**TRYP Manila: Mall of Asia's BEST Hotel? (You NEED to See This!)**
TRYP Manila: Mall of Asia's Best Hotel? (Brace Yourself, This is REAL)
Alright, folks, buckle up. Because I just got back from a whirlwind stay at TRYP Manila, and I'm not gonna lie, my expectations were…well, let's just say the photos on the booking site were flattering. But you know me, I'm all about the real deal, the messy truths, and the occasional (okay, frequent) rant. So, is TRYP Manila the holy grail of hotels near the Mall of Asia? Let's dive in, deep and dirty… and trust me, it gets interesting.
(SEO & Metadata, because, well, I have to, even if I'm rambling):
- Keywords: TRYP Manila, Mall of Asia, Hotel Review, Accessible Hotel, Manila, Philippines, Accommodation, Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Wi-Fi, Cleanliness, Safety, Amenities, Family Friendly, Business Hotel, Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible, Fitness Center, Dining, Services, Review
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of TRYP Manila near Mall of Asia! Discover the good, the bad, and the utterly surprising. From accessibility to the pool to the food – get the unfiltered truth before you book.
First Impressions & Accessibility: A Mixed Bag
Okay, so picture this: I roll up, slightly frazzled, after a chaotic taxi ride. The exterior? Pretty standard, modern hotel vibes. Nothing groundbreaking, but clean enough. Now, the big question: accessibility. Because, let's be real, it's 2024, and accessibility shouldn't be an afterthought!
Good News: The lobby and common areas seemed pretty good for wheelchair users. Elevators? Check. Ramps? Check. Access to the front desk? Again, mostly check. The Facilities for disabled guests are actually…well, listed, which is a good start.
The Not-So-Good: I didn't see any dedicated accessible rooms (didn't specifically request one; my bad). The signage isn't super clear, which might be a problem for folks with vision impairments. And honestly, the lobby wasn't breathtakingly accessible. It was functional, which is better than nothing, but it could definitely be improved. (Side note: I'm starting to feel like I'm on a government inspection, shudders).
Rooms and Wi-Fi: The Digital Divide and the Cozy Chaos
Alright, room time! And here's where things get interesting. The room itself? Pretty standard hotel fare. Air conditioning cranked to eleven (bliss!), a minibar (yay!), and a desk that looked suspiciously like it was designed for ants. Internet access – wireless: Yep, free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (thank the internet gods!). I'm on a "laptop workspace" and this "desk" is proving to be something of a challenge. But, y'know, necessities.
Now, the internet access – LAN. I assume its there. I didn't see it. And frankly, I'm not that patient to go rummaging around for an ethernet port when there is "free wifi" to access.
The Wi-Fi: Speed? Mediocre. Stability? Up and down like a caffeinated yo-yo. But hey, it's FREE. And there were a handful of times when I was trying to get some work done and it was a total, complete, and utter failure. I could have thrown my laptop in the pool.
On to the amenities - The Pool and Spa: My Happy Place (Mostly)
Okay, the Pool with view IS the saving grace. Seriously. It overlooks the bay, and it's gorgeous, especially at sunset. I spent a blissful afternoon here.
Now, about the Spa/sauna: They have one! (Sauna, but the steam room was out of order. Not exactly a deal breaker.) I indulged in a Body wrap (felt like a giant burrito in a good way) and a Massage. The massage was pretty good, but the spa itself felt a bit…lacking. A bit sterile, maybe? No real wow factor. This is a spa for all the people; it wasn't a spa for me, a spa enthusiast.
Dining and Drinking: Food, Glorious Food (and a Few Mishaps)
Alright, let's get to the good stuff: the food!
The Asian breakfast on offer was…fine. It was pretty average. I kept looking for something amazing, something that would pop. But it just…wasn't there. The Breakfast [buffet] in the restaurant was better, with a good variety of options. It's a decent buffet and has a lot of options.
They have a nice Poolside bar, which is great for sundowners.
They also have a Restaurant, which has both Western cuisine in restaurant but also Asian cuisine in restaurant.
They offered Room service [24-hour], which is convenient, but the menu was limited.
Here's the problem: The food was consistently okay. Not bad, not amazing. Just…there. Nothing made me want to write home; it needs to be a bit better to stand out.
Cleanliness, Safety & COVID-19 Protocols: A Necessary Evil (But They Seemed to Do it Right)
Okay, let's get down to brass tacks: cleanliness and safety. They clearly take this seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Staff trained in safety protocol, and Hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE. I even saw a lot of Physical distancing of at least 1 meter. They offer Room sanitization opt-out available which is a nice option.
