Manila's Airport & Mall WiFi: SHOCKING Speed Test Results!
Manila's Airport & Mall WiFi: SHOCKING Speed Test Results! (And Is This Place Even Worth It?) - My Truth Bomb Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to drop some REAL truth bombs about the Manila airport and mall WiFi situation. And, whispers…the hotels connected to it. I just spent a week wrestling with these networks, fueled by caffeine and sheer desperation (gotta keep the Instagram game strong, you know?). So, let's dive in, shall we? Prepare yourself for a brutally honest, hilariously flawed, and hopefully, helpful review.
First Impressions: WiFi Woes and (Maybe) Hotel Hopes
Listen, the accessibility of WiFi is, naturally, the MOST important thing when you're stuck in an airport or mall, or even when you're staying at a hotel. Seriously, it's 2024. We need it. So, my primary focus (besides the constant existential dread of delayed flights) was to see how good it was, and boy did it go south very quickly. Let's just say the Internet Speed test on my phone was like watching a snail race a Ferrari.
The Speed Test from Hell!
- Airport WiFi (NAIA - all terminals): Forget streaming, forget video calls. Uploading a single picture was a glacial experience. I kid you not, I aged five years waiting for a single tweet to go live. Shocking speed test results would be an understatement. Think dial-up internet in the 1990s. At least, it's Wi-Fi in public areas, right? It just doesn't function.
- Mall WiFi (specifically, SM Mall of Asia, Glorietta, and Trinoma): Slightly better than the airport, but still a struggle. You might be able to access the internet for a basic email check and a few quick searches… if you are lucky. Forget about streaming movies or playing online games. Internet access – wireless? Yes, access, but at which cost.
Okay, Forget the WiFi, Let's Talk Hotels!
Now, this is where things get interesting. Because the WiFi situation is so dire, the hotel internet access becomes even more crucial. And honestly, that's where I pinned my hopes. I ended up in three different hotels, all "conveniently" located near the airport or major malls, thinking, "Surely, they'll know how to do WiFi!"
Hotel #1: The Fancy One (Promises, Promises…)
- Impressions: Gleaming lobby, staff bowing so low they touched their knees… the works. First impressions were positive, super positive.
- Rooms: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms was the promise. Internet access – LAN was also available, and I have to admit, I was hopeful!
- The Reality: The “free” WiFi was faster, but not the fastest. It was available in all rooms, but could still barely stream a YouTube video. The Internet access – LAN? Non-existent. I spent an UNGODLY (or I should say, godly) amount of time trying to get it started, even though no one could tell me how to. Imagine! I got a good laugh seeing the staff trying to help me.
- Amenities (and My Verdict): Pool with a view? Beautiful! Gym/fitness? Top-notch. Spa? Heavenly (the massage, at least, was worth the price). Dining? Good options. But the WiFi? Total. Disaster. If the WiFi is down, what's the meaning of life?
- The Verdict: Great for luxury, awful for productivity. If you absolutely need reliable internet, bring your own portable hotspot or prepare to be utterly frustrated.
Hotel #2: The "Business" Hotel (More Promises…)
- Impressions: More functional, less fluff. The perfect hotel for my inner grump.
- Rooms: They promised Internet access – wireless, internet access – LAN again, and Wi-Fi [free]. I was ready to be let down, but at least there was desk, so it could be the perfect place to work.
- The Reality: The WiFi was slightly more reliable than the first hotel, but still patchy. Internet access – LAN was indeed there, but I could never get it working. Rooms sanitized between stays, but with a WiFi that was clearly not.
- Amenities (and My Verdict): Business facilities were decent enough. Meeting/banquet facilities were available, according to the website. Daily housekeeping was efficient. But the WiFi… again, the Achilles' heel.
- The Verdict: A step up, but still not a WiFi paradise. Functional, if you don't mind a few minor breakdowns.
Hotel #3: The Budget Option (Lowering Expectations…)
- Impressions: Clean, efficient, and a little… spartan.
