Atilano Pension House
Zamboanga City
466 Canelar
Mayor Jaldon St. Z.C.
phone 062 990 5088
Atilanos Pension is a cheap backpacker’s accommodation in Zamboanga City, but it’s a fair distance from the town center on Mayor Jaldon Street going out towards the airport.
During the heat of the day it would be a good idea to take a tricycle but it’s not a bad walk if there is a shady side of the street to walk on in the mornings or afternoons.
Atilanos Pension is actually a cluster of family owned pension houses and restaurants all with the family name Atilano.
It’s a good place stay because everyone is related and it is unlikely any troublemakers will target this pension house because there are too many watchful eyes.
Atilano Pension House
466 Canelar
Mayor Jaldon St. Z.C.
phone 062 990 5088
La Mirage, on the same road but closer to town was recommended to me buy a fellow traveler that has been traveling in this area 25 years. It is probably a good place too but I never stayed there so I don’t have first hand experience.
All of the kids hanging around in the Atilano compound are descendants of old man Atilano who was a candidate for mayor at one time.
Rooms start at 250 and 300 for singles – with tv it is an extra 50 pesos. Keep looking until you find a room that you are happy with. Some are run down, while others are bright and cheery.
Air con rooms are 500 pesos for a single and 600 pesos for a double. The restaurant downstairs has an impressive menu but there are really only 3 options and they are in the 3 pots out front and overpriced.
You are better off walking out to the street and taking a left. Amigos and Amigas has really good food cheap! A soto special costs 60 pesos.
For those that can only eat fast food there is a Jolibees and Greenwich at the end of the road at the intersection by the airport. There are a couple of internet cafes there as well.
If Atilanos is too rustic for your needs, the Hermosa on the same road but close to town is quite nice for a mid range hotel. I think that the rooms start at 700 to 900 pesos. I stayed there a few years ago but found it a bit to sterile for my taste. dec 2007
dec 2008 update
Keep looking until you are happy with the room you are offered. I need windows and light and some of these rooms are like dungeons.
The fast internet cafe on the corner by the airport has closed. Most of the internet cafes specialize in games for the boys and it can be hard to concentrate because of all the noise. For them is is a sporting event with all the yelling and cheering.
There is no security guard because there is no need. The whole area is related and they watch out for each other.
Merinella Atilano runs the Pink Sand Travel Agency that is located in the Atilano complex. She is a great source of information.
She let me keep my motorbike at her place while I made the Sandakan visa run in July 2009.
Atilanos Pension is the top pick for me while staying in Zamboanga. My ctiteria is a safe, cheap, hassle free guesthouse in a good location. I paid 300 pesos per night for a reasonably nice room. The jeepneys run you down town for 6 pesos and tricycles are negotiable – figure on 20 to 30 pesos per trip, but sort that out before you begin your ride.
Atilano Pension House
Update – November 28 – 2011
Unfortunately a bomb blast tore through one of the buildings of the Atilano complex on Sunday nite.
The headlines of the Manila Bulletin show the damage at one of the buildings of this pension house complex. I stayed a few times in the room at the upper left which did not sustain as much damage. I usually stay at one of the buildings in the back or across the alley from this building.
Very sad – the owners are such kind and helpful people. There were 3 fatalities and 28 wounded.
a sad day for Zamboanga
Climbing Mount Apo
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Mount Mayon
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Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
how much is staying in 1 night…
Hi Sam,
Rooms start at 250 and 300 for singles – with tv it is an extra 50 pesos. Keep looking until you find a room that you are happy with
Air con rooms are 500 pesos for a single and 600 pesos for a double.
cheers
dp
Elmer and I stayed at Atilano’s Pension House almost 3 months for the Systems Implementation. A very nice place to stay at Atilano’s Pension House. Clean rooms and acessible to all establishments. Thanks to Sir Marlo Atilano of SMFI-SMIS. See you soon in Manila at the SPOY God bless!
mike and elmer
Hello Elmer and Mike,
Thanks for your comment – I am actually staying at Atilanos right now, as I wait for the boat to Malaysia and my clearance from immigration.
ingats!
dp
hi dutchpickle your welcome po..
mike
how much per day?
