Manila Hotels

[Mr Hawaii]

I have a meeting at the Diamond hotel this spring. What can you tell me about it? Is there a better option nearby?

If the company pays, stay there. If you have to pay and want something cheaper, but only one block away, stay at Palm Plaza, Executive Plaza, or Las Palmas (my favorite). All three have same owners (if things haven't changed in 3 yrs.). Not nearly as classy as the Diamond, but cheap and girl friendly.

[Asian Rain]

I have a meeting at the Diamond hotel this spring. What can you tell me about it? Is there a better option nearby?

Three choices in this area, all just a short walk from each other: Diamond, Hyatt and Pan Pac. All are super very girl-friendly. All are "walking" distance to Robinsons Mall as well as MBC / G-point / Amazonia. Have stayed many times in Diamond and Pan Pac. I had my first P4P experience at the Diamond. If you stay at the Diamond, be sure to get a non-smoking room unless you like an extra smoke-musty room. Enjoy Manila, AsianRain

[Red Kilt]

I have a meeting at the Diamond hotel this spring. What can you tell me about it? Is there a better option nearby?

It is a 4 or 5 star hotel well patronised by both Korean and Japanese business men.

Girl-friendly too, and has a great Skyline restaurant.

If your meeting includes accommodation as part of the deal, then stay there. It is not too far to MBC or the Mall and other attractions that are well-detailed elsewhere in these threads.

[Gaolei]

I have a meeting at the Diamond hotel this spring. What can you tell me about it? Is there a better option nearby?

[Fast Eddie 48]

Excellent location! Especially if you like trolling the mall across the street. But the rooms are not all that, the sheets and towels were low quality and the buffet wasn't good. The lower price rooms have no windows. The wifi is adequate only if you're close to a router. That said, I would still stay there, but only for a day or two. Or an ST room for 4 hours. I once used one of those to crash out one morning following an early morning arrival at the airport, was able to nap for a few hours while waiting for the next step.

To Finrod

I think for hotel with about same price range and location the Rothman inn and Rivera mansion just around the corner are better, the room is larger with bigger bed and mini bar is about 1400 p a night no breakfast but they are alway full so book in advanced.

Fast Eddie 48

[Finrod]

Excellent location! Especially if you like trolling the mall across the street. But the rooms are not all that, the sheets and towels were low quality and the buffet wasn't good. The lower price rooms have no windows. The wifi is adequate only if you're close to a router. That said, I would still stay there, but only for a day or two. Or an ST room for 4 hours. I once used one of those to crash out one morning following an early morning arrival at the airport, was able to nap for a few hours while waiting for the next step.

[Fast Eddie 48]

Here are a couple of shots of a studio room at the Eurotel Pedro Gil. Very good location, right across the street from the Robinsons Mall, and a couple of blocks away from the casino at the Hyatt. Having said that, the complementary buffet breakfast here was the worst I've ever had!

Good location, though.

To Ezinho.

Eurotel is a very basic motel double bed is too small and mattress is hard and no mini bar or frig, I stay there once and never again and I did see the breakfast and past.

Fast Eddie 48

[Bob Bowie]

Here are a couple of shots of a studio room at the Eurotel Pedro Gil. Very good location, right across the street from the Robinsons Mall, and a couple of blocks away from the casino at the Hyatt. Having said that, the complementary buffet breakfast here was the worst I've ever had!

Good location, though.

I stayed at the Makati branch. For 4 nights in October. Good price of $43 and great location. Easy to find a taxi. Only negative was difficult to get a room with a window.

[Red Kilt]

Odd, I thought that the 'stay awhile' rate for Eurotel was for 4 hours. Sogo is 3 hours. This is the main reason that I prefer Eurotel particularly if a girl is meeting you there as you can guarantee that 'trafik' will usually eat into the first hour. .

My mistake Stunning.

As usual you are 'korek'.

I checked it out today. It's 4 hours (not 5 hours) but the rate varies depending on the room type.

Sorry for misleading. That 1 hour might make a lot of difference

[Cunning Stunt]

But prices can vary widely according to demand. My next time there I was told no short-term rooms available. Only an 880 php room for 5 hours. I tried the old "how about 440 php for 2. 5 hours?" but got a blank look and a "sorry sir, cannot do".

