Tacloban Stay | Budget Stays at Primrose Hotel and Etsu Hotel

Primrose Hotel and Etsu Hotel in Tacloban City More than a year after Typhoon Yolanda struck Tacloban City, the city looks like it is still ...

Primrose Hotel and Etsu Hotel in Tacloban City

More than a year after Typhoon Yolanda struck Tacloban City, the city looks like it is still going back on its feet. Standing up is a slow process though as until now many establishments are still undergoing renovations. I wasn’t expecting much on some of the old established hotels here but the disaster could also mean a fresh start for them. I stayed at two more Tacloban stay within the city Primrose Hotel and Etsu Hotel aside from the one in the fringes Z Pad Residences. Here’s my take on these two city hotels.

My bed at Primrose Hotel

Primrose Hotel

I didn’t have any reservations when I came in Tacloban City. While I have my list of preferred lodgings I found out that most of them are booked already when I came. I also came in a time when there was a scheduled power outage. Lugging in my bags in the street of Tacloban city, my tired feet brought me to doorsteps of Primrose Hotel. I checked their rates which were acceptable at Php 1100 for a single room with aircon or Php 800 for a fan room. They have electricity from a generator which was a good sign since most of the lodging I checked didn’t have one. I took the aircon one after checking out the room.

Nice working desk

The Single Bed

As expected, renovations are undergoing within the building especially on the lower floor where flooding may have gone through. I was at the 4th floor and there are no elevators so this could be a downside to some. For me I didn’t mind the stairs though. The room has a good size with ample space to move around. I like that there’s a closer and a desk again. Bathroom is large with hot water. Bed is also big but linens and towels are on the thin side. The whole room is quite clean and there was running electricity as well. Cable TV works fine and aircondition is cooling properly.

There is no Wifi in the room, only at the lobby. Good thing mobile internet signal from my room is quite strong. But what I do like is that they have water dispenser on every floor. It’s always a plus for me if there are water stations available on a hotel.

Water dispenser on each floor and a couch. Probably when you get tired with the stairs

Stay Impressions

Primrose Hotel was an okay stay. My rooms was clean and comfortable but I do have to do quite a stair climb to get there. Staff were okay but a little impersonal but they do assist on the luggage. Many hotels in Tacloban has this pay-per-day-stay policy and Primrose Hotel is one of them. I do have to give big points on the location. It is at the heart of the city where most of the important location are just a walk away – the banks, market, transport terminal and eateries. Would I stay here again? Probably.

Primrose Hotel
Corner Salazar and Zamora Streets, Tacloban City
Contact: (053) 321.2248, 0915.341.3890

The hotel lobby

My bed at Etsu Hotel

Etsu Hotel

This is another one of those heavily damaged hotels since it is just beside the harbour. Etsu Hotel is the former Manhattan Inn now owned by a Japanese company also running the nearby Hotel Canelsa. It had its soft opening last November 2014 so its prices where discounted at Php 730 a night for a single room (Around Php 900++ on regular rates). I checked the room and decided to stay there for a couple of days.

View of the bathroom and desk

The Room

My room is at the 3rd floor since the 2nd floor is still being heavily renovated. I could still see construction ongoing at that time on the 3rd floor on some rooms but at the moment 17 rooms are available for occupancy. My room was at the back facing the harbour which I thought was nice. My only problem was internet signal was quite weak and they don’t have any wifi yet.

The room itself is quite nice. Big bed, nice wooden furniture, probably used then by Manhattan Inn and running hot water in the shower. Pity is I only have one pillow but I do like that I have a bedside lamp and a working desk too. Cable TV also works but I had to use the CRTV buttons to change channels since there was no remote.

Another view of the room with the entrance door, tv and desk

Stay Impressions

Like I said, renovations are still being done on the hotel and if you are bothered by the work which usually happens during the day its best to look for other options but at night I had no problem sleeping here. Location is also a strong point here. Situated along Rizal Avenue, it’s just beside the market and transport terminals and close to SM Savemore and other fastfood establishments. I was even able to use the gym just across. Downside is at the hallway I could sometime smell a faint stench from the sea at the hallway brought about by the breeze but its not that big of a deal as it doesn’t get into the room. The front desk staffs there was also very nice and helpful that time. It would be interesting to see how the hotel would turn out after a few months of work.

Etsu Hotel
Rizal Avenue, Tacloban City
Contact: (053) 321.4165, (053) 325.5900, 09052173026

View from the window