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Manila - Do, Stay, Eat?
Posted by olielle (367 days ago)
For anyone planning a trip to Manila let's suggest some things to do and see as well as places to stay.
(I am based in Hong Kong)
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Posted by xmauix (345 days ago)
hmm, not much to say about Manila except if you like clubbing and night outs. Cebu and other places are far much better if you're up to some peace and quiet.
(I am based in Hong Kong)
Posted by chardson67 (345 days ago)
Well, Manila is an awesome City, i've lived there for 13 Years from being a child to my early teenage years, the last time I went to Manila, I stayed at Makati, walking around I saw "Makati Cinema Square" where I found in the basement a "gun club" it wasn't really a club if you have a few extra cash, I spent 3 Days of shooting 9MM and .45 Caliber types of pistols there, a 9MM Bullet will cost you around HK$$1.5 so if you have HK $1K, wow you'll be firing like insane, the rent for a pistol is HK$50 for the whole day, then of you go! If you're with Family and off for a good vacation try going to this website http://mangotours.com/ i've always bought my tickets here to various destinations in the Philippines, safety in Manila is common-sense like in any other City, don't walk alone, don't be flashing your wallet,walk simple and in a lot of people, best yet, go rent a car with a Filipino driver,they know what they're doing. FOOD IN MANILA IS RELATIVELY VERY CHEAP, Filipino's are very clean people specially their bodies, but only with their bodies,not their surrounding :) go check websites and research what you really want to do... if you want PEACE OF MIND, you can even rent your own resort in Laguna.
(I am based in Hong Kong)
Posted by smcm77 (345 days ago)
'hmm, not much to say about Manila except if you like clubbing and night outs'
yeah sure...if you're into clubbing, i take it you didn't really give the place a chance, xmauix...
there's the Ayala Museum in the heart of the business district (Makati), it is worth a look- it houses dioramas which tell the history of the Philippines...then there's the old Spanish fort- Fort Santiago, also called the Walled City. Very interesting place, a lot of history within those walls...the area sorrounding it is called Intramuros, an old Spanish city centre, loads of centuries-old churches that are well worth the visit.
For afternoon tea, try the Manila Hotel, right next to Rizal park along Roxas Boulevard. The hotel has been there for 80 years.
If you're into golf, there are plenty of golf courses scattered around manila and they are relatively cheap compared to HK.
The shopping is so much better in Manila than in HK, millions of choices. The shopping malls are ginormous it would take you days to tour the whole place. There are a mix of designer (Prada, LV, etc) and popular high street shops (Topshop, Banana Republic, GAP, etc..)
There are lots and lots of things to do in Manila, it's one of the best cities in the world, the people are a lot friendlier than HK and the food is so much better (for me anyway).
Have fun, if you do end up going!!!
(I am based in Hong Kong)
Posted by alpha235 (345 days ago)
I personally like the buffet in Sofitel. The selection is excellent. Nowhere in HKG can you find such choices. But no lobster. Just crabs and oysters but still worth it.
Massages.... they are good and cheap...
Shopping wise??? I find many of the stuff in the department stores not up to date. But if you want to shop American style, go to S & R. It's just like Costco. I bought a big tub of cheese (melted ones for tacos) for less than HK$100.
But yeah, I prefer Cebu...Shangri-la is great. I went to Boracay a few years ago...beach was nice but food was not as great. But massage was great too. You can get it right there on the beach!
(I am based in Hong Kong)
Posted by citamenchie (343 days ago)
as you arrived Manila, you can take taxi and ask them to bring you a hotel, and in the hotel you can ask them where is the best palce to stay in. There are many places, nearby provinces, Batangas, Laguna, La Union, and Baguio. These places are in Luzon, Filipinos are hospitable, especially if they see you are foreigners, they will entertain you. The people are particular to hygiene and they are sensible. You will enjoy your stay.
