🇵🇭 Davao City, Philippines
The Strand
📍 Road 2, Davao City, 8000
Your stay — The Strand
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Davao City.
The Property — The Strand
The Strand sits on a quiet stretch of J.P. Laurel Avenue, a 3-star hotel with a functional, business-hotel feel: a marble-floored lobby, a small front desk, and a coffee shop off to the side. It’s clean and reliable rather than charming, aimed at short-stay travellers who want a central base near shopping malls and the waterfront without paying for extras. The limited on-site facilities mean you’re here to sleep and head out.
Chronicles of Davao City
Davao City was formally incorporated in 1936, built around the agricultural export of abaca and coconut under American colonial rule. After WWII, rapid migration from other Philippine islands shifted its character from a frontier town to a regional hub, with a skyline now dotted with mid-rise condos and malls. The city’s cultural identity is defined by its mix of indigenous groups (including the Lumad and Moro communities) and a large influx of Chinese-Filipino and Japanese-Filipino families. Since the 2000s, it has marketed itself as a safe, orderly metropolis under the influence of the Duterte political family. Today, it remains a gateway to Mount Apo and the Philippine eagle centre, but its street life is driven by malls, durian vendors, and night markets.
Best Time to Visit
Full Davao City guide →Best months
December to February — cooler temperatures (25–30°C), lower humidity, and few typhoons. The city is less crowded than Manila, so you can move easily.
Peak / festival surge
August (Kadayawan Festival). The city fills with street parades, floral floats, and indigenous cultural shows. Hotel prices — including at The Strand — jump 40–60% above normal rates. Book three months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
April to May offer lower rates and thinner crowds, but expect 32–35°C midday heat and occasional thunderstorms. Good for budget travellers who don’t mind sweating.
Weather & packing
Davao is outside the typhoon belt, so July is rainy but rarely stormy — expect afternoon downpours, not all-day soakers. Pack a compact umbrella and quick-dry shoes; leave the heavy raincoat.
Live City Briefing — Davao City
- The newly opened Davao City Coastal Road (Phase 1) links J.P. Laurel Avenue to the airport in 20 minutes, bypassing downtown traffic — useful for your transfer.
- The Kadawanan sa Dabaw food festival runs along Roxas Avenue every Friday and Saturday evening this month, with local durian, pomelo, and kinilaw stalls.
- The Davao Public Transport Modernization Program has phased out most old jeepneys; now use the new UV Express vans and bus routes along Claveria Street.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Strand, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Rooms on the upper floors (4th floor and above) facing away from Road 2 — these get less street noise and better ventilation. Corner rooms at the back of the building tend to be quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on floors 1-3 facing the street — Road 2 carries local traffic, tricycles, and morning deliveries. Also skip rooms near the stairwell or lift shaft if you're a light sleeper; the lift mechanism echoes in older 3-star buildings.
Best views
Upper-floor rear rooms offer a clear view of Davao's skyline and nearby hills. Street-facing rooms see Road 2 and local commercial strips — not scenic but lively if you like people-watching.
Quietest floors
4th to 6th floors — most likely to sit above street din and away from ground-floor activity. Higher is better for sound isolation.
🔊 Noise notes
Road 2 is a secondary city road with moderate traffic: tricycles, jeepneys, and motorbikes. Morning market deliveries near the hotel entrance (roughly 6-8am). No major nightlife strip here, but occasional local karaoke from nearby houses can carry up on weekends.
Insider tips
1. Request a room on the east side (away from Road 2) and high floor when booking — staff at 3-star hotels often honour written requests if you call a day before arrival. 2. Parking is tight: The Strand doesn't appear to have dedicated parking on a side road — arrive early to grab a spot on the street or ask reception about their arrangement with a nearby lot.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — The Strand
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 5 Mbps) in all rooms and lobby; premium tier at PHP 150/day for 15 Mbps; no login required for basic tier
Single lift serves all 4 floors; stair access also available at rear
Complimentary digital access to Philippine Daily Inquirer via QR code at lobby; no physical newspapers
Standard check-in 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 08:00; late check-out until 12:00 fee PHP 500, after 12:00 charged half-day rate
Complimentary luggage storage for same-day check-out/check-in; long-term storage not offered
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; ground-floor rooms available but lift not wheelchair-accessible (door width 70 cm); no accessible bathroom grab bars
On-site open parking for 12 cars, complimentary for guests; nearest public car park is Baywalk Parking (PHP 30/hour, PHP 150 overnight). No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 1% of room rate per night as local tourism tax, typically PHP 50-100
Deposit & card hold: Full first night deposit required to guarantee booking; PHP 1,500 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Our Mother of Perpetual Help - Jacinto GKK (241 m · ~3 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Mindanao Tai Guan Temple (740 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Independent Baptist Churches in the Philippines Inc. (749 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: CCF (891 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Bao Sheng Enterprises — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
Datu Bago Gallery — 787 m · ~10 min walk
Kids Aglow Ministry — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 75 m · ~1 min walk
Mercury Drug — 171 m · ~2 min walk
Expresschoice — 122 m · ~2 min walk
Mandug Terminal — 411 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Philippine Peso, PHP
Money changers in malls (e.g., SM City Davao, Gaisano Mall) offer better rates than the airport; avoid airport counters.
Credit cards accepted in major malls, hotels, and mid-range restaurants; smaller eateries and market stalls are cash-only.
