Manila

[On The Go]

Fast Eddie,

How would you suggest I go about getting a room at the new Hyatt for $65.00 a night? I won't be able to walk up to the front desk and haggle with them over prices. The problem is after my 17 hour flight the earliest I arrive in Manila is 11:00 p.m. after immigration and customs it is around midnight. I usually stay for 10-14 days and have 2-3 suitcases, therefore I need my accomodations lined up before I arrive.

Any suggestions how to attain this fantastic rate prior to arrival?

Thanks for the input.

[Fast Eddie 48]

Fast Eddie 48:

Where did you find your hotel prices? I have been to the Manila area 5 times in the last two years and plan on going again in October. I have never seen the Pan Pacific for less than $80.00 a night. I would book this hotel in a second for 2600 pesos, it is head and shoulders above the other two you mentioned.

I also stayed at the Gr. Blvd and was not impressed. The staff was very friendly, Skyline was a nice convenience. I was in one of the so called "newly rennovated rooms" they were somewhat run down with a musty smell and not the best AC., without IDD telephones and room safes. Room service was over priced and cold.
Still a good value at $45.00 a night.

Hey on the go,

I stay there back on 2002 for 2 night. It is around 2600 peso for a single std room with no view. You need to shop around for price on hotel, internet doesn't alway get you the best rate. Check with travel agent in Malate area or just show up if they have room you will get a good deal, $ 80.00 USD a night is too much. You can stay at the new Hyatt for $ 65.00 new hotel they have alot of empty room now is slow season. Grand Bivd is a little rundown need renovation but skyline is great.

You need to know how to bargin in manila same way with the girl

[On The Go]

Fast Eddie 48:

Where did you find your hotel prices? I have been to the Manila area 5 times in the last two years and plan on going again in October. I have never seen the Pan Pacific for less than $80.00 a night. I would book this hotel in a second for 2600 pesos, it is head and shoulders above the other two you mentioned.

I also stayed at the Gr. Blvd and was not impressed. The staff was very friendly, Skyline was a nice convenience. I was in one of the so called "newly rennovated rooms" they were somewhat run down with a musty smell and not the best AC., without IDD telephones and room safes. Room service was over priced and cold.
Still a good value at $45.00 a night.

[The Cat]

Bubba,

Trust me you dont want to stay in Swagman Hotel. Place is a dump, no working ac, bugs all over the place. Try Lotus Garden Hotel around same area.

Need more info pm me,

The Cat

[Fast Eddie 48]

I'm planning a trip (my second) to the PI and would like to know if anyone has stayed at the Swagman Hotel in Manila and what they thought of it?

Is it convenient to good mongering areas? Any good info would be appreciated, I'm kind of thinking about a Manila, Angeles, Subic and Bagiuo loop.

One more, I have not been able to find if there are flights from Manila to Phnom Phen, anyone know about this?

Thanks, and hope to repay with some travel reports.
Bubbagoes

To bubbagoes,

Swagman is a dump, very old motel with smelly room, there is many hotel around emirta area $ 20-25.00 usd cheaper and better. They do have a bus service to Angeles City, but is twice as much than Phililpine Rabbit bus line.

Manila to Phnom Phen, you need to go to bangkok first Thai Airway or Malay
Asia Air line thur KL, or Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong and Dragon Air to PP.

Fast Eddie 48

[Marconista]

As far as I can recall, there are plenty posts about Swagman in the forum, and none very positive.

I'm planning a trip (my second) to the PI and would like to know if anyone has stayed at the Swagman Hotel in Manila and what they thought of it?Bubbagoes

[Bubbagoes100]

Brothers, I must apologise, I had previously asked about flights from Manila to Phnom Phen and you had responded. Once I start thinking about heading over yonder I get CRS.
Thanks for the info about the flights.
Bubbagoes

[Bubbagoes100]

I'm planning a trip (my second) to the PI and would like to know if anyone has stayed at the Swagman Hotel in Manila and what they thought of it?
Is it convenient to good mongering areas? Any good info would be appreciated, I'm kind of thinking about a Manila, Angeles, Subic and Bagiuo loop.
One more, I have not been able to find if there are flights from Manila to Phnom Phen, anyone know about this?
Thanks, and hope to repay with some travel reports.
Bubbagoes

[Stinky Squid]

Don't know why my post isn't showing up in the Makati section, but what the heck, this is Manila also:

It seems like you can easily pick up girls many public places. For example the Makati area around the Landmark mall. They hang out at the Starbuck's on Dela Rosa and Rizal Drive and will wave at you or approach you, it's a sure bet. It's interesting that you can't ever get one approaching you in the mall or openly in the parks, but rather on certain side-walks, particularly where those abundant security people won't see.

On one of the pedestrian overpasses over Makati Ave to Greenbelt Park, a girl got into my way asking me "can I go with you?". But I didn't know how to react and just went on. Then around that small park on Rizal and North Drive I saw two really pretty girls there, and it was very, very tempting. So, I had a cigaret close by hoping they might approach me and I could at least chat a bit to find out what's in store and how I could get them into my hotel room without hassles. But they didn't come to me. However, as I walked by them they "hello"-ed me as I expected.

