Quarantine Hotel Review - Hotel Kimberly

[BrettGC]

Hi Mods, I’ve posted this here as quarantine accommodation is part of the entry process for the moment.  If I’m wrong, I know you’ll move it 😊

As the thread title says, I stayed in the Hotel Kimberly.  It’s in Malate just across from Robinsons Manila. 

The rooms are old but clean and as always, the photos on the website are very flattering.  It’s probably a little overdue for a renovation but that’s Philippines normal. Everything was in working order though so no problems on that front.  

I stayed in one of the “Premier Suites” which are quiet spacious studios.  It has everything you need to cook basic meals but no knives to eat with, only forks and spoons.  I guessed this may be the case, so I bought a pack of disposables before I left Australia.  I’m glad I went with that option as I was going a little stir crazy being stuck in the room as it was.  I have discovered there’s a difference between not wanting to go out and not being able to go out.  There’s a link to the rooms below.  Ignore the prices though, I booked through Agoda and they were a little cheaper on there. 

All the rooms are individually ventilated, which as we discovered in Australia about 18 months ago, is important to prevent the spread the virus of unknown origin amongst guests.  There’s a large wall mounted AC that cools the room fine and a window that opens. Given the time of year and the mildness of the weather in Manila right now, I barely turned the AC on, so it wasn’t really properly tested. 

You have the option of paying for full meal package when you book or not.  I didn’t pre-pay for the meals as I was unable to ascertain how much variety was on that particular menu.  The room service menu is available from 6am to 9pm and has a pretty good selection of both western and Filipino style meals and snacks.  The alternative to the two options already mentioned is that staff will go and do a one-off grocery shop for you, for a price of course.  To be honest, the kitchenette is pretty basic, and I couldn’t be bothered mucking around with cooking at the time, so I just ordered off the menu when I was hungry. Pricing on the menu was surprisingly reasonable for a Manila hotel, so there’s a solid tick in the box.  The food quality ranged from fair to good; not much more to say on that as everyone has their own tastes and preferences.  I did find it surprising that they will serve you alcohol in the room if you want it at PHP99 a bottle (375ml) so again, surprisingly cheap for the venue.  It’s limited to SM, SML and Red Horse which suites me fine. 

There is one universal power point under the TV, no where near the kitchen table or desk… And as for its universality, the Aussie earth prong does not fit.  Luckily, I had a single adapter and Australian power board with me so just plugged at the kitchen table.  Given the timeframes guests are currently staying at the hotel you’d think they’d sort that out. 

This particular hotel will not allow you to order out, in accordance with the regulations, and they want to maintain their accreditation so fair enough I reckon. 

During the day there’s one PNP member on the door and at night a private security guard. 

Even after your day 5 PCR test comes in negative you aren’t allowed to leave the room.  The rationale being that after you leave you still must complete the remainder of your quarantine at home.  For those that don’t know, it’s 7 days from the day you arrived in the Philippines, so I’ll be out and about on Sunday – I arrived on a Sunday.  Unlike most countries, under the PI regimen, they count the day you arrive as day one.  They give you your quarantine clearance certificate on checkout if you haven’t already downloaded a digital copy from the OHP (there it is again) website.  Apparently, you’ll need this to travel, I’ll get back to you all on that one after I’ve done said travelling tomorrow. 

They do offer a shuttle to the airport at the end of your stay but it’s PHP1500; when they told me the price, I had a mouthful of coffee… Better off grabbing a Grab.  Everything else has been reasonably priced, so I guess they have to sting you somewhere.

Overall, I give the Hotel Kimberly a very solid 3 out of 5 nasal swabs as a quarantine facility. 

Link to the pictures of the rooms: 

https://www.manila.hotelkimberly.com/reservation

 

 

[Jollygoodfellow]

5 hours ago, BrettGC said:

I have discovered there’s a difference between not wanting to go out and not being able to go out. 

I thought you discovered that during the 10 years in prison. Ohh forgot thats a secret. Moderators please delete 

 

[BrettGC]

5 hours ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

I thought you discovered that during the 10 years in prison. Ohh forgot thats a secret. Moderators please delete 

 

Well I was a submariner so not all that of a stretch... 

[Clermont]

3 minutes ago, BrettGC said:

Well I was a submariner so not all that of a stretch... 

Did you ever get to Her Majesty's Guest House, ( Holsworthy ) that place teaches you patience.

[BrettGC]

1 hour ago, Clermont said:

Did you ever get to Her Majesty's Guest House, ( Holsworthy ) that place teaches you patience.

Nah mate, did spend a week in slots at Penguin though, that was bad enough.  Funnily enough I was the model sailor after that. 

Edited January 21, 2022 by BrettGC

[scott h]

13 hours ago, BrettGC said:

Funnily enough I was the model sailor after that. 

hmmmm

 

[gabgab]

Would be nice if the thread was renamed to "Quarantine hotels reviews" with each post dedicated to a hotel being reviewed

Edited January 22, 2022 by jimdones