Manila Hotels

[Efmeded]

Yes, I stayed there a couple of weeks ago having moved from the Executive Plaza. I was a walk in and stayed in a"superior Room"for PHP2600+12%Tax=PHP2912 or thereabouts (PHP47.5/USD).

The room was very large and had a nice leather sofa and it was away from the street noise. The buffet breakfast was good and is included in the price. They have free wireless internet if you take your laptop downstairs to the coffee shop and ask for a password. Otherwise pay an amount to have access in your room. The minibar is well stocked, although I went to one of the numerous 7 11 to buy beers etc, and the cable tv is good.

There is the Robinsons Mall and the GPoint bar nearby.

The staff are reasonably helpful and friendly, I tipped the bag guy about PHP40 at the beginning which is a hefty tip and always got good advice from him as to places to eat, drink, pick up chicks but I was disappointed with the travel section. I sat in their office and waited/was ignored for about 10 minutes after they served their last customer. I went somewhere else and was treated a bit more like I expect. I don't, of course, mind waiting but being ignored is another matter.

Finally there was no security check when I bought a girl back at 1am which can be both good and bad. I went to Boracay but did not return to the Lotus instead trying the Best Western La Corona.

All the best,

Ef

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[Westernman]

Guys,

Does anyone have any experience with this Hotel Lotus Garden Hotel? http://www.citygardenhotels.com/lotu...mmodations.php I am going to the Philippines in early November for two weaks mainly in Angeles City but a layover in Manila and plan to visit LA Cafe.

Thanks in Advance

WM

[Gumby2004]

Has anyone ever had an experience with the "blind" dude in this area?

Last May, a dude dropped a plate of food as he bumped into me on my way from LA Cafe to G-Point. It was pretty late, so not too many people out. I was about to stop and offer a few pesos for the accident, when he started shouting: "I'm blind! That was my food! You pay me! ". My safety radar suddenly flipped to high as I realized that something didn't add up about the encounter. I'm sure I was about to be the victim of a cleverly designed setup.

My worst fear was that his shouting was a signal to his boys, who would materialize out of the shadows at any moment. So I kept it moving and picked up my pace. On my final approach to the G-Point entrance, the dude is still behind me, now about a half block away, and still shouting.

How the fuck could a blind dude see me from half a block away? In the dark?

It's true that Ermita is a sleazy area. In addition to the threat of mugging, there are numerous panhandlers, con artists, and guys hawking belt buckles, wallets, and Cialis. Anybody who tries to befriend you is not your friend. Walk and act confidently, but with your eyes and ears open. When they approach, shake your head no or tell them "hindi" (for "no"). Don't stop and talk out of politeness.

The route from the Bayview and from Boulevard Mansion is probably safer than from some of the other places. The Bayview is on a frontage street facing out onto Roxas Boulevard, a main drag from the airport region. To get to the LA Cafe go out the front door, turn left on the frontage street and head South (back toward the airport). After about four blocks, going past a couple of banks and travel agencies, you will walk past the Boulevard Mansion Hotel on your left. After the Boulevard Mansion you'll walk past an open lot with chain-link fencing around it. Turn left on the little side street beside the fenced lot. If there's a street sign it will read Romero Salas. LA Cafe is about 100 yards up this street on the left. There's an alley behind LA Cafe, but you won't miss the Cafe: it's all lit up and it's on the corner of a busier street, Del Pilar. On the right side of Romero Salas is an LA Annex that seems to be more about food than booze and women. There are security guards at the entrance to the main club who will smile and open the door for you when they realize you're likely to be a paying Western customer. Don't make eye contact and don't engage the pitiful individuals hanging around outside unless you have a masochistic desire to try to fix the incurable human problems of the Third World.

I have occasionally used the Boulevard Mansion, especially on the night of arriving by air, because, despite its decrepit condition, it's literally less than 500 feet to LA Cafe. It's simply the closest, quickest, and safest destination for getting a willing LBFM unwrapped and into bed.

[Soapy Smith]

Just be careful around L. A. Cafe. I got mugged there. The area around there is as bad as you will find anywhere in any mongering area on the planet. Seriously.

It's true that Ermita is a sleazy area. In addition to the threat of mugging, there are numerous panhandlers, con artists, and guys hawking belt buckles, wallets, and Cialis. Anybody who tries to befriend you is not your friend. Walk and act confidently, but with your eyes and ears open. When they approach, shake your head no or tell them "hindi" (for "no"). Don't stop and talk out of politeness.

