Manila Hotels

[Doggage]

Guys.

The additional charges are standard for all hotels in the Phils and are not Agoda specific.

They are very good and I have now used them throughout Asia and agree that the loyalty program is also good.

Having worked out an Agoda price, I would suggest checking out the hotel reports on Trip Advisor and then doing a double check on the hotel's direct website too and if you feel up to a bit of bargaining. This worked out for me recently in Phuket, where the hotel (La Flora) matched the Agoda rate. The benefit to me was that I didn't have to pay for everything upfront.

I've just got a nice rate from them for the New World in Makati and will be staying there over New Year.

Happy travelling.

Skip Kost,

Yes Agoda is good but just watch they put a per night fee on your room at the end which isn't disclosed until you get to the end of the transaction so whilst the daily rate is better than the others it sometimes exceeds the others when the fee is added. I generally find Agoda is best for Thailand but have found it varies with the other for Philippines. What is good with Agoda is the loyalty program which they have honoured each time I have sought to use it. I also find that the reviews about the hotels are generally accurate. Tripadvisor is owned by Expedia and so I am sceptical about some of their reviews and about their rating system.

Happy Easter,

P

[Asianatic]

Yeah. I used Asiatravel. Com for all hotels on my upcoming trip. Very good service. PLUS they sent me a voucher for P3, 000 for the Resorts World Casino that I always visit. They have the prettiest Dealers, and Hostess' in the world there.

Based on your advice I have succesfully booked the Crazy Rate hotel in Makati, came out to 91 Euro because I am staying there midweek which seems always more expensive then a weekend. Plus the crazy rate room itself was'nt available. However got a Deluxe Room for that price including breakfast for 2. It resulted indeed into the New World of which I am very happy with it. I like Dusit Thani too as the rooms are nicer in my opinion but the location of the New World is unbeatable.

Thanks for the link Mongerer, it is much appreciated.

[X Man]

I've never stayed at either place after inspecting the rooms. That doesn't' mean all rooms are bad, maybe I was there at high season and I was shown the most pitiful room available. For example, across the street from Southern Cross is Slouch Hat which has pitiful rooms, and nice rooms. The nicer, larger, quieter rooms are on the third floor.

I guess newbies should know that both of the hotels are a few minutes walk from each other and there is convenience store in between. Both offer buses to AC and Subic bay and last time I checked Southern Cross had the superior bus, but only once a day. Swaggie has three a day. Both are a short walk to Manila bay and the US embassy.

Southern Cross has a more lively bar atmospher, while Swag has more of a restaurant atmosphere. They have a breakfast buffet which I've enjoyed a few time while waiting for the morning bus to AC. The cook is very friendly and helpful, but this is not high cuisine.

QUOTE=Skip Kost; 1193274]One or two guys posted some negative experiences at Swagman back during the Spring, and, despite its low star rating, as WC points out, it's more expensive than some of the other places nearby. Southern Cross somehow lost my reservation for the night I arrived in Manila in June. Second time I visited they did better by me. Rooms on the front side are a little noisy, elevator is slow, walls seem to be thin, and the furnishings are a little primitive. But service is good, the bar is lively and has continuous pool games, and the food is reasonably priced and has a mix of Filipino and Western dishes. Laundry, money changers. 7-11, fast food restaurants, bank ATMs, and Ermita Church are all close. Waitresses appear to be hired for their looks, dress accordingly, and the Aussie owner seems to like to handle the help.[/QUOTE]

[Mongerer69]

Mongerer69 should get a referral, I had almost always used Agoda, but have booked twice now with Asia Travel. First I tried the Mystery 5 star in Pasig, (didn't realize how far out it was) , got the Crowne Plaza, great hotel located adjacent to the Robinson Mall. Unfortunately not the one I thought. Oh well no worries. On Thursday, booked the Mystery 5 star in Makati for Sat. Night, expecting the New World, but turns out it was the Dusit! I couldn't be happier as I really like the Dusit. So tonight I am off to Havana Cafe to see what's available and then a nice breakfast tomorrow morning before heading back to HK.

