We are constantly exploring new corners of the Philippines and that inevitably takes us to Manila over and over again. On our countless visits to the capital, we’ve had the chance to try different accommodations, and the one we want to show you today has suddenly—and without much difficulty—landed at the #1 spot in our preferences for where to stay in Manila.
We’re going to show you all the details of the Lub d, a fusion of hotel + hostel + restaurant with views + coworking that we’re sure we’ll be returning to many times from now on.
Location of Lub d in Manila
Location is a very important factor when choosing where to stay, and it’s even more so in a megacity like Manila. The Lub d is located in our favorite area of the capital: Makati. The financial district has tons of shopping malls, restaurants, and services that make your stay very comfortable.
In addition, within Makati, this hotel is specifically in the trendy neighborhood: Población. It’s a super safe area to walk both day and night and it has lively bars and restaurants. Therefore, it’s perfect whether you’re traveling solo and want to meet people, doing so with friends and want to go out partying, or traveling as a couple or family and want restaurants nearby without having to go crazy looking for a taxi.
Another strong point of Lub d’s location is that it’s less than half an hour from Manila Airport (obviously at times when there’s no congestion) and it’s next to the ferry stop which, via the Pasig River, will take you in under an hour to the tourist area of Intramuros—FREE!.
Add to this that you have good money changers nearby (in the Century Mall shopping center). As we explain in Money in the Philippines, this is essential if you’ve just arrived in the country, since you’ll be able to exchange money without getting ripped off on the exchange rate.
In short, if you’re looking for accommodation well connected to the airport, shopping malls, restaurants, and Intramuros in a comfortable and safe area, Lub d ticks all the boxes.
Lub d Makati, a highly recommended hotel in Manila
There’s so much to say about this accommodation that it’s hard to decide where to start! Let’s begin with the different room types but, as you’ll see later, there are many more details that make it a highly recommended option.
The Lub d Makati has more than 150 rooms of three types: double, family, and dorm (mixed or women-only).
Double room at Lub d Manila
This was the room we stayed in for 4 nights, and we truly found it hard to leave because we were so comfortable.
The first thing that stands out when you walk in is the carefully curated and beautiful decor, completely renovated. The Filipino handicraft details on the wall, the modern lamps, the lighting… they make you feel totally at home the moment you arrive.
The room is divided into two areas. The bed area is higher than the rest and, in our case (room 1103), it had great views of Makati with the Pasig River right in front of us. The bed, which is super comfortable, has warm reading lamps on each side, outlets, and even USB ports to charge your phone directly. Right in front there’s a TV. We’re not big on using them, but it’s nice if you want to do a bit of channel surfing after a day exploring the city.
A curtain separates the bed from the other half of the room. There you have a huge counter in front of a mirror that makes the space feel much larger and the typical kettle kit to heat water or make the complimentary coffees they leave for you. In that same unit you have a fridge you’ll love when you arrive to take refuge from the capital’s heat, a safe where you can leave your valuables, and even a hair dryer.
The bathroom is also perfectly decorated and, despite being on such a high floor, the water pressure and temperature are simply perfect. Not to mention the towels which, although it sounds a bit silly, dry wonderfully. If you’ve traveled in other Asian countries, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about.
Speaking of temperature, all Lub d rooms, of course, have air conditioning.
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Family room
The family room is very similar to the double room. The main difference is that it has an upper level with two extra beds, making it perfect for groups of 3 or 4 travelers who prefer to have a private bathroom instead of the shared bathroom in the dorm area. You can see it in more detail in the video at the end of this guide.
Dormitories at Lub d Makati – Hostel Area
Having seen the private rooms, we were sure about their good taste when doing things but, honestly, we didn’t expect it to be so well reflected in the dorms at Lub d area as well. We went in to take some photos for this guide and we were “wow!”. Seriously, for us it’s moved to the top of the best hostels in the Philippines and the best hostel in Manila.
The decor follows the same line of modern wood and warm lights and colors that makes it so comfortable. In addition, everything is extremely clean and new.
Each bed has an opaque curtain to block out external light. Inside, you’ll have your own outlet, private light, and even a small drawer where you can leave your phone charging and locked with a padlock while you sleep.
Near the entrance there’s a large locker for each bed that fits large suitcases and backpacks, which you can also lock with your own padlock before heading out to discover Manila with total peace of mind.
In the hallway of the dorm area there are two large shared bathrooms, one for men and one for women. There you’ll find showers, sinks, hair dryers, and even a washing machine and dryer (we only saw these two in the men’s room).
Common areas of Lub d Manila
In a “normal” accommodation we’d only have the restaurant left to mention and little else but… there’s everything here!
Hotel restaurant
Let’s start with the restaurant. It’s located on the top floor and has a panoramic view of Makati. The menu is super varied and they even have vegan and vegetarian options both for breakfast and for lunch/dinner.
Although the indoor area has air conditioning and is very pleasant, we recommend having dinner or a drink at night outside and enjoying the amazing views of the city lit up with an ice-cold draft beer. It’s delicious!
When making your reservation you can also choose to include breakfast. We did and everything was really tasty. That said, to be honest, the coffee could be better. (You can order a “good” coffee, but the one included with breakfast is instant.)
Reception, coworking, and games area
The reception area of the Lub d Manila is quite a spectacle—there’s everything!
If you arrive early or your room isn’t ready yet, they have a “waiting room and cinema” with a huge TV and projector where you can watch a movie or simply wait on the comfy sofa reading something or charging your phone.
Next to this room there’s a large coworking area where those of us traveling with our laptop can sit comfortably to work while having a drink (because, we didn’t mention it before but, the internet works great throughout the hotel).
If, in your case, you don’t need to work and you’re looking for fun or to socialize, how about a games area? You’ll find a foosball table, a pool table, two arcade machines, and board games to end the day with laughs alongside other travelers.
Summary video of Lub d Makati
A picture is worth a thousand words and a video is worth a million. That’s why we like to accompany these accommodation reviews with a video review so you can see it as if you were there:
Final opinion about Lub d in Makati, Manila
The question we always ask ourselves at this point is “would we go back?”. And in this case it’s clear that we have no doubts: we’ll definitely return. It has quickly become one of our favorite places to stay in the Philippines.
Pros:
- The area is excellent: Makati – Población, close to the river ferry to get to Intramuros and with restaurants and shopping malls nearby. The airport is very close and you can get there easily for under 300 pesos.
- The room decor and how well maintained everything is.
- The extreme kindness of all the staff—from the receptionists to the housekeeping team.
- Great value for money.
- Good variety of room types on offer.
- Tasty, varied dishes in the restaurant, which has amazing city views.
Cons:
This is the first time it’s hard for us to write about a hotel’s downsides, since no accommodation is perfect and there’s always something to improve. But here, only this comes to mind..
- The coffee included with breakfast.
Final score: 9’9/10 Filipino suns (the highest score we’ve ever given in our accommodation reviews)
Check prices and book
From this menu you can check prices and available dates at Lub d:
