Blog | Z Hostel - Part 9
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Z Hostel Recommends: Use Grab For Airport Ride

Image Credits: https://www.facebook.com/GrabPH/

Pick up and Drop off – Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)

Grab is a ride booking service for taxis and other vehicles, like a car rental but metered.

You can set the pick up point and drop of point. You will get to know the driver’s details and the make and plate number of the vehicle that will pick you up.

Grab has GrabCar and this is one of the transportation services that is accredited by this Philippines airport. Z Hostel recommends that you use this transport service upon arrival. There are two ways to use it:

1. Look for the GrabCar booth at the airport.

– There are GrabCar booths that are located in designated areas of the various terminals.
– You may need to inquire where the GrabCar booths are.
– These booths facilitate booking the ride.

2. Download the Grab app.

You may also download the free Grab app from their website. https://www.grab.com/ph/
This is recommended if you have data connection.

From Z Hostel to the airport or to any point in Manila, you may request the reception to book a Grab ride for you.

The Grab app is also handy to book a ride within Manila.

Ways to delight in being single this valentines

Are you feeling the blues during this month of love?

Well there’s no need to get your spirits down about being single this Valentines season with all the other things that you can do. This holds true with some travelers (especially for those who travel solo) once in a while. But why not make the best of the moment?

Instead, you can turn things around by living in the moment. You can just as easily enjoy and share the love this month! Z Hostel gives you a list of ways to delight in being single this valentines.

Indulge in being single

1. If you are in Manila this Valentines season, you can have a blast, single or not. The easiest way to kick the blues bug away is just by heading to the Z Hostel Roof Deck and making new friends. Other than offering great dorm room rates for a hostel in Makati, Z holds events at their roof deck daily. Grab a few drinks and introduce yourself to someone new!

      1. Treat yourself out and satisfy your sweet tooth with some of the most delectable desserts such as the one of a kind ice creams offered at The Dessert Kitchen. Brought to you from Hong Kong, this all natural, sustainable, and healthier form of low fat specialty desserts can be enjoyed at R3 Level of Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati.
      2. If a road trip is what you need, then the Panagbenga or the Baguio Flower festival held annually in Baguio City can help you celebrate your love for life. This five-week-long celebration is filled with trade fairs, concerts, exhibits, contests and so much more!
      1. Other than feeling down on the dumps being alone this Valentines, then you might be in need for some shopping therapy. If so, then The Complex Lifestyle Store is just the place to go especially during their ongoing sale from Febuary 6-21, 2016 . With several locations and a wide range of brands ranging from Saucony Originals to Ralph Lauren, celebrate singlehood with a gift or more.
      1. Immerse in Art & Culture of the Philippines this love month and take a gander at attending the Artekolasa2016: Direksyon exhibit this coming Febuary 26 until March 3, 2016. This exhibit is held by the fine arts grads of St. Scholastica Manila featuring works about the importance of preservation and awareness of culture in the country.

Celebrate things you love this Valentines

There you have it, these are just a few things you can do and enjoy this season of love in the Philippines. You can just as well celebrate your love for travel, arts, and more just as much single than being a part of a couple.

Go ahead and relish your time being single and delve into exploring places and things you wish!

Truth About RFIDs

WHAT IS AN RFID?

If you haven’t come across them before, RFIDs or Radio-frequency identifications are becoming more and more popular.

So what exactly are RFIDs? And what exactly are they for?

 

Well, in this article, you’ll find out exactly what these are and how they can be of use. Places like Z Hostel have been using this kind of technology for their transactions as opposed to pulling out cash every time you go to the bar to buy a beer. So with that, it’s only right that you get exactly how these tags work and their benefits.

WHAT IS AN RFID REALLY FOR?

RFIDS are electronic tags that store and transfer data. Think of them as prepaid cards that you can top up and use to make a purchase with just as you would swipe any debit or credit card you have.

The only difference between RFIDs and your cards are that these tags can only be used within a specific purpose or establishment.

Take the RFIDs that Z Hostel have available, you can buy your personal tag for only Php 50.00 and top it up with a minimum amount of P150 and will be good for 90 days (non refundable). However, the money that you put into these tags are only valid for transactions within the hostel.

What happens to the money left over? Well, don’t worry! You can check your balance with any of the staff members and keep the money left for another day. Remember, these tags are valid for 90 days, and that goes for the money you top-up in it.

THE BENEFITS OF USING RFIDS

Not only are RFIDs easier to use when having a few drinks in places like our Z Roof deck, but also these tags give you the benefit of not having to carry any cash with you when you go enjoy all the facilities that the establishment or event that provides them. It also makes the transaction much faster.

Also, with these tags (that usually come conveniently as bracelets) you can get an update of what your current balance is after every transaction.

So there you have it! Your basic info on what exactly are RFIDs and how they can be of use to you. You don’t have to worry about losing any of your cash at hand or having to count how much your credit is. With the use of this incredible technology, you’ll not only have the piece of mind about your cash, but also a hassle free time by just having to swipe your wristband to buy a drink!

Malasimbo Festival | Enjoy 3 days of music and more!

Looking for a great way to spend a weekend?

The Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival held every year at Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro is one of the biggest and most anticipated music fests in the Philippines.

For more info click here.

A weekend of nonstop music from both local and foreign bands that range from reggae to hip hop, anybody can surely enjoy and get to know new people! Located in Mt. Malasimbo, you can pitch a tent near the concert grounds and be a stone’s throw away from where the bands are playing.

Here’s a video of what it’s like when the Z Hostel Crew joined in on the fun last Malasimbo Festival 2015:

This year, the festival will be held on two weekends showcasing a weekend of Music & Arts and another of Music and Dance on March 4-6, 2016 and March 24-26, 2016. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and grab some tickets now!

Buy your tickets for Malasimbo 2016 at the Z Hostel Front Desk!

Hostels and Budget Accommodations

Travelling on a budget doesn’t mean that you have to rough it. There are many comfortable places that you can find to spend the night. There are cheap hotels that are also are commonly known as budget accommodations and hostels.

Spending less that what you would for a posh hotel does cut down accommodation expense by at least half and sometimes, you’ll find a great deal and the cost would be a fraction of the amount.

When searching online for budget accommodations, if you are travelling alone or want to cut down on expenses by finding a place to stay at that doesn’t cost an arm an a leg, it’s a good idea to look for hostels in the area that you plan to go to.

Hostels offer single bed space. Many are like dormitories with bunk beds. A room may accommodate 4 or more people. Some provide rooms exclusively men, women, and what is known as “mixed”. Most rooms have lockers so a guest may store their things in safety. Hostels typically have shared bathrooms and a common area for lounging.

Unlike budget hotel accommodations that are low in price because the room may be found in hotels that are rated one to two stars, hostels may provide better accommodations and the price might even be a lot cheaper as the room sharing that hostels provide makes this possible.

A Traveller’s Hostel Memories

A tall, lean and fit man in his senior years, with sun-darkened skin, still walks with long strides that show that he was a former backparker. He climbs up and goes down stairs with agility, and hardly pants, even if it is hot, and there is no need for him to stop moving to catch his breath, unlike many his age.

With a slight longing in tone in his voice, he recalled the youth hostels that he stayed at. As he spoke about these youth hostels of old, his gaze was that of looking far away, amd the memories made him smile.

This is the gist of what he said:

Many years ago, backpacking was already the way to get to see different places. He didn’t know about youth hostels as before, there was no Internet or a lot of information about such things that you can read from newspapers and magazines. He found out about youth hostels from a friend who travelled to many countries using the EuroRail. It was the thing to do at that time and so he went on his first, lengthy, backpacking trip in Europe, choosing to stay at youth hostels.

Most youth hostels would only accommodate him during sleeping hours. The maximum amount of days he may stay in one youth hostel was 3 days, then they won’t accommodate him anymore. and so he would have to choose another youth hostel in the same area if he will stay at that place for a longer period of time.

The accomodations at youth hostels were a lot better than staying in a YMCA. There were same sex rooms and he had stayed in a mixed room once. Most had bunk beds but he remembered one that had folding beds. These folding beds were set up at a school.

He spoke about how he had made friends while at the hostel, talking to the ones in the same room with him, until they would fall asleep. He said that he met many good people yet during his travels, he was cautious as he might lose his things and money, though no untoward incident ever happened to him.

As a final statement, he said that during his trip to the UK last year, he saw airport accommodations that were like capsules that you would slip into. These did have a TV inside. He said they were practical for someone to stay at if they have a long stopover but it might be claustrophobic.

A backpacking dream that you embark on are going to be memories that you will enjoy for the rest of your life.

NYE2016 White Party Countdown

Celebrate the New Year at Zhostel!

Come and celebrate our 1st year anniversary!

The NYE2016 White Party Countdown is the chill party to go to. It’s a double cheers celebration! It has been an awesome year for us and our guests from all over the world. This countdown surely is going to be the one of best ways to welcome 2016 as we would like to Thank YOU for the support with this fun event!

Free Flowing Drinks

The countdown party is at 9 pm to 2 am and there will be free flowing drinks, and this shall continue while supplies last. The celebration will be at the rooftop for the awesome 360 degree view of the city and the activity such as fireworks.

For checked-in guests for Dec. 31 to Jan. 1, there is a special rate of PhP 1,000, inclusive of drinks.
For walk-in guests, the rate is P1500 with P1000 consumable RFID load.

For this event, payments may be made at the front desk.

Places to go in Manila

Traveling to the usual tourist destinations doesn’t have to limit your enjoyment.

Especially when you grab the chance to going to countries that you haven’t seen yet. In this article, you’ll find out just how enjoyable your stay can be when you are traveling around the Manila and all the city has to offer.

You’ll also find out places you can go to, how to get there, and where to stay when your in the city. Places like Z Hostel that offer great rates and comfortable dorms and private rooms with access to the amazing nightlife that the city has to offer.

PLACES TO GO IN THE CITY

As you plan your trip to the Philippines, you’ll be amazed in how many places you can see and all the things that you can do in all the thousands of provinces and islands that we have here. But where to start?Metro Manila is the central urban district in the Philippines. This is also where you’ll find the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, in which almost all international commercial flights come and go. With that said, it’s most likely that you’ll be arriving here and have a connecting flight or a bus ticket to your provincial destination.

