Makati

[Hairy Wonder]

....I think I'm getting ripped off. It kind of hurts when one shows up in a business suit huh?

I'm not sure if it hurts or helps you. From what I have experienced with Filipinas, if you come from any country outside of the Philippines, you are considered to be rich, regardless of how you are dressed. Although, a guy dressed in a business suit is probably more likely to be seen as having much more money to spend than the guy in shorts, t-shirt and flip flops. IMHO somewhere in between the 2 styles is probably the best way to dress. That way the girls don't get the impression that you have "money coming out of your ears," but also that you are not a dirty slob.

HW

[GoodEnough]

Though I live in Davao, I get to to our office in Makati about twice a month, this time for five days. Perhaps I'm just developing a greater longing for true urban environments, being a city boy and having been in Davao for seven years, but I'm starting to appreciate the "green" areas of Makati more than I have before; it's an island of civilization in the middle of the sea of poverty that is the rest of the country and the city.

Today, after leaving the relative calm of the Dusit Hotel, I went to meet a friend for a late lunch at Italiannis in Greenbelt 2. As I had arrived about 45 minutes early, I sat outside, quietly enjoying a drink, tapping away on my computer (via the free wifi offered by the restaurant) , watching very well dressed people stroll by, and reminding myself how pleasant a civilized urban environment can be.

Later in the evening we met friends for dinner at a lovely Italian place in Fort Bonifacio, and again, the general ambience was so pleasant that I almost forgot for the moment that I was enmired in the third world. Later, as we strolled through a pleasant arcade of trees and bushes to a coffee shop for our evening espresso, I was again impressed by the well dressed crowds, the folks walking their dogs and sitting with them at the outdoor restaurants, and in general behaving like civilized urban dwellers everywhere.

This area of Makati seems light years removed from the squalor, clamor and anarchy of the rest of the city-and indeed the rest of the country. I could probably live here in a reasonable state of contentment for a couple of years.

GE

[Member #4698]

You are, of course, talking about the "Ayala" area of Makati and not "all of Makati".

There are some areas of Makati just outside the area that you described that are not so clean and certainly not so safe. If you walked just 200 meters from Burgos you would be in the midst of an awful squatter-type area (many of the bar / gs live there).

Yep, I refer to it as the “Green Zone”. My first afternoon in town after I arrived from AC, I took a walk round Makati. From the New World Hotel I walked around the Greenbelt malls and I came to the Philippine Stock Exchange. Then I walked through Ayala Triangle to Makati Ave and Paseo de Roxas. I continued walking up Makati Ave past the Mandarin Hotel hoping to find Burgos Street. Coming directly from AC; I was very impressed with the wide palm lined boulevards, the high rise buildings and cleanliness of downtown Makati. It was not what I was expecting. Then I came to Jupiter Street, the demarcation line, and I knew I was leaving the “Green Zone” and Burgos Street must be close by. I continued on for another block and a half until I saw Burgos Street on my right. I scouted out the locations of all the bars I had heard so much about. There were a few SW’s about even at 3pm that gave me the look. I liked what I saw and knew I was going to have a good time here later in the evening. I thought yeah, Burgos has real potential. I never made it to the squatter-type area you mention above, but I can imagine what that is like.

[Red Kilt]

. . . . . . .

Makati is an oasis surrounded by the rest of Manila. You will be amazed by its high gloss Polish. It is clean and safe. There are many restaurants of all kinds to choose from. The other areas of Manila are much poorer, third world poor. It's up to you where you want to go. I spent 4 nights in Makati in February (my first trip). I had a great time. I never made to EDSA Complex or LA Café, or the KTVs on Quezon Ave. I reserve all that for my next trip, although I will probably return to the New World Makati to stay.

You are, of course, talking about the "Ayala" area of Makati and not "all of Makati".

There are some areas of Makati just outside the area that you described that are not so clean and certainly not so safe. If you walked just 200 meters from Burgos you would be in the midst of an awful squatter-type area (many of the bar / gs live there).

In general terms, everything else you said was accurate and I would agree with your assessment of the hotels too.

[Member #4698]

What is the best plan for staying 1-2 nights in Manila / Makati? Probably to stay close to Greenbelt and Cafe Havana? What is the best location, Shangri la hotel? It is pretty expensive though. Any other good hotels? Or maybe better to skip Makati and stay in Manila close to the former LA Cafe or Robinsons mall? Could be a cheaper option. Makati feels cleaner and safer but is this only psychological? 1-2 night in Manila should not be unsafe either I guess (never stayed a night there before).