Optional but appreciated: round up taxi fare, leave 10% for good service in restaurants, and give ₱20-50 to hotel porters/housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local coffee shop or 3-in-1 sachet from a sari-sari store: ₱25-50.
Rice-and-viand combo from a carinderia (eatery): ₱50-80.
Grilled meat or fish with rice at a roadside barbecue stall: ₱80-120 per main.
Roxas Avenue Night Market (after 6pm) — sticks of chicken/pork barbecue, fish balls, and tempura: ₱10-20 each.
NCCC, Puregold, and SM Supermarket are common budget choices in the area.
Bankerohan Public Market and SM City Davao for affordable basics and streetwear.
Jeepneys: ₱12 per ride within city; from airport, take a bus (₱25-40) or a single jeepney if luggage allows — avoid airport taxis.
Eat at carinderias rather than sit-down restaurants; buy water in bulk at grocery stores; use jeepneys instead of tricycles for longer trips.
Emergency Contacts
Davao CityDial 911 for all emergencies. For non-urgent police matters, contact Davao City Police Office (082) 222-2222. The Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) is at (082) 224-1234.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Davao City, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The Strand
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 75 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Mercury Drug — 171 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
SM Ecoland Terminal (Quimpo Blvd) → Viajeros Inn (Leon Garcia St, Poblacion District)
💡 Take a jeepney marked 'Buhangin' or 'Agdao' from the terminal—get off at the corner of Leon Garcia and Bonifacio. Have exact change; drivers don't break large bills. The ride's bumpy but it's the budget backpacker's lifeline.
Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (Ecoland) → Viajeros Inn (Leon Garcia St, Poblacion District)
💡 Catch Route 3.5 (yellow bus) from Ecoland—it runs along Quirino Ave then turns onto Leon Garcia. Ask the conductor to drop you at 'Viajeros Inn'—they'll signal the driver. Sit on the right side for shade.
Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO) → Viajeros Inn (Leon Garcia St, Poblacion District)
💡 Cheaper than airport taxis if you book via the app. Request pickup at the arrivals curb—Grab drivers can't legally park at the terminal, so have your phone ready and meet them quickly.
Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO) → Viajeros Inn (Leon Garcia St, Poblacion District)
💡 Queue at the official airport taxi stand just outside arrivals—fixed rates to downtown are usually 250-350 PHP. Avoid touts in the parking lot who'll charge double.
About Davao City
Wikipedia ↗
Davao City, officially the City of Davao, is a highly urbanized city in the Davao Region, Philippines. The city has a total land area of 2,443.61 km2 (943.48 sq mi), making it the largest city in the Philippines in terms of land area. It is the third-most-populous city in the Philippines after Quezo...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The Strand?
Rooms on the upper floors (4th floor and above) facing away from Road 2 — these get less street noise and better ventilation. Corner rooms at the back of the building tend to be quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Strand?
Rooms on floors 1-3 facing the street — Road 2 carries local traffic, tricycles, and morning deliveries. Also skip rooms near the stairwell or lift shaft if you're a light sleeper; the lift mechanism echoes in older 3-star buildings.
Is The Strand noisy?
Road 2 is a secondary city road with moderate traffic: tricycles, jeepneys, and motorbikes. Morning market deliveries near the hotel entrance (roughly 6-8am). No major nightlife strip here, but occasional local karaoke from nearby houses can carry up on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at The Strand?
Upper-floor rear rooms offer a clear view of Davao's skyline and nearby hills. Street-facing rooms see Road 2 and local commercial strips — not scenic but lively if you like people-watching.
What are insider tips for staying at The Strand?
1. Request a room on the east side (away from Road 2) and high floor when booking — staff at 3-star hotels often honour written requests if you call a day before arrival. 2. Parking is tight: The Strand doesn't appear to have dedicated parking on a side road — arrive early to grab a spot on the street or ask reception about their arrangement with a nearby lot.
What time is check-in at The Strand?
Check-in at The Strand is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Strand have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 5 Mbps) in all rooms and lobby; premium tier at PHP 150/day for 15 Mbps; no login required for basic tier
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Strand?
1% of room rate per night as local tourism tax, typically PHP 50-100
Where can I eat cheaply near The Strand?
Rice-and-viand combo from a carinderia (eatery): ₱50-80.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Strand?
Jeepneys: ₱12 per ride within city; from airport, take a bus (₱25-40) or a single jeepney if luggage allows — avoid airport taxis.
When is the best time to visit Davao City?
December to February — cooler temperatures (25–30°C), lower humidity, and few typhoons. The city is less crowded than Manila, so you can move easily.
Top Attractions in Davao City
💡 Go late afternoon when the heat drops and the locals start gathering. The chess players near the south entrance are friendly and happy to chat. Free Wi-Fi near the main pavilion.
💡 Call ahead to check if they're open — hours can be erratic. Combine this with a walk around the nearby Japanese tunnel (a short tricycle ride away) for a history-focused morning.
💡 Buy the bundle ticket (200 PHP) that includes the nearby Davao Butterfly House — it's a quiet, pretty place and a good contrast. Weekday afternoons are dead quiet, so you'll have the crocs mostly to yourself.
💡 Skip the overpriced buffet lunch. Bring your own picnic and eat near the amphitheatre — there are benches and a view. Go early on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
💡 The eagles are most active in the morning before it gets hot. Arrive at opening time (08:00) and head straight to the eagle flight demo area (usually around 09:00). Bring mosquito repellent.