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Summary of reviewsMad Monkey Cebu City presents a lively and social atmosphere with several standout features, particularly praised for its central location, friendly staff and vibrant dining and social experiences. Located close to major attractions like Magellan's Cross and Fort San Pedro and shopping hubs such as Ayala Mall, it offers convenience for sightseeing. The hostel's proximity to the airport and easy public transportation access are lauded, despite some concerns about the surrounding area's safety and amenities.
The dining experiences at Mad Monkey Cebu City receive high marks, particularly for the breakfast provided at an on-site restaurant. Guests enjoy the good value and convenience of an all-day breakfast bar and kitchen. Dinner options are diverse with a well-loved rooftop restaurant offering vegetarian and vegan options, tasty cocktails and social evening events like karaoke and beer pong.
Rooms at the hostel are spacious and comfortable, often described as clean with effective air conditioning, though some issues with humidity and noise from the rooftop bar are noted. Instances of dampness, mold and inconsistent cleanliness detract from the overall experience for some guests. The bed quality receives mixed feedback: many find the beds comfy and clean with privacy curtains, but there are occasional reports of bed bugs and noisy bed frames.
The cleanliness of Mad Monkey Cebu City is mostly commendable in common areas, though some guests have faced issues like smelly dorms and dirty bathrooms. The staff stands out with their welcoming smiles, helpful nature and ability to create a homely environment. They contribute significantly to the hostel's lively atmosphere through engaging activities.
Wi-Fi connectivity varies with reliable connections in certain areas but generally weak and inconsistent in rooms, presenting challenges for guests needing stable internet. The rooftop pool is another highlight, praised for its design and social atmosphere, although some guests reported issues with maintenance and cleanliness.
Mad Monkey Cebu City is noted for its strong party atmosphere, hosting popular rooftop parties and social events that make it easy for travelers to connect. However, potential guests should be prepared for the lively environment and occasional noise issues. Overall, the hostel offers a vibrant and social stay with its central location, welcoming staff and numerous amenities ensuring a memorable experience for many visitors. Show more
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Categories
Hostel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Hostel with Swimming Pool
Indoor Pool
Hostel with Free Wi-Fi
Cheap Hostel
Hostel for Adults Only
Hostel with Indoor Pool
Room Types
Guest Reviews
7.9
Good
Location
Mad Monkey Cebu City offers a mixed impression regarding its location. Guests appreciate that the hostel is centrally located, making it convenient for sightseeing and accessing key attractions like Magellan's Cross and Fort San Pedro, as well as shopping hubs such as Ayala Mall. It's also praised for being accessible and close to a couple of local restaurants and nightlife spots. The hostel's proximity to the airport and easy access to public transportation are added bonuses.
However, some guests find the surrounding area less appealing, describing it as remote, unsafe and lacking in nearby conveniences like grocery stores and restaurants. Others mention the need for transport services like Grab or Angkas to reach essential amenities and recommend caution when exploring the neighborhood on foot. Despite its drawbacks, the location doesn't deter all visitors, especially those valuing accessibility to major sights and the chance to meet fellow travelers within a lively hostel setting.
Breakfast
Mad Monkey Cebu City offers a convenient restaurant for breakfast and lunch. Guests praised the breakfast as good, especially enjoying starting their day with delicious options that offer good volume for the price. The venue is conveniently located next to the hotel, making it easy for guests to access. While some found the breakfast satisfying, others pointed out areas for improvement such as wishing the food was warmer or not being particularly impressed by the toast and yoghurt bowl. For those valuing convenience, the 24-hour bar and kitchen serving breakfast all day is a notable feature. Overall, guests appreciated the proximity and quality of the breakfast offerings, despite a few minor criticisms.
Dinner
At Mad Monkey Cebu City, the dining experience is quite vibrant and diverse with a cool bar, restaurant and nightclub perched atop the building. Guests have the option to enjoy lunch and dinner at this scenic spot, which comes with a comprehensive bar.
