Since the Zamboanga Peninsula is an emerging travel destination, travelers would be happy to know that there is a wide range of accommodations here that suit different budgets.
Many are conveniently located and have essential amenities such as free WiFi and 24-hour room service.
A few even have additional features like in-house restaurants and karaoke rooms. There are also those which offer services such as free shuttle to the airport or room massage.
If you are thinking of exploring any or all of ZamPen’s three provinces and component city, here is a list of recommended accommodations.
Zamboanga City
Garden Orchid Hotel
Governor Camins Avenue
This 4-star hotel is the city’s biggest. It has more than 200 rooms, an outdoor pool, a physical fitness gym, sauna, business center, function rooms, and travel agency.
The hotel has been around for almost four decades, and it has become a favorite among both business and leisure travelers.
All rooms have air conditioning, blackout curtains, a desk, safe, cable TV, refrigerator, clothes rack, wardrobe/closet, hot and cold shower, and complimentary toiletries.
It is conveniently located—only 2 minutes away from the airport, 3 kilometers to the central business district, and with other tourist destinations all within 5 kilometers.
Dining options at the Garden Orchid Hotel include a Japanese restaurant, coffee shop, and lobby bar.
Rates range from Php4,000/night for a Superior Room to Php12,000/night for their Bridal and Junior Suites.
Visit the Garden Orchid Hotel’s website for more information.
Marcian Garden Hotel
Governor Camins Avenue
This hotel combines Spanish-Moroccan design with the festive colors of Zamboanga.
It has 60 suites and rooms that have air conditioning, blackout curtains, a desk, cable TV, wardrobe/ closet, hot and cold shower, bidet, minibar, and complimentary toiletries.
Among its amenities are event and function rooms, a bar, restaurant, coffee shop, prayer room, outdoor pool, spa, and souvenir shop.
Marcian Garden Hotel is situated five minutes away from the airport and guests are entitled to a free airport shuttle. It is connected to a convention center and is near KCC Mall De Zamboanga.
You can book a Superior Twin Room for Php3,920/night and a Deluxe Twin Room for Php4,256/night.
Visit Marcian Garden Hotel’s Facebook page for more information. You may also email reservations@marcianhotels.com for reservations.
Grand Astoria Hotel
466 Mayor Jaldon Street
This 3-star hotel is located near the Metropolitan Cathedral of Immaculate Concepcion and the City Hall. Fort Pilar and the Zamboanga Golf Course are also within 5 kilometers.
The Grand Astoria Hotel is a great mid-range option for travelers. The hotel has a total of 145 rooms, a conference center, restaurant, souvenir shop, and 24-hour room service.
Every room has free WiFi, hot and cold shower, air conditioning, telephone, cable TV, and refrigerator. The hotel also offers massage services, luggage storage, dry cleaning, and free parking for guests.
The hotel’s Lotus Restaurant specializes in local and international cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is within walking distance to other restaurants like Jimmy’s Satti House, Family Fried Chicken, and fast food chains.
You can book a room for as low as Php1,800/night.
For more information and reservations, visit the Grand Astoria Hotel’s website.
Cityinn Hotel
Governor Alvarez Street corner La Purisima Street
This 37-room budget hotel offers affordable rates for leisure and business travelers. It is less than 15 minutes away from the airport and is in the city’s business and commercial district.
The hotel is near restaurants, pharmacies, bakeries, convenience stores, and shops. It is within walking distance to the city’s first shopping mall in ZamPen, SM Mindpro (formerly Mindpro Citimall). It is also situated directly opposite Ateneo de Zamboanga University.
It provides 24-hour front desk service, luggage storage, Wi-Fi, and parking spaces.
Rates start at Php1,600/night for a Standard Room to Php2,400/night for a Family Deluxe or Family Superior Room.
Visit the Cityinn Hotel’s Facebook page for more information
Zamboanga del Norte
‘D Hotel
Rizal Avenue corner Osmeña Street, Dipolog
Centrally located in the heart of Dipolog, this 48-room hotel has modern rooms and suites with free Wi-Fi.
The hotel offers free breakfast and airport shuttle for all guests. It has four dining options: Tonino’s Resto and Wine Bar for continental and Asian fusion cuisine; Deli at the Taylors Room for wine, cheeses, and cold cuts; Umami Room for Japanese cuisine; and Cucina Italiana for pizza and pasta.
You can book a Standard Room for as low as Php1,700/night.
For more information, visit ‘D Hotel’s Facebook page.
Ariana Hotel
Airport Road, Dipolog
Though not within the city center, the hotel’s location makes it a quiet and relaxing accommodation. It is one to two minutes away from Dipolog airport.
All 36 rooms have air conditioning, a refrigerator, cable TV, hot and cold shower, and minibar. Guests have access to free WiFi, 24-hour room service, and free parking.
You do not have to look far for dining options with the hotel’s in-house restaurant that serves free breakfast. It also has a coffee shop, bar, and music lounge.
Dipolog Sunset Boulevard is within walking distance from the hotel. The boulevard is popular for its sunsets and the street food hawkers at night.
You can book a Single Executive Room for Php1,850/night, Double Executive Room for Php2,450/ night, Garden Suite for Php4,850/night, and a Presidential Suite for Php8,900/night.
Visit Ariana Hotel’s Facebook page for more details.
Zamboanga del Sur
Chandler Suites
F.S Pajares Avenue, Gatas District
Located in downtown Pagadian, the hotel’s convenient location makes banks, restaurants, and souvenir shops readily accessible.
The hotel features amenities such as free Wi-Fi in all rooms and common areas, 24-hour front desk and room service, and express check-in/check-out. Cable TV and complimentary tea, coffee, and slippers are available in selected guestrooms.
The hotel also offers recreational facilities such as karaoke rooms.