But I'm not a real monger, have business associates staying with me in the same hotel and didn't want to run into them with the girls. I'm kind of shy and wasn't up to it tonight because I have to get up early tomorrow. So I just passed by. Perhaps a shame from a monger's viewpoint, the one was really pretty as far as I could see. Darn, I feel like going right back and see if they are still there (suspect not.) If I was less inhibited, I should have availed of this offer. Perhaps next time when I am here alone.

Anyway, to me this seems far more straight-forward than these bars, simply cutting out overpriced drinks and barfine, and instead get right down to it. The cozy part of the night is longer that way also, as it is only 10 pm.

The hotel makes a big deal about being careful with "people" who approach you. So I don't know if some of those are scams, particularly because there were also a lot of local guys hanging out. What's the risk?

[Sugoi]

I heard the 5000 quote second hand, although it was from an expat businessman who probably doesn't care about paying that much. I should stick to quoting things I've personally experienced. Thanks.

I am assuming you are talking about Miss Universal. I can confirm that it is 2500 consumable for a VIP room or 3500 for a larger VIP room or the upstairs VIP rooms with Karaoke.

My advice is to talk to the Floor Manager (I recommend Vangie) and tip her a couple hundred and ask her who is game. Then, take the 2500 VIP room because if you get a Karaoke room the girl might want to waste your time and sing. It costs 460 pesos/hour for a girl which includes one drink for her. If it is just you, buy 3 or 4 drinks for the girl up front and then the waitress won't bother you for 3 or 4 hours. In that time you should be able to get a good GFE.

[Mahku]

They mush charge foreigners more, I only paid 2500 for the VIP room, enough drinks to get the girl tipsy and horny, I eventually fucked her in the VIP room, we blocked the door with the coffee table, total damage including the tips was close to 5k.

I heard the 5000 quote second hand, although it was from an expat businessman who probably doesn't care about paying that much. I should stick to quoting things I've personally experienced. Thanks.

[Wastrel]

...Besides that it didn't take me long to get fed up with these Manila taxi guys. There's always trying to scam you somehow. This never seems to happen in Cebu or Davao. Just be firm and they'll switch on the meter...

Thanks, I've always wondered whether the taxi scoundrels are just a Manila thing, or whether they are also that bad in other PI cities that I'm not familiar with. Anyone else have any comparisons they can offer on whether to expect the same thing elsewhere in the RP? I quite agree that Manila taxi drivers are not to be trusted, and I stay on guard with them every moment.

[Fast Eddie 48]

I will be visiting Manila for a few days. I know nothing about Manila though. I have read past posts but am not able to picture where the nightlife is in relation to each other. It seems it is spread out??

I was hopeing someone who is familiar with the Manila nightlife could suggest a good, clean, inexpensive hotel to stay that would be close to EDSA?

Is LA Cafe close to EDSA?

What other nightlife should I visit if I stay near EDSA?

Is Manila safe for a lone western travler?

What is the best way to get around to the different nightlife venues?

Thanks!

Monopoly,

La cafe is in Emirita, Edsa is in Pasay near the airport 20 min taxi. Most
hotel in Emirita are only 3 star, 25 usd to 35 usd a night.

Malate is a better choice is 10 min walk from LA Cafe, many bars around this area with the Robinson Mall, which is very good for hunting .

Malate hotels:

3 star hotel - Rothman Inn - 1400 peso very friendly staff
4 star hotel - Pan Pacific -2600 peso - nice hotel w casino
4 star hotel - Grand bivd - 2000 peso - nice hotel in Roxas Blvd w skyline massage on the 10 th floor w casino

I try all this hotel before. Last trip 2 months ago I stayed in Grand Bivd and tried the massage for 2700, massage and fs. You can walk to La cafe or 15 min taxi
to EDSA.

Fast eddie 48

[Mahku]

On arrival at the Cebu Pacific terminal I was pleasantly surprised to find a metered taxi rank (and not screwy meters either). It was just 70 pesos to the Dusit. This is the first time in years of arrivals at this terminal to have metered taxis available so close to baggage claim. Also, they've cleared the touts that used to pounce on people just outside of baggage claim. Could somebody with good sense finally be in charge at the airport here? However, I did read that in August a new taxi scheme will be started, with new flat fees to different parts of town. So the happy situation could be short-lived.

Besides that it didn't take me long to get fed up with these Manila taxi guys. There's always trying to scam you somehow. This never seems to happen in Cebu or Davao. Just be firm and they'll switch on the meter.

I went by the Rockwell Mall late one afternoon. There was some good eye candy to be sure. Some of it was definitely of the attitude variety though. For my money Glorietta is a much better place to hunt. But that's just one guy's impression from one visit.

[LoveAsianWhores]

that is a very decent budget by manila standards,you can rent at rockwell center or top end condos with that budget, I presume you prefer Ortigas center,have you considered Discovery Suites,this is where the ADB executives stay and It has central location.

I would recommend moveandstay.com. I found a very nice furnished studio in a good part of Makati for 30,000. For 100,000, you should be able to find something exceptional. I am currently paying 80,000 for 2,500 sq ft in one of the best (in my opinion, the best) buildings in Makati, but to get a rate like that you would need a 6 month lease at least.