Odd, I thought that the 'stay awhile' rate for Eurotel was for 4 hours. Sogo is 3 hours. This is the main reason that I prefer Eurotel particularly if a girl is meeting you there as you can guarantee that 'trafik' will usually eat into the first hour. Eurotel is nicer than Sogo as well and you do of course get the wall photo murals of scenes from around the world (although in Studio Rooms you get a smaller mural). They are excellent as a colourful backdrop to photo shoots, which I imagine is the reason they are there, and feature in many of my photos. My favourite is the London Westminster backdrop, although I haven't had that one for quite some time.

You can ask for their discount card after your first stay there. This entitles you to, I think, a 20% discount in your rate although if you have a live-in partner it might be wise not to bother or else hide it in the deepest, darkest corner of your wallet.

[Red Kilt]

Here are a couple of shots of a studio room at the Eurotel Pedro Gil. Very good location, right across the street from the Robinsons Mall, and a couple of blocks away from the casino at the Hyatt. Having said that, the complementary buffet breakfast here was the worst I've ever had!

Good location, though.

Agreed Ezinho. Location is excellent, especially as a short-term place.

My first time in there it was a 350 php for 3 hours in a very clean and comfortable room.

But prices can vary widely according to demand. My next time there I was told no short-term rooms available. Only an 880 php room for 5 hours. I tried the old "how about 440 php for 2. 5 hours?" but got a blank look and a "sorry sir, cannot do".

Definitely a good chain to use for short-time dalliances and even overnight stays. Check out www.eurotel-hotel.com

I have used Pedro Gil, Makati, North EDSA and Araneta Cubao branches

[Ezinho]

Here are a couple of shots of a studio room at the Eurotel Pedro Gil. Very good location, right across the street from the Robinsons Mall, and a couple of blocks away from the casino at the Hyatt. Having said that, the complementary buffet breakfast here was the worst I've ever had!

Good location, though.

[Cool Traveler]

I stayed here Dec 29th through 31st. It is right next to St. Giles. They share a wall. When I first arrived, I hasd this sinking feeling, but it all got put to rest very quickly.

Hotel staff is extremely friendly, and very helpful. If you left your bag unattended, they immediately pounce on it, and let you know you are not supposed to be doing that. They keep a close eye on the tenants. Which is very good. The security / doorman are very skilled and very experienced.

It is girl friendly. My girl did not get carded when I escorted her. As I passed through the door, the doorman checked her over, and asked me if I was ok. I said fine, and up we went.

It is more like a Suite than anything else. It has a full fledged kitchen. A little outdated, but very clean, and the bed is awesome. I got a twin bed room. But it had one queen and one twin. Used the queen for my activities, and the twin to sleep on by myself.

This hotel has a rooftop restaurant and pool. The pool is small, but one at the rooftop overlooking most of Manila is very cool. The rooftop restaurant is not very expensive and decent food. You want to impress a girl, take here here. What a view. The dusk light masks the smog, so go up just slightly before dark, and it is an amazing site.

These are just my opinion of this hotel, not trying to sell anyone on it.

As most of you know, it is walking distance to Burgos. Outside the front door of this hotel, tons of girls just lurking around. Beware of the ladyboys.

On the walk to Burgos, I passed a small pharmacy which had a note on the wall, with Viagra information. I asked how much and can I take a look. Having dispensed medicine at my bro's clinic when I was young, I know when something is fake. This is the genuine stuff. I bought a 25mg pill for 500 Pesos.

The pill lasted approximately 5 hours, and my dingdong was so big, it hurt afterwards. But I made full use of it though.

Ct

[Lakeside]

I don't think you will find a room in January in the Lotus Garden.

Still plenty of rooms available in January. On booking. Com a superior room incl. Breakfast is 7800 PHP.

[Sebans]

I am visiting Manila in mid-January and have narrowed my Hotel search to:

Best Western La Corona and

Lotus Garden.

Based on the posts in this forum, both of these hotels are GF. They are about the same distance from MBC and Robinson Mall.

However, the Best Western does NOT have an operational elevator. The elevator repairs will be completed in February.

This means forced exercise depending on the floor.

I am looking for feedback or other pros / cons so that I can make my final Hotel selection.

Thanks!

I don't think you will find a room in January in the Lotus Garden.