They had Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. They even mentioned in the paperwork about Sterilizing equipment.
This is a good thing, obviously, but this also gives it a slightly clinical feel. I found it a bit much, to be honest. I'm over the sanitizing overkill. I trust, and I hope, that my hotel is clean. I don't need to continually be reminded of the germ apocalypse. But that's just me.
Services and Conveniences: The Usual Suspects (and a Few Nice Touches)
They offer all the usual suspects: Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, the works. I appreciated the Contactless check-in/out, but I'm not sure it's a "convenience" as much as it's now standard.
I did take advantage of the Car park [free of charge]. Nice! Also, a Convenience store. Again, not groundbreaking, but handy.
The Quirks, the Quirks!
- I swear, the elevator music was playing the same three songs on repeat. I could've recited them from memory by the end of the stay.
- There's a Shrine. Seriously, a shrine! I didn't quite get the context, but it was…a thing.
- I swear I saw a staff member wearing what appeared to be a Superman t-shirt under their uniform. Didn't ask.
- The door handles were, for some reason, really sticky. Just me?
Overall Verdict: Is TRYP Manila Worth It?
Okay, the honest answer: It depends.
The Good: The pool is great. The location is convenient. Safety and cleanliness are a priority. Free wifi.
The Not-So-Good: The food is… average. The internet reliability is questionable. The rooms are functional, but not overly inspiring. A few amenities might need to be looked at.
Overall? TRYP Manila is a solid, functional hotel. It's not a luxury escape, but it's not a dump, either. It's fine. If you're looking for a convenient, clean, and generally hassle-free stay near the Mall of Asia, it's worth considering. If you're looking for a truly memorable experience, with amazing food and a bit more personality, you might want to keep looking.
Final Grade: 3.5 out of 5 stars. (Would be a 4 if the food was better!)
Copenhagen DREAM Apartment: Balcony & Heart of the City!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is a TRYP by Wyndham Mall of Asia Manila Manila Philippines experience, distilled into pure, unadulterated, jet-lagged chaos. Consider this less a meticulously planned trip and more like a frantic, slightly hilarious scavenger hunt through my own emotional landscape.
Trip: Manila Mayhem - A TRYP Adventure (with a side of existential dread)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Mall of Asia Assault
- 1 PM (ish) - Landing in Manila: Okay, so the plane was a sardine can in the sky, and the "complimentary meal" resembled something my dog rejected. BUT, we're here! Manila, baby! My inner explorer is doing the cha-cha, except he's probably also questioning my life choices. Gotta snag a Grab to the TRYP. Fingers crossed the traffic isn't apocalyptic.
- 2:30 PM - Check-In & Room Revelation: Seriously, the TRYP lobby is surprisingly modern. I was expecting, like, a disco ball and a receptionist in a full sequined jumpsuit. The room itself? Clean, thankfully. And hey, a view of the bay. Score! Although, I'm already sweating. Apparently 'humidity' is a Manila thing.
- 3:30 PM - The Mall of Asia - Round 1: The Shock and Awe (and the Mild Panic): Right, so the Mall of Asia. I thought I knew big malls. I was wrong. This thing is a city. I swear, I got lost just trying to find the food court. I felt like a tiny, bewildered hamster in a vast, neon maze. My anxiety meter hit a solid 7/10.
- 4:30 PM - Food Court Frenzy: Okay, sustenance. The food court. Where do I even begin? So. Many. Choices. I went with something that looked vaguely familiar (a chicken adobo). It was…okay. But the sheer scale of it all – the smells, the noise, the sheer volume of humanity - was overwhelming. I swear, I saw a guy riding an electric scooter inside. This is gonna be interesting.
- 6:00 PM - Sunset Stroll (and existential crisis): The bay is beautiful, I gotta admit. The sunset was stunning, painting the sky in oranges and purples. I grabbed a halo-halo (because, when in Manila, do as the Manileños do) and watched the world go by. It's moments like these that make you appreciate the beauty. Life isn't so bad. But also, am I doing the right thing? Am I truly happy? Should I order another halo-halo? (The answer is probably yes).
- 7:30 PM - Dinner and Drink (attempted relaxation): I’m trying to find a decent restaurant. I'm starving, and I’m craving something comforting. I see a familiar restaurant and I'm hoping here is something good for dinner. The waiter is nice and I'm enjoying my meal. I'm feeling a little bit better.
