We traveled far, we slept in a place that is a home, far away from home.
When I was doing the itineraries, I have to see hotel rates at the same time for me to present how much we will be spending for the trip. I admit, Google has been very helpful in looking for one and thanking again to Distance Calculator. Cheap and somewhere near are my criteria. Looking for a place to sleep and rest for a night was the hardest, knowing both criteria can be impossible, indeed you can not have the best of both worlds, but I found one.
Before I have come to finalize the place, I have inquired the Villa Escudero first for the rates and even asked for the availability, because we will be going there. With the rates, definitely no no for us, too expensive for us and they are fully booked too.
Then I have come to see one hotel near Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Just near the Padre Pio Shrine, which is one of our itineraries. I read the reviews too and eveything were all positive. But when I called them, I have learned about their rates and the availability of rooms are again, no no. I have to look around again.
Then I have to know this place in Lipa City, Batangas, the Zillion Builders Pavillion. Their rates are much cheaper than those that I look around. Who would have thought of Php400.00 per head for one night? It does sounds cheap. But It sounds too good to be true, reading the positive reviews, I thought, it does really exist. A place to stay, cheap to think it is within the city, so I called them to inquire more about their place.
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
The Zillion Builders Pavilion
The Zillion Builders Pavilion is part of the Zillion Builders' network of properties. The place is located in Balintawak, Lipa City, province of Batangas, just at the back of the SM Lipa. They don't just offer rooms to stay for a night but also offers a place for events that can hold up to 100 people with a starting amount of Php 5,000.00
I have been to Lipa City when my brother got married, we stayed in La Finca Farm and Country Resort for the wedding venue and reception was held there, the place is a good place to relax but I can say their rates is quite expensive, well, the value for money is there. So, when I get to learn about the Zillion Builders Pavilion, I was surprised with the rates, a place looks nice and the price is cheap.
So, I just made room reservations through bookings.com on my ipad, just did some clicking, put my card on it, because I have to make the reservations before I have run out of room. All in all, I have 3 studio type rooms where each room can have a maximum of 6 persons for Php2,600(plus some fees), 1 queen, and 2 quadruple rooms(it can take 4 people) for Php 1,500+ each room. It is indeed cheap, the plus is just a fee since wee made the bookings thru bookings.com, not really bad.
A wall decor.
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
Our TV
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
Over-all Review
STAFF
I appreciate the fact that they called me a day before our check in date, to confirm since we didn't have the chance to talk that much about it, for the reservations was just made thru an app or a website. And he even asked me what time we will be arriving and if I ever have to need more number of rooms, I will just tell him.
Another thing I appreciate with them was, when we get lost, I called the staff I have been calling to if he can show us or tell us a detail route or map just to get in there. We were lost in the traffic and I am happy that they have that much patience for me and it is around 7 PM already.
When we arrived, the guard on duty hurriedly tell the staff about our arrival and with the other receptionists, they gave us a warm welcome.
And the best, one of my colleague left his phone, I never knew about it until I got a text from them saying about someone left his/her phone on the other room. And they keep it and my colleague has been calling them on how they can send his phone, and the latest was, the phone is on its way.
The Reception Area
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
The Place
One of my worries every time is the place, if it is clean and right for everyone. It worries me a lot. I am glad that the place is neat and clean.
Since I have slept in the studio room, I expected that the comfort room/shower room is not that big. And it is fine for me. They have heaters, and I am glad that they have it since we need some warm shower after a tiring travel.
With the bus we have rode, the parking lot is big and really can accommodate ore than our bus, I have seen two SUVs too that time.
The parking lot.
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
Another part of the parking lot
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
VALUE FOR MONEY
After a good night sleep, I can definitely say, I get what my money worth and even more to be honest. For less than Php500.00, I get more than than what I expected. And I never hear any negative things about the place and compared to the place we slept in Bataan last year, like apples to apples. Clean sheets, air conditioned room, free wi-fi, clean towels and we got TV too in our room. And in the morning we got a FREE COFFEE that is being served at 6 in the morning.
We are in Batangas, the province that is known for its strong coffee, and I am happy to have a taste of their coffee in that cold rainy Sunday morning and it is free. You can drink as much as you can. The hot and aromatic "kapeng barako" of Batangas definitely made the place better.
My kapeng barako.
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
The coffee dispenser
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
If you ask me if I ever get to Lipa, i will definitely get in the same place to sleep. Their simple acts of kindness is just overwhelming. And I gave them 5 stars on my review.
