Manila Hotels

[ForkTruck]

in general, avoid sitting taxis (unless they are in the queue at a Mall) as they will try to avoid using the meter. Grab app and moving taxis are a better deal.

On at least two occasions after pulling away in taxi and then discovering no taxi meter I have ordered the driver to stop and I got out after driving less than one block. Both had window stickers claiming meters had been certified but in reality no meter. One of these I jumped in was standing in front of Mall of Asia. Another time when I ordered driver to stop he quickly asked what I wanted to pay and he offered the ride to my destination for a reasonable fare as I had made the same trip before so I agreed and stayed with him. Some don't have meters because they are broken or just want to gouge and others it appears are freelancing to get fares and will overcharge if allowed. In fairness to the taxis most have meters and use them, and I always tip the driver extra, a big tip if traffic was worse than usual. I've been told the drivers pay the vehicle owner 1200 php per shift to use it and they must pay for their own fuel. 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.

[SaltyPete]

Note to self: Never post late at night when you are half asleep. Ha ha. In the clear light of day with my brain now working semi properly, I understand your opinion expressed in your post and I totally agree. EDSA girls ARE generally a better class of girls than LA Cafe girls at least in looks, mileage, and appearance. Sorry for my error. I wish I could edit my last post.

Yes, much better!

TomSam, don't worry much if the taxi driver is a friend / BF / husband of your date. This is quite common and acceptable in the Philippines. Harming you would hurt their income. They probably chuckle when they think that you are paying to have sex with the girl that pays them. Still, in general, avoid sitting taxis (unless they are in the queue at a Mall) as they will try to avoid using the meter. Grab app and moving taxis are a better deal.

I think the barfine (paid directly to the Mamasan) went up to 2500 php? Then the girl asks for 2000-3000 php ST, 3000-4000 LT. The prices have increased in the last year. The bars have had a hard time recruiting talent as most girls would rather stay home on a dating app than dance the bar's hours for minimum pay.

Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer to select the girl after seeing and interviewing her, as opposed to looking at some blurry pics that may not be current; see the Chat Rooms and Pen Pals thread. Plus there is the stimulation of seeing her on stage and thinking how she'll be, as I enjoy a drink or two.

[Member #4698]

Either I totally disagree with "better class of girls than LA cafe. " or else I misunderstood the particular way you find them better?

Note to self: Never post late at night when you are half asleep. Ha ha. In the clear light of day with my brain now working semi properly, I understand your opinion expressed in your post and I totally agree. EDSA girls ARE generally a better class of girls than LA Cafe girls at least in looks, mileage, and appearance. Sorry for my error. I wish I could edit my last post.

[Member #4698]

Better class of girls than LA cafe. It does not matter which hotel you stay. Taxi is cheap. I would avoid Heritage because they are not good anymore.

Even in EDSA negotiation is a must regards compensation to the girl. Barfine is fixed.

Either I totally disagree with "better class of girls than LA cafe. " or else I misunderstood the particular way you find them better? In any case, I have always hooked up with very nice, young girls at EDSA plus I find the EDSA girls by and large to be much better looking that LA Cafe FL's. Exceptions duly noted. I also have never felt the need to negotiate with an EDSA bar girl. Their ST price is usually equal to their bar's barfine + possibly 500 p depending on the girl and LT is always an extra 1000 p, although I never book a LT before I have had a 1st time or a 2nd or 3rd time. LOL.

The Heritage has seen better days. That's for dang sure. Aseana City (I think of it as boom town) just west of Roxas is the place to stay with lots of new hotels, condos, apts, casinos, office buildings, shopping malls and restaurants. I like the Hyatt COD because they always upgrade my room thanks to my standing with Hyatt and I also like the availability of 24 hour restaurants in the City of Dreams Casino. But there are less expensive options just down the street, so I recommend this neighborhood if anyone is planning to stay near the bay. Just check with Agoda or Booking dot com to find what you want.

[Sammon]

I read on this forum that Edsa has the hottest women in Manila, and want to check it out for a few days. It'd nice to be able to walk with girl from Edsa to hotel. Do you guys do this? Or just get Grab instead?

What's your favorite hotel closest to Edsa?

I have stayed at Heritage Hotel long time ago when it was very nice and 5 star. For some reason maintenance has gone down and not so nice now. At that time you just cross the road to get to EDSA. And cross the road again after you pick the girl. At that time also taxis outside hounded us. I laughed at them.

It seems the girls feel some obligation to the taxi drivers. They see them every day and maybe friends with them. But I never used them. I will tell the girl to walk a block and get a cruising taxi to my hotel.

Better class of girls than LA cafe. It does not matter which hotel you stay. Taxi is cheap. I would avoid Heritage because they are not good anymore.

Even in EDSA negotiation is a must regards compensation to the girl. Barfine is fixed.

