Last night, as I attempted to do Mari Kondo-ing my phone gallery, I stumbled upon my previous travel photos realizing the number of travel photos I’ve got in my Huawei phone.
This gallery includes my overnight stay at Victoria Court – Cuneta, one of Manila’s famous drive-in hotels, and my photos reminded me of my own experience during my stay.
For the sake of reminiscing one of my Manila’s escapades BC (before COVID), here I am in front of my computer trying to track my own Google Maps timeline and sharing with you why staying at Victoria Court is not as dodgy as many (especially your old titos and titas) thinks.
Victoria Court, a Filipino drive-in hotel
Victoria Court Hotel is one of the famous hotels in Manila, and probably one of the oldest in the hospitality business. According to their website victoriacourt.biz, the hotel was founded in the 1970s, by a Filipino businessman Mr. Angelo King (AK), known as the patriarch of the King's group. After opening his first motel venture, and acquiring more motels, after more than a decade, it was then that Mr. Archie King (ARK) named his first hotel Panorama Enterprises, Inc. a 38-room property in Pasig, which he branded as "Victoria Court". This property was the most innovative and the classiest motel of its time because of its ¬first-class amenities - bigger rooms and thematic atmosphere.
For many years, I’ve been hearing many stories regarding this hotel chain. Mostly stories that happened after dark, kind of ‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’ (for the sake of Google’s strict content policy, I’ll let those kinds of scenarios leave on your imagination).
But as a grown-up adult who earns her own money, I just let those stories remain stories of the old generation….like an urban legend.
In the morning of November 2018 (thank you Expedia for reminding me of this!), I decided to look for a place in Pasay City Manila where I had an early business event the following day.
Although I was residing in Taguig City during those times, you will understand how terrible the city’s traffic flow is, and if you have an important meeting in the morning, you don’t want to spend hours on the road and consume your time venting your frustrations.
That’s when I found Victoria Court in Cuneta Avenue and immediately secured my reservation.
If you own a car and want to have a rest after driving for long hours, the Victoria Court Cuneta property offers a room with a garage. That is convenient, as you don’t want to pay an additional parking fee elsewhere.
Since my reservation was done online via Expedia, checking -in isn’t a big deal. I’m not expecting anything grand as this is a drive-in hotel, but I have no issues about it. It is a practical place for me during that moment.
I booked a standard non-smoking room with a queen-sized bed, with amenities included such as free internet (it is surprisingly fast, and I am impressed!) and a full breakfast.
Although I always have a habit of bringing my own toiletries with me, the room was provided with sets of toiletries, including clean white towels, fresh sheets, and bedroom slippers (not the fluffy ones but rubber thongs). Not all drive-in hotels provide hairdryers in each room, so I am impressed that Victoria Court does.
The room also provides a safety security box for your important belongings and a well-stocked mini-fridge with all sorts of drinks for a fee.
Did I mention that they also provided free welcome drinks? I asked for a coffee delivered to my room and gave me two cups of hot coffee with milk (assuming that I had a companion). Well good for me!
A full complimentary breakfast with coffee on a side was included, and I can say that it is decently good. They also have a restaurant where you can order different dishes.
Victoria Court Cuneta is one of the few hotels in Manila that accepts guests with pets. Their policy stipulates that pets must be kept on a leash when in the hotel property and in the neighborhood. It is the guests’ responsibility to make sure their pets are well-behaved travelers and hotel guests.
Aside from the standard hotel rooms, Victoria Court offers fantasy-themed rooms such as Love Builder Room, Red Room of Pain for guests who want to spend a kinky weekend, Spacewars Room for SciFi-movie lovers, Batman-themed room, and even a Cinderella-themed room.
Victoria Court COVIDSafe Plan:
Based on their Instagram post, Victoria Court Hotel supports the local government's campaign to suppress the spread of the current COVID virus.
The only thing I regret not experiencing is staying in one of their fantasy-themed rooms. I will definitely book my reservation once I get back to the Philippines.
Victoria Court Cuneta accepts cash payment, and/or VISA and Mastercard debit and credit cards, WeChat Pay, and Alipay.
Book your stay at Victoria Court Cuneta coz honestly, they are also nice - but try those fantasy-themed rooms and report back to me!
Disclaimer - This is #NotSponsored post
actually dear, ang ganda ng bed head sarap mag shoot ganun!! tapos yung lobby ba yun! lakas maka princesa ah! i remember checking in at VC pag brownout as a child hahaha!
ReplyDeleteHahaha that is true! I did regret not staying at their fantasy rooms. I should try it when we get back to the Philippines.
DeleteWow!!! Didn't expect na parang hotel type din pala tong Victoria Court! From the room to food, I would like to try. Curious din ako sa fantasy-themed rooms ah! HAHA
ReplyDeleteYes! And this room is their standard room. BIlib ako sa interior ng fantasy rooms nila. Sino kaya ang kanilang designer?
DeleteGlad to see that there's still Victoria Court Hotel. They survived the pandemic and they're been in the business for more than 50 years! they used to have a bad reputation back in the 90s, but everything has changed... nice place, clean and relaxing.
ReplyDeleteTheir wifi connection is good, and surprisingly affordable to stay, practical pa!
DeleteVictoria Court before was known for short time bookings, but they have been making efforts to upgrade their reputation to the public. What are the amenities they offer? I'm curious cause when we book, we book as a family.
ReplyDeleteThey also have a small restaurant that offers dine-in and takeaway. They don't have those fancy amenities but if you are just after for a place to rest overnight and enjoy the room then Victoria Court is your guy!
DeleteWow, super classy ah. Maybe i should do a staycation there as well even if I’ll be alone. Hahaha.
ReplyDeleteTry their fantasy-room! Hindi naman requirement na dapat may kasama, hehehe
DeleteLooks super classy ah. Not that i know what motels look like jk. Maybe i should do a staycation here too, even if i will be alone. Hahaha
ReplyDeleteWent there before too coz of a friend's birthday and na amaze din ako sa kanya.ang gaganda ng theme rooms nila. Pwedeng pwede pang events and masarap din food
ReplyDeleteI agree! Napansin ko nga sa mga IG post nila. Parang yung mga themed-hotels sa Japan!
DeleteThis is such a nice place to stay and relax after a long hour travel. It looks expensive and really impressive. I hope it's backpacker's budget friendly. haha
ReplyDeleteI guess they are backpacker's friendly naman. They still offers a short-stay, kaso mas okay sa akin yung overnight.
DeleteHindi pa ako nakakapagstay sa VC but I know that magaganda talaga mga rooms because I have a friend who works there and base sa mga post niya ok na ok
ReplyDeleteMukhang family-friendly rin! Try niyo yung Batman rooms or Superman, baka magustuhan rin ni baby mo.
DeleteThis is such a nice place! Parang hotel room na din with mini refrigerator and toiletries pa. I also have a habit of bringing my own toiletries with me wherever I go :)
ReplyDeleteTry mo sis sa Victoria Court!
DeleteAng classy pala ng dating ng Victoria Court. I haven't stayed there pero will try if ever makauwi ng Pinas at kung walang matutuluyan.
ReplyDeleteYeah, okay rin at malakas ang AC and wifi nila :)
Deleteano po mga opportunities and weaknesses ng victoria court as of now
ReplyDelete