- 9:00 PM - Collapsed into Sweet Relief : After a long day, I'm ready to sleep. Finally.
Day 2: Cultural Immersion (and potentially my sanity's ruin)
- 8:00 AM (If I wake up, that is) - Breakfast Buffet Blues: The buffet. It's a battlefield against a buffet of pastries, eggs, and what looked suspiciously like mystery meat. I grabbed a croissant (it tasted like sadness, but hey, carbs are carbs), and stared blankly at the other tourists, wondering if they were as overwhelmed as I was.
- 9:30 AM - Cultural Crash Course (Intramuros): Intramuros, the old walled city. This is where the "cultural immersion" part of the trip is supposed to happen. It's beautiful. Really. The architecture is stunning, the history is fascinating. But it's also…hot. And crowded. And the horse-drawn carriages made me feel a bit guilty. I spent ten minutes walking around, trying to get the perfect picture, but it didn't matter, it was a bit crowded.
- 11:30 AM - San Agustin Church: Okay, I take that back. This church is magnificent. The architecture. The history. The quiet. I actually found myself feeling…calm. I needed that, I think. Plus, it's air-conditioned. Bless.
- 1:00 PM - (Lunch - The Search Continues): I’m still on the hunt for the perfect Filipino food experience. I try a traditional restaurant and I order adobo again. This time, it’s amazing. I want to stay here forever.
- 2:30 PM - Back to the Mall (The Revenge?) I'm going back for shopping, hoping to find some memorable things to buy. I want to buy gifts for my family. The mall is still packed. I feel more confident to navigate and I'm less anxious. I'm trying to remember the last time I enjoyed shopping.
- 4:00 PM - Coffee Break (Desperately Needed): Found a little café and I'm already sweating again. I'm contemplating going shopping again or just taking a nap.
- 5:00 PM - A Moment of Genuine Joy: I'm walking along the bay. I got talking to a local girl and she recommended me a nice restaurant. She was genuinely sweet. And for a moment, I felt truly connected to the city. This is what traveling is all about, right?
- 7:00 PM - Dinner and Drinks: I will go to that restaurant, with my new friend's recomendation. I'm so excited, because it's a place that's been in business for a few years, so the food might be even better. I hope that this experience will be the best.
- 9:00 PM - Back to the hotel, exhausted but happy : Finally I'm ready to sleep, I'm so tired and I'm happy and I'm ready to go back home, but I need to enjoy it first.
Day 3: Departure (and the inevitable post-trip depression)
- 8:00 AM - Last Breakfast (Maybe a little less mystery meat this time): Trying to savor it, but also trying not to think about the mountain of laundry I'm going to have to deal with when I get home.
- 9:00 AM - Last stroll in the pool, finally: I will never be ready to leave this beautiful place. I am happy here.
- 10:00 AM - Check out (The Final Act): Bye, TRYP! Bye, Mall of Asia! Bye, Manila! I will definitely come back.
- 11:00 AM - Airport Bound: (Fingers Crossed for No More Delays): The traffic gods, please be kind. Or at least, let me get to the airport before my flight departs.
- 1:00 PM - The Flight (Goodbye Manila): Seatbelt on, laptop stowed, and a whirlwind of memories (the good, the bad, and the hilariously confusing) running through my head. Manila, you were a trial. But you were a damn good one. I'll be back. Probably. Eventually. When my bank account and emotional stability have recovered.
- Wherever, whenever - Post Mortem (the aftermath): The jet lag is real. The laundry is daunting. But the memories? Priceless. And the halo-halo cravings? Insatiable. I might need to book another trip.
TRYP Manila: Mall of Asia Hotel - Is It REALLY All That? (Spoiler: It's Complicated...)
So, is TRYP Manila the "BEST" hotel near Mall of Asia? Gimme the straight dope.
Okay, buckle up, because "best" is a slippery fish. TRYP Manila? It's got potential like that slightly awkward friend who *could* be amazing. Here’s the deal: location? BANG-ON. Literally a stone's throw from MOA. That's HUGE, especially after a chaotic day of shopping/eating/dodging aggressive salespeople. But the "best"? Depends on your priorities. If proximity to the food court and the giant Ferris wheel is your gold standard, then yeah, it's a contender. If you're expecting, like, a Michelin-star experience with fluffy clouds for pillows? Maybe not. More like… a comfortable, convenient, often-noisy-but-ultimately-worth-it kind of vibe.
