(Review) Dormitos, The First Capsule Dormitory in the Philippines

Redefining the dormitory concept in the Philippines comes Dormitos, the first Japanese-style capsule hostel in the Philippines. It’s first branch is centrally located at the metro’s busiest/transit Center – Cubao. Dormitos offers guest accessibility, security and privacy at a very reasonable price.

I’ve been eyeing to try this hostel since it opened, most especially after my personal trip in Japan, where capsule hostel originated. Luck have probably brought me on this day where I was able to try it finally. And being near to places like Smart Araneta Center and Cubao X made me even more excited to stay here for a night knowing that I could have other things to do around the area on my free time.

Continue reading and will tell you my personal review about the place.

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One of the things that we really wanted to try in my previous visit in Japan was to stay at capsule hotels. It just so happen that we already paid and book a different hostel and paying another hotel just to stay there for a night could somehow be a waste of our money. So we decided to just let go of the idea and maybe try it on some other time. (Read: Tokyo Kimono Tour- Japan)

Fortunately, a capsule hotel had just risen along Harvard Street, Cubao, Quezon City and I was able to try it for the very first time. It actually brought me excitement just by looking at it on photos and I was actually overwhelmed when I saw it in reality. Walking in the middle of the pods actually felt like a scene in the movie Star Troopers. And going inside felt like I was living already in space.

Here are the things you can expect at the hostel:

Overview

• Hot and Cold Showers
• Lockers
• High Speed Internet
• 24/7 CCTV and Security
• Pantry
• Common Area

And because Dormitos just opened recently, they are currently offering an introductory price of Php 800/night (USD 15) or Php 8000/month (USD 152).

How to go to Dormitos Hostel

Dormitos is very easy to locate. One can either walk their way to the dormitory or ride different forms of transportation. You can either used a GRAB app, book a taxi, ride the Jeepney or even hail at trike to go there.

If you are coming from the airport via P2P buses, you can simply walk at the back of Ali Mall and look for the Jeeps with the sign “Katipunan”, go down at the corner of Yale and New York Avenue and walk your way towards Harvard Street.

If you are taking the trike, from P2P terminal, walk your way towards Aurora Boulevard and cross the street. Hail at trike and let them know you are going to Dormitos.

The view inside Dormitos

If you opted to walk, Dormitos can be reach in only 12 minutes coming from Gateway Mall.

Dormitos could be a good place to stay if you are planning to stay in Manila before going to the Northern or Southern part of Luzon for the different Bus terminals can easily be located from here.

If you decided to have a stroll at the nearest mall, you can simply walk towards 15th street were Jeeps and trike going to Cubao are already available.

Wearing Mossimo Tops & Bottoms. 

Things you need to know before staying at Dormitos 

Specifically built to cater the needs of the booming Call Center industry, Dormitos could probably be shifting or extending its market to travellers specially backpackers. As to what we’ve been told, a lot of their guest recently (before our stay) where foreigners who were planning to do a connecting bus ride to Sagada.

Actually, If you are coming from a long flight and will be doing a long connecting bus ride afterwards, staying and resting in a hotel even for night could actually be very helpful to gain your energy on to your next destination.

On our stay, we were lucky that only me and my friend Rod where the guest in the mens area, hence we had the liberty to literally do things we couldn’t not possibility freely do if there were other guest in the space (that includes making noises and playing loud music in our pods).

With Rod Magaru

Booking a room at Dormitos can be done online through different websites. One can also do walk-in but can only be accommodated if there is still a room available. Check in time is at 2pm while check out time is a t 11am.

There are a total of 100 pods at Dormitos. Sixty (60) pods is dedicate for the female located at the 5th floor, while forty (40) pods are assigned for the male guests on the 3rd floor. On the 3rd floor, you can also find the lobby, common area, and pantry. On the second floor, a laundry shop and soon to be build coffee shop, Spa and salon is located.

The lobby and pantry area

Reception Area located at the 3rd floor

Towels and toiletries included.

Upon check-in, each guest will be given 4 keys:

• Pod card
• Door access
• Safe key 
• Locker key 

The number of your pod will be the assigned number of your keys, this includes the locker. Lockers can fit in a regular size luggage while for those with the bigger one, you can either bring your stuff inside your pod or put it on the dedicated rack at the back.

Shoes are prohibited upon entering the pod area, hence they provided a shoe rack located at the locker room. Eating and drinking is also prohibited inside the space, as well as creating noise or even bringing other people inside your pod.

A towel and toiletries are also provided.

The Capsule Pod

As soon as I was given the key card, I went first at the locker area to put in my stuff, took off my shoes and put it on the rack, then finally walk my way to my assigned pod. It was the one at the corner top of the second lane. I decided to pick the one on the top just because I want to use the stairs, LOL! Though eventually, I decided to transfer at the lower pod, due to limited space, I find that the floor could be a good extension of  my room specially when I am already fixing my things.

Each pod can actually fit in two 6-footer individual but Dormitos isn’t allowing two or more people to sleep in one pod. The private sleeping pods are fully equipped with dim lights, temperature and door control. I love that I can also change the lights depending on my mood. There is also a safe box inside that you can used for your wallet or important documents if ever you decided to go out of the property.

Though the pod felt really private and secure, one of the things that I felt lacking on it is the soundproofing. When I was lying on the top pod, I can actually hear my friends movement on the pod underneath me. And I was also cautious for a small knock on the pod can actually be heard outside. I guess that is the reason why, Dormitos is serious on keeping a quiet pod area.

Now I wonder what it would feel and sound like if all of the spaces are rented.

Using my ASUS ZenBook S13 UX392

What to do around the Dormitos

Aside from the pod area, Dormitos also created a shared spaces where guest of the facility can connect and mingle on each other. There are also a laundry shop and soon spa, salon and coffee shop located at the second floor. If you felt hungry and would need a quick bite, a 7-11 store can easily be spotted on the ground floor.

If you decided to stroll around, this capsule hotel is actually a few minutes ride away from Smart Araneta Center and the city’s busiest and transport center.

Here are the other things you can visit or do around the area:

• Gateway (nearest mall)
• Gateway Galery
• Art in Island Museum
• Cubao X
• Ukay-ukay Shops
• Ali Mall
• SM Cubao
• Fairmart
• Smart Araneta
• KIA Theater
• Bus terminals

Parking Spaces

In total, there are available 9 slots in the vicinity, but it is on a first come first park basis. Aside from that, the parking spaces are already being used by some of the personnel who is taking office inside the building. Hence, it is advisable for anyone who would want to stay here to not bring a car, after all, Dormitos is a space that could really be helpful if you are stopping by for a night or two before heading to a far flung places via bus ride.

The Future of Dormitos

In my short stay I could already see my self going back in this place. I am seeing a really huge potential if we talk about its positioning in the hospitality business. As per conversation with some of its official, I’ve learned that Dormitos is already starting its expansion by opening a few more branches in different key cities in the Philippines. This includes BGC and Makati, targeting call center agents.

In Dormitos Cubao, coffee shops, spa, and salon will soon be open. They are also eager to make each guest stay more comfortable by providing a shuttle ride service to and fro Araneta Center.

With the introductory price of Php 800/night, lodging at this really unique space is a big yes! Aside its accessibility to the different bus terminals and entertainment center, staying at this extraordinary dormitory could be both satisfying and cool.

Dormitos Private Pods

• 115 Harvard St Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines 1109
• cubao@dormitos.com
• https://www.facebook.com/pg/DormitosPH/

Until our next discovery in the City!

またね Mata ne!

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