Where to stay in Manila?

[N860CR]

The better half and I haven't been away for a while so we're looking at a long weekend in Manila simply as we haven't been before and it's easy enough to do non-stop.

I really don't know much about the place so it's just a short break to do some exploring for a few days.

Where would the best (and safest) place to stay be? I thought maybe the Sofitel purely so we could score hopefully an upgrade and any other accor platinum benefits.

What are the main things to see and beat places to score some cheap eats (read: drinks)

 

[Simo]

Budget????

Mall of Asia has heaps of food places and all very cheap... Shopping not that cheap. Go out to Markets and you will get the bargains.

Better bargains in HKG

 

[RooFlyer]

I did the same thing last year - had the opportunity to go a few days as a quick look in preparation for a longer trip with others (that didn't eventuate).

Stayed at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila and I would NOT recommend it based on my stay, although things may have improved.

On my first night I was on the 'quiet' side of the hotel (per my request), where I discovered the kennels for the guard dogs were, and they bark on and off all day and often through the night!

On asking for a quieter room the next day, I got flipped over to the pool side. Beyond the pool is a marquee where they hold the nightclub most nights and the noise blasts straight into the rooms.

At the time of my stay (May '13) they were repairing the sea wall and there was a lot of noise (jack-hammering etc) during the daytime; also much of the sea front was walled off with a 3m high steel fence. Made the pool use unbearable.

Nice hotel, but not particularly near anything. if you value peace and quiet, you probably should look elsewhere.

As for sights and food & drinks, I'll leave that to the regulars.

 

[N860CR]

Cool thanks.

Probably should have mentioned a budget... Was hoping for about $150 or so a night. The more the room, the cheaper the beers need to be!

 

[Inver]

Having just spent 2 months in the Philippines I had quite the opposite experience to Rooflyer and highly recommend the Sofitel having spent 12 days there in December and January. If you have your Accor platinum membership then I highly recommend it even though it is slightly out of your budget.
The food variety is quite amazing for breakfast at Spirals. We never had a problem with noise. The club lounge is very good and I prefer it to what is offerred by Marriott and Shangri La.

The hotel is quite close to Makati and the airport.

My advice would be no to stay in Manila but head to some of the islands, Boracay, Cebu, Palawan all have something amazing to offer even for just the weekend.

 

[yohy?!]

I have stayed here several times and been very happy with the service and the large rooms. It is a short walk to the malls and quite safe in the middle of makati.

The Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences

 

[Rareified Air]

I would also recommend the Picasso, stayed there in October on a visit and was very impressed.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Budget????

Mall of Asia has heaps of food places and all very cheap... Shopping not that cheap. Go out to Markets and you will get the bargains.

Better bargains in HKG

Evenwith current fx rate? I'm surprised.