Tacloban Stay | In a Z Pad Residences Mini

At the Z Pad Residences Mini
At the Z Pad Residences Mini

There used to be a time when GoHotels in Tacloban was the best looking hotel in the city. Now a quick search in hotel booking sites like Agoda would wound up at least 8 establishments with different types and price range. I was looking for a budget to mid-range priced accommodation and Z Pad Residences kept popping up. So why not stay for a couple of days there and see what the place is like after a year Typhoon Yolanda struck.

Elegant common area in a unit
Elegant common area in a unit

Stylish Serviced Apartment

Z Pad Residences is unlike a usual hotel accommodation. Their “Home-type” style is liked a shared apartment or condo unit. There are 34 rooms of 7-type accommodations. So unless one gets the whole unit of 2–3 beds with common room via their Deluxe Suite or Z Suite the other accommodations like the Z Pad Mini, Single, Twin and Queen shares a unit with other guest.

I must say the idea of sharing a “unit” with strangers feels like a hostel but an upscale one. Each room have their own private bathroom, aircon and widescreen Cable TV. The doors are securely locked with a keycard so no once can enter the rooms. The common living room area and kitchen is quite elegant and classy in design and interior. Guest for the unit can hangout in this area if they want to socialize with other guests. During my stay though I didn’t get to meet any of my condo-mates even if I used the common area when I work. Oh, the free internet/WiFi here is extremely fast.

Passage to the rooms
Passage to the rooms

Z Pad Mini Room

I was traveling on a limited budget so I tried their cheapest room which is the Z Pad Mini. And oh boy it was a shoe box. At 10sqm its just amazing how they try to fit everything there. I must give props to Z Pad Residences though on how they made this shoe box look presentable. But this really is for solo travelers. My bags barely fits the space and the bathroom was clearly just a glass division which is just hilarious for me.

I did see the other rooms like the Z Pad Queen which is a lot bigger but yes you have to pay higher. The Z Pad Single is only 1sqm larger so there was no sense of upgrading for me.

Look how they fitted the bathroom in my Z Pad Mini
Look how they fitted the bathroom in my Z Pad Mini

Z Pad Residences Experience

The Z Pad Residences is one of the good looking accommodation in Tacloban City. It’s location is out of town about 5km away from the city center. The design is modern and upscale. The place is also secured with gates. Personally for a solo traveller on a budget, I find my money’s worth staying in town is much better. There are better (bigger and cheaper) rooms in town than their cheapest Z Pad Mini. In town, I can easily just walk my way to numerous eateries unlike here where I just have a fast food chain nearby. I had to ride into town if I want variety. However, if you’re in a group, the Z Pad Suites are of much better value as the whole unit is occupied by familiar people.

Z Pad Residences
Dadison St (Former Pericohon St) Beside Bethany Hospital
Contact: (053) 520.8888

Check Rates and Book Online

The 3-story residences building
The 3-story residences building
The small reception area
The small reception area
Branded toiletries
Branded toiletries
Small bedside desk
Small bedside desk