Manila Hotel recommendations

[MAN Flyer]

I have only been to Manila once and that was for a couple of nights about 5 years ago prior to flying to Cebu, so my knowledge of the place is very limited. I stayed at the Mandarin Oriental (I think ?!?) then but according to what I've read and been told, the Makati Shangri-La is the way to go.

The Penninsula is out as it closed for a refurb I believe after the recent 'incident'. The Makati SL is close to £ 200 GBP a night for a Horizon Floor room, which seems a little steep.

Would greatly appreciate any advice/comments/ recommendations.

MTIA

[jjpb3]

£200 does sound steep, MAN Flyer, but it does give you an indication of how far above its neighbors the Makati Shang is. Even if the Peninsula were open, it and the InterContinental (also across the street from the Shang but in a different direction) are, IMO, below the quality of the Shang. (I did like the Peninsula when I stayed there a couple of years ago.)

One other alternative is the Hyatt Regency, but it's relatively far from Makati, where your meeting might be.

Both hotels are in or near neighborhoods with good dining options and a lively night scene. Safety, notably in Makati, is not an issue. Let me know if you need restaurant recommendations in Makati and the nearby Serendra / Fort Bonifacio area.

[yvrcnx]

There is also the Dusit in Makati which used to be the Nikko Hotel and has very recently been entirely refurbished.
I just stayed there a couple of month ago in a Suite (paid not upgraded) which was around $ 200.00.
It was very nice and included Club access and great service.
The Dusit is very close to the Intercontinental.
The other option that I find is very good value for your money is the Crowne Plaza in Ortigas - about 10 minutes if traffic is light and 20 - 30 minutes in heavy traffic to Makati.
You can book the Presidential Suite for under $ 200.00++ a night (the suite is big with a dining room, large living room, 2 bathrooms and small kitchen, included Club Access and really wonderful service especially at the Club Lounge, I stay there quite often as it's closest to where I have to be for work.
You can also get an Executive Suite or the even larger Deluxe Suite which is big with 1 full bathroom and 1 powder room, seperate living room and big bedroom. These two are usually around $ 120 - 150.00, however they do not include club lounge access.
You can add that at $ 18.00 a day and it's definetly worth it to me as I don't like going out looking for restaurants, especially if I have been out all day.

[yvrcnx]

£200 does sound steep, MAN Flyer, but it does give you an indication of how far above its neighbors the Makati Shang is. Even if the Peninsula were open, it and the InterContinental (also across the street from the Shang but in a different direction) are, IMO, below the quality of the Shang. (I did like the Peninsula when I stayed there a couple of years ago.)

One other alternative is the Hyatt Regency, but it's relatively far from Makati, where your meeting might be.

Both hotels are in or near neighborhoods with good dining options and a lively night scene. Safety, notably in Makati, is not an issue. Let me know if you need restaurant recommendations in Makati and the nearby Serendra / Fort Bonifacio area.

The Hyatt Regency is actually closed or has been taken over by another hotel.
There is now the Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila (maybe this is the one you meant), which is quite nice and new, especially if you can get a room with view on Manila Bay.
Even the regular rooms are good size and very nicely appointed.
But you are right this one too is quite far away from Makati and evenmore though when traffic is heavy which is most of the time.

[jjpb3]

There is now the Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila (maybe this is the one you meant), which is quite nice and new, especially if you can get a room with view on Manila Bay.
Even the regular rooms are good size and very nicely appointed.
But you are right this one too is quite far away from Makati and evenmore though when traffic is heavy which is most of the time.

Yup, that's the one I meant. Thanks for the correction. (The breakfast spread was the best among the Manila hotel breakfast buffets that I've tried.)

[SQflyergirl]

The Makati Shang is far and away the best way to go. I'll even call it the best business hotel I've ever stayed in, anywhere in the world, bar none. I'm suprised they're quoting you in sterling though. I thought they usually quoted in Dollars.

[9V-JKL]

I've stayed at the Renaissance some years ago. Like it quite a bit but dont know if its still there. My fav then was the Pen

[HUGE AL]

I browsed the Pen website and didn't see anything regarding it being currently closed. ASAIK, it has reopened.

I absolutely loved my stay there a few months ago.

[jjpb3]

I browsed the Pen website and didn't see anything regarding it being currently closed. ASAIK, it has reopened.