[TomSam]

"Hottest Women" is subjective. Also, it can be hit or miss depending on the day / time that you show up. It is commonly thought that KTV bars have the best women available to foreigners, but you will pay dearly for that.

Having said that, I'm a fan of EDSA Entertainment (avoid the establishment on the left of it, Urban something or other); 2-3 nights is all you will need. Try the Heritage Hotel which is pretty much right across the highway, accessible via a pedestrian bridge and a 10 minute walk. Midas Hotel and Casino is very close as well; same side of the highway, 10 minute walk, and a bit better than the Heritage. It also has an ATM on premises, which the Heritage and EDSA bars lack.

The Copacabana Hotel is next to the Heritage and may be cheaper, but I'd guess not as nice.

Even with the close proximity of these hotels, the girls will prefer a taxi (especially if in high heels). The cabs right outside of EDSA will want 100php minimum; I believe some of these drivers are their boyfriends. A passing taxi may want 50php.

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?

[SaltyPete]

I read on this forum that Edsa has the hottest women in Manila, and want to check it out for a few days. It'd nice to be able to walk with girl from Edsa to hotel. Do you guys do this? Or just get Grab instead?

What's your favorite hotel closest to Edsa?

"Hottest Women" is subjective. Also, it can be hit or miss depending on the day / time that you show up. It is commonly thought that KTV bars have the best women available to foreigners, but you will pay dearly for that.

Having said that, I'm a fan of EDSA Entertainment (avoid the establishment on the left of it, Urban something or other); 2-3 nights is all you will need. Try the Heritage Hotel which is pretty much right across the highway, accessible via a pedestrian bridge and a 10 minute walk. Midas Hotel and Casino is very close as well; same side of the highway, 10 minute walk, and a bit better than the Heritage. It also has an ATM on premises, which the Heritage and EDSA bars lack.

The Copacabana Hotel is next to the Heritage and may be cheaper, but I'd guess not as nice.

Even with the close proximity of these hotels, the girls will prefer a taxi (especially if in high heels). The cabs right outside of EDSA will want 100php minimum; I believe some of these drivers are their boyfriends. A passing taxi may want 50php.

[TomSam]

I read on this forum that Edsa has the hottest women in Manila, and want to check it out for a few days. It'd nice to be able to walk with girl from Edsa to hotel. Do you guys do this? Or just get Grab instead?

What's your favorite hotel closest to Edsa?

[OlderNotWiser]

Only problem is if you do not take girls they will wonder why.

Ha! Good to know. I'll try and meet my quota!!

[HTownHunter]

Hi there,

There are a bunch of hotels right near the airport (walking distance to Terminal 3). Does anyone know if these have any girl friendly issues, or any good ones. There's the usual chains and some independents.

Thanks for any help.

Nick.

I always stay at the Marriott and have never had any issues. They will bring her right to the room like they did for me last year. But usually I just meet them in the hotel lobby bar.

[PilotPaul]

Hi there,

There are a bunch of hotels right near the airport (walking distance to Terminal 3). Does anyone know if these have any girl friendly issues, or any good ones. There's the usual chains and some independents.

Thanks for any help.

Nick.

Only problem is if you do not take girls they will wonder why.

Enjoy and take as many girls as you can please.

[OlderNotWiser]

Hi there,

There are a bunch of hotels right near the airport (walking distance to Terminal 3). Does anyone know if these have any girl friendly issues, or any good ones. There's the usual chains and some independents.

Thanks for any help.

Nick.

[Bohdi12]

I am about to make a trip to Manila for the first time. I have a room booked at the Citizen's Hotel just north of Burgos St. Anyone familiar with this place?

[Kabul Guy]

I have my fares booked to Manila and beyond. I have only stayed in Malate. My plane now gets in around 2 am. My ideal hotel has these characteristics, not necessarily in this order: cheap (I do not want 5* crap for many reasons), secure, safe, hooker friendly. I am cool with Malate: cheap bayonet practice. I don't see many leads here.

Not quite Makati but Tripoli Garden is always available on Airbnb. It is in Hulo, Mandaluyong City about a 20 minute walk from Burgos street. (Taxi 5-10, minutes if no traffic, over an hour in heavy traffic) .

Security screening for visitors is a little hit or miss. If you are with her just sit on the left side of the cab so the gate guards see you if she is coming alone they will ask her who and where she is visiting.

Not bad restaurant on site, I stayed there a month and saw several guys with obvious paid companions there and no one looked twice. Pool for a fee unless you are a month or more however the pool control is you just ask the lobby guards for a wrist band and they never questioned me other than write something 0 on a sign in sheet.

[GDreams]

Any reason you exclude AirBnB? I normally stay in makati but otherwise mine have ticked all your boxes.

Cheers. G.

Motel 168 in Birch tower is usually cheap and good. I have tried V hotel which didn't like no window and thin walls) but very cheap if coming in late, Vie hotel which is cheap but unusable internet. All in Malate and last 2 very close to Robinsons.