Angeles City - 2003 Reports

[McBarker]

I have 8 months experience in Angeles and just returned from a 1 month vacation there and here is my report. Best bars definately were the Blue Nile, Bunny Ranch and Road house. Worst bars Lancelot, Camelot and Rapsidy.Note Bunny Ranch had many dancers from Las Vegas bar there because Las Vegas was being remodeled so Las Vegas maybe worth checking out now as it has reopened. Best places to eat are Sub Delicious, the VFW and for Taco's I liked Ricks Cafe. Try upstairs at Sub Delicious it has soft sofa's, regular dinning tables,a big screen TV plus half a dozen other TV's, a nice bar, 2 excellent pool tables,foosball,great food and the friendliest staff in all of Angeles City.Its a great place to go once you already have your girl in hand.Best hotels are the Clarkton,Oasis and near the action The Orchid is Ok but can be very noisey if you get a room up the stairs like I did.I will try Villa Modesto when I return for 2 months in early May as an Aussie friend of mine stayed there and really liked it. Also note that there is no danger in taking trikes or jeepney's anywhere in the Fields Ave. area. I always use trikes and jeepneys and never ever had a single problem. You will always be asked to pay 50 pesos for a trike but I always bargained the price down during the day, but at night when I want to quickly get back to my room with a girl 50 pesos seemed fair to Clarkton from say the Blue Nile. Jeepneys are 4 Pesos and you have to go to checkpoint near Margarita Station to get the jeepney. For changing Travelers checks the best place is the tourist center very close to Margarita Station, good exchange rate and fast service. Daytime activities included swimming at the hotel pool, playing pool at any number of places, golfing near to the Villa Modesto Hotel or on the former Clark Air Force base, going to watch the cockfights in downtown Angeles City or going for a massage at any number of places like Palace Massage, U and I Massage and a number of others all offering extra's. Try Santo's St. AKA Blow Row for a nice nob job. Its safe,its fun and the good times are as addicting as hell in AC. Also Viagara is widely availible at most of the smaller bars in AC. Happy hunting to all.

McBarker

[Lalake]

Just a quick note for all those who might be interested, even though this post might belong in the General section:

I just found out Asiana Airlines (based in Korea) flies directly to Clark Air Base now 3 times per week.

This is good news. Especially for those who use the Star Alliance and United Airlines, as Asiana is a partner.

take care....good luck.
Lalake

[Firedick]

Gentlemen,

I must, repectfully, disagree with the with the tone of danger regarding late night public transportation in AC. The big problem with jeepneys is pick pocketing (and headroom). Violence is very rare on designated jeepney routes.The trikes that are stationed in front of establishments such as Kokomo's or Margaritaville have some accountability. If worried, have the door guard call a trike. You'll be fine. Flagging down an independent trike late at night would be foolhearty.

I lived in AC for a year in the mid 90's and have made about 30 trips back. My only confrontation came as a pedestrian.

That said, there is still no place like the Orchid Inn. Very convenient, very safe and "monger friendly". What more do you need ?

Best pools in town (IMHO): Woodland Park, Oasis, Clarkton. Honorable mentions to Tropicana and Orchid just for girl action.



Grizzled,

It's tough to get specific, especially with the bars, because things change so frequently. You'll find your favorites, that's part of the fun.


poupard2000,

AC or Cebu ?

Depends entirely on what you're looking for. There is no place in the Philippines that compares to AC for mongering. But that is all that it offers. If you need things other than laying around the pool during the day, drinking and chasing bar girls at night, then you might want to consider a place like Cebu or Boracay or even Puerto Galera.



FD

[Poupard2000]

I was many times in Thailand and in Madagascar (see my reports posted) but I NEVER was in Philippines. Your reports are ... Huummm ! good appetizers.

So in January, I will be in LOL (Bangkok & Pattaya) but I will do a 10 days travel in Philippines, but my dilemma is ANGELES CITY or CEBU?

The best solution would be to see both places but I will be short in time. The other concern is the budget. I am not as rich as an American (joke) and I am on a strict budget.

So what would be your suggestions?

ANGELES versus CEBU.