I absolutely loved my stay there a few months ago.

I find it more charming than the Shang, though I like the Shang's gym facilities and efficiency better.

[MAN Flyer]

Thanks for all the advice folks.

I'm suprised they're quoting you in sterling though. I thought they usually quoted in Dollars.

They didn't, they quoted PHP and it works out at about £ 197ish GBP.

[emperorsr]

hm.

i went around hotel shopping while in manila. just my two cents worth. most hotels in manila are just BAD. you might want to stay in a serviced apartment like the Ascott in Makati.

http://www.the-ascott.com/en/philipp...i/gallery.html

but stay here only if they have finished their reno. supposed to be model after a W hotel and managed by the singaporean group.

i stayed at the hyatt. full of US guys, the US embasssy has a deal with them.

-hyatt
far from everywhere except for Mall of Asia and the nearby Robinson Mall
the buffet breakfast on the 3rd floor is great
rooms are big but be careful when booking, each floor and room has a different config and floor area and ceiling height. so even if you book a deluxe you may get a smaller room than a deluxe on another floor.
huge floor to ceiling windows
the executive lounge breakfast and cocktails pathetic for an executive floor compared to the other hotels
great hardware, elevators slow bc the staff uses them as service elevators as well (hotel was originally designed to be a condo)
their bakery is great
close to airport
room service is a hit and miss...seriously...i can show you a picture of my salmon dinner...looked like something my cat would not eat
security in the hotel is greatly questionable. my ipod got stolen while staying there. and the security head falsified reports.
prices however are very competitive
there is traffic noise 24/7 whichever floor you stay on. no double glazing.
if you have a promo code, get it in writing. the hotel management does not work well together. so one department may know it, another doesn't and would reject your booking. seriously.

-shangri la makati
yes comparatively more costly
great lobby
top notch service
hot front desk ladies in cheong sams
rooms are tiny compared to the hyatt, tiny windows
the layout of rooms odd, the beds are at an angle which reduces walking space
bathrooms are not up to the standards of hyatt
security much tighter with dogs haha
close to all the shopping and restaurants in makati, so you can avoid the hellish traffic jams
the exec lounge is claustrophobic and dark, although they serve hot breakfast...unlike hyatt...

-intercontinental
recently refurbished
around the same vicinity as the shang
horrendous front desk, even their sales manager i met was literally heck care about doing long term business
exec room i saw had a strange configuration with very low ceilings. very odd.
the exec lounge is magnificent. i mean truly fabulous with great food.
unimpressed. bad for a member of the ICH group.

frankly anyone will tell you: Shang (altho the standards there have dropped too). its just too convenient to ignore. its next door to the glamorous greenbelt area but be prepared to spend a little money...cheaper than home but still by manila standards a little ex...

manage your expectations. the city is what it is.

fyi, go to mall of asia. there is a spa called jepun i think. excellent. value for money. and very professional. try the foot massage, ear candling and massage...the setting will remind you of bali...

[kevino]

Hyatt Casino

I agree with emperor's comments about the HR Casino. It's a nice hotel but has some issues. It has improved since it first opened.

The pool usually has kids from the condo part of the hotel.

The breakfast in the executive lounge was fine with me. The evening food is mostly tiny portions. Even a skinny person like me ends up using a lot of small plates!

If you don't pay in US cash on check-out they will try to add about 9% to your bill and call it a currency conversion. Most people probably don't even realize it or just accept it as indeed a currency charge.

Even though they have lots of suites, I've never been lucky enough to get upgraded to one as a diamond.

It only takes 5k Hyatt pts. for a free night here.

Here's a video of the outside street scene at the Hyatt Casino. Sad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-J4i4-j_fo

No other Hyatt choice since the HR near the Japanese Embassy closed over a year ago.

No Hiltons in Manila and no Starwood properties.

[nykelaz]

Correct me if I'm wrong. There used to be a Westin in Manila right? What has it become now?

[jjpb3]

Correct me if I'm wrong. There used to be a Westin in Manila right? What has it become now?

I think that was the Westin Philippine Plaza out on Manila Bay. It's now the Sofitel Philippine Plaza.

[nykelaz]

I think that was the Westin Philippine Plaza out on Manila Bay. It's now the Sofitel Philippine Plaza.

I see. The rooms sure does look nice.