Tatoy's, Ted's Batchoy, & One Lourdes Dormitel

During our 2D/1N stay in Iloilo, we stayed in One Lourdes Dormitel at the corner of Fuentes & Ledesma streets on the back of East West Bank. Inspite of it being far from the more popular hotels in Gen. Luna St., I can say that it has perfect location for budget travellers like us. 

First, the public utility jeepneys pass in front of it when we went to Ortiz wharf (drop off to Guimaras) , Miag-ao (church tours), Villa (lunch at Tatoys or Breakthrough), and to other Iloilo towns. Second, the Iloilo public market is within walking distance if you need to buy pasalubongs like dried seafoods. Third, the Robinsons Mall is just a block away. Fourth, SM Delgado and the other major establishments in the city are less than 10-minute walk away.

We got a family room for only P950 nett per night with 2 double beds that could comfortably accomodate 4 adults. Usual amenities like towels, soap, and shampoo are included. The closet is quite big for the room's size. 

Breakfast and snack meals can be ordered via room service starting at P35. Surprisingly, they have elevator and keytag-activated power saving feature in their guestrooms. With 21-inch colored CRT TV, aircon, hot & cold shower, and personal refrigerator, the room rate is a steal!

Service is fine from no-deposit reservation thru email, up to their consistent assistance in answering my queries and giving tips on where and how to get around Iloilo and nearby towns. I won't hesitate to return to this place if I get back in Iloilo.

One of my agenda in Iloilo is to compare the batchoy versions of Deco's and Ted's Old Timer. Unfortunately, we've tried Ted's first during our first day and we have no more room for Deco's when we saw their store at Robinsons. On our second day, there was no Deco's at SM City Mandurriao, so we have to settle with Ted's again. 

Comparing the 2 Ted's outlets we tried, their store in between SM Delgado and Amigo Terrace hotel (see photo above) has a far more better taste. Their batchoys inside SM City Mandurriao, even in SM Sta. Rosa Laguna are both forgettable, similar to the batchoy we got at Guimaras' Jordan port. If I come across at any Deco's store, I vow to myself that I would try their batchoy.

We had our second day lunch at Tatoy's in Villa as Breakthrough seems overcrowded. We shared one of the beachside huts with just another group on another table. Lunch is steamed shrimp, grilled tanguigue, an iced tea, and rice good for 3 persons. The food seem very fresh and well prepared, though the shrimp is a bit salty for my taste.  

But at P358 total bill, its cheap by Manila standards and a real value-for-money meal. We lingered for almost an hour after our meal, as I just can't resist to take a catnap on the beachside hut's bamboo balcony enjoying the cold afternoon sea breeze.

For pasalubong, I would recommend biscocho and butterscotch. My wife felt bad when she learned that we didn't brought her lanzones from Iloilo that only costs P50/kg, half of the price we got in Binan, Laguna less than a week after our return.

One Lourdes Dormitel's website can be found here.