With its distinctive muted green color, the hotel manages to hold its own in a place that is notorious for its narrow alleys, cheap bargains, street vendors, pickpockets, and Catholic devotees who come in droves every Friday to have a glimpse and feel of the centuries-old Nuestro Padre Nazareno or the Black Nazarene.
Top of the tier hotels are hard to come by in a place known for its seediness more than anything else, but hotels like Citystate Hotel are there to fill the void.
ARRIVING AT THE HOTEL
Citystate Hotel is centrally located in the capital city of Manila and is accessible via all sorts of public transportation.
Jeepneys, buses, UV Express vans, tricycles, and pedicabs ply Quezon Boulevard 24/7. A short walk away to the north right beside Isetann Mall is Recto Station of LRT Line 2 and a short walk to the south near SM Quiapo is the Carriedo Station of LRT Line 1.
Coming from the busy streets of Quiapo, one gets ushered in to the hotel's lobby -- a narrow, dark, and cramped entryway where even the walls of mirrors fail to conceal the seeming despondency of the overall ambience. The sadness is almost palpable with the dark wood panels, aged tiles on the floor, fake flowers, and wall decor that have obviously seen better days.
Mention must be made, though, that members of the staff are noticeably friendlier and helpful than other hotels of the same caliber and some of the even better ones. This is most certainly a welcome thing, one where the adage "you get what you pay for" does not particularly ring true.
SETTLING IN
The standard double room comes with the usual amenities: queen-sized bed, airconditioner, cable TV, a table with chairs, and a phone line. As an add-on gesture of goodwill, across the hallway are piles of reading materials for guests to use, including newspapers. Sadly, none of those on offer is recent.
In any event, nothing about the room is unusual, save for the mild scent of nicotine indicative of past smoker guests -- a thing that could have been easily remedied by spraying some citrus or lavender air freshener or by simply changing the curtains. The fact that there is a nicotine residue is regretable for those who prefer non-smoking rooms precisely to avoid dealing with that odor.
The bed is big enough for two, but the pillows leave a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, the pillows are too small and too soft, with little support for the head when sleeping.
It doesn't help that the noise from the chaos of life outside the hotel manages to seep through the room. Honks of vehicles, people shouting, and the general hurly-burly of urban life make themselves apparent even in the middle of the night.
Roll up the curtains and you'll see why: rows of street vendors litter the streets below, vehicles rush past Quezon Boulevard at all times, and the general feeling that violence could break out at any moment in this chaotic side of the metro can be a little unsettling.
BATHROOM
Nothing makes or breaks a hotel experience more than the bathroom. In this regard, Citystate Hotel Quiapo has a lot to work on.
For starters, the door knob to the bathroom is broke. Second, the toilet does not have a cover. Third, the shower area is on an even level with the rest of the bathroom, leaving it flooded after every use. Fourth, the sink and the mirror above it are both suspiciously stained. And finally, a small coackroach managed to find its way inside, which is essentially, and at the most basic level, all you need to know.
CHECKING OUT
A stay at the standard double room comes with a complimentary breakfast to be selected from the hotel menu displayed on the table.
The menu itself is typical of most hotels: many of the items are just way too overpriced. But the hotel would like to let you know that you are special, so your choice of breakfast would have to come only from the cheapest items on the menu.
The available options include rice, a choice of viand, and pickled papaya, together with a complimentary cup of hot water and a sachet of 3-in1 coffee powder.
The checking out process is a breeze; it takes a few minutes to confirm the room is not thrashed, after which the guest is free to leave.
OVERALL
Despite its shortcomings, Citystate Hotel makes for a decent choice when pressed for accommodation near Quiapo in Manila. Its central location and easy accessibility to public transportation options provide guests with convenience and comfort wherever their destination may be.
As with all things, though, it is best to temper your expectations.
RATING: * * / * * * * *