The venue’s menu garners praise for its great and varied choices, including a notable selection of vegetarian and vegan options. Many appreciate the delicious food and tasty cocktails, though some find the prices to be on the higher side. Despite the occasional critique about the cost, the drinks and food are often described as reasonably priced and the service is consistently excellent.
With the added allure of evening activities like karaoke nights and beer pong tournaments, the Mad Monkey experience extends beyond just food. The restaurant on the rooftop is a hit for many guests, featuring tasty dishes and good meals. Particular dishes, like the chicken pesto salad, are often highlighted for their quality.
However, the dining experience at Mad Monkey Cebu City is not without its detractors. Some reviewers note instances of food being too salty, half-cooked or even causing discomfort. Complaints about overpriced food and small portions also appear intermittently among the reviews.
For those seeking a lively evening, the on-site bar and restaurant with their varied menu and exciting atmosphere, remain a popular choice. Yet, wary travelers might prefer to explore other dining establishments in Cebu City to find more affordable and consistently satisfying meals.
Rooms
Mad Monkey Cebu City offers a mixed experience with its rooms, combining spaciousness and comfort with some notable drawbacks. Many reviews highlight that the rooms are spacious and the beds in private rooms are often described as comfy and clean. Guests appreciate the clean and adequately equipped rooms with some noting great private bathrooms. The air conditioning is generally effective and rooms are consistently described as comfortable for short stays.
However, issues related to humidity and ventilation are recurrent. Numerous reviews mention dampness with some rooms experiencing extreme humidity resulting in mold on walls and ceilings. The lack of proper ventilation, especially in bathrooms, contributes to unpleasant odors and a musty environment. Noise levels are also a problem with rooms located near the rooftop bar or directly below the restaurant being particularly affected by sound.
While some rooms are reported as being clean upon arrival, there are instances where cleanliness standards fall short with dusty floors, outdated furniture and dirty bathrooms noted. The overall state of maintenance seems inconsistent with some rooms feeling outdated and less than pristine. Additionally, the noise from air conditioning units and a lack of soundproofing further detract from the experience.
In summary, while Mad Monkey Cebu City provides spacious and comfortable rooms suitable for short stays, potential guests should be aware of possible humidity issues, noise and inconsistent cleanliness.
Beds
The beds at Mad Monkey Cebu City receive many favorable remarks for their comfort. Guests repeatedly describe them as comfy, cozy and relatively spacious with several also praising the availability of privacy curtains on each bed. The bedding is frequently highlighted as comfortable and clean, adding to the overall satisfactory sleeping experience.
However, there are some consistent complaints regarding cleanliness and maintenance. Guests have reported experiences with bed bugs and stained sheets, which have not always seemed clean upon check-in. In addition, certain reviews mention that the bed frames can be noisy and the pillows occasionally lumpy.
Some beds lack privacy curtains, which has been noted as a downside and positioning near the air conditioners has made a few beds uncomfortably cold. While the beds are generally perceived as comfortable by hostel standards, the mixed feedback about their upkeep suggests there is room for improvement to ensure a consistently high-quality experience.
Cleanliness
Mad Monkey Cebu City has garnered a variety of reviews concerning its cleanliness, highlighting both merits and areas for improvement. Many guests appreciate that the common areas and general facilities maintain a high level of cleanliness with descriptors such as impeccable, very clean and clean facilities being frequently mentioned. Additionally, rooms and bathrooms are regularly cleaned, adding to the overall comfort for guests.
However, numerous reviews point out significant issues. Some guests reported checking into rooms that were already dirty with comments about stained linens, smelly dorms and persistent mold issues. The presence of unpleasant odors, from dampness and sewage smells to the entire floor smelling of urine, was also cited. Despite the effort to clean common areas like toilets and communal spaces on a daily basis, these efforts seem inconsistent, as several complaints about unclean bathrooms, mold and dirty showers have been noted.
Specific issues such as dirty and murky pool conditions, wet floors and issues like the air conditioning units leaking or being noisy have also been highlighted. These discrepancies suggest that while the hostel achieves an adequate standard of cleanliness in some areas, there are lapses that significantly detract from the overall experience.
