Manila

[WestCoast1]

Oh, and your guest has to turn in their ID, get processed, take a picture, and get a visitor's badge to get past the front desk. There is a turnstyle that you have to scan the badge on to get to the elevators. You have to do it upon arrival as well and they keep your passport or ID until you check out.

If you balk about them keeping your passport, they will ask you for a p300 deposit and you get to keep the passport. They give the 300 back when you check out of your unit and turn in the security pass. Soapy my wifi speeds were always good enough for streaming in any unit. The largest downside is the elevators (compare to similar waits in Makati's Citadel Inn on Burgos St). From about 4-8 pm, even with all 4 elevators operating, the crowds outside the elevators mean 10 minute waits to get up to your unit. Coming down from floor 35 might also be no fun, as it might stop at 13 different floors on the way down. Studios are 22 square meters (that includes the balcony, the interior is 20 sq meters), relatively a tight fit.

[Engine Driver]

Best Western is an okay choice, but there are hotels in Malate that are closer. Apologies for posting this numerous times previously: the dividing line between Ermita and Malate is Pedro Gil. Thus New World Hotel (2 blocks from LA Cafe) is in Malate. Other Malate hotels and their distance from LA Cafe include: Las Palmas (3), Executive (3 1/2), Riviera Mansion (3 1/2), Palm Grove (4), Rothman (4 1/2), and Eurotel (5 1/2). All are easy walking distance, and the walk takes you past various restaurants and convenience stores. Eurotel is directly across Pedro Gil from Robinson's Place. In Ermita the closest hotel is Boulevard Mansion (1 1/2 blocks), then Duck Inn (4) and Best Western (4). There are numerous other Malate hotels at greater distance. If proximity to Robinson's Place is important, most of the Malate hotels I named are closer than those in Ermita. Quality varies among these hotels, and none are exactly high-end. You should go on one of the hotel sites like Agoda and check out customer ratings and remarks. Sam is correct that you should book for two, and this applies to all these hotels. This probably belongs in the Manila Hotels thread, but I'm to lazy to copy and past it all.

One of the better hotels in this area is the famous Diamond Hotel which is 5 star (Phillipines standard). It's a useful landmark if you are walking up and down Roxas Boulevard on a hot day looking for a root. It's about 250 metres from LA Cafe if you head west. There are regular specials on line and you can often get a room for $140. If you pay a few dollars more, you can access the club floor. If you have a late flight that night, you can hang out in the executive lounge after checking out, eat their free food, skol down a few g&t's and type up a few forum reports until it's time to go. I've asked for a late check out for 1. 30 pm, gone to LA Cafe at 12.00 noon, picked up a hooker, taken her back to the room and squeezed in a last minute, final root before leaving.

[NewImage]

This is a change since I was last there about two years ago. Grand Regency has its check-in counter to the left inside the door, right alongside the cafe. Another hotel operation, JRR Grand, has its counter to the right as you come in, and another outfit, Birch Condotel, is in the back of the first floor, or maybe up a flight of stairs from the first floor. The turnstile thing is new, because, after my initial check-in, my guests and I we were able to walk on in as though we owned the place. I guess privacy is losing out to security.

I suppose the hassle is worth the security aspect. I suppose.

[Soapy Smith]

Oh, and your guest has to turn in their ID, get processed, take a picture, and get a visitor's badge to get past the front desk. There is a turnstyle that you have to scan the badge on to get to the elevators. You have to do it upon arrival as well and they keep your passport or ID until you check out.

This is a change since I was last there about two years ago. Grand Regency has its check-in counter to the left inside the door, right alongside the cafe. Another hotel operation, JRR Grand, has its counter to the right as you come in, and another outfit, Birch Condotel, is in the back of the first floor, or maybe up a flight of stairs from the first floor. The turnstile thing is new, because, after my initial check-in, my guests and I we were able to walk on in as though we owned the place. I guess privacy is losing out to security.

[Mr Enternational]

I've stayed there a couple times. It's in a highrise of about 40 floors called Birch Tower, about six or eight years old; mostly condos in addition to three separate hotel operations have a good view of the city.

Four elevators, but they sometimes shut off one or two, and wait can be a pain in the ass.

