Question Recommended Area for a Hotel Stay in Manila

[Living4Experiences]

I'm traveling to Manila for the first time and then onward to Puerto Galera in March for 10 days of diving at El Galleon. Before going down to PG, I need to get a hotel for a couple of nights away from the airport and in a safe community or geographic area that has restaurants or grocery stores within walking distance. I don't plan on sightseeing, so I don't need to be near tourist attractions. I need air conditioning and a nonsmoking hotel in the $200 or less USD per night range. Any recommendations would be most appreciated.

TIA!!

 

[Living4Experiences]

Why averse to the hotels near the airport? Like others have said, there are a few eating options nearby. I have stayed at both the Belmont and the Marriott and they are OK.

If you do really want to get away from the airport but still stay “safe” BGC is a good choice. It is very westernized and doesn’t really feel like you are in the Philippines. Tons of food and drink and shopping options. The Shangrila and Ascott are nice but may be out of your price range. The F1 is locally owned, it is much cheaper than Ascott and Shang but still decent. There are other options as well for hotels. Be sure to check out the “speakeasy” bars if you go there, “bank bar” is hidden in a door in the back of a 7/11. There is a newer supermarket in BGC, I think it is called the landmark, it’s better than the majority of supermarkets in the US.

Next month I am staying at Belmont on my way through as I fly in late night and then out to Dumaguete the next morning. For the return trip I am flying back to Manila 2 days before my international flight back home and staying at F1 in BGC to make sure I make my international flight in case of any issues with my Asian travel. I’m taking a side trip to Bali so I’m flying back from there before heading home from Manila.

What is BGC?

 

[Living4Experiences]

The primary advantage , especially for newcomers to Philippines who are going to Puerto Galera anyway , of this particular City State Tower hotel in Ermita is that the Sikat bus/boat trip leaves literally from the front door of the hotel. And it's about$50/night.
It absolutely couldn't be easier. Ermita, for good or bad , is an authentic slice of Filipiniana.
BGC is fine but he would still need to make his way to some terminal somewhere to catch a bus.
Airport hotels are depressing for more than overnight to me. He wants to stay a couple nights

What is the Sikat bus?
My TA is making arrangements for a private transfer from Manila to PG, so the Manila hotel could be anywhere. I just didn't want to hear airport noise from the planes at an airport hotel. Since I'm traveling solo and not in a group, the private transfer is the better option for me, because the hassle factor of self-transporting to PG is too high. Low hassle=no headache and no stress.

 

[shimmer]

What is the Sikat bus?
My TA is making arrangements for a private transfer from Manila to PG, so the Manila hotel could be anywhere. I just didn't want to hear airport noise from the planes at an airport hotel. Since I'm traveling solo and not in a group, the private transfer is the better option for me, because the hassle factor of self-transporting to PG is too high. Low hassle=no headache and no stress.

I’ve stayed at the Sheraton across from terminal 3 with a room facing the airport. You can’t hear the planes from the room. But it may be slightly out of your price point.

 

[bmag78]

What is the Sikat bus?
My TA is making arrangements for a private transfer from Manila to PG, so the Manila hotel could be anywhere. I just didn't want to hear airport noise from the planes at an airport hotel. Since I'm traveling solo and not in a group, the private transfer is the better option for me, because the hassle factor of self-transporting to PG is too high. Low hassle=no headache and no stress.

Si-kat

www.sikatferrybus.com

Sikat operates a bus to Batangas plus the ferry to Puerto Galera. Easy and affordable.
It leaves from the front door of the City State Tower hotel in Ermita and it does all the decision making for you , all the way to PG
City State is an okay hotel for about $50/ night
Sikat is about 1500 pesos one way. 2900 round trip.
BGC ( Bonifacio global City) is an area of Manila that's upscale trendy and enjoyable. Nice place for a stroll and food. Reasonably convenient to other transportation but still a taxi ride to the bus terminal and the you make your own way to PG.
Depends how easy you want to make it .
Get a taxi to City State check in and buy a Sikat ticket in the lobby.
Finish your breakfast on departure day and walk out the door and ten steps to the bus. They take you to Batangas and put you on the ferry.