Rates can go as low as Php998/night for a Standard Single to Php4,450/night for a Chandler Suite.
Visit Chandler Suite’s Facebook page for more information.
Mardale Hotel
Cabrera Street
This budget-friendly hotel is conveniently located just off Pagadian’s main highway. Rooms have amenities such as air conditioning, cable TV, and free WiFi. Selected rooms come with a desk.
It has a lounge, 24-hour front desk and room service, express check-in/check-out, and free parking for guests. The hotel also has an in-house restaurant for breakfast and other meals.
For those looking for a relaxing stay, Mardale Hotel has recreational facilities like a swimming pool, gym, and sauna.
The center of Pagadian is within 2 kilometers from the hotel. It is about a 5-minute drive to Pulacan Falls and 10 minutes to Megayon Park. Near the hotel are fast food chains, restaurants, and other commercial establishments.
Room rates range from Php798 to Php3,498/night.
For more details, visit Mardale Hotel’s Facebook page.
Zamboanga Sibugay
Casa Mea Hotel and Restaurant
Ipil
This hotel is centrally-located in the capital Ipil. It has its own in-house restaurant, free WiFI, and karaoke rooms.
It is also located right next to a bank and near fast food and dining establishments, making it a convenient base while in the province.
A Standard Deluxe Room costs Php900/night, Standard Room at Php1000/night, Double Deluxe and Barkadahan Rooms at Php1,300/night, and a Matrimonial Room at Php1,500/night.
Visit Casa Mea Hotel and Restaurant’s Facebook page for more information.
Isabela de Basilan
Kasinnahan Hotel
Basilan Circumferential Road
The hotel is situated in a tranquil area about 10 minutes away from the city center and just off the highway.
The hotel’s modern rustic theme allows it to blend with the surrounding nature. The rooms have a hot and cold shower and cable television. Free WiFI is available within the property but the signal tends to be weak in the rooms.
It has an outdoor pool and an in-house restaurant. Its banquet halls and conference room can accommodate large gatherings.
A Superior Twin Room that is good for two can be booked for Php1,700/night, while a Villa for up to six guests will set you back Php4,000/night.
For more information you can visit Kasinnahan Hotel’s Facebook page.
Basilan Business Hotel
Magno Street
This hotel is located only a stone’s throw away from the Aguada Grande River, Port Isabela, banks, and commercial establishments.
All rooms are air-conditioned with cable TV, hot and cold shower, bidet, and refrigerator.
The hotel also offers 24-hour front desk and room, laundry, document printing, and massage services and free WiFi.
The hotel has its own restaurant, Kahapan Cafe and Restaurant. It serves dishes and coffee-based drinks that make use of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients from small farms and fishermen.
Rates are at Php1,800/night for a Standard Room, Php2,500/night for an Executive Room, and Php4,000/night for an Executive Room.
Visit Basilan Business Hotel’s Facebook page for more details or email basilanbusinesss@gmail.com for reservations.
Getting there
Zamboanga City- As a major port city, it serves as one of the main transportation hubs of Mindanao and is easily accessible by land, sea, and air.
There are daily flights to the Zamboanga City International Airport from Manila and Cebu via Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. Cebu Pacific also has flights from Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao.
Daily buses from Dipolog, Dapitan, Pagadian, Ozamiz, Cagayan de Oro, and Iligan take travelers to Zamboanga City. Bus travel from Cebu and Bacolod is also possible with a RORO ferry connection.
Ferries bring passengers every Sunday from Manila. There are also passenger ships sailing from Cebu, Dumaguete, Davao, Dipolog, Iloilo, and General Santos.
You can reach Zamboanga City by car if you are coming from Pagadian, Cotabato, Davao, General Santos, and Surigao.
Dipolog, Dapitan, and Pagadian- There are regular commercial flights to Dipolog and Pagadian from Manila.
There are daily buses from Zamboanga City to Dipolog, Dapitan, and Pagadian.
- Zamboanga Sibugay- There are no direct flights to Zamboanga Sibugay. The nearest airports are located in Zamboanga City (110 km away), Pagadian (150 km away), and Dipolog (180 km away). Ipil, the capital, is accessible by land travel roughly 3-4 hours from neighboring cities.
- Isabela de Basilan- Access to Isabela de Basilan is usually through Zamboanga City. From there, a 1 hour and 45 minute ferry ride will take you to Isabela de Basilan. The fare ranges from Php20 (student and senior citizen’s discounted fare on some conventional ferries) to P70 (first-class w/ aircon). Visitors can also take a “Fast Craft” which only takes about 45 minutes.
Another option is to travel to Isabela and from there get on a bus plying the Isabela-Lamitan route. There is a bus available every hour.
Outsource the Planning
For a seamless trip, you may leave the planning to DOT’s accredited tour operators in Region 9:
Zamboanga City and Isabela de Basilan
(062) 991-1174 / 0917-722-6410; itraveltouristlane2020@gmail.com
09062087106; milabelrichter01@gmail.com
(062) 990-2100; knowelle_88@yahoo.com
09177103094; happycampers349@gmail.com
Zamboanga del Sur
0930-061-1690 / 0997-745-2957; mtrtravel2021@gmail.com or mtrtravelvic@gmail.com
For travel to Zamboanga del Norte or Zamboanga Sibugay, you may reach out to any of the agencies above.
Travel safely!
All tourist destinations in Zamboanga Peninsula have health and safety protocols in place to protect locals and visitors alike. Everyone is expected to comply by wearing face masks, regularly washing their hands, and practicing physical distancing.
To check out up-to-date information regarding local destinations that are open and the safety protocols and requirements needed for each location, you may visit www.philippines.travel/safetrip or download the Travel Philippines app at app.philippines.travel or the Google Playstore.