- Rooms: They had free Wi-Fi, and internet access – wireless, but no internet access – LAN to be found.
- The Reality: The WiFi was the most reliable of the three! Good enough for basic browsing and email. I was shocked.
- Amenities (and My Verdict): Cleanliness and safety were a priority. Daily housekeeping was as good as the other hotels. The WiFi was actually tolerable!
- The Verdict: A pleasant surprise. Decent WiFi at a budget price? Sign me up!
Amenities & Features (The Rundown)
- Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The hotels offered the usual suspects (Restaurants, restaurants with Asian cuisine and international cuisine, bars, and poolside bars). The food was generally good, but let's be real, the coffee/tea in restaurant was REALLY needed.
- Services and Conveniences: Air conditioning was a must. Cash withdrawal, currency exchange, laundry service, and daily housekeeping were all standard. I appreciated having a luggage storage available as well!
- For the Kids: I didn't have any, but the babysitting service and kids facilities looked decent enough.
- Cleanliness and Safety: Hand sanitizer was available. The rooms sanitized between stays, but the true test of cleanliness is the WiFi, am I right?
- Getting Around: Airport transfer was a lifesaver.
The Unasked For Opinions (Because I Have Them)
- Wheelchair accessible: I did not assess this.
- Breakfast in room: Breakfast [buffet] and breakfast service were a highlight.
- Cashless payment service: Convenient.
- Elevator: Yes.
- Facilities for disabled guests: I didn't use them, but they appeared to be there (in some of the hotels).
- Ironing service: Useful.
- Room decorations: Some were gaudy. Some were tasteful.
Overall, and My Final Verdict
Okay, so the Manila experience has some seriously good parts and some seriously bad parts. Finding good WiFi in the airport or the hotel is a quest.
- Good: The hotels are generally safe, clean, and provide all the necessary amenities. The food in most of the hotels was tasty. Many hotels have swimming pools and gyms which is a huge plus.
- Bad: The WiFi situation. SHOCKING speed test results are the name of the game.
My Honest, Unfiltered Recommendation
If you need reliable internet, pack a portable hotspot or prepare to tether to your phone and burn through your data. If you’re not on a deadline, then enjoy the other amenities.
The Quirky Observations:
- I saw a lot of people waiting for their WiFi to start.
- I needed an extra-long bed, considering the circumstances.
- The front desk [24-hour] staff were truly lovely people who were very, very tired of hearing about the WiFi. God bless them.
The Emotional Reactions:
- Frustration, pure frustration with the WiFi.
- Mild relief when I found some form of Internet.
- Gratitude for the air conditioning (it's HOT here!).
The Final Word?
Go. But go prepared. Pack a hotspot. And remember, no matter how bad the WiFi is, you're still in Manila. Embrace the chaos.
Bonus - A Tiny Little Offer (Because I Love You)
Book with Confidence – Your Manila WiFi Survival Kit!
When you book any of the hotels mentioned in this review (using the links below), you’ll get a special discount, and get: a portable WiFi hotspot rental included with your room!
Remember, the WiFi situation is not exactly perfect, but the rest of the experience is worth it.
(Please note: This review is based on my personal experience and may vary. WiFi speeds are notoriously fickle.)
Bangalore Bliss: Uncover the Secrets of Collection O DREAMS IINN!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This ain't your sanitized, Instagram-filtered travel itinerary. This is REAL. Manila, baby, here we come. And I'm already sweating just thinking about it.
Destination: Manila, Philippines - A Descent into (Potential) Chaos
Dates: Let's just say… it's sometime this month. My brain's a bit scrambled, travel planning is a monster.
Theme: Surviving Manila on a Prayer and a Strong Cup of Coffee (Or Seven)
Day 1: Arrival - Sweltering Greetings and Existential Airport Dread
- Time: 6:00 AM - Ugh. Flight lands at NAIA Terminal something-or-other. Honestly, airports are all the same, a symphony of screaming babies, overpriced coffee, and pure, unadulterated anxiety. I pray my checked bag actually makes it. Last time, it went to… well, somewhere exotic, but not where I was. Let's just say it involved a lot of frantic phone calls and the word "lost."
