Looking for a cheap room and some fun in Manila, any tips?

Question

I'm in Indonesia now, and I have to go to Guam on Business. But the job starts a week after my visa here expires. So I've decided to kill some time in the Philipines since I've never been there before. I'm looking for tips on a cheap comfortable room, and fun things for a young single guy to do for a week in Manila. I'm self employed, so my budget is kinda tight, but I don't mind backpacker style accomodations. Also any tips on the nightlife scene in manila will be much appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

Manila for a week, eh? Well, one week in Manila is okay and good thing that the weather here seems to still be on the sunny side these days.

I would recommend the Malate Pensionne, good place to stay at. If you want cheapest accommodations in Manila, the tourist inn of Mang Jose right up the alley next to the Malate Pensionne has fan rooms for only Php300 (that's about US$7.00).

However, the Malate Pensionne can also organize a city tour or even tours out of town nearby (some are great travel spots) and they can arrange these at reasonable prices too. They even have cheap laundry service, which is nice.

Also, airport transfer services. At Php400-500, it's a bit pricey though. The real fare is just Php150, tops! But taxi cabs at the airport will ALWAYS rip off foreigners (they charge Php800 just for a few kilometers -- f***ing ridiculous!), so I would actually suggests you either take public transpo (which is not really advisable for first timers in Manila) or the airport transfer service of whatever place you'll be staying at.

Tips on nightlife scene in Manila? Malate is THE party place in Manila, especially during weekends. Mixed crowds (foreigners and locals mingle), lotsa bars to choose from, restaurants at every corner, but always bring your street smarts with you. Just like in every other city in the world, there's good and bad mixed in. Try to avoid "working girls" who seem to be too accommodating, might spell trouble for ya.

Baywalk right along Manila Bay is nice and breezy, although the bay can be rank at times. There are bars, restaurants and live bands along Baywalk where one can enjoy a few drinks, good food, and even meet some friendly strangers who can share more info about what Manila has in store for newcomers to the city.

If you only have a week of free time before heading on to Guam, I suggest that you not take trips that are too far from Manila. It's good to be near the airport, especially when your flight time is nearing, rather than get stranded somewhere far. If you like the Philippines, you can always explore its other 7,106 islands another time, right?

Hey check out the Malate Pensionne website, so you can at least get some basis for comparison. Well, have fun now! ^_^

Answer 2

There are a lot of backpacker-type accomodations. Just be careful. I would recommend the short-time motels, but arrange for a long-term stay (not the 3-hour accomodations that they regularly offer - why they are 3 hours, I will leave to your imagination). A daily rate can range from P500 to P1500 ($15+ to $40+). The high-end motel is called Victoria Court. An overnight stay is still reasonably priced. Check them out here - www.victoriacourt.biz . I would also email or call them for a daily or weekly rate: [e-mail] Telephone [phone]. Otherwise, you can go for the Motel 6 type places like Orchid, Dahlia, Gardenia (Flower motels). They are cheaper but has your basic stuff like, well, Motel 6.

But if you are willing to spend a little more (really not that expensive), try Las Palmas as Linda suggested (http://www.laspalmashotel.com.ph/). It is near a party area for foreigners. I would not recommend that you go there alone, much less walk around by your self. So, being in an area where there are a lot of Westerners, you can meet other tourists and go out with them. As they say, there are strength in numbers.

Good luck, stay safe, and have fun!

Answer 3

Short Time Motels In Manila

Answer 4

Maybe you can consider staying at one of the many low rent but good value Manila apartments all over

Manila offered by this apartment rentals operator at http://www.tourist-rooms.com/go.php

Suitable for either short stays or long stays and suitable for either tourists or local people.

Fully furnished with kitchen and cooking utensils and internet and cable tv and large refrigerator and hot

water heater and airconditioning and has shared swimming pool and all the Manila apartments are

located just beside or next door to or near shopping mall or malls and near train station.

Answer 5

I just returned from Manila. I was only there for a couple of days on my way "out". What I do is land in the city in the morning and then check out neighborhoods for "bedspacer", or "room for rent", etc... I have never failed at this anyplace in the Philippines. Last week I found a room, basic, bed, fan, toilet, sink, sheets, pillow, separate entrance. 100 pesos per night. Most places will want say 3000 pesos per month, you just offer them 150 pesos per day. Easy.

Answer 6

if you love shopping and nightlife, manila would be a good place to stay, you can try checking www.hostelz.com for that, but i advise not to make online reservation, its cheaper if you're a walk-in guest.

makati has a high concentration of high end bars, restaurants and shopping centers, go to greenbelt 3 and glorieta. greenhill in san juan (30-45mins cab ride from makati) is the place to do shopping (pearls, shoes, bags, antiques and other bargains)

but if you want to relax and chill-out, i advise not to stay in manila, try getting the package in panglao island in bohol, a 4days 3nights package might cost not more than US$400 from manila (that includes round trip plane ticket from manila and hotel accomodation) go to the travel agencies in the malls as ask for the best package, its off-peak season, so i believe its much cheaper.

goodluck and enjoy your stay

Answer 7

I will recommend you to Malate area, wherein a center of fun things like bar, night life, good restaurants, live bands, malls etc.... You can stay at Las Palmas hotel - P1,800/room/night net of service charge & taxes. You can contact a travel agency to avail of the rate because their walk in rates ranges from P3,000++ per room per night. Or you can send me an email.