Hello victoria,
Rooms start at 250 and 300 for singles – with tv it is an extra 50 pesos. Keep looking until you find a room that you are happy with. Some are run down, while others are bright and cheery.
Air con rooms are 500 pesos for a single and 600 pesos for a double. The restaurant downstairs has an impressive menu but there are really only 3 options and they are in the 3 pots out front and overpriced.
cheers
dp
How much is your prevailing rate per day today? Is it the same as the one’s im seeing here or has changed already for more? Please reply me back at once im trying to call your number but not available?
Hello jun,
It is always safe to assume that prices are subject to change.
Atilanos is still one of the best values in Zamboanga in my opinion. There are 5 different complexes to choose from – all owned by an Atilano family member.
cheers
dp
I understand just a range of estimates how much shall i be giving my guy should I elect for him to stay at your place (for 3-5 days only). Is it more than the last price seen here (dated Feb.2010).Please revert and thanks!
iS THERE AN ADDITIONAL RATE IF MORE THAN 2 PERSONS WILL OCCUPY THE DOUBLE ROOM?
Hello,
How about giving them a call to get an exact price?
Atilano Pension House
466 Canelar
Mayor Jaldon St. Z.C.
phone 062 990 5088
cheers
dp
how much is you rate now?
Hello cha,
I do not have the current rates.
Atilano Pension House
phone 062 990 5088
consider calling
dp
hello dp
im assuming a pension house has shared washrooms etc?
can u reccomend a good place to stay for 3 weeks, and do u know how much it is to rent a car locally? Can i even rent a car being a foreigner?
thnx, eddy
Hello eddy,
Most of the rooms at Atilano’s Pension have a private cr. but some of the rooms are very rustic.
There is a range of rooms to choose from out of the 5 or 6 pension houses – all owned by an Atilano family member. Keep looking until you find one that works for you.
I do not know about renting a car. Probably it would be easiest to hire a trike and driver for getting around town.
If you are not on a tight budget there are some higher end places to stay in Zamboanga. I recommended Atilano’s for backpackers and others that don’t want to spend a lot of money.
The Lantaka hotel on the waterfront is much more plush. It’s more pricey but if cost is not a factor- why not?
dp
elow, how much the rate of staying for 1 night for two persons??
tnx, more blessings!
hi dp..
just would like to ask about ferry going to gen san from zamboanga.. base on my itineray, i have to take a ferry to gen san by thursday.. i’ve check superfery but their sailing sched is by monday.. do you know other vessels that departs to gen san by thursday?.. thanks a lot.. :-)
Hi Neil
I only know of the Superferry lines doing that run.
I have done it once with them and it was an easy trip but there is tight security.If you are a scuba diver and have a dive knife for example – it will not be allowed.
Keep in mind that the ticket office is closed on Sundays.
dp
hi! i just booked a flight for me & 4 other friends this November to zamboanga.i thought of exploring zamboanga, dipolog,dapitan & probably dakak for 4 days. yesterday, i was so restless & worried when i learned that dipolog (Dakak & Dapitan) is more than 200miles away from Zamboanga.. i thought its an hour or two travel from zamboanga… i had poor research due to excitement to book right away because of the promo from Airphils..i was too excited to book the flight that i realized the following day that my planned itinerary is gonna be a mess… until i read your review on the Atilano Pension House and your comment on the lonely planet site.. thank you.. i hope we’ll be as safe,happy & amazed when we get back from that trip. i also hope that i won’t regret it.. thanks again..
hahahaha, of course i know where zam is located, jst wanted 2 know where in zam da recommend pension house is located. lol
do they have any eMail-add?
ohh and btw. there in wikimapia you even can find a ‘distance measure tool’ (left upper portion, showing a ruler, below the “wikimapia” logo) where you can check for distances on your own selection.
hmmmm, u keep on ignoring my question about the eMail-add. dont the have any?