Also saw some info on Booking. Com, that said their cancellation policy was the best around. May have to take a look.

Yeah. I used Asiatravel. Com for all hotels on my upcoming trip. Very good service. PLUS they sent me a voucher for P3, 000 for the Resorts World Casino that I always visit. They have the prettiest Dealers, and Hostess' in the world there.

[Soapy Smith]

No one seems to mention Swagman around the corner 70 mtrs away from Del Pilar, facing a 'garden' setting, nice bar, restaurant and 3 buses a day to Angeles. Wonder why Swagman is not mentioned?

One or two guys posted some negative experiences at Swagman back during the Spring, and, despite its low star rating, as WC points out, it's more expensive than some of the other places nearby. Southern Cross somehow lost my reservation for the night I arrived in Manila in June. Second time I visited they did better by me. Rooms on the front side are a little noisy, elevator is slow, walls seem to be thin, and the furnishings are a little primitive. But service is good, the bar is lively and has continuous pool games, and the food is reasonably priced and has a mix of Filipino and Western dishes. Laundry, money changers, 7-11, fast food restaurants, bank ATMs, and Ermita Church are all close. Waitresses appear to be hired for their looks, dress accordingly, and the Aussie owner seems to like to handle the help.

[Sky Ryder]

Thanks to Mongerer69, I checked out the site and went with the mystery 4-star hotel deal which turned out to be the St. Giles.

The mystery 5-star Manila hotel was H2O which was what I gathered from sites such as Tripadvisor.

Mongerer69 should get a referral, I had almost always used Agoda, but have booked twice now with Asia Travel. First I tried the Mystery 5 star in Pasig, (didn't realize how far out it was) , got the Crowne Plaza, great hotel located adjacent to the Robinson Mall. Unfortunately not the one I thought. Oh well no worries. On Thursday, booked the Mystery 5 star in Makati for Sat. Night, expecting the New World, but turns out it was the Dusit! I couldn't be happier as I really like the Dusit. So tonight I am off to Havana Cafe to see what's available and then a nice breakfast tomorrow morning before heading back to HK.

Also saw some info on Booking. Com, that said their cancellation policy was the best around. May have to take a look.

[WestCoast1]

I hear someone earlier on saying Southern Cross is noisy, presumably from the heavy traffic going along M H Del Pilar down below. No one seems to mention Swagman around the corner 70 mtrs away from Del Pilar, facing a 'garden' setting, nice bar, restaurant and 3 buses a day to Angeles. Wonder why Swagman is not mentioned?

Thanks for full info on Duck Inn, its good to know you can fuck in, Duck Inn LOL.

Southern Cross costs less for a similar room.

[Danibbler]

Thanks to Mongerer69, I checked out the site and went with the mystery 4-star hotel deal which turned out to be the St. Giles.

The mystery 5-star Manila hotel was H2O which was what I gathered from sites such as Tripadvisor.

Just finished making my reservatioms for New World in late September. Most websites are between $135 and $175 with breakfast. If you go om Asia Travel and look for Makati Crazy Rate 5 Star Hotel. Read the Reviews under Crazy Rate, all reviews say New World however they can't advertise this price. The Hotel they use is New World w / breakfast for $93 US. Great Deal for great hotel. Happy Mongering!

[Steven007]

Some hotels advertise safe in room and other just safe deposit box. Is the room safe is secured as the safe deposit box in the front.

Desk. I have my doubts as recently I read some money got stolen in a room safe in a hotel in Manila. I think it is possible because.

What if a guy fall a sleep and his partner (girl) take the oppurtinity to get the key from his place to open the safe. Either there will.

Be dishonest staff who have duplicate keys who when house cleaning might have laid their hand on this money. Do you think safe deposit box is much safer.

[Sxxxx]

I hear someone earlier on saying Southern Cross is noisy, presumably from the heavy traffic going along M H Del Pilar down below. No one seems to mention Swagman around the corner 70 mtrs away from Del Pilar, facing a 'garden' setting, nice bar, restaurant and 3 buses a day to Angeles. Wonder why Swagman is not mentioned?