Hold on a minute! There’re so many incredible places that you can see within the greater Metro Manila area alone!

From Manila, you can easily see a ton of historical places like Intramuros, Rizal Park, etc. and go about exploring the numerous museums that we have here. Or if you prefer, you can very easily get into the diverse nightlife that we have in places such as Malate, Taguig, and Makati City.

Click here to find out more!

WHERE TO STAY IN MANILA? Z Hostel of course!

Once you get to Manila, whether you would like to stay in the city before heading on to seeing more of what the Philippines have to offer or decide on a day or so rest before/after you go to the next place on you itinerary, you could always get a bed or room at Z Hostel.

Z is located right in the Poblacion (Center) of Makati city and offers the most affordable dorm rates that you can get. Get directions here.

Here, you can find out all the information that you need on activities and places you can go to while traveling in Manila. Not only that, but you can also get the rates and transportation details that you need in order for you to get to where you want to be without getting over-charged.
Getting a bed at Z Hostel can take you just a few minutes and you can be on your way to your adventure overseas. If it’s the Makati nightlife you want to enjoy, you can start off just by heading up to the 6th floor to the Z Roof Deck and grabbing a few drinks and introducing yourself to somebody new.
So what are you waiting for? Start exploring all there is that the Philippines has to offer you and more from Manila onward! You can head straight to Z Hostel from the airport and take it all in, then go from there.

Ultimate Traveler’s Guide On How to Ride a Jeepney

One of the most popular means of transportation in the Philippines, these colorful 8-16 seater Jeepneys (or Jeeps) can be found in almost any major road all around the country. Made from the leftover military jeeps from the US Army after World War II, these repurposed vehicles steadily grew popular as the Filipino’s choice of public transport. Nowadays, you can find them in almost any part of the country you head to.

Z Hostel brings you a new travel guides series for how to commute around the Philippines using a Jeepney, the National Vehicle. We’ll give you the local’s advice and travel secrets on all forms of public transit available to you (and where to find them!). In this article, you’ll find out all the details on how to ride, rates, and more in this complete traveler’s guide on how to ride a jeep.

How to Know which Jeepney to Take

If you’re looking for the cheapest way to get around the cities in the Philippines, there’s no better way to commute but through these colorfully decorated Philippine transit vehicles that you can find just about anywhere you go! Ranging from the minimum fare rate of Php 7.00 – 25.00 (the rate measured by the kilometer), jumping into a jeepney or jeep can be your most affordable, convenient way to get from point A to point B. The main thing you should keep in mind when using this way of commuting is to know the average fare rate you’re expected to pay as well as the transit routes of what jeepney you should ride.

Click here to check out routes

Other than their colorfully designed exterior, jeepneys often have placards hung up in their front windshields telling you the general direction the particular PUV (Public Utility Vehicle) is headed. The route is also indicated on the side of the jeepney. For example: From Z Hostel, which is near Makati Avenue, the nearest jeep that you can ride is along Buendia Avenue. The two transit routes that they offer is through Sen. Gil Puyat LRT Station to Guadalupe. So if you’re heading to any point between these places, you can definitely hop on a jeep that points to where you want to go and get there in no time.

Take note of the routes and where you should get off! If you are not sure, just ask the driver, if that is the right jeepney to take to go to the place, if it is possible to tell you when you have reached your destination, among other things. Don’t worry, most Filipinos do know how to communicate in English.

jeepney photo: Jeepney, Philippines Jeepney, Camarines Sur Bicol, Jeep Trip, Golden week philippines, z hostel
As long as you take the time to know the directions of where you’re headed to and remember to ask not only the driver but also the commuters around you, there’s no reason for you to get lost riding this ingenious means of local transport. One of the great things about the Philippines is that you can always find a kind person who’ll point you to the right direction. So don’t hesitate in voicing out your concern to your nearest friendly face!

Jeepney Ride Tips

Jeepneys maybe hailed to stop nearly anywhere along a street. There are some that have designated stops and and there are terminals. It is possible when you know what transit route to go to a jeepney terminal. These usually have a long line of them parked in a row with different signs displaying their routes and have “barkers” or “callers” who shout out the PUJ’s destination and urge commuters into the vehicle. You can always go up to them and inquire if you don’t see the particular place you need to get to on any of the signs. You can also find out how much it costs for you to get there. The usual rates for jeepneys can differ depending on where you are and how far you have to go.

The safest bet when it comes to knowing the rates is making sure that you don’t get overcharged. You can do this by asking the jeepney driver, your fellow commuters, or by checking the standard rates.

The last and most important tip when riding almost any commercial transit is to be always cautious of your belongings. Although this form of transportation is the most common means especially in urban areas, there still isn’t a guarantee in terms of safety. Be cautious on how much and where you keep your money and avoid taking out your gadgets/phones when on the road since the windows and doors of most jeepneys are open.

So there you have it! A complete guide on all the information you need to know before hopping into a jeepney.

Self Check-In