What's the biggest selling point of TRYP, besides its location? And is it REALLY THAT close?
Seriously, the *proximity* is the biggest thing. I’m talking, you can practically smell the Jollibee from your room. (Good or bad, depends on your Jollibee tastes, which are a deeply personal thing). It's connected to a mall area, which is immensely helpful, especially if you forget something (like, say, your toothbrush - ahem, speaking from experience...). The other thing is, I found the staff incredibly friendly. Now, I had a slight snafu with my booking– I booked for a room with a view and ended up looking directly at a building. I mean, *directly*. Took a minute to deal with, but they were pretty good about it. They even gave me a complimentary drink voucher as an apology. Score! (Whispers: The complimentary drink was a local beer. Perfectly acceptable.)
The rooms! Tell me about the rooms! Are they… good? Are they… not-so-good?
Okay, the rooms. They’re… fine. They aren’t *bad*, but they aren't going to win any design awards. Functional is the operative word. Clean, generally speaking. The beds are comfy enough after a day battling the crowds, which is the main thing. I had a standard room, nothing fancy. The bathroom was… small. Perfectly functional. No complaints. But if you're used to a luxurious hotel bedroom, don't come here expecting that. I'm not gonna lie, I was a little envious of a friend who booked a bigger, better room because I'm a sucker for a nice view!
Food! What's the deal with the breakfast buffet? Is it worth it? (Because, let's be honest, hotel breakfasts are a make-or-break situation.)
Breakfast? Alright, this is where things get… interesting. The breakfast buffet is… extensive. They have a decent spread, from the usual suspects (eggs, bacon, pastries) to local favorites (adobo, rice). It's fine. Honestly? It felt a little chaotic. There was a bit of a feeding frenzy at times. Getting your hands on a cup of coffee could require the agility of an Olympian. I was there on a weekend so that may have been the reason. But hey, you're in the Philippines. Embrace the chaos! I'd say it's worth it, if you like a big, convenient breakfast to get you ready for a day of madness! If you prefer a quiet, leisurely start to your day… maybe skip it. Or, get up early. REALLY early.
Speaking of chaos... how's the noise level? I can’t deal with a noisy hotel!
Okay, the noise. Consider this: you're *right* next to a bustling mall complex and a busy road. Noise is inevitable. Some rooms are quieter than others. I'd recommend requesting a room on a higher floor, away from the street. I packed earplugs. And I used them. Especially on the weekend. I think the hotel does a pretty good job of minimizing the noise, but just be prepared. This isn't a remote mountain retreat. This is Manila, baby! It's ALIVE. You gotta embrace it and get used to the sounds. Be prepared for the noise, and pack some solid earplugs because they'll save your sanity.
What about the pool and other amenities? Are there any?
Yes! There *is* a pool on the roof top! It looked nice, but I didn't have time for it. I was too busy shopping and eating! If you want a quick swim, it's perfect. There is a fairly well-equipped gym as well, if you’re into that sort of torture. I am… not. Okay, I tried to go once, but the allure of another mango shake at the mall was too strong. There's also a bar, which is a nice touch for unwinding after a day of… well, everything.
Okay, so, final verdict on TRYP Manila? Tell me straight. Would you recommend it?
Alright, here's the deal. If you're primarily focused on its proximity to Mall of Asia and don't mind a little… well, *Manila-ness*… then yes, I would recommend it. It's convenient as hell. It's comfortable enough. The staff are lovely. But don't expect luxury. Think of it as a solid, reliable base camp for exploring the madness and the magic of the area. It's far from perfect, but it's got a certain charm. And after a day battling the crowds, a comfy bed and a cold beer are all that really matter, right? Just pack earplugs, and maybe a sense of humor. You'll need both.
Bonus question: Did you meet anyone interesting?
Oh, absolutely. There was this guy in the elevator, clearly stressed (because, Manila). He was juggling like six shopping bags *and* a squirming toddler. My bags were nothing compared to it. He gave me the world-weary look as the doors shut and I nearly started laughing. That's the real Manila experience, right there. The organized chaos. I saw a couple of tourists arguing over a parking spot. I heard some amazing karaoke coming from somewhere, late at night. And the woman at the breakfast buffet who kept trying to sneak in an extra pastry… ah, Manila! It's people like that which made the trip worth more than the hotel itself. It's a place of stories
