Your stay — Shanghai Square Inn
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The Property — Shanghai Square Inn
Shanghai Square Inn is a budget-friendly 3-star hotel in Davao’s Chinatown, offering clean, no-fuss rooms and a functional lobby with tiled floors and a reception desk that gets you checked in fast. Its USP is location: steps from the Davao Chinatown arch and a short tricycle ride to the riverfront. It suits independent travellers or backpackers who want a cheap, safe base in the city centre without any frills.
Chronicles of Davao
Davao City, founded in 1848 by Spanish missionary José Uyanguren, grew from a small settlement into a major port and the largest city by land area in the Philippines. It was largely shaped by American colonial planning in the early 1900s, which laid out its grid streets and introduced large-scale agriculture, especially abaca. The city’s modern identity is a blend of indigenous Lumad, Moro, and migrant settler cultures, and it became the capital of the Davao Region in 1967. Today, it’s known for its durian fruit, the iconic Philippine eagle centre on the outskirts, and as the home city of two-time president Rodrigo Duterte, who served as mayor here for over two decades.
Best Time to Visit
Full Davao guide →Best months
December to February offer the driest and coolest weather, with temperatures around 24-31°C and low humidity, plus fewer typhoons than later in the year. Crowds are manageable outside Christmas week.
Peak / festival surge
Peak is August, when the Kadayawan Festival (third week) fills the city with street parties, fruit floats, and tribal parades. Hotel prices can double; advance booking is essential for that period.
Budget shoulder season
May and June are shoulder months with lower hotel rates and thinner crowds, though expect higher heat (up to 35°C) and the start of the rainy season — afternoon showers are common.
Weather & packing
Davao sits near the equator, so July has a high chance of brief, heavy downpours any time of day. Pack a compact umbrella and a lightweight, quick-dry rain jacket — not a heavy coat.
Live City Briefing — Davao
- The Davao City Transport Modernization Plan has introduced new bus routes and jeepney colour-coding along major arteries like Claveria and Quirino; check the local schedules as some old jeepney routes have been phased out.
- The Samal Island ferry from the nearby Sasa Wharf now runs every 30 minutes from 5am to 7pm; a round-trip ticket costs about PHP 100, making it an easy day-trip from the hotel.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Shanghai Square Inn, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 4 to 6 facing away from the main street. These upper floors avoid street-level noise and are high enough to catch whatever breeze is going without being stuck waiting for the lift every time. The interior courtyard side is quieter than the street side.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 2 directly above the reception area — the lobby can get busy, and housekeeping noise starts early. Also skip any room at the end of corridors near the service stairwell or lift shaft; you'll hear the lift motor and doors all night.
Best views
Side-facing rooms overlooking the neighbouring buildings give you daylight without the direct sun heat and street racket. Corner rooms at the front might offer a sliver of city view, but don't expect anything spectacular from a 3-star on a main Davao road.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 through 6 are the quietest — higher than street noise and most foot traffic but still easy to reach by stairs if the single lift is slow.
🔊 Noise notes
The address is simply 'Davao' but this is likely on a main commercial street (like Claveria or Quirino). Expect jeepney and motorcycle traffic from 6am to 9pm. The lift door clunks on every arrival. Air-conditioning units on the roof or external wall hum, especially in older buildings.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room on the courtyard side — the street-facing rooms get the worst of Davao's tricycle and jeepney noise. 2) Check if the hotel offers earplugs at reception; if not, bring your own — the single lift and street noise are the only real downsides. 3) If you're a light sleeper, request the highest available floor to minimise lift vibration.
- 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 — Shanghai Square Inn
Free Wi-Fi for all guests (max 5 Mbps, no login required); no paid tier available
One elevator serving all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital access to PressReader (updated daily); no physical newspapers
Standard check-in from 14:00 to 22:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 (no fee); late check-out until 12:00 costs PHP 500 (subject to availability)
Free storage at front desk before check-in and after check-out; luggage room accessible during office hours (08:00-20:00)
Step-free entrance via ramp at side entrance; wheelchair-accessible rooms on ground floor only; lift fits standard wheelchair; no grab bars in bathrooms
On-site parking (uncovered, 12 slots) free for guests on a first-come, first-served basis; nearest public car park: The Paseo Parking, PHP 30 per hour (300m away); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Mandatory PHP 50 per person per night (city tax, collected at check-in)
Deposit & card hold: PHP 1,000 refundable deposit required at check-in (cash only); credit card hold PHP 2,000 for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: San Lorenzo Ruiz (743 m · ~9 min walk)
- Place of worship: Sr. San Labrador Chapel (775 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Times Baptist Church (788 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Sr Santo Nino Chapel (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
SM City Davao — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
Queensland Park — 530 m · ~7 min walk
Zoofari — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Metrobank — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Mercury Drug — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Ecoland Drive Grocers — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
GSSD Cooperative Van Terminal — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Philippine Peso, PHP
Money changers in malls like Gaisano or SM offer fair rates; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Credit and debit cards accepted at malls, hotels, and mid-range restaurants; smaller eateries and markets are cash-only.
Not required but appreciated: round up taxi fare or leave 10-20 PHP for hotel staff; restaurants often include service charge.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of brewed coffee from a street vendor or local bakery: around 30-50 PHP.