The route from the Bayview and from Boulevard Mansion is probably safer than from some of the other places. The Bayview is on a frontage street facing out onto Roxas Boulevard, a main drag from the airport region. To get to the LA Cafe go out the front door, turn left on the frontage street and head South (back toward the airport). After about four blocks, going past a couple of banks and travel agencies, you will walk past the Boulevard Mansion Hotel on your left. After the Boulevard Mansion you'll walk past an open lot with chain-link fencing around it. Turn left on the little side street beside the fenced lot. If there's a street sign it will read Romero Salas. LA Cafe is about 100 yards up this street on the left. There's an alley behind LA Cafe, but you won't miss the Cafe: it's all lit up and it's on the corner of a busier street, Del Pilar. On the right side of Romero Salas is an LA Annex that seems to be more about food than booze and women. There are security guards at the entrance to the main club who will smile and open the door for you when they realize you're likely to be a paying Western customer. Don't make eye contact and don't engage the pitiful individuals hanging around outside unless you have a masochistic desire to try to fix the incurable human problems of the Third World.

I have occasionally used the Boulevard Mansion, especially on the night of arriving by air, because, despite its decrepit condition, it's literally less than 500 feet to LA Cafe. It's simply the closest, quickest, and safest destination for getting a willing LBFM unwrapped and into bed.

[Redfield10]

Just be careful around L. A. Cafe. I got mugged there. The area around there is as bad as you will find anywhere in any mongering area on the planet. Seriously.

Today I found out that I'm headed to the PI tomorrow for 9 days....much earlier than I expected. I have to overnight in Manila on arrival and the day before departure. I head up to Subic for business the day after I arrive and the company has put me up in the Venezia hotel.

I've never been to the PI and need recommendations for a hotel in Manila near the action. I've been researching the posts as best I can, but I'm limited by time. Since I'm not familiar with the area can someone tell me a hotel that is in "play", that is girl friendly and not all too that expensive? Due to my arrival time (very late at night)I was thinking of the Bayview for my late night arrival and then the Renaissance on my return when I'll have more time.

Many thanks for any help. And I will post a report when I return.

Turnkey

[Soapy Smith]

I've never been to the PI and need recommendations for a hotel in Manila near the action. I've been researching the posts as best I can, but I'm limited by time. Since I'm not familiar with the area can someone tell me a hotel that is in "play", that is girl friendly and not all too that expensive? Due to my arrival time (very late at night)I was thinking of the Bayview for my late night arrival and then the Renaissance on my return when I'll have more time.
Turnkey

If you haven't already departed, you may be able to use these suggestions.

You don't say anything about what hotel class and price you're looking for, so these places represent a considerable range in quality.

Bayview has gotten mixed reviews in this thread recently, but it's probably okay, it's not far from LA Cafe, and it is, from all indications, girl friendly -- except you may be asked to pay extra if you bring back more than one bed warmer. Assuming you're getting into Manila on Northwest at about 10 pm or so, you can take a taxi to the Bayview or one of the other Ermita or Malate area hotels and be there by 11 or 11:30. If you shower quickly you can still get to the LA Cafe around midnight. But not to worry; LA never closes, and there is usually plenty of merchandise around most of the night. These are independents, so no barfine -- just the price you negotiate with the merchandise of your choosing. Ask the doorman at the Bayview for instructions to walk to LA. It's not far. Read the Manila thread for comments about staying within the usual price guidelines.

If you have time, check prices on the Agoda.com website. I have had very good luck with them, and their online registration system has never declined any of my credit cards. Sometimes you can find a real bargain if one of the Ermita or Malate hotels has empty rooms for the next day.

Since LA Cafe is your best bet for evening arrival, you want to look in the areas of Manila defined by Agoda as Ermita or Malate. LA Cafe is about one block North of Pedro Gil Avenue, which is the dividing line -- Ermita to the North, Malate south of Pedro Gil.

In the Ermita listings, these are some that mongers use:

Lotus Garden
City Garden Suites
Pearl Manila
Boulevard Mansion

Pearl Manila is walkable to LA, but you'll want a taxi going back if you have company. Boulevard Mansion is becoming worn out and needs a solid Spring cleaning and some insecticide, but it's so close to LA that you can almost spit out the room window and hit the roof of LA.

Among the Malate listings some mongers consider:

Diamond Hotel
Palm Plaza
Executive Plaza
Las Palmas
Eurotel Pedro Gil

You'll get mixed reviews on these places; what one monger likes, another hates. You can check out some details on the Agoda website. Diamond is pricier than the others; Eurotel's rooms are small, many have no windows, but they give you a free breakfast and they're directly across from Robinson's Place Mall. All five of these places are easy walking distance to LA. All are girl friendly.

