Halfway House Hostel — Hotel in Lapu-Lapu

Mixed Experience at HalfWay House Hostel Mactan Cebu Airport

I recently stayed at HalfWay House Hostel near Mactan Cebu Airport and wanted to share my thoughts on the experience. Overall, it was a mixed bag with both positives and areas that could use improvement.

Check-In - 8/10: The check-in process was relatively straightforward, with a manual check-in requiring just an ID and a few signatures. It was hassle-free and efficient.

Bedroom - 5/10: My disappointment started with the bedroom. While I had booked a room that was supposed to be 10 square meters, it turned out to be much smaller, measuring only 6 square meters. There was no TV, and the shower was not functioning properly. On the plus side, there were shampoo and body wash available, as well as wet towels. However, the room's AC was quite inadequate for the space, and there was no warm water for showers. A lack of side tables was also noticeable.

Common Area/Living Area - 0/10: Unfortunately, there was no living area available at the hostel. This absence of a common space to relax or interact with other guests was disappointing.

Kitchen - 0/10: Similarly, the hostel lacked kitchen facilities, which could be a letdown for travelers who prefer to prepare their own meals.

Internet - 9/10: On the positive side, the internet connectivity was excellent, which was a relief for staying connected or getting work done.

Drinking Water - 3/10: The drinking water situation was not ideal. Guests had to pay for drinking water, and the dispensing method seemed inconvenient, with a minimal amount of water dispensed for a small payment. It would have been better if this essential amenity was provided more conveniently.

Staff - 8/10: The staff members were friendly and willing to help, which made the stay more pleasant. However, it was noticeable that some of them lacked proper training and had only basic knowledge of hospitality.

Parking - 10/10: The availability of free and secured parking was a definite plus, especially for guests with vehicles.

Lastly, I'd like to highlight the efforts of Lyka, a dedicated staff member who went above and beyond to make the stay better. Her commitment to ensuring a positive experience was truly appreciated.

In conclusion, HalfWay House Hostel offers a mixed experience. While the check-in process was smooth, and the internet and parking facilities were commendable, the small bedroom size, lack of common areas and kitchen, and subpar drinking water arrangement were downsides. With improvements in these areas and better-trained staff, the hostel could provide a more enjoyable stay...

It's okay if you have an early flight and if staying near the airport is your priority. The room is basically a bed and a very small bathroom. The issues we had:

We didn't have a TV. There was a dog barking constantly during the entire night,. We could hear all the traffic from the road, as the rooms have very thin walls. I don't know if it was because of the rain but there was a sound of something or a lump of water falling every 30 seconds. This was really irritating and preventing us from sleep. Then after an hour or so, there was a huge sound of explosion, probably the source of that regular sound, and it stopped. I assume this is not happening all the time. No soap to wash hands in the bathroom. We had to use the body shampoo instead. (It was okay as the shower is literally next to the sink). Renting hairdryer for 100P? Seriously? Coins to fill water? Really?

The staff seems to be the only positive thing about this place. They are very polite, always available. They offered to fill my water bottle for free when I was really shocked by seeing an "insert coin to fill your water" thing on the dispenser.

Again, if your only priority is being close to the airport so you don't have to worry about the traffic from Cebu City to Mactan, yes this place is a good and affordable one. For longer stays (2 nights or more), I wouldn't recommend...

They have a very nice seating area in the courtyard with lots of plants and umbrellas for shadow. There is a heavy gate where you have to be buzzed in by staff every time, which seems cumbersome, but also gives a great sense of safety. The rooms and bedding seems very clean and smells great. The AC is working well, though only one setting seems to work. The walls and ceiling looks a bit dilapidated, and it looks like there might have been a mould problem, and being very sensitive to mould I was initially a bit concerned, but I did not have any reaction. I slept very well and woke up refreshed. The drain in the bathroom did not work very well, and the floor flooded, which always feels a bit nasty. DON'T DRINK THE WATER! When I went to ask about a water refil for my bottle I was directed to use the automated water station. It only takes 1 pesos coins. The kind staff gave me 3 coins I could use. But the water had a horrible metallic taste and I did not find it pleasant or think it safe to drink.

The staff are very polite, though quite occupied by the very loud TV...