While backpacking, I was doing some island hopping last month from the
islands of Cebu to Negros to Panay, and for four days I was in Bacolod City
near the northern end of Negros Island.

The bus from the city of San Carlos to Bacolod City happened to stop about
one block away from a little hostel type establishment called the Tindalo
Pension. I found the place by asking some taxi drivers and some push-pedal
tricycle drivers where a good cheap stay might be had.

Apparently, I was just about a block away from Tindalo Avenue which is home
to the Tindalo Pension. You cannot miss the place, because it is one of the
newest and biggest buildings on the street. The staff was friendly, and they
could understand and speak basic english. When I went inside, there were fan
and aircon rooms available. I do not know if you can make reservations ahead
of time, but you can give them a call at +63 34 709 0006. I paid 380 pesos
per night (about 6 euros per night) for one bedroom with aircon.

The rooms are very minimalistic. There was a full sized bed with bed sheet
and top cover, and the pillows had pillow cases. There was one tiny but new
bar of soap available on top of the folded towel. Drinking water was
provided in a pitcher, but I did not try it opting instead to purchase
bottled water. The bathroom was tiny for most western standards but did the
job.

There is a small lobby where you can buy snacks and most other things that
you might need.

My only complaint is that there does not seem to be any laundry service
available at this establishment. I needed to get some laundry done, so I
went ahead and cleaned the neccessary items in the sink. I'm sure I could
have gone out and looked around and maybe even paid somebody to wash my
clothes, but I didn't.

For the budget minded backpacker in Bacolod City, this is definitely the
place to stay.

...:: John ::..