My Hotel Davao and First Impressions

Part 2 of a series
DAY 1.

My “maiden” flight with Cebu Pacific arrived 20 minutes ahead of schedule! Wow, my first flight with Cebu Pacific was totally very positive. I hope this continues in my next Cebu Pacific flights. (The Libotero will be flying to General Santos next week!)

Anyway, as I got out of the aircraft, I was greeted by a modern Davao Airport which reminded me that my home airport badly needs a facelift, upgrade, renovation, and/or expansion, whichever is/are fitting for the country’s 2nd most important airport. I then proceeded to the baggage claim area to get my check-in baggage. After that, as requested, I texted my mom about my safe landing in Davao.

With all my things with me, I proceeded to exit the airport building but I was surprised that no security personnel were checking if passengers actually got their respective baggages and not those of other people. Oh well, that’s not much of a big deal.

Outside the airport, the first thing I did was BREATHE. Davao’s air is so clean and fresh. I hope it stays that way especially with all the impending development. I didn’t notice that rent-a-car operators were already crowding around me offering their respective packages. I was blank and speechless. I was a noob and obviously a first-timer! LOL! I felt embarrassed when one tour operator asked me, “Rent a car, sir?” and all I replied was, “What? Ano? Ahhh. I dunno. Ewan. Hehe.” HAHA. That was really very funny.

So there, I had my presence of mind back and I lined up for a regular taxi cab. I have to warn you though about some drivers who just approach you and try to hypnotize you just so that you’ll bite their offer. Basically they’ll tell you that “aabutin ka ng siyam-siyam sa paghihintay ng taxi d’yan. Sakay ka na! 350 lang!”. It was high noon and the sun was on high beam so the P350 offer, no matter how outrageous it was, was very tempting but then, I decided to just patiently wait in line for a taxi. A few minutes later, I was already able to get my own taxi and my first destination: My Hotel.

Prior to my flight, I already made online reservations for My Hotel. Based on my research, My Hotel is one of the most strategically located hotels in downtown Davao City and the travelogues being posted at PinoyExchange forums had My Hotel as one of the most recommended hotels in Davao so I decided to stay there. Non-aircondition rooms are available at P277 a night but considering the very hot weather in our tropical country, an air-conditioned room is almost a necessity. A single deluxe room would cost me P1,237 a night but I wanted a big bed so I got the double deluxe room at P1,535 per night.

When my taxi was about to exit the airport complex, Manong Driver asked for my name. I was quite surprised but I gave my name anyway. I didn’t know that it was for a security log at the airport exit. That’s quite cool as all those who arrived are well-accounted for. Later on, Manong Driver asked where I was from, and he guessed that I was a Tagalog cos my surname was very Tagalog-sounding so I just nodded. TRIVIA: Although I was born and raised in Cebu, half of me is Tagalog, the Pinedas of San Simon, Pampanga.

Manong Driver asked if it was my first time in the city and I said yes. He was kind enough to do a mini-tour, driving me around the major universities (Ateneo, University of Mindanao, etc.), showing me their malls, parks and major thoroughfares. 40 minutes later, we were already at My Hotel. The total fare was P125. Not bad! I gave him a well-deserved tip as he was very accommodating.

As I was about to disembark, Manong Driver gave me his number in case I’ll be going to Eden Nature Park and the Philippine Eagle Center. He advised that commuting to those areas is not advised especially for first-timers.

MY HOTEL.

The hotel lobby wasn’t too hotel-ish. But what the heck, I went to Davao to explore and not be a couch potato in the hotel. And besides, My Hotel is a practical economy hotel, not a five-star accommodation. I went to the reception area and presented a printed copy of my online booking. I then paid the total dues for the duration of my stay so that I won’t have to think about it anymore. I kept my receipt. I was then given my card key. Room 401. I took the elevator to the 4th floor with all my things. My room was the nearest to the elevator and fire exit which was a good thing as it won’t be difficult to escape in case of emergency.

As I approached my room and flashed my card key, it wasn’t being recognized! So I went back to the receptionist. Their hotel manager escorted me. He brought the “master key” with him. It turned out that my key wasn’t “calibrated” properly.

One of the key amenities of the hotel is free WiFi, so when I was finally able to enter my room, I immediately turned on my laptop. But then, the wireless networks were password-protected so I went back to the receptionist to ask for the password. She then advised me to just go back to my room, get the name of the network and just call the reception area from my room as each floor had different networks. I did that and I was online in a few moments! Their internet connection was relatively fast.

My Room!

At my room, I then checked my map and reviewed my itinerary. I realized that my choice for staying at My Hotel was right as it was in the middle of everything! A lot of stuff within my itinerary were within walking distance (e.g. San Pedro Cathedral, Davao City Hall, People’s Park, etc.). Plus, for your information, my dear readers, here are the other amenities being offered by My Hotel:
- Free calls to US and Canada at the lobby (landline and mobile phone)
- Free local calls (PABX telephone system)
- 24 hours hotel-wide CCTV cameras for the security of the hotel guests
- Hot and cold shower
- 21″ colored cable TV with remote
- 105 aircon rooms
- 30 non-aircon rooms
- function rooms available for any occasion
- restaurant
- safety deposit box
- elevator
- standby generator assuring of no power interruption

My Hotel
- San Pedro Street, Davao City
- Official Website
- Email: myhoteldavao@yahoo.com
- Telephone: +63 82 222 2021
- Fax: +63 82 300 4040
- VoIP: +001 224 356 3973
- Sun: +63 923 919 9020 (not capable of receiving text messages)

As I relaxed in my room, I started to feel lazy but I realized that I have not had lunch yet, so I immediately freshened up and looked for a place to eat.

(…to be continued)