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We enjoyed staying in Aurora's Manora Furnished Apartments with Wi-Fi between Jan.4-10. We chose the Manora Guest House because there would be plenty of room for 3 guests (Bill, my mom, and myself), we’d have Internet access. Plus, it was just the next town over from Cebu City closer to the port where we plan to jump on a ferry to our next adventure in Bohol. It was a special trip since none of us have ever been to Cebu. I flew my mom, from Manila, to see a different part of the Philippines. Renting a vacation property versus staying at a hotel, we had some doubt if their ad matches what you actually get upon arrival. Happy to say that the pictures, represented on Airbnb, matched what we saw when we walked into the apartment.
(Arrival) This has only been our 3rd Airbnb experience... all in the Philippines:
• Airbnb Makati Studio in Manila #1
• Airbnb Makati Studio in Manila #2
We were given our keys to apartment M4. So far, this is the 2nd Airbnb property where they turned on the refrigerator and a/c, upon arrival. I guess they are conserving electricity. But I don’t know how expensive it would be to turn these features on maybe 30 minutes prior to a guests’ arrival so we walk in comfortably? Hmm.
(Amenities)
– Cable TV did not work. Aurora’s son was the initial technician to try and get it working but the problem seemed to be something with the cable hookup and not the cable box we had. It was a pre-existing problem they’ve had in the past, Aurora said. She had to ask the cable company to send someone. The cable tv was fixed on our 3rd day.
– The toilet upstairs has a weaker flush than the downstairs toilet.
– Enjoyed hot showers with fair water pressure.
(Noise Level) It’s a residential area so the only passerby’s in tricycles or cars honking was minimal compared to a stay in the city.
(Air Quality) We were hoping the air pollution would be better than staying in Cebu City. It probably was for the most part, but on our last night, we returned from a day out, and the master bedroom smelled like smokers combined with pollution possibly from cars. My mom and I slept in the other room that had twin beds. I noticed that the master bedroom door to a balcony had a semi-large but thin crack in it. Maybe that’s how the smell seeped in? Also, the stairway window was cracked open permanently hence the living room/kitchen area stayed cool from the a/c downstairs but the stairway/upstairs walkway would be warm.
(Compliments) Aurora had a nice, outdoor eating area a few steps from the apartment and an area where you can cook breakfast. They offered complimentary eggs, bananas, bread to toast and such. It was a good way to chat with Aurora and any other visitors of the Manora Apartments.
We’ve heard that internet in the Philippines is slow and can be somewhat be unreliable. We were quite happy with the Wifi here which allowed us to research Things to Do in Cebu and used the connection to teach my mom how to use her iPad, plus learning to email.
The Manora Guest House Apartments have a front gate with a full-time security guard.
If you have a phone where you can download the GrabTaxi or EasyTaxi (Update: 2021-07-19 - Now, best known as Cabify) apps, these services might help hail a cab for pickup at the Manora Guest House. Otherwise, it can be quite a challenge to find one unless one passes by at the main street.
When you don’t need a car & driver for the full day which will average ₱2,000 PHP from Aurora, here’s some insight on approximate costs getting around: