Manila Hotels

[WestCoast1]

Never say "never" Westy. SNIP

Finally, I get assigned a taxi. The driver asked me where I was going and I said Malate. I was holding the taxi info in my hand and he took it. It didn't have the hotel name on it and I never had a driver try to take it from me before. Red flag? In the taxi I had to ask him to turn on the meter. He said OK. I asked for the taxi info paper back and he kind of flung it toward me. I asked if there was a problem. He said no, but no smile from this guy. I asked again for the meter and he grunted agreement, but didn't make any movement toward the meter. I got out of the taxi. Of course when the taxi stand staff came over to see what the problem was the meter had been turned on.

Have had similar experience in white taxi's only. I wrote of a similar incident last year here on the Board. Driver took the chit out of my hand, and later when I asked for it back, he looked about the console and floor, saying he'd lost it. At the destination he had not turned on the meter. Light late-night traffic to Malate, p180-200 should have done the trick and was offered by me. He started screaming for 500. A ripoff. I find those issues rare. However with yellows, never an issue for me, drivers always professional.

[X Man]

Never say "never" Westy.

You would be wise to make sure they turn on the meter and even wiser to hang on to the paper with taxi info.

To set the scene, there was some kind of blockage at the Yellow cab stand at Terminal 3. Taxis were passing up the stand and then getting into a queue, and then backing up to the stand. No, you cannot make this up. There was quite a lot of squabbling between drivers and taxi stand staff. There were also quite a few yellow cabs, but no one was loading during the protracted squabble. One foreign guy finally shouted out, "It's not brain surgery. " This was the high point of the whole episode.

Finally, I get assigned a taxi. The driver asked me where I was going and I said Malate. I was holding the taxi info in my hand and he took it. It didn't have the hotel name on it and I never had a driver try to take it from me before. Red flag? In the taxi I had to ask him to turn on the meter. He said OK. I asked for the taxi info paper back and he kind of flung it toward me. I asked if there was a problem. He said no, but no smile from this guy. I asked again for the meter and he grunted agreement, but didn't make any movement toward the meter. I got out of the taxi. Of course when the taxi stand staff came over to see what the problem was the meter had been turned on.

I was reminded why I dislike Manila so much. Easy solution, I walked 100 meters and waited 30 minutes for the Genesis Bus to take me to AC.

From T3 you could take the Walkway across to Resorts World. It might be faster and certainly more relaxing than dealing with the airport clusterfuck.

Unfortunately, I need to head back south to Manila today because of an appointment tomorrow. X Man.

Never a shakedown. They are required to have running meters. Yes there is a higher initial payment (flagfall) amount of p70 vs p40, and the meter jumps up at each 300 meters. This will cost you more, but the yellow airport taxis can only make runs from the airport, and I have found the drivers always to be courteous.

[ForkTruck]

I am planning a trip to Manila in the New Year, and have a couple of nice girls lined up from Tagged.

I suspect that at least one of them would be horrified to have to give in her ID at reception so my question is:

* Does anyone have experience of E. G. AirBnb properties where you can just come and go without scrutiny?

No problem at all about registering myself on arrival but would rather "sneak" the girls in.

Thanks in advance!

I tell some of my visitors who I think might be (horrified as you say) to be thought of as a prostitue to not dress sexy, instead dress like a school teacher. If they are able to dress like that they usually get in with only a polite nod from security particularly during the morning or daytime. Of course most don't like to dress like a school teacher because they want to impress you when they arrive with lots of skin, curves, and makeup so that you don't turn them away in the lobby. Seems the vast majority don't care if they are carded or not because they know the drill and are fine with it. Besides its not just hookers being logged in, its all visitors, venders, etc. Just tell the girl all visitors have to check in.

[Kabul Guy]

I am planning a trip to Manila in the New Year, and have a couple of nice girls lined up from Tagged.

I suspect that at least one of them would be horrified to have to give in her ID at reception so my question is:

* Does anyone have experience of E. G. AirBnb properties where you can just come and go without scrutiny?

No problem at all about registering myself on arrival but would rather "sneak" the girls in.

Thanks in advance!

My experience at Jazz Residence in Makati about a 10 minute walk from Burgos street and 15 minutes to Green belt was that if you were with the girl, daytime or early evening and she was dressed conservatively it was not much of a problem. About 80% just walk in, alone same time about 50% evenings you with the girl 50%.

Girls alone, especially first time before the guard on duty, daytime 50%, evenings about 20% no ID. Regular girls, that have been there so the Guards recognize her, almost 100 % no ID.

Girl dressed like a pro, with or without you no matter what time almost 100% asked for ID, same if you are bringing back multiple girls.

SM Light on EDSA in Mandaulyong City, 100% ID before entry.

[Goferring]

I am planning a trip to Manila in the New Year, and have a couple of nice girls lined up from Tagged.

I suspect that at least one of them would be horrified to have to give in her ID at reception so my question is:

* Does anyone have experience of E. G. AirBnb properties where you can just come and go without scrutiny?

No problem at all about registering myself on arrival but would rather "sneak" the girls in.

Thanks in advance!

Most Airbnb will want ID if the girl looks like a hooker. Especially for the first night. A girl dressed in civilian clothes will likely enter with you unchallenged. The secret is to walk straight to the elevators like you own the place, not sheepishly catching the eye of every security guard.

Enjoy. G.

[Wicked Roger]

I am planning a trip to Manila in the New Year, and have a couple of nice girls lined up from Tagged.

I suspect that at least one of them would be horrified to have to give in her ID at reception so my question is:

* Does anyone have experience of E. G. AirBnb properties where you can just come and go without scrutiny?

No problem at all about registering myself on arrival but would rather "sneak" the girls in.

Thanks in advance!

Yes but depends on which ones will or will not ask for ID. YMMV as you can say.

Best is to PM me rather than me give a long list and some sneaky details how to by pass the ID check and let me know any ideas you have for Airbnb places. This would help.

Look forward to the PM JamesX.

[JamesXFisher]

I am planning a trip to Manila in the New Year, and have a couple of nice girls lined up from Tagged.

I suspect that at least one of them would be horrified to have to give in her ID at reception so my question is:

* Does anyone have experience of E. G. AirBnb properties where you can just come and go without scrutiny?

No problem at all about registering myself on arrival but would rather "sneak" the girls in.

Thanks in advance!

[SEAtraveller]

Has anyone tried Henry Hotel Manila?

Seems like a nice place (good pictures) if you want to visit EDSA. Cost is not too bad at around 3500 p / n.

[Goferring]

Hotel staff can pick a hooker a mile away. Much better than we can. Their clothes, their makeup and their provincial accents gives them away. Regardless of this, the hotel staff give them superficial respect. It's ma'amsir all the way!

That always been my advice to newbies who want to know if the love of their life is a good girl or not. Just take her to a social function with other pinas present and watch who will talk to her / she can hold a conversation with. John from Nebraska may not be able to tell but other pinas will know her background within seconds of her entering the room.

If she spends the night talking to hookers done well, RUN!!

Enjoy. G.

[Kabul Guy]

Hotel staff can pick a hooker a mile away. ....

They most likely know them by name after a few visits.

[Engine Driver]

The Shangers was an itch I had to scratch. Big, bold, grand hotel. Staff are very deferential. Almost too much old school bowing and scraping which I didn't need. I liked the business efficient service at New World Makati. But I would stay at the Shangers again for sure. It's classy.

I agree with CSP that the rooms are a little tired. The beech wood panelling is very 1990's as are the coffered, domed ceilings in the rooms.

It's hooker friendly, but the girls have to sign in. They will know the drill better than you do.

I got a good deal on Bookings.com. I think it was around $200 a night.

No need to eat here as there are a million restaurants and cafes across the road.

I was very impressed with the Christmas decorations they have. Went to the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree last night and mixed with the Manila Hi-so and drunk their free champagne. GE will be impressed! Gee, it's a big thing here. Nice to see the Christian tradition alive and well. I'm also wondering where they found that old white bloke to wear the Santa suit. Tickles Bar maybe? Hahaha.

In my country, Christmas will be dead soon. Banned for good in case it causes offence to certain religious minorities we can't name. Schools have already outlawed nativity plays. Don't get me started.

[Engine Driver]

Hotel staff can pick a hooker a mile away. Much better than we can. Their clothes, their makeup and their provincial accents gives them away. Regardless of this, the hotel staff give them superficial respect. It's ma'amsir all the way!

[Engine Driver]

I stayed at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati this week. It was nothing special. Like most of the luxury piles in Manila, this needs a facelift. The Christmas decorations were outstanding though and shit all over anything I have seen in my country. I last stayed here a few years ago and I don't remember the rooms looking this tired. The cabinet work and carpet were looking a bit old and the corridors need a coat of paint. They actually don't need to spend any money as they enjoy near full occupancy. I asked the receptionist the reason for such high demand. She said that Filo-Americans book the place out for weeks on end during the Christmas period to "receive" their local relatives and friends and to shop at the malls across the road. It almost sounds papal. Hahaha. I guess it sure beats staying at tita's wooden shack by the river when you jet in from White Man Land. Nothing quite like flashing your greenbacks in front of your poor relatives to make them envious of your good fortune. The word crass comes to mind.

The hotel is completely hooker friendly. They don't take IDs. There is no signing in required for your guest. The elevators are secure, so there is no escaping coming down and doing the walk of shame.

It's very convenient for shopping, dining and wine drinking. I did not eat here. However, I did order room service for the chick I was entertaining. She said the fried chicken wings were disgusting and left most of it untouched. If fried chicken fails the Filipina taste test, you know it was bad.

Save your money. The New World Makati is much better value.

[Cbea20]

Thanks for the tips! Saw Heritage and Copa online, will check out Midas. What do you mean boyfriend? That sounds dangerous for me to get on the taxi with the girl no?

The street parallel to EDSA and one block south from Copacabana and Heritage has motels. I have stayed at the Victoria Court more than once, just be close to the airport.

[WestCoast1]

I do not understand the reason for the Yellow Airport taxis, they charge more and get preferential staging areas at the airports but why? I never use them.

Never a shakedown. They are required to have running meters. Yes there is a higher initial payment (flagfall) amount of p70 vs p40, and the meter jumps up at each 300 meters. This will cost you more, but the yellow airport taxis can only make runs from the airport, and I have found the drivers always to be courteous.