Manila Hotel recommendations

[kevino]

I was there in March and the lobby bar was under renovation.

The front desk staff got new uniforms in Jan.

Thanks for the tip about the Havana Club!

[kapitan]

The Ren. Makati has a very nice executive lounge if you're a MR Plat. or Gold, or you pay for access. It's open 24 hours with three computers.

The Ren Makati has a lobby bar served by a very pretty hostess too...

Walk across the Ren and into Greenbelt, and out to the Havana Club, one of the best club to hang out in the evenings..... lively place... cuban cigars at 20 buck a pop....

[kevino]

The Ren. Makati has a very nice executive lounge if you're a MR Plat. or Gold, or you pay for access. It's open 24 hours with three computers.

[KeithMEL]

Thanks, SQ4vr.

I've gone ahead to book the Renaissance based on various reviews. I agree that the location is more important for such a short stay. I'm glad that I seem to have made the right choice.

And welcome to SQTalk!

[SQ4vr]

Keithmel,

They're both in the same 4* category as the Intercon and Dusit (with Shangrila-Makati being 5*). For just one night, the difference in room quality between Rennaisance and Mandarin should be a non-issue. You're not going to open all your luggages and use all the hangers in the closet, anyway... ;-)

I would pick Rennaisance even though Mandarin has nicer in-hotel F&B options. Right across the street from Rennaisance is the Greenbelt area which has lots of F&B places. Mandarin is closer to the office buildings than to Greenbelt, about four blocks (HUGE blocks) away.

[KeithMEL]

Me again.

Can anyone who's stayed at the Renaissance or the Mandarin Oriental Makati please comment on its amenities and location?

It's going for a good rate, and as I'm only there for a night I'd rather not pay for the Pen or the Shang.

Ta in advanced.

[kapitan]

Hey, as long as it's not your dime!

Trip postpone till end of month.. heading mid-east instead..shuaks!!!!!!

[HUGE AL]

Hey, as long as it's not your dime!

[kapitan]

kapitan, at about USD$230 that rate is crazy high! Scary!

HUGE AL this is corporate rate given to our manila office, which include breakfast... which is about US30 per person for walk in...

This is the only hotel we are allowed to stay in while in Manila... so company decides, then company pays...

[HUGE AL]

kapitan, at about USD$230 that rate is crazy high! Scary!

[kapitan]

Well, I will be in Manila from Tuesday afternoon. Office booked me a room at the Shang, rate is....

[kevino]

Immigration doesn't look at the landing card very carefully. You can put anything.

I'd recommend the Hyatt Casino if you are looking for a low rate at a nice hotel.

[HUGE AL]

That sounds like a good idea if I'd get an ad hoc low rate. Would MNL be busy in July though? And no probs with not having an address on the landing card?

Not much of a prob as the last time, I had the Pen and didn't end up staying there my first night.

[jjpb3]

possibly. Metro Manila is in reality a huge metropolis consisting of 16/17 cities IIRC.

For a first timer - yeah, Makati.

There are many other treasures though, but you could leave that for next time.

I'm also particularly fond of QC, Marikina, Caloocan.
...

So yes, Makati for the first timer. All the shops you could want - Greenbelt/Glorietta/SM/Rustans/Mercury Drugstore ......

Can anyone tell I'm missing the place?

I think I need to get recommendations from you about my country of birth!




The row of places on the street that I walked on to get from the KLCC to the Shang reminded me of some of Metro Manila's nightlife spots.

[jjpb3]

Greenbelt is one word . It's one area (actually a couple of blocks -- it's like saying 'Flatiron' for NYC) of Makati City, which, because it's the business district, might be challenging in terms of cheap (relative to other parts of Metro Manila) accommodations.