-conditioning, orthopedic bed, private toilet and shower, luggage rack, and 32-inch LCD TV with cable channels. Also, while at the accommodation, Manila cafes can be enjoyed within sight of top tourist destinations such as Manila Bay and Luneta Park.