The Renaissance is in Makati, which is vastly more upscale than Ermita. Makati is the finance district of the Philippines; Ermita is the red light district. Renaissance puts you close to the several Makati shopping malls, where some guys with game pick up independents, but it's a long jaunt from there to Burgos, where the principal action is in Makati. Burgos bars have steep barfines, and many monger reports suggest that they're pricing themselves out of business. Agoda's site shows lots of lodging at various prices in Makati. Most mongers recommend against the Citadel Inn, but its location gives you an idea where the Burgos bars are. There are other hotels in the Burgos area that show up on sites like Agoda.

A final location to consider in your return trip is at the EDSA entertainment complex. Right across the street is the Heritage Hotel. It gets good reviews. If you want nice shopping malls, go to Makati. If you want bed company, consider EDSA and the Heritage. Girls are probably midway in price and quality between LA and the Burgos clubs. Find the Heritage in Agoda under the region called Pasay.

Good luck. Skip

[Mongerer69]

Executive Plaza Hotel should work out well for you. GF friendly, within walking distance of LA Cafe and other good bars and if you have time Robinson's Mall for indies.

Good luck, I wish I was with you.

Today I found out that I'm headed to the PI tomorrow for 9 days....much earlier than I expected. I have to overnight in Manila on arrival and the day before departure. I head up to Subic for business the day after I arrive and the company has put me up in the Venezia hotel.

I've never been to the PI and need recommendations for a hotel in Manila near the action. I've been researching the posts as best I can, but I'm limited by time. Since I'm not familiar with the area can someone tell me a hotel that is in "play", that is girl friendly and not all too that expensive? Due to my arrival time (very late at night)I was thinking of the Bayview for my late night arrival and then the Renaissance on my return when I'll have more time.

Many thanks for any help. And I will post a report when I return.

Turnkey

[Turnkey13]

Today I found out that I'm headed to the PI tomorrow for 9 days....much earlier than I expected. I have to overnight in Manila on arrival and the day before departure. I head up to Subic for business the day after I arrive and the company has put me up in the Venezia hotel.

I've never been to the PI and need recommendations for a hotel in Manila near the action. I've been researching the posts as best I can, but I'm limited by time. Since I'm not familiar with the area can someone tell me a hotel that is in "play", that is girl friendly and not all too that expensive? Due to my arrival time (very late at night)I was thinking of the Bayview for my late night arrival and then the Renaissance on my return when I'll have more time.

Many thanks for any help. And I will post a report when I return.

Turnkey

[Member #3428]

Thanks for the responses!

I'm gonna start checking out the other hotels and condos.

ME

I always like Ascott / Sommerset Properties... They have some nice two room places and I get good rates with them. Right now in Dusit just cuz they offered me a great rate...

[Muff Eater]

Thanks for the responses!

I'm gonna start checking out the other hotels and condos.

ME

[Amavida]

Does anyone have any info on the Citadel Inn in Makati? A friend and I are planning on staying there in a two room suite. The quote price is php 4000/nite. Has AC, pool and of course, rooms look very nice.

Stayed there once. It is in a poor state of repair & very prone to high traffic noise. you will regret going there. On the other side of the street is Oxfords suites. Better. Im sure you realise that these hotels are side by side to the 'bars'.

[Ham Yai]

Stayed there but never again. Room service can clean you out too.

When we complained the ranks closed.

[Docwiltro]

Hi,
In the Soho Condominiums do they change the sheets and towels every day? If no, what is the frequency? What about cleaning and trash removal?

Thanks!

The linens are changed every three days, but the room is made up and cleaned and the towels are changed everyday.

I must add that the room rental is p1,800 not p1,600: my mistake.

I'll post a partial photo of the room.

[BKKguru]

Hi,
In the Soho Condominiums do they change the sheets and towels every day? If no, what is the frequency? What about cleaning and trash removal?

Thanks!

I have stayed there before and really is a very mediocre hotel, and when you see the pool, you will laugh your ass off. It is maybe 10 ft. long and perhaps 4 ft. wide: I never saw anyone in it.

I stay at the Belair Soho Condominiums which is right around the corner for p1,600. It is a much better deal, but there is no pool.

[Docwiltro]

Does anyone have any info on the Citadel Inn in Makati? A friend and I are planning on staying there in a two room suite. The quote price is php 4000/nite. Has AC, pool and of course, rooms look very nice.

I have stayed there before and really is a very mediocre hotel, and when you see the pool, you will laugh your ass off. It is maybe 10 ft. long and perhaps 4 ft. wide: I never saw anyone in it.

I stay at the Belair Soho Condominiums which is right around the corner for p1,600. It is a much better deal, but there is no pool.