In essence, Mad Monkey Cebu City offers a blend of well-maintained common spaces and room hygiene, but it also faces critiques over lapsing standards in individual rooms and amenities, indicating a need for improved consistency in housekeeping practices.
Staff
Mad Monkey Cebu City has garnered an impressive reputation for its standout staff, which has been consistently highlighted in guest reviews. Welcoming smiles greet guests, creating a friendly and warm atmosphere right from check-in. Their helpful nature and accommodating attitude ensure that every need and query is addressed, making the stay comfortable and stress-free. Staff members like Jay, Jack, James and Rad frequently receive special mentions for their exceptional hospitality and ability to engage guests, making interactions enjoyable and personal.
The hostel's staff not only focus on providing excellent service but also contribute significantly to a lively and social ambiance. Whether it’s assisting with travel plans, arranging tours or leading fun events like pub crawls, their efforts enhance the overall experience, ensuring a memorable stay for every visitor. The dedication of the team extends beyond just professionalism—they create a homely environment where everyone feels valued and at ease.
While positive feedback overwhelmingly dominates, a few reviews highlighted room for improvement in communication and customer interaction. Nonetheless, the general consensus remains that the staff's friendliness, attentiveness and welcoming nature make Mad Monkey Cebu City a standout choice for travelers seeking both comfort and a vibrant social scene.
Wi-Fi
Mad Monkey Cebu City offers a mixed experience when it comes to Wi-Fi connectivity. While some guests appreciated the strong and well-functioning Wi-Fi in certain areas of the building, many found the service lacking, particularly in rooms and on higher floors. The consistent feedback indicated challenges in accessing stable Wi-Fi with many having to go to the lobby or the bar to get a reliable connection. Guests noted that the Wi-Fi was sometimes slow and not always sufficient for work or other online activities. There were also issues of disconnection, especially when many users were online and in some cases, there was no Wi-Fi at all in the rooms. Despite these setbacks, the restaurant's Wi-Fi received positive remarks, offering a glimmer of reliability in an otherwise inconsistent internet experience at the hotel.
Pool
The pool facilities at Mad Monkey Cebu City offer a range of experiences, largely focused on a lively rooftop setting. The rooftop pool is a central feature that many guests appreciate for its design and placement adjacent to a bar, creating an inviting social atmosphere. Reviewers commonly praise the pool for being refreshing and a great spot to relax with some noting the beautiful design and significant size of the pool.
However, there are mixed opinions regarding its maintenance. While many guests find the pool area enjoyable and a great asset, others have experienced issues such as murky and dirty water and at times, the pool being out of order or under maintenance. Some also mentioned that during renovations, access to the pool was restricted, which could affect the overall experience.
The rooftop location of the pool provides a unique opportunity to swim while enjoying city views, contributing to the social vibe of the hostel, especially with events and parties held in this space. The bar's proximity enhances the overall experience with the pool area being a popular hangout spot.
Despite some reported issues with cleanliness and maintenance, the pool remains a key attraction for many visitors who appreciate the refreshing escape it offers from the city's heat.
Adult Only
Mad Monkey Cebu City is an ideal destination for those in search of a vibrant party atmosphere. This adult-only hostel is renowned for its rooftop parties, where music and lights keep the energy alive until 1 AM. Socializing is a key component here, supported by frequent events like pub crawls and free shots every hour, making it easy to meet fellow travelers.
The hostel's cleanliness has also received positive remarks, although some guests have noted issues like a damp smell and loud air conditioning in private rooms. One standout aspect is the helpful and engaging team, led by the exceptional Mr. Arsen, who ensures guests experience the best of Cebu City's nightlife by taking them to various clubs and after-parties.
Located near nightlife hotspots, the hostel is convenient for party-goers, although it’s a bit removed from shopping centers and the town, urging caution when walking around. Mad Monkey Cebu City lives up to its reputation as a party-centric hub, offering a lively and adult-only environment for those eager to immerse themselves in nightlife.
Yes, Mad Monkey Cebu City has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Indoor Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Mad Monkey Cebu City.
No, Mad Monkey Cebu City doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Mad Monkey Cebu City.