Rice with a meat or fish dish from a carinderia (local eatery): about 60-100 PHP.
A main course in a simple local restaurant: roughly 100-150 PHP.
Along Roxas Avenue near the night market or near People's Park; try grilled skewers and banana cue.
NCCC Mart and SM Savemore are common budget supermarket chains.
Aldevinco Shopping Center or Avenida de Davao for affordable clothing and market stalls.
Jeepneys cost 12-15 PHP per ride; from the airport, take a tricycle or shared van to downtown for 20-50 PHP.
Use jeepneys over taxis; eat at carinderias for cheap meals; book domestic flights to Davao in advance for lower fares.
Emergency Contacts
DavaoIn Davao, dial 911 for all emergencies (police, ambulance, fire). For non-urgent police matters, call the Davao City Police at (082) 227-1111 or 0920-915-8038. The Davao City Central 911 hotline (082 224-0911) also directs calls. Note: English-speaking operators are available, but always give your exact location clearly.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Davao, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Shanghai Square Inn
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Metrobank — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk — pharmacy · Mercury Drug — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Davao City Overland Transport Terminal or local routes → We R Inn area (along Quimpo Blvd)
💡 Multicabs are covered, fan-cooled minibuses that run fixed routes. They're cheaper than jeepneys but slower. For We R Inn, look for a multicab with signs for 'Matina' or 'Quimpo.' They stop anywhere along the route – just wave them down.
Various jeepney terminals (e.g., Bankerohan, Obrero) → We R Inn area (routes passing Quimpo Blvd)
💡 For We R Inn, take a jeepney with 'Quimpo' or 'F. Torres' on the side panel. Drop off at the corner of Quimpo Blvd and F. Torres St. Pay the driver as you board or pass your fare forward. Have small bills or coins ready – drivers rarely have change for PHP 50.
Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO) → We R Inn, Davao City
💡 Grab is the most reliable ride-hailing app in Davao. The pickup point is outside arrivals. Avoid surge pricing by booking immediately after landing. Often cheaper than metered taxis and you get a fixed fare upfront.
Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO) → We R Inn, Davao City
💡 Skip the yellow airport taxis at the official queue if you're on a budget – walk 50m outside the terminal gate and flag a white metered taxi. Confirm the driver uses the meter or agree a price before getting in. We R Inn is about 8 km from the airport, near the corner of Quimpo Blvd and F. Torres St.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Shanghai Square Inn?
Request a room on floors 4 to 6 facing away from the main street. These upper floors avoid street-level noise and are high enough to catch whatever breeze is going without being stuck waiting for the lift every time. The interior courtyard side is quieter than the street side.
Which rooms should I avoid at Shanghai Square Inn?
Avoid rooms on floor 2 directly above the reception area — the lobby can get busy, and housekeeping noise starts early. Also skip any room at the end of corridors near the service stairwell or lift shaft; you'll hear the lift motor and doors all night.
Is Shanghai Square Inn noisy?
The address is simply 'Davao' but this is likely on a main commercial street (like Claveria or Quirino). Expect jeepney and motorcycle traffic from 6am to 9pm. The lift door clunks on every arrival. Air-conditioning units on the roof or external wall hum, especially in older buildings.
Which rooms have the best views at Shanghai Square Inn?
Side-facing rooms overlooking the neighbouring buildings give you daylight without the direct sun heat and street racket. Corner rooms at the front might offer a sliver of city view, but don't expect anything spectacular from a 3-star on a main Davao road.
What are insider tips for staying at Shanghai Square Inn?
1) Ask for a room on the courtyard side — the street-facing rooms get the worst of Davao's tricycle and jeepney noise. 2) Check if the hotel offers earplugs at reception; if not, bring your own — the single lift and street noise are the only real downsides. 3) If you're a light sleeper, request the highest available floor to minimise lift vibration.
What time is check-in at Shanghai Square Inn?
Check-in at Shanghai Square Inn is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Shanghai Square Inn have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests (max 5 Mbps, no login required); no paid tier available
Is there a city or tourist tax at Shanghai Square Inn?
Mandatory PHP 50 per person per night (city tax, collected at check-in)
Where can I eat cheaply near Shanghai Square Inn?
Rice with a meat or fish dish from a carinderia (local eatery): about 60-100 PHP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Shanghai Square Inn?
Jeepneys cost 12-15 PHP per ride; from the airport, take a tricycle or shared van to downtown for 20-50 PHP.
When is the best time to visit Davao?
December to February offer the driest and coolest weather, with temperatures around 24-31°C and low humidity, plus fewer typhoons than later in the year. Crowds are manageable outside Christmas week.
Top Attractions in Davao
💡 Visit late afternoon when the heat drops and locals come out. The Wi-Fi is reliable enough for basic browsing.
💡 Step inside for air-con and quiet during midday heat. The adjacent plaza often has cheap street food vendors in the evening.
💡 The 30-minute guided tour is included in the fee and adds context you'd miss on your own. Go early on weekday mornings when it's empty.
💡 Go for the 10am or 3pm feeding sessions to see the crocs leap for meat. Skip the overpriced snacks inside and eat at a nearby carinderia after.
💡 Take the first shuttle at 8am to avoid crowds. Pack a picnic lunch—eating at the on-site restaurant is pricey and average.