 

[fantarara]

I've stayed in a few places in Manila, mostly for work and stayed around the Ortigas (Pasig area is I think what it's called). I feel it's really a good balance between being safe but still getting the local flavour of a bustling city - intl corps, schools, shopping (lux and mid markets), food galore. The Westin near there is a bit pricey but another option is the Edsa Shangri-La (nice gardens and pool) and Joy Nostalg hotel (rooms are big, service ok, and it's mostly business people, no kids running around and quiet usually). But caution these were pre-pandemic experience.

 

[Centrals]

No idea how long Si-kat has been running but it was mentioned in Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit of Philippines in 1993 edition. 30+ yrs minimum and used to have its own slow catamaran.
The office was moved from Sundowner Hotel to the present City State when Sundowner was redeveloped. In its heyday, two buses loaded with tourists was common.

 

[Johnboy70_99]

What is BGC?

Bonifacio Global City.

 

[hdtran]

Sikat bus & ferry: See this video on youtube for a gentleman who rode it a few months ago from Manila to Puerto Galera. IMO, lots of unnecessary talking, but basically, you get guided through the Batangas Ferry Terminal to just about your departure gate at Batangas port. The bus apparently makes a pit stop about halfway between Manila and Batangas port if you need to recycle caffeine.

Since you've decided to have the resort provide transport, just take the 1-2 days in Manila to adjust your time zones so that you're ready to dive when you arrive.

Another couple of videos for the "do-it-yourself"ers: bus-terminal-to-batangas-port and batangas-port-to-puerto-galera. These two videos (along with the posts by @Centrals and others) gave me confidence that I'd budget for a few extra dives instead of a private transfer arranged by the resort.

 

[Centrals]

Si-kat is P1,500.00 + P250 for the trike from Balatero to Sabang.
Private transfer with no one to share, the cost is about P15,000.00.
Nearly 10 times the difference, more than enough to pay for several dives + meals.

 

[JonnieB]

I've been in/out of Manila at least a dozen times so will weigh in and give a few tips and tricks. The first is to note that "Manila" is actually the name of a collection of over a dozen separate cities collectively known as Metro Manila, of which "Manila" is one. The airport is located in Pasay City, in the south west area. I assume you are spending the two nights in Manila on your way to PG to rest up and time adjust from your flight from the United States. A couple things to keep in mind as it's your first trip to Manila/Philippines. (I don't know if you've been to other SE Asia destinations before.) Manila is a crowded, hot and humid, traffic choked, heaving hive of humanity. It can also be quite sketchy to downright dangerous...with many streets and cities you don't want to be on or about after sunset (and many even during the day). Don't get me wrong, the Filipinos are some of the most warm hearted people you will meet, but the extreme poverty is endemic (and will break your heart the first time you are there) and this breeds both petty and serious crime. (Hence the shotgun toting security guards at every McDonald's.)

Okay now that I've scarred you out of your trip, where to stay. I second the prior reccos for the Belmont Hotel, or any of the others within the Newport Mall area, directly adjacent to NAIA (Hilton, Newport, Marriott, Holiday Inn Express). These will all be clean and comfortable and well within your budget. You want to be near the airport because of the horrendous traffic day and night. Why waste an hour or two on arrival getting to a hotel across town. You may also want to spend the night there on your way home, and again avoid the traffic stress getting to the airport to make your flight. There is also the Newport Mall itself for all your eating (Cafe Mary Grace recommended) and shopping needs in air-conditioned comfort. My other suggestion, just a short drive from the airport, if you want something a little more lively, is the Hyatt City of Dreams Hotel & Casino. A super luxe property which you should be able to snag within your budget, which gives you the option taking your chance at the tables and many delicious food outlets. The Mall Of Asia, one of Asia's largest, is a 5 minute ride away for any shopping.