The Gwapotel, short for Gwapo Hotel (Handsome Hotel)--is Metro manila development Authority's (MMDA) latest project "a home away from home". It is the second Gwapotel in town, the first one being located in Bonifacio Drive in Port Area Manila. The first one has double-deck beds instead of the capsule beds.
MMDA Architect Alfonso Romero, who spearheaded the project, said that the capsule beds in the Gwapotel 2 was inspired by the capsular beds that can be found in dormitories and cheap hotels in Japan. He said that the design is space-saving, and comfortable, and has better privacy compared to the regular flat beds.
The Gwapotel 2 was actually an idea of MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, who first saw the capsule hotels on a trip to Japan. Each of the capsules is equipped with soft blankets, piped-in music, a head light for reading, and a TV set. This impressed and inspired Fernando. Upon his return, Fernando quickly put his inspiration into action. He rented out the closed Emmanuel Hospital in Abad Santos St., Tondo for 200,000 pesos a month, and from there designed the Gwapotel 2.
The MMDA has just designed the simpler version with no TV set--just sleeping capsules with soft mattress, piped-in music (with volume control), and reading light (air-conditioning will be installed later, the management says). As good as it sounds, though, some tenants complained that they felt claustrophobic and it seemed like they were sleeping inside tombs. But still, they think they didn't have the right to complain--what with the very cheap 20 pesos price tag.
"I'm sure that if the TV set was included", says one of the tenants I interviewed, "the price would have been more than doubled, and of course, we couldn't afford that".
The Gwapotel is open 24 hours a day. Check-in time is anytime in the day or night with same hour of check out the next day.
Wow cheap! 1 sleep + 1 shower = 25 pesos (about 0.50 US dollars). Come let's go inside!
The combined hall and dining area
The capsule beds in three layers. There is a ladder available to climb the third layer. I'm sure the ladder is a good idea for small people. President Arroyo visited the hotel already and it was really a good idea.
For some, sleeping in these capsule beds is like sleeping inside a tomb. I tried sleeping in it and found that it is quite comfortable. It has a soft bedding, piped-in music (with volume control--but can't change channel) and a reading light. I tried closing my eyes but I can't. The fellow sleeping next to me was snoring loudly.
For those who are not comfortable sleeping inside the capsule beds, there are flat beds (not airconditioned) provided. All this space will be occupied with capsule beds in the future, according to Architect Romero.
The toilet and bath. It is well-maintained: there no graffitis or bad odors yet. I will try to visit again next month to see if they continue to maintain these cleanliness.
The canteen may not have offerings of steaks and wines, but it has a Lucky Me Pancit Canton (they will cook for you) for 12 pesos, Hard-boiled eggs (8 pesos each) as well as cup noodles, biscuits, candies, and softdrinks. You can also order a hot coffee (10 pesos), and a piece of bread (with your choice of peanut Butter or Cheese) for 10 pesos. For lunch, the canteen also offers hot rice (8 pesos per cup), with your choice of pritong galunggong (12 each) or salted eggs (8 each) for ulam.There is also a cellphone load and charging services. How cool is that!
Tenants enjoy some happy time together during snack time. Many of them are now regulars of Gwapotel and have since developed friendships between them. The management, however, does not allow monthly payments. It sticks to the policy of daily payment of 20 pesos.
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