A Taste of Old Manila at Tambayan Hostel and Gastrobar

Right in the heart of Manila is a new hangout place that will tickle your taste buds and will make you kick back and relax. Tambayan, located in Malate, Manila is a hostel and gastrobar that has been open for a month now. As you step out of Robinsons Ermita, you’ll see a bright white old looking building at the corner of Pedro Gil.

I was wondering what building this was before because I’m quite sure that there is no available space in Malate. Turns out, Tambayan is a renovated Filipino home which was occupied by several businesses until a foreigner came to Manila and came up with this Old Manila themed Hostel and Gastrobar.

 

Tambayan Hostel

As soon as you enter Tambayan Hostel, it will feel like you are transported back in time. The Old Manila theme can be seen in the furniture, its hard wood floors, wall trimmings, grandfather clock, and this chandelier which is from the original house. It is the perfect mix of old and modern giving you a sleek and cool vibe.

A taste of Old Manila at Tambayan Hostel and Gastrobar

Photos of old Manila are displayed along the corridors; you can actually see how the hostel looks like now compared to before.

A taste of Old Manila at Tambayan Hostel and Gastrobar

One common area we spent so much time at is the game area where board games are free to be used by hostel guests. There’s Scrabble, Monopoly, Snakes and Ladders, shess, cards and Uno. Perfect for those groups that are staying in the hostel.

A taste of Old Manila at Tambayan Hostel and Gastrobar

Aside from a few private Rooms, Tambayan takes pride in their capsule rooms.

For as low as Php 800, you can get a space at the capsule room which is one bed with a fan, light, mirror, sockets, and even an exhaust fan. This is perfect for backpackers or tipid travelers. Main rooms have air-conditioning and can fit as much as 14 capsules. It can be occupied by different people or, if you are staying with your friends, you can rent out all the capsules.

A taste of Old Manila at Tambayan Hostel and Gastrobar

If you are wondering of privacy, these capsule beds have blind covers that you can pull down.

A taste of Old Manila at Tambayan Hostel and Gastrobar

There are capsules that have side entries like shown above or some that are edge-entry.

A taste of Old Manila at Tambayan Hostel and Gastrobar

The capsules don’t have built-in cabinets or drawers, but each occupant is assigned a locker which can be found either outside their respective rooms or inside the rooms.

 

Turn to the next page to see Tambayan’s Gastrobar