- Transportation: Skytrain? Taxi? Grab? I'll probably end up winging it. The first hurdle: Surviving the airport hustle. Expect me to be dodging aggressive taxi drivers with the grace of a newborn giraffe.
- Objective: Find the pre-booked hotel in Shore World Trade Center. Survive immigration (seriously, always feel like I'm under suspicion). Locate the WiFi, pray to the internet gods.
- Anecdote: Remember that time I tried to be all prepared and printed detailed taxi instructions? Yeah, the instructions got shredded by a rogue airport luggage cart. Lesson learned: embrace the chaos.
- Emotional Reaction: Mild panic mingled with morbid curiosity. Will I be scammed? Will I accidentally eat something that crawls? The possibilities are endless and terrifyingly exciting.
- Rambling Observation: The sheer volume of people in Manila. It's like a giant, wonderfully overwhelming river. I'm going to get swept away in it, aren't I? Probably.
Day 1 (Continued): Hotel Shuffle and a Taste of… Whatever's Available
- Time: Afternoon - Check-in, hopefully. The hotel better be what it promised. The first time I visited the PI, I found out the hotel was a crack den. I hope to god this one is better. Finding my room, unpacking (minimally, because I'm a chronic over-packer), and then collapsing onto the bed.
- Hotel: Shore World Trade Center - Sounds fancy. Praying the air conditioning is adequate. Praying the bed isn't a rock. Praying the "free breakfast" is edible.
- Food: Finding some local food. Adobo? Sinigang? Let's aim for authentic, with a side of "hoping-my-stomach-doesn't-hate-me." I'll probably end up at a McDonald's. My gut is telling me I'm going to be eating a lot of rice.
- Experience Doubled down: The first meal, after this exhausting day of travel. Hopefully, I didn't spend TOO much money on a taxi. I guess it will depend on how much I sweat (a lot.) So, I'm aiming for a local eatery. I want to sit in a crowded restaurant and eat authentic Pinoy food. Then, get the bill and start wondering, "Did I pay too much?"
- Quirky Observation: The sheer amount of "For Lease" signs. Everywhere! Is everyone moving out of Manila? Or is it just a sign of… something… I need more sleep.
- Emotional Reaction: Relief that I'm finally in the hotel. Slight wariness about the street food. A hopeful feeling of… I'm actually here.
- Opinionated Language: Tourist traps, watch out! I'm onto you. And my wallet is not prepared.
- Realization: I forgot to pack deodorant. Oh, GREAT.
Day 2: Exploring (and Possibly Getting Utterly Lost)
- Time: Morning - Attempt to rise with the sun; probably fail. Actually, I'll probably roll out of the bed at noon.
- Destination: SMX Convention Center - Business conference. Oh boy. This is going to be… intense. Lots of networking. My social anxiety hasn't had a workout like this in years. I might have to sneak out for a quick beer to calm my nerves.
- Transportation: Depends on how brave I feel. Taxi? Grab? Walking? I'm expecting to get lost. I always do. "Lost" is my middle name.
- Objective: Find the SMX, navigate the crowds, and attempt to appear vaguely professional. And, the Holy Grail of conference attendance: Free coffee.
- Anecdote: Last time I was at a conference, I accidentally walked into the wrong presentation. It was about the benefits of kale. I hate kale.
- Emotional Reaction: Dread, interspersed with a glimmer of hope the freebies will be worth it.
- Rambling Observation: Manila traffic. I'm not ready for it. I'm never ready for it. It's a living, breathing monster of metal and frustration.
- Opinionated Language: Conferences are a necessary evil. But Manila's got a lot of other things to offer.
- Structure Collapse: I think I'm going to need a nap.
Day 2 (Continued): Evening Adventures. Or Total Collapse.