I stayed in an airbnb there at the end of November. Every single thing is exactly as you have described it. I think I was on the 35th floor. I remembered asking my girlfriend how the fuck they only have 4 elevators for a building this tall. And like you said, they only use 3 at a time. I went into one of the hotel operations to ask about the rooms. They took us up to see a few. They were much more basic and more expensive than the airbnb that I was staying in.

Oh, and your guest has to turn in their ID, get processed, take a picture, and get a visitor's badge to get past the front desk. There is a turnstyle that you have to scan the badge on to get to the elevators. You have to do it upon arrival as well and they keep your passport or ID until you check out.

[Soapy Smith]

Going in Dec. Staying Regency Grand. Paid 37 US. Looks ok to me for short time. Quick walk to Robinson's.

Any feedback?

I've stayed there a couple times. It's in a highrise of about 40 floors called Birch Tower, about six or eight years old; mostly condos in addition to three separate hotel operations that have two or three floors each. There's a pool, but it is mostly covered, and WC has reported that the water is not very warm.

The units I have been in are long and narrow condo-like units. Decent bathroom along a hallway, then a small kitchenette with fridge and maybe a microwave. Then a queen bed without much space around it, but balcony opens off the bedroom area. Bed was comfortable and aircon dependable. View toward Manila Bay is more expensive, but those on the North and South have a good view of the city.

One time I was there wifi was not dependable. They claimed they contract it out and bad weather was playing havoc. Except there was wifi in the little ground floor cafe, so I'm not sure I believe them. When I was there many occupants in condo units were either Middle Easterners or Koreans, many of them trafficking in and out with scantily clad women, some with more tats than skin. Four elevators, but they sometimes shut off one or two, and wait can be a pain in the ass.

It's passable, especially for the price. It's on J. Bocobo, technically in Malate, half a block from Robinsons's, very near Eurotel. 5 1/2 blocks to LA Cafe, about the same to G-Point, and some KTVs are also in the area.

[NewImage]

Best Western is an okay choice, but there are hotels in Malate that are closer. Apologies for posting this numerous times previously: the dividing line between Ermita and Malate is Pedro Gil. Thus New World Hotel (2 blocks from LA Cafe) is in Malate. Other Malate hotels and their distance from LA Cafe include: Las Palmas (3), Executive (3 1/2), Riviera Mansion (3 1/2), Palm Grove (4), Rothman (4 1/2), and Eurotel (5 1/2). All are easy walking distance, and the walk takes you past various restaurants and convenience stores. Eurotel is directly across Pedro Gil from Robinson's Place. In Ermita the closest hotel is Boulevard Mansion (1 1/2 blocks), then Duck Inn (4) and Best Western (4). There are numerous other Malate hotels at greater distance. If proximity to Robinson's Place is important, most of the Malate hotels I named are closer than those in Ermita. Quality varies among these hotels, and none are exactly high-end. You should go on one of the hotel sites like Agoda and check out customer ratings and remarks. Sam is correct that you should book for two, and this applies to all these hotels. This probably belongs in the Manila Hotels thread, but I'm to lazy to copy and past it all.

Going in Dec. Staying Regency Grand. Paid 37 US. Looks ok to me for short time. Quick walk to Robinson's.

Any feedback?

[Soapy Smith]

Malate hotels are far away. Get a hotel in Ermita for walking distance to LACafe. Best western is 3 minutes walk in the same road. Good hotel with included breakfast. Book for 2.

Best Western is an okay choice, but there are hotels in Malate that are closer. Apologies for posting this numerous times previously: the dividing line between Ermita and Malate is Pedro Gil. Thus New World Hotel (2 blocks from LA Cafe) is in Malate. Other Malate hotels and their distance from LA Cafe include: Las Palmas (3), Executive (3 1/2), Riviera Mansion (3 1/2), Palm Grove (4), Rothman (4 1/2), and Eurotel (5 1/2). All are easy walking distance, and the walk takes you past various restaurants and convenience stores. Eurotel is directly across Pedro Gil from Robinson's Place. In Ermita the closest hotel is Boulevard Mansion (1 1/2 blocks), then Duck Inn (4) and Best Western (4). There are numerous other Malate hotels at greater distance. If proximity to Robinson's Place is important, most of the Malate hotels I named are closer than those in Ermita. Quality varies among these hotels, and none are exactly high-end. You should go on one of the hotel sites like Agoda and check out customer ratings and remarks. Sam is correct that you should book for two, and this applies to all these hotels. This probably belongs in the Manila Hotels thread, but I'm to lazy to copy and past it all.

