Manila

[QUOTE=Frank4220]I came across this place on the internet recently and wondered if anyone has tried it? Its in Malate.
[url]http://www.tropicanasuites.com.ph/more_rooms.php?room_type=2&category=One[/url] Bedroom Suites
I thought I had pretty good knowledge of what was available there and I usually stay at Bayview basically for location and small swimming pool. But this Tropicana looks even better with a nice size pool. Any feed back would be appreciated.

Cheers[/QUOTE]I stayed there years ago. Rooms are big but not really nice. It certainly is not a four star hotel! It also is relatively remote from the interesting spots if you walk. I would not go back there if I can help it. OTOH, it's near Robinson.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough]Rumor has it that the owners of LA made the egregious mistake of contributing heavily to the political campaign of Lim's rival during the recent mayoral election. [/QUOTE]

If true it sounds like someone really backed the wrong horse! More fool them. Why not concentrate on running their bar and keep their greedy fingers out of the murky cesspool of local politics.

If LA Cafe does eventually reopen, presumably under new management, I hope that they will spend a little money on cleaning and refitting the place. It sure needed it. It was the sort of place that you wiped your feet on leaving:). Suspect that it hadn't been properly cleaned in years (if ever!).

[QUOTE=Frank4220]Sounds like the mayor has his panties in a knot over LA Cafe. Boy that has to be hurting the hotels and such?
I personally like Amazonia but without LA Cafe there, one less reason to stop over in Manila.[/QUOTE]

Recently stayed in Manila for 5 days at Cherry Blossoms (skip it, City Park Tower much better for same price). Mostly went to Amazonia and Greenbelt. And while I was there of course I got to talking with the local pinay about LAC. The overall consensus from the girls was that they miss it also.

Don't get me wrong, Amazonia is nice with a bar like atmosphere and the ST rooms upstairs (800 peso for 2 girls for 3 hours), but I miss the point and click type situation of LAC. Any time of the day or night just walk in and pick up a girl and take her back to your room. That was a nice option.

And yes the hotels must be hurting some because I personally did not stay over there because LAC was closed. In fact, when I had my buddy take me by there looking for a hotel in early July, it looked like someone had gotten shot in the middle of the street. Guy was lying face down, police all around, big crowd gathered, etc...we just kept on driving.

[QUOTE=Cunning Stunt]..........It was the sort of place that you wiped your feet on leaving:)........[/QUOTE]

LMFAO.

A very nice line indeed Stunning errr Cunning.
Mind if I borrow it? I will ensure all citations are in place.

[QUOTE=Cunning Stunt]If LA Cafe does eventually reopen, presumably under new management, I hope that they will spend a little money on cleaning and refitting the place. It sure needed it. It was the sort of place that you wiped your feet on leaving:). Suspect that it hadn't been properly cleaned in years (if ever!).[/QUOTE]
I don't think that any vacuum cleaner or detergent ever made is strong enough to get ride of the decades of grime but of course the sleaziness and filth was part of its unsavory charm. It sort of fit in with the general character of the neighborhood.

GE

[QUOTE=Cunning Stunt]If true it sounds like someone really backed the wrong horse! More fool them. Why not concentrate on running their bar and keep their greedy fingers out of the murky cesspool of local politics[/QUOTE]Not at all. Nobody does business in Philippines without political connection, or else, the politicians will insist on being 'partners'.

How do you think they raise the 120 million peso or so for the mayoral election?

Somebody told me. If you want to survive. You got to run a low key operation. The moment it become a bit visible, people will insist that you make them partners. Or else.

BTW, same goes for most other Asian countries. Except where I live.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough]I don't think that any vacuum cleaner or detergent ever made is strong enough to get ride of the decades of grime but of course the sleaziness and filth was part of its unsavory charm. It sort of fit in with the general character of the neighborhood.

GE[/QUOTE]They could always sanitize the place with Bleach.

This seems to work wonders everywhere else.

I just got back from the G-Point, and had a few beers with a European x-pat, who runs a local business and who claims that the LA Cafe will open this coming Friday. He was quite certain that the bribes had been paid and the visibility level adjusted appropriately.

After the G-Point closed, research moved on to the Amazonia for a few more, where the (pushy!) ladies say that it will open within a month.

All authoritatively true.

[QUOTE=Ruben X]I just got back from the G-Point, and had a few beers with a European x-pat, who runs a local business and who claims that the LA Cafe will open this coming Friday. He was quite certain that the bribes had been paid and the visibility level adjusted appropriately.

After the G-Point closed, research moved on to the Amazonia for a few more, where the (pushy!) ladies say that it will open within a month.

All authoritatively true.[/QUOTE]Hope it's true, I'm scheduled to be there in September and will be sad if they remain shut down.

Have a six night stay booked at the Hyatt.

Thanks everyone for the other options suggested.

I've RTFF already but data on it seems somewhat dated.

What's the going price for Vitamin V on the street in P.Burgos?

[QUOTE=Ruben X]I just got back from the G-Point, and had a few beers with a European x-pat, who runs a local business and who claims that the LA Cafe will open this coming Friday. He was quite certain that the bribes had been paid and the visibility level adjusted appropriately.

After the G-Point closed, research moved on to the Amazonia for a few more, where the (pushy!) ladies say that it will open within a month.

All authoritatively true.[/QUOTE]That is good news.

If someone is going to Rogues on Burgos, i believe the owners are the same for Rogues and LA Cafe....you could get the scoop there as well.

Also for your info, i was in Sabang at the club - "Venus" and they happened to mention that they have the same owners as LA Cafe also...i enquired at both places about reopening and was told they "dont know"

[QUOTE=Mongrinastrlnd]I've RTFF already but data on it seems somewhat dated.

What's the going price for Vitamin V on the street in P.Burgos?[/QUOTE]


Well Manta Ray recently cornered the market on this :D (see a recent FR on his his buying a drawer fiull of energy pills)

Seriously dont pay more than say 200 pesos for a box of 4, but tell them you will pay 1000 pesos for 6 boxes.

[QUOTE=Econo Tech]Not at all. Nobody does business in Philippines without political connection, or else, the politicians will insist on being 'partners'.

How do you think they raise the 120 million peso or so for the mayoral election?

Somebody told me. If you want to survive. You got to run a low key operation. The moment it become a bit visible, people will insist that you make them partners. Or else.

BTW, same goes for most other Asian countries. Except where I live.[/QUOTE]Then you must live in Singapore... because for sure in Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, China, India, Thailand and Malaysia every politico wants a piece a successfully run company.

[QUOTE=Wicked Roger]Well Manta Ray recently cornered the market on this :D (see a recent FR on his his buying a drawer fiull of energy pills)

Seriously dont pay more than say 200 pesos for a box of 4, but tell them you will pay 1000 pesos for 6 boxes.[/QUOTE]Many of the vitamin V sold on the street are fake but if you can get them at 200, that would be damn cheap and you could test one at least before the deed to avoid bad surprises.

[QUOTE=Denom]Many of the vitamin V sold on the street are fake but if you can get them at 200, that would be damn cheap and you could test one at least before the deed to avoid bad surprises.[/QUOTE]
The ones around Oxford Suites are OK and have the same chemical formula as many guys I know buy friom there...and I am not dead yet :D Prices are correct and will confirm soon as well when am there

FF when are you next in PI as we need a seriuos meeting of the pussy..I swap mine for yours and vice versa, both in schoolie uniforms of course :D