- Time: Evening - Dinner. Maybe a bit of exploring. The main goal: avoid getting mugged. Staying safe is paramount.
- Destination: Maybe a bar. Or the mall. Or a quiet corner to drink some coffee. The night is young (well, maybe).
- Objective: See if I can find a decent karaoke bar. Karaoke is the perfect way to end my day.
- Experience Doubled Down: Karaoke. This deserves more attention. I've done karaoke in more places than I care to admit, and I'm a bit of a disaster. I will choose the song and attempt to get the crowd involved. When they get a little irritated, I will apologize, then keep singing.
- Transportation: The hotel would be nice, but maybe a taxi, or maybe just walk, to experience it all.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated "I need a drink" energy.
- Quirky Observation: The sheer amount of malls. Manila is a city of malls. It's like shopping paradise… or hell.
- Opinionated Language: Karaoke: the ultimate expression of human vulnerability (and questionable musical taste).
- Realization: I need to learn some basic Tagalog phrases. "Where's the bathroom?" is probably a good start.
Day 3: PICC (And Probably a Nap)
- Time: Morning - Okay, still not an early riser. But gotta move, move, move.
- Destination: The Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). More conference business. Or maybe just a nice view.
- Transportation: We'll play this by ear. I am hoping to find an area I can walk to, or else I'm going to be stuck inside of a taxi.
- Objective: Actually engage with the conference this time. Also, find a shop for souvenirs.
- Food: Finding my favorite food, maybe to help with the stress.
- Anecdote: The last time I went to the PICC, I had my camera. I don't have a camera now, so I will need to pull out my phone.
- Emotional Reaction: Resigned expectation.
- Rambling Observation: Manila is a place of contrasts: extreme wealth and extreme poverty side by side. It's… a lot to take in.
- Opinionated Language: The world is a bit broken. This is a chance to try and fix it.
- Structure Collapse: I do need that nap.
Day 4: Manila - Leaving (With A Prayer and a Hope)
- Time: Whenever - Departure to the airport. Will I be on time? Will my flight be delayed? Will my luggage make it? The suspense is killing me.
- Transportation: Praying that this time I have a good and easy taxi ride.
- Objective: Make it to the gate. Board the plane. Get home.
- Anecdote: Just a general hope that I will be getting home and that I will remember this experience.
- Quirky Observation: I'm going to remember everything in Manila. That's not very quirky, but it's still fun.
- Emotional Reaction: A mix of exhaustion, relief, and a strange sense of… wanting to come back. Manila, you crazy, chaotic, beautiful beast. I'll be back. Maybe. Eventually.
- Opinionated Language: The adventure has ended.
- Realization: I need to buy some souvenirs. Oh, and a new suitcase. Mine is never going to survive this.
- Realization: I will enjoy my trip to Manila. And I will be back.
Final Thoughts:
This itinerary
Kingscliff Poolside Paradise: 1-Bed Luxury SPA Apartment! (Fast WiFi)
Manila Airport & Mall WiFi: The WiFi Apocalypse (and Maybe Paradise?) - Let's Dive In!
Okay, spill the tea! What were the *actual* speed test results? Don't be shy!
Alright, buckle up buttercups. This is where it gets real. I swear, I've seen snails move faster sometimes. At NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport), it was a rollercoaster. One minute you're thinking, "Hey, this could work!" Then BAM! 0.5 Mbps download. Seriously? My dial-up connection back in the day was faster. And uploads? Forget about it. Sending a simple email? Expect to wait until next Tuesday. LOL! Actually, it's not funny. Frustrating is a better word.
And the malls? Oh, the malls. You'd think with all the fancy infrastructure, they'd be blazing fast. Nope. Mostly. Sometimes. Depends? *Sigh*. At one of the big mega-malls, I got a decent 8 Mbps once, but that was only at 3 AM when everyone was probably sleeping. During peak hours? Forget it. You're better off trying to connect to the WiFi of a passing blimp. (Just kidding... mostly!)
