Friendly’s Guest House – Manila
By far the best place for the backpacker to stay in Manila is the Friendly’s Guest House in Malate, Manila.
Benjie has done an excellent job of turning the top 2 floors on this concrete building on Adriatico St into a home away from home for the traveler.
The upper deck has a spacious lounge area with big screen tv and internet and the pleasant atmosphere making it easy to meet fellow travelers.
Mobile: +63 (0) 917 333 1418
Email: friendlysguesthouse@yahoo.com
website – www.friendlysguesthouse.com
They charge 30 pesos per hour if you use one of the house computers but wireless is free if you bring your own laptop.
The kitchen with two stoves and a fridge is available to everyone.
Write your name on the items that you put in the ref because anything unmarked is placed on top the the ref for everyone’s use. The idea is to not have spoiled food build up in there.
The community of travelers here energizes me. I really really like this place.
Friendly’s is right in the center of the action in Malate so good food and cheap beer is available across the street all night.
People that moan about how bad Manila sucks just don’t have a clue about how much fun this city is.
Numerous live bands play in the nearby clubs and street side cafes abound. Most stay open till 5am or so.
People that want to be locked up in a quiet hotel room or resort with no noise or action might not like it here because there is always something going on.
Manila doesn’t shut down for the night like most places.
There is the sex scene with massage parlors and hook up joints like LA Cafe and Amazonia on nearby M.H.del Pilar St but if it’s not your thing it can be easily avoided.
Walking around late at night you will get marriage proposals from big girls in dresses with a well defined adam’s apple and big hands and feet but as long as you don’t accept any free samples you should be ok.
Benjie has a strict policy against bringing anyone over to the Guest House for hooking up so if that is what you are shooting for check into any of the other numerous hotels in the area.
The Pension Natividad and Malate Pension are also not good places for sex tourism.
Sometimes they go overboard and turn away foreign men that have been married for several years to their Filipina but they are just trying to preserve their image.
Friendly’s does not accept any local customers at the guest house to avoid any potential problems because they are trying to focus on providing a base for international travelers.
They have a guest house for locals in the works at this time but it will be a while before it opens for business.
Reserve a room in advance if at all possible because the news about the good service provided spreads fast and the place is often fully booked.
Friendly’s Guesthouse
1750 Adriatico Street (corner Nakpil Street) Malate, Manila, Philippines
Check in and check out time is 12 noon.
Phone: +63 (2) 474-0742
Mobile: +63 (0) 917 333 1418
Email: friendlysguesthouse@yahoo.com
website – www.friendlysguesthouse.com
Friendly’s Guest House Manila
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
Wood Boat to Manila Philippines
A family of three wpould like to visit Manila come this 10th April 2009 and would like your outfit to book us rooms without aircodition and send the voucher to us we would show it to the immigration in your country upon arival.
thanks
George oppong
Hi George,
I can highly recommend staying at Benji’s place – Friendly’s Guesthouse. It is a great meeting point for travelers in a great location.
dutchpickle is a travelers info site by travelers and just does not take reservations.
please contact Benjie directly through his website
http://www.friendlysguesthouse.com
Most nationalities are given a 21 day visa upon arrival at no cost. I do not know the specifics about your case.
Have a great trip!
dp
Hi,
I am also going to Manila on 10-14 April, and I have already booked this Friendly’s Guesthouse! It sounds so good that the policy is strict there! I hope I can have an enjoyable moment in Manila.
By the way, did you go to Tagaytay (the Volcano Island) and Pagsanjan Falls which are around Manila? If so, would you suggest me to go independently or join the local tours?
Hello Sean,
I think that you made a great choice. Friendly’s is a first rate backpackers/travelers place to get acclimated to the Philippines. It’s also in a prime location in Manila! On site internet and free wifi is available if you have your laptop with you.
Benjie has a strict policy about prostitutes – that is, they are not allowed. He has an international hostel there and also does not allow locals to stay either.
Other than that – the place is very casual and it’s a great place to meet up with other travelers.
I am not over familiar with the areas around Manila because I live in Samar.
Have a great trip and say “hello” to Benjie.
dp
Hi. Is it possible to book a room from May 11 – 16, 2009? What is your rate for a room with double occupancy? I will be on transit enroute to Davao City. Thanks.
Hi Jean,
Please contact Friendly’s Guesthouse directly through their website. Benji is the friendly owner and they accept reservations online if you have a credit card.
http://www.friendlysguesthouse.com
It is a good idea to reserve in advance because the guesthouse is often full to capacity. It is an excellent place to stay with a friendly vibe and a great location in Manila.
cheers
dp
hi, we are a group of ten and we would want to spend our weekend at manila.where is the best place that u can recommend us to stay?
we would wish to stay in a place where it is comfortable,safe and CHEAP..and would be able to accommodateall of us.. thanks.
Hi Tine,
dutchpickle recommends the “Friendly’s Guesthouse” and the Pension Natividad for budget travelers.
Have a good trip!
dp
how much per night to stay here?? also per room or is it door style
cheers
Hello wayne,
Check their website for the latest rates.
Friendly’s Guesthouse has both a dorm room and private rooms available.
This guesthouse has a cool vibe and is a great place to meet up with other travelers.
Due to its popularity – the rooms are often fully booked.
dp
how much per day..?
hey,
i just want to ask .if the friendly guest near makati?
coz i am going to process my paper at the embasy.
i want to know how far it is.
thanks
Hello Michelle,
Makati is quite a long ways from Malate depending upon the time of day and traffic.
The Friendlys Guesthouse is in Malate. It is reasonably near the US Embassy if that is your nationality.
There are all night cafes downstairs across the street making this guesthouse a convenient place to stay for a few days. It has a good vibe and the owner is quite a “friendly” person. It’s also a good place to exchange info with other travelers.
dp
I will be traveling alone for 2 days in Manila before my flight to Guam. I’m a filipina and I’m not into hostels and backpacker thing until my Korean students suggested to try is out. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Friendly’s. I’m a little hesitant, this will be my first time. I do wish I’ll have a pleasant stay there.
Marj88,
Hello Marj – I think that you would find Friendly’s to be a great place to stay. Perhaps the top budget place in Manila (no parking available)
Be sure to reserve in advance, rooms are almost fully booked, dorms are usually available to walk ins.
I suggest talking to Benjie about your situation because he usually discourages locals from staying here because he is trying to be a service for international travelers.
Have fun,
dp
hi,
pwede po bang mag pa reserve ng private room for june 8,2010. magkano po ba ang rent per night, weekly?
thank you po. my email add
dutchpickle
may 23
hi, i just want to ask if you can accomodate 22 person or more for two nyts. i just want to cook for them para tipid, students cl from korea so ako lng ang local as guide nl. pano pag pa reserve? maybe this coming august ang vacation nmin.
can you give me the tel no of friendly guest house?
how much is the rate per nyt?
thanks…pls write back….
Hello ali mignon anate,
Plesee contact Benjie directly:
Friendly’s Guesthouse
1750 Adriatico Street (corner Nakpil Street) Malate, Manila, Philippines
Check in and check out time is 12 noon.
Phone: +63 (2) 474-0742
Mobile: +63 (0) 917 333 1418
Email: friendlysguesthouse@yahoo.com
dp
Hi!..I would like to know where Pension Natividad is, and the contact details please. I’m from Cebu City and I’ll be in Manila end of August for a week to process some papers. Thanks
i like very much your hotel,when i go back to the pilipines i want to stay again in your place..and my husband too..but im the 1st to come to the pil.i already told to my husband your place.you are very freindly! =)