[Grizzled]

Thanks everyone,

This is why a forum like this is so helpful. The kind of information you guys are sharing with me and everyone else is the kind of stuff you just can't get from guidebooks or surfing the net. See, I never even was aware of the dangers of riding a jeep or trike at night. I just looked at an online map and said to myself, "Well these here hotels don't seem to be that far away from the main action and they seem to have a good review and are reasonably priced." I thought to myself, "Who cares if I'm three or four miles away from the action...a taxi or trike won't cost me more than a couple of bucks anyway." I spent a year in Colombia and I'm well aware of the threat and danger involved with late night transportation, but I was unaware that it went on in Angeles City that much. Thanks for steering me in the right direction.

I guess I'll check the Orchid or Kokomoz out then. Sounds like those are the places to be. Like I said, I'll be there late February and I'll give a day to day update on my experiences there. I think this board needs more reports specific to hotels, restaurants, prices, transportation, safety, and more detailed descriptions of individual bars and girls.

Grizzled.

[Travel to Monger]

Grizzled,

I have a few thoughts on hotel selection in AC, especially for a monger embarking on his inaugural voyage to paradise, I mean Angeles City. There is a reason why the Orchid Inn can maintain such a price premium over the perimeter hotels and still stay fully booked 3 months in advance, it’s because the public transportation in AC is over priced and dangerous. I would recommend staying at the Orchid, Kokomo’s, Apartelle Royal or the newly remodeled Park Chicago. I can personally vouch for the Orchid and the Apartelle Royal and I will be staying at the Park Chicago in February.


I think that devildog’s and mongering1’s point about not wanting to ride the jeeps/trikes should be a significant consideration while planning your trip to Angeles. While it is undeniably true that the vast majority of late night jeep/trike rides do not end adversely for the foreigner, in my opinion, riding jeeps/trikes late at night represents a significant and avoidable risk of robbery and physical violence for the punter, especially one who is new to the unique situations of the AC experience. If you can stay out of the jeeps/trikes at night, you can eliminate the single biggest risk to your welfare during the trip.

Of course another consideration is that the cost of the jeep/trike rides will quickly erode the 10.00/night that you will save staying in a Perimeter Hotel in the first place.


Let us know how it goes,

Travel to Monger (Bangkok Jim)

Better Loving Through Chemistry; San Miguel Beer, Vitamin V and Filipinas

[Firedick]

Grizzled,

I do not know the Hana, but of the other three, Europhil is the closest to the action, walkable, but a little risky late at night. It is also the tackiest of the three. Phoenix has nice rooms, but few windows, so it can get a little smelly. They also have a good pool table in a decent little bar but the smallest pool of the lot. If you like to hang out by the pool, forget the Phoenix (despite being very near the best Mexican food in the Philippines, Zapatas). I stay at the Clarkton whenever the Orchid is full. Very nice place, but a long way up (west) Fields. They do have a free hourly shuttle. If you're barhopping, just tell the door gaurd wherever you are that you want the Clarkton bus and he'll stop it and call you. Oasis is also up near the Clarkton and is a very nice place, but more money. Give serious thought to the Orchid.


SH-oldtimer,

I haven't heard anything about ladies and the Holiday Inn. Please post your impressions upon your return. The transport info the others guys have given you is on the money. You can find a taxi waiting at the main gate across from Margaritaville, uhhh, sorry...Margaritastation. Damn Jimmy Buffets lawyers !

Good luck to both of you.


KK,

Nepa Hut is long gone.


FD

[Kool Klyde]

It has been several (way too many) years since I was in the PI and AC. Is the Nepa Hut still around, or the Hard Rock Cafe (home of the best ice job)? There used to be other clubs that I can't remember, the name Sweetheart Club I think was one. Last Time I was there was mid 80's.

Thanks for any info.

[DevilDog]

Hey Bud, you are right on he money. To give some input on the hotels, I have stayed at the Orchid which is good but also the most pricey, the Phonix is also good, much cheaper, the Manager there, Piggy/Biggy is also a great guy. You can also negotiate the price of some of the hotels if you are staying a week or so on most places except for the Orchid which I have not tried. DONT take Jeepy's at night which is a Cardinal Sin if you do. I have been going to the PI since 67 and almost got robbed back then, probably more dangerous these days. Keep a smile on your face, be honest with the girls and you wont have any problems. Dont expect them to be honest with you though, there is two standards going on most of the time. $$ is however what its all about. Be respectfully, by the Momasan a drink, do an introduction with the Manager and you wont have any problems. I will be over there the end of Feb also the end of Feb with Progman-- anyway that is the plans now. Take care, good luck. Semper fi devilsog

[Mongering1]

I haven't been to any of the hotels you listed. I'm very happy with Kokomoz and have stayed there my last 3 trips. My plans for my next trip is to check out some of the new or newly remodeled hotels that have opened on Fields. I wouldn't consider any of the hotels you listed simply because I hate taking trikes and jeepneys.