Hi Steven,
Sorry Steven, been rather busy lately and must have overlooked it – however I do not have an email address for Atilanos. Atilanos Pension has no internet and it is doubtful that they take reservations on line. Rarely do budget low end pensions like Atilanos that cater to locals, have on line booking.
Atilanos Pension is a cluster of family owned pensions all named after Atilano – the grandfather. The room quality varies greatly but there should be one of the buildings that will have a room that will work for the budget traveler.
The Lantaka on the waterfront has a booking reservation front desk. Most foreigners stay there but it is out of my price range.
“dutchpickle” usually tries to locate places that are a decent value for backpacker type traveling. I realize that this does not appeal to everyone.
cheers
dp
Dear Sir/Madam,
Pilipino po ako nais kung magbasyon at makita ang Zamboanga kung ito’y gaano kaganda, at tuloy kung malaman ang presyo niyo “per night,” dalawa po kami, at saka tuloy malaman kung hindi magulo diyan sa Zamboanga. Alam niyo nasa Australia ako, at sa darating na taon, April 2011, kayat nais kung malaman kung magkano ang p/n para maihanda ko ang perang dapat kung baunin.
Hanggang dito na lamang at maraming salamat;
Hi Juanito,
If you are coming from Australia will not it be easier to go via Manila?
I am not exactly sure what you are asking – but Atilanos has good simple budget accommodation. I would hesitate to book in advance because you will want to have a look at the rooms first to see what works for you. They vary greatly in condition – some rooms very nice and some not so.
Happy trip!
dp
I would like to inquire one room good for 4 w/o aircon.
Arriving Jan 27 stay 5 nites
Thank you
dear dutchpickle, how far is atilanos pension from the airport?our flight fr manila will arrive in zamboanga about 8.05 pm so i need to know how far it is.thank you for your time.:0)
Hi Gloria,
My guess is that Atilano’s Pension is around 3 kilometers up the road that leads directly from the airport to downtown Zamboanga. There is a steady supply of tricycles and multicabs on that road.
Look for the big Jollibees by the airport – that is the road you should turn on.
happy trip
dp
hi! im really glad i found your site. im currently researching for a place to stay in zamboanga for 2days only and thanks to you, i found atilano’s!
however, do you have any other recommended hostels (aircon) that also have wifi? Lantaka is not an option nor is the Garden City Hotel coz they’re quite expensive. around P1k is acceptable na.
thanks a lot! and more power to your site!
Hello anna,
I can’t think of any budget accommodation in Zamboanga city that has wi-fi
sorry :)
dp
how much po per night yung duoble?
yung pag stay ng over night?
Hi!
we would like to introduce you our NEW ATILANO PENSION HOUSE located at Km.4,corner Toribio Drive,Pasonanca,Zamboanga City w/ tel #s (062) 990 1008/ 991 0784.(cp # 09194357819)…w/ fully air conditioned rooms,hot n cold shower,cable t.v., internet access, 24 hrs. security and a lot more…pls. do check this at CA ATILANO NEW PENSION HOUSE(facebook- w/ some photos to look at)….Thanks
pregunta lang era yo se kwanto ya el rate na d inyo room if double? w/out aircon..hinde ba gat kalyente ali?thnks
as of now how much per night in room 201 and nicole room….ty
good evening po. im interested po sana mg stay dyan for about a week. malayo po ba sa city proper ang new pension house nyo? how much po per nyt for single? pls reply po asap. tnxxx
There are several different Pensions to choose from and they are all owned by the same family members and located near each other. The costs vary depending on what accommodation you are seeking but I have always found Atilanos to be a good value and a good location in Zamboanga City.
happy trip
dp
i see po. im really seeking for an accomodation, so might need your help :)
which pension house is near po sa town? pra easy access sa lhat. tnx for replying by the way