Thanks for full info on Duck Inn, its good to know you can fuck in, Duck Inn LOL.

[Sxxxx]

So from my Duck Inn report (#1) , the mall rat."poo-girl", who I owe 500 pesos. Never heard back. Said she worked in Marikina daily, and came to Malate to work for the mamasan one day a week, her day off. Last night I leave G point for MBC. Walking Mabini, there she is trolling with another SW. She didn't mention the money!"Sir, you want two girls?" No thanks."Maybe you want my friend?" No thanks. Do you remember me hun?"Yes sir." Here's your 500 peso. Confused look on her face. Completely forgot. Must be drugs. Where's your mamasan hun?"What mamasan?" There is none. Everything she says is a lie. She can't even remember when someone owes her 500 piso.

I see now you gave her the P500, everything I said in previous post few mins ago, taken back, LOL.

[Sxxxx]

On Del Pilar, near Faura. Made reservation here based on a recommendation here.

+ If you like gritty, this is the neighborhood. Few doors down is a barfine place called 'Hussy's (how appropriate). P1500 for LT. Half a dozen so-so girls...

I have posted the lot above cause its a while since it was posted.

Gee your tough. I am not a sucker with the girls, do not overpay, usually P1000 for a naughty, but you take it to the limit. You simply gave her the shits. You say, you love drama, I say you create drama.

[Tuan U]

It's the Midland Plaza like you guessed.

I booked at this hotel the past couple of times that I was in Manila. I found it by accident. I wanted to stay at the Cherry Blossom, but it was all booked. I just walked around the corner and found this place. I would take this place over Cherry Blossom any day of the week. You can bring 10 girls up to your room without issues. It's one of those places that you don't have to walk through the main hotel loby when you go to your room. You just get in the elevator and straight to your room. They have a security guard late at night. If you are non-pinay, he just lets you in without even blinking most of the time. If he does stop you, it's just to ask to see your hotel key.

The standard rooms are big and spacious with a refridge, balcony with a view of the harbor, and a sink / kitchen. They've also rennovate the place since my first time there 3-4 years ago. The only negative thing that I can say about this place is that the elevator is slooowww.

It's in a good location. Short walk to the harbor, Amazon, and LA Cafe. There is a 7-11 right outside the front door. It's literally next to Robinson so it's very convient if you want to grab food or entertainment. It's also a short taxi ride to the airport, Mall of Asia, and the Pasay bus terminal to Dau.

It's a much better place to stay than the City Hotel and at the same price. Their web page seems to give a quote much higher than the walk up rate. The web page says $60 USA The walkup rate is less than 2, 000 peso. Unless they've upped the price since last November.

Maybe you mean Midland Plaza. One side faces out toward Adriatico, and the backside faces toward Cherry Blossoms. I don't recall seeing them in Agoda or Asia Travel, so you might want to search for their website. Give us a report. I don't remember seeing any reviews on it.

Sorry, while I was composing mads was also replying.

[Tuan U]

You are awesome! That's the exact hotel I was thinking of. Thanks.

Are you talking about Midland Plaza in Ermita?

M. Adriatico St.

Ermita, Manila, Philippines.

Phone: 63 2 302-1858.

Fax: 63 2 521-8522.

Email: midland@tri-isys.com

Website:

www.themidlandplaza.com

[Soapy Smith]

There is a hotel next to Robinson in Malate. It's near Cherry Blossom and across the street from a 7-11. The bottom floor is business stuff. The hotel starts on the third floor. For the life of me, I can't think of its name. Does anyone know the name? I want to book there again, but forgot the name and contact info. Thanks in advance.

Maybe you mean Midland Plaza. One side faces out toward Adriatico, and the backside faces toward Cherry Blossoms. I don't recall seeing them in Agoda or Asia Travel, so you might want to search for their website. Give us a report. I don't remember seeing any reviews on it.

Sorry, while I was composing mads was also replying.