As far as the girls getting mad if you choose to buy a lady drink for another, don't worry about it at all. They will all know you are a newbie, so you will get a lot of attention. I found by simply telling which ever girl that tries to latch on that I like that girl over there, and point her out. She will be happy to fetch her for you. Don't be worried about telling anyone no. The only problem you may have is if you barfine out of a given bar and then return and ignore her on another day. But play it cool and don't tell them a bunch of BS and it will be ok. Trust me on this one, I learned the very hard way a couple times! Also keep in mind that they are working, it really is about the money. IMHO of course.

Bud

[Grizzled]

hi guys,

i've been a regular reader of your reports on angeles now for the last few months or so. it's a great way to get geared up and excited for my trip there in february. even though almost every topic has been discussed at one time or another, i do have a few questions that maybe some of you could help me out with.

first of all i have a hotel question? i've read all the reports here and also checked out the hotel guide on www.balibago.com and i'm most interested in the following hotels: hana hotel, phoenix hotel, the clarkton, and the europhil. any comments regarding those hotels? they appear to be more or less in the same price range and have all the amenities, ie. air con, 24hr room service, safety deposit box, swimming pool, etc. what the reports don't say however, is if the place reeks of [CodeWord109] or mold or is infested with cockroaches or is in a high crime area or the owners are unfriendly pricks. that kind of information is what i'm looking for here. it's kind of important to me to pick a good place because i intend to stay the full three weeks down there and don't really want to get off to a bad start by having to jump from hotel to hotel right away.

the second question i have is maybe a harder one to answer. i'm one of those guys who walks into a bar and the first girl that latches on to me is usually the one i end up buying drinks for all night and taking home later. i really want to break this annoying habit down in angeles. so my question i guess is, do the girls get really pissed off if you turn one after another away until you finally find the one you want? see, sometimes what happens if you shue away a few ugly girls, the really hot ones end up avoiding you too. this happens a lot in latin america and i think the reason is because all the girls are somewhat friendly with eachother and maybe even living together and try to avoid competition. i was in seoul korea last week and the same thing happened to me. the first girl who grabbed me in the bar was the recipient of two lady drinks. then i told her that i wanted to drink alone for a while and just scout out the rest of the talent. she left me, but not happily and pouted over and started mumbling to her girlfriends in the corner. when i finally caught the attention of one of the hotter girls, she sat down with me, but kept looking over her shoulder as if she needed the ugly chick's approval. i hate that!! does that go on much in angeles?

anyway guys, i hope some of you out there can take the time to answer my questions. also, if any of you will be there during the later part of february to the middle or so of march, send me a message if you'd like to hook up for a few drinks and show me around.

grizzled.

[Progman]

See the attached map as a reference of where the Holiday Inn is relative to the Fields Ave Bars.

...(prog)

[Progman]

sh-oldtimer,

The Holiday Inn is an awesome hotel but it is very inconvenient to the action on Fields Ave. Your only way from your hotel to the bars is by private car, taxi, or jeepneys. Trikes are not allowed on Clark. The Holiday Inn may have shuttle service to Fields Ave but I have never seen a van or car with "Holiday Inn" written on the side of it. If the hotel does not offer a shuttle service then your next best option is to make arrangements with the hotel to get a number to a reliable taxi driver and get his number. Hopefully someone in your group will have a cell phone and you can call him when you need a lift back.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO RIDE A JEEP BACK TO CLARK LATE AT NIGHT.

...(prog)

[Travel to Monger]

sh-oldtimer,

Its no problem getting back and forth between Clark and Fields Av. in the evenings, you will just need to catch a regular taxi, no trikes or jeepneys.

I have never stayed at the Holiday Inn, but I can't imagine there would be any problem bringing girls back to your room, this is Angeles City we are talking about.

Travel to Monger

[sh-oldtimer]

We are a few buddies in China who have a very nice offer for a long weekend cheap flights, hotel and golf package - staying at the Holiday Inn at Clarks Air Field.

I guess it will be golf during the day and girls during the night with the girls being somewhat more importnat than the golf. Is it convenient to get from Clarks into Angeles and back again in the middle of the night with the girls? Has anybody any idea about the Holiday Inn allowing joiners or not?

Hope for some enlightment on these pressing issues.

Thanks.