1. The New World Makati Hotel has the best location to Greenbelt 3 and Havana Cafe. It's right across a side street from the main entrance. A stone's throw away from Havana Cafe. And the New World (a former Renaissance Hotel) is definitely a very nice 4. 5* hotel. The lobby is ornate. The pool is large. The rooms are more than adequate and clean. The breakfast buffet is very good. I do not believe the Shangri La Hotel is worth more than $100 / day over the New World. It's crazy.

2. I think Makati is best for you, and if you stay in Makati for two days, I promise you won't be bored. You will have a night at Greenbelt 3 & Havana Cafe and a night on Burgos Street. Be sure to check out Rogues (#1) , Jools, & Ivory Bar.

Makati is an oasis surrounded by the rest of Manila. You will be amazed by its high gloss polish. It is clean and safe. There are many restaurants of all kinds to choose from. The other areas of Manila are much poorer, third world poor. It's up to you where you want to go. I spent 4 nights in Makati in February (my first trip). I had a great time. I never made to EDSA Complex or LA Café, or the KTVs on Quezon Ave. I reserve all that for my next trip, although I will probably return to the New World Makati to stay.

[Lalake]

What is the best plan for staying 1-2 nights in Manila / Makati? Probably to stay close to Greenbelt and Cafe Havana? What is the best location, Shangri la hotel? It is pretty expensive though. Any other good hotels? Or maybe better to skip Makati and stay in Manila close to the former LA Cafe or Robinsons mall? Could be a cheaper option. Makati feels cleaner and safer but is this only psychological? 1-2 night in Manila should not be unsafe either I guess (never stayed a night there before).

Try the New World right behind Greenbelt mall. Also, the Manila Peninsula is quite posh but not sure if its as high as Shangri-La Makati. There is also the Intercontinental and Dusit Thani.

Good luck.

Also. I saw some posts about BFs in Burgos. I was just there last month, and I paid 3500 LT out of Bottoms. That's the same price I paid years ago when I was there. I think I'm getting ripped off. It kind of hurts when one shows up in a business suit huh? Cheers,

Lalake

[Pekkakoo]

What is the best plan for staying 1-2 nights in Manila / Makati? Probably to stay close to Greenbelt and Cafe Havana? What is the best location, Shangri la hotel? It is pretty expensive though. Any other good hotels? Or maybe better to skip Makati and stay in Manila close to the former LA Cafe or Robinsons mall? Could be a cheaper option. Makati feels cleaner and safer but is this only psychological? 1-2 night in Manila should not be unsafe either I guess (never stayed a night there before).

[Lostwodpun]

Do you have the name of the mall please?

Thanks brother,

See my first post. Makati Cinema Square.

[Asianatic]

I think they are on the 2nd floor and you can't miss them. Near the gun stores.

Do you have the name of the mall please?

Thanks brother,

[Lostwodpun]

I think they are on the 2nd floor and you can't miss them. Near the gun stores.

[Lostwodpun]

That's exactly what I was hoping to find in Makati before my trip to my gf in Phuket. Thailand. In what kind of mall is that please? Thanks mate.

It's just a regular shopping mall, but more of a low rent area.

[Asianatic]

just in case you guys are interested there are a couple of adult stores in makati cinema square. didn't have time to do any shopping, just took a quick peek.

that's exactly what i was hoping to find in makati before my trip to my gf in phuket. thailand. in what kind of mall is that please? thanks mate.

[Lostwodpun]

just in case you guys are interested there are a couple of adult stores in makati cinema square. didn't have time to do any shopping, just took a quick peek.

[Irony Monger]

Got together with David_33's 18 year old friend in Manila. She really loves foreign cock. For an 18 year old, she really knows what she is doing.

Ah, so you've met her too! I gave her some oral training last week...quite a gem she is. Unfortunately she showed up earlier than originally planned and I didn't have time to fully recharge from my morning "appointment" so the poor girl just had to suck away for an hour straight. ;)

[Asian Flava]

Got together with David_33's 18 year old friend in Manila. She really loves foreign cock. For an 18 year old, she really knows what she is doing.

She told me she's got some guy (white of course) sending her a lot of money, so she isn't that interested in charging for getting together except for some taxi fare . So a great time very cheap, perfect.

Hope the white guy keeps sending cash as we get lots good times at his expense LOL.

Highly recommended if Manila as she does love the foreign cock LOL.

AF