[Sammon]

If you have layover atleast 2 days, get a hotel in malate near Roberson mall.

Google map and walk towards LA cafe. Everyone of them are ready to go with you.

This is quickest and effective.

Malate hotels are far away. Get a hotel in Ermita for walking distance to LACafe. Best western is 3 minutes walk in the same road. Good hotel with included breakfast. Book for 2.

[LiveFree25]

I haven't been to Manila since February but EDSA should keep you entertained and supply what you are looking for, for one night. Try to get there around 7 for the best selection. After 10-midnight, most of the pretty girls will give you sloppy seconds.

Give us an update if you go there, please.

Thanks for the advice. I'm a noobie so I appreciate the info. I will definitely post a report after my journey.

[SaltyPete]

Hi gents,

I have a layover in manila next month so I'm wondering how the action is in Edsa vs Makati these days. Is it worth fighting afternoon traffic to go to Makati or is it advisable to just ser what is available in Edsa sonce its closer to the airport. Haven't seen much chatter about Edsa area lately so little unclear what is the best course of action.

Thanks in advance!

I haven't been to Manila since February but EDSA should keep you entertained and supply what you are looking for, for one night. Try to get there around 7 for the best selection. After 10-midnight, most of the pretty girls will give you sloppy seconds.

Give us an update if you go there, please.

[MohdirFan82]

Hi gents,

I have a layover in manila next month so I'm wondering how the action is in Edsa vs Makati these days. Is it worth fighting afternoon traffic to go to Makati or is it advisable to just ser what is available in Edsa sonce its closer to the airport. Haven't seen much chatter about Edsa area lately so little unclear what is the best course of action.

Thanks in advance!

If you have layover atleast 2 days, get a hotel in malate near Roberson mall.

Google map and walk towards LA cafe. Everyone of them are ready to go with you.

This is quickest and effective.

[Dg8787]

Hi gents,

I have a layover in manila next month so I'm wondering how the action is in Edsa vs Makati these days. Is it worth fighting afternoon traffic to go to Makati or is it advisable to just ser what is available in Edsa sonce its closer to the airport. Haven't seen much chatter about Edsa area lately so little unclear what is the best course of action.

Thanks in advance!

Read post #17449. Same answer to same question.

Don’t forget to file a report.

[PilotPaul]

Looking over SA today it appears many "regular girls" in the provinces are using it. In the USA SA typically lists very expensive, more educated, good looking babes. The province girls on SA look like the same girls I see on dating sites. Some downright Fugly. I would guess the rates for SA province girls are the same as street girls or maybe even better. Any price, quality, and dependability feed back from guys that have used it in the Phils?

I have been using Seeking in the west. For sure there are a heap of messages from average girls and also from Filipinas in the pH. My local experiences have been excellent, in a upper class that I haven't experienced on Tinder. As a married guy Tinder has some dangers for me which probably reduces my options there.

For Seeking I am specific as to my needs and requirements. Each time has been 3-5 days until I found exactly what I was hoping.

PP.

[SaltyPete]

I agree, while there are still quality girls there, they are asking for more and more. I was home this summer and the same is happening there, in 2015 and 16 I had really good hunting there in Canada, now lots of girls asking $500 just for first meeting with sex off the table initially.

I will be letting my membership lapse, (I get 3 months at a time) as I can fill my bed from Tinder and with the regulars I have connected with over the last 2 years here.

An SA girl in London last year expected 600 GBP for (a very expensive) dinner, only. I can't imagine being wealthy enough to be ok with that, but apparently a lot of Londoners are.

I have a local SA girl about 90 minutes away who drives down to me for an afternoon of fun, $400 including 100 for her gas and travel time. 20 years old, petite and slim, a scholarship student and she loves getting dirty. You'll note my absence from the Philippines for the last 8 months. Food and traffic are better here. The only thing I miss are the multiple girls I can bed in Manila.