(I am based in Guangzhou)
Posted by Tinsantos (343 days ago)
i was born and raised in Manila. moved for occupational purposes.
anywho, if you're the artsy type, there's a couple museums worth the trip while in Manila: the National Museum along Taft avenue and Kalaw, and the Ayala Museum right in the heart of Makati. it's about a 20 minute drive from one another, give or take 15 minutes when there's bad traffic.
if you like to drink, dance, eat, you MUST go to Fort Bonifacio, or the locals call it The Fort. it is right smack in between Manila and Makati -- and they have a strip there called Serendra and a Bonifacio High Street complete with an open mall-type place and fountains and people walking their cute dogs. if you're into good food, gotta try Chelsea's [a NY-inspired resto at the end of the High Street, it's in Serendra], dessert must-go-to is Sonja's [for cupcakes, very Sex and the City-like, the owner used to work at the famed NY Magnolia bakery, where the SatC show and some movies have featured its yummy desserts] and Cafe Xocolat [it is a Filipino-owned cafe that specializes in creamy, hot cocos and amazing brownies].
hmm. what else? oh. if you wanna go clubbing, head out to Embassy and Ascend clubs. they are also in the Fort area. mind you, cos of some club fights in the past, those 2 clubs [well, all the clubs in the Fort area] have a STUPID curfew at 230am.
after 230, just transfer to the clubs along Makati: Fiamma [along Jupiter street] and any of the bars and clubs along Greenbelt 3.
we also have amazing movie theatres, complete with 3D cinemas and all. try going to the biggest mall in Asia, the Mall of Asia, or MoA as we call it, it is along the Manila Bay -- there is even a strip of restos, clubs, and a Hooters [i LOVE that place haha] behind the MoA, so if you're bored or tired from shopping, you can just head out to the back and watch the beautiful Manila sunset.
if you wanna get out of the hustle and bustle of the city, go to Tagaytay. it is a 1.5 hour drive from Manila. perfect weather, a lil foggy during Xmas season, but there's a lot to do there: lake exploring, awesome sights and the smallest volcano in the world is at the lake too.
i think i've written too much.
Manila is something else. i miss it :) lemme know if anyone else is there on Dec 24-28, i can show you guys around. happy Christmas, y'all!
(I am based in Macau)
Posted by citamenchie (343 days ago)
as you arrived Manila, you can take taxi and ask them to bring you to hotel, and in the hotel you can ask them where is the best place to stay in. There are many places, nearby provinces, Batangas, Laguna, La Union, and Baguio. These places are in Luzon, Filipinos are hospitable, especially if they see you are foreigners, they will entertain you. The people are particular to hygiene and they are sensible. You will enjoy your stay.
(I am based in Guangzhou)
Posted by xmauix (341 days ago)
smcm77 - I stayed in Manila back in uni days. I still find that city's too busy for me. I still prefer places like Cebu, Mindoro or Tagaytay where it's a lot quieter.
I'd say yeah, there's quite a lot of places to see in Manila. I've not gone there for awhile but friends tell me it's a lot nicer. And yup! I forgot about the Manila Cathedral, museums, Luneta Park. NOt sure if there's still Nayong Filipino, I remember going there when I was a kid.
Like the above post, don't show off you wallet to ANYONE. Just bring enough cash, (enough shouldn't be more than 2,000 pesos!) Manila is not a very safe place so you really have to be extra careful.
When taking a taxi, take note of the plate number. I remember in college, I would pretend to be talking to my mom or dad on the phone and telling them that I'm on my way. Then I would say the taxi's plate number out loud so the driver can hear that I'm passing his taxi's plate number to someone. Most taxi's plate number printed in the inside of the car are not very clearly written so I would ask the driver for it.
I did that because my friend back then was robbed, raped and left in an empty lot by a taxi driver. She was found there, thank goodness still alive but very shocked. She never recovered :/ I'm not saying it's a very rampant thing happening in Manila, just want you guys who are visiting Manila to be extra careful specially in dealing with strangers.
(I am based in Hong Kong)
Posted by kim.constable (340 days ago)
If you're the type of traveller who prefers a larger hotel room with your own cooking facilities, you can't go past the Somerset Serviced Apartments in Makati City. We spent two weeks in a one bedroom apartment that was larger than most 2 bed apartments in Hong Kong. Also had 1 HUGE bathroom, with an additional powder room off the living room.
As far as eats and drinks, my partner and I still reminisce about the simple, tasty food served up at Cafe 121 in Makati City. And their frozen blood orange screwdrivers, served in a 2 litre jug were lethal! (the perfect icy treat on a hot afternoon)
Buffet at the Shangri La is enormous, and of good quality.
The best shopping we found was at a huge market/department store called Greenfields, like Shenzhen's LuWo on steroids! They sold everything from pearls, jewellery, handbags, clothing to dvds and cheap electronics. All low end, but a ton of fun! Just be careful of your belongings, and try not to flash your cash.
Cheers,
Kim
(I am based in Hong Kong)
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