So, Manila Airport WiFi: Utter Trash, Then? Give me the TL;DR!
Look, it's a gamble. The airport WiFi? Pray to the WiFi gods for a decent signal. It's often slow, unreliable, and infuriating. Malls are *slightly* better, but still...don't get your hopes up. Think of it like this: you're entering a casino. You *might* hit the jackpot (a decent speed test). But odds are...you're going to lose. Or in this case, be severely disappointed.
Any Particular *Horror* Stories from Your WiFi Adventures?
Oh, where do I begin? Okay, picture this: stuck at the airport, flight delayed by five hours (classic!), trying to edit a crucial document for a client. Needed to upload it, pronto! Started the upload... and then watched in horror as the progress bar inched along at a glacial pace. One... percent... two... percent... I swear, I aged five years in those thirty minutes. Sweat beading on my forehead, fumbling with my phone, tethering (when the signal was strong enough, of course!). My blood pressure was probably higher than the plane's altitude. Finally, after sheer mental torture the upload finished. Pure elation followed by the realization that I'd missed a deadline. *That's* Manila Airport WiFi for you! Rage-inducing and deadline-destroying.
Are there ANY redeeming qualities? Like, seriously, anything good?
Alright, alright, I'll be fair. Sometimes... *sometimes*... you might get lucky. Maybe early in the morning at a mall. Perhaps during off-peak hours at the airport (good luck with that!). But honestly, the "good" is often overshadowed by the BAD. Free is free, I guess? It's good for checking basic emails and maybe, *maybe* scrolling through some social media if you're patient. But don't expect to stream anything HD. Ever. Oh, and it's a great excuse to disconnect and people-watch. (Which, in Manila, is never boring.)
Airport WiFi vs. Mall WiFi: Who Wins the Crappy WiFi Award? Is there a clear winner?
Oh, this is a tough one... a real toss-up of terrible. Honestly? It's a dead heat. They're both vying for the title of "Most Frustrating WiFi Experience." Airport wins in the sheer drama department, mostly because you're *stuck* there. Mall WiFi has the advantage of generally better access to a food court with strong vibes (even if the WiFi is slow). The true winner? The people who bring their own mobile data! (Which is what I do now. Lesson learned!)
Any Tips to Survive the WiFi Wasteland? Help a Brother (or Sister) Out!
Oh, absolutely! Listen up, because I suffered so you don't have to.
- Get a local SIM card with data. Seriously, it's the best investment you can make. Globe or Smart. Both are generally pretty reliable. Trust me.
- Lower your expectations. Embrace the slow. Accept the buffering. It'll save your sanity.
- Use a VPN. Because security. And sometimes, just maybe, it helps a little with the speed. (Don't hold your breath.)
- Download everything you need *before* you go. Movies, documents, podcasts... the works. Think ahead!
- Find a quiet corner. Sometimes the signal is better if you're away from the masses. And maybe a power outlet? Because... battery life.
- Breathe. Deep, cleansing breaths. It's just WiFi. It will pass. Eventually. (Maybe).
Do you ever just give up and embrace the offline life?
You know what? Yes. Sometimes. There's a strange beauty in being forced to unplug. It's good for the soul, right? Plus, it's a great excuse to people-watch. I've witnessed more drama, laughter, and questionable fashion choices in the malls and airports of Manila than I'd ever see online. So, yeah, sometimes I just give up and soak it all in. But that's after a healthy dose of sputtering rage at the WiFi, obviously. Gotta get that out of my system first.
Would You Say the WiFi is *Generally* Improving? Or Are We Stuck In The Digital Stone Age?
Honestly? It's a slow crawl. There have been hints, whispers of improvements here and there. But really, Manila Airport and mall WiFi is still... well, it's a work in progress. Let's just say you wouldn't want to rely on it for any critical, time-sensitive tasks. It's like watching paint dry. You hope, but the ultimate outcome is rarely satisfying. I'm optimistic (I have to be!), but not holding my breath.
