Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
reopened in new digs in 2013, with a choice of fan or a/c
en-suite rooms (P1500) and dorms; the back rooms are
quieter. There's a common kit
chen
area for self
-cate
rers,
lockers and free wi-fi. A/c dorm
P350
, fan doubles
P700
Friendly's Guesthouse
1750 M. Adriatico St at Nakpil St
T
02 474 0742,
W
friendlysguesthouse.com; map p.69.
The chilled-out balcony common area, bird's-eye view over
Malate and free wi-fi and hot drinks at this backpackers'
hostel are plus points, but it's not the cleanest. Self-catering
cooking facilities
availa
ble. Many rooms have
shared
bath-
rooms. Fan dorms
P450
(a/c P495); fan doubles
P695
Malate Pensionne
1771 M. Adriatico St
T
02 523
8304,
W
malatepensionne.com; map p.69.
Tucked
behind
Starbucks
in an unbeatable position, this has been
one of the area's most popular guesthouses for years.
Rooms are fur
nished
in Spanish-colonial
l style a
nd book up
quickly. Dorm
P475
(fan only), doubles
P1100
★
Paco Park Oasis Hotel
1032-1034 Belen St
T
02 521
2371,
W
oasispark.com; map p.69.
Next door to the
Garden Plaza
(see above) outside the walls of Paco Park.
Economy, standard, deluxe and superior rooms, some with
four-poster bed and whirlpool bath (the “new” rooms have
flatscreen TVs and free wi-fi; P3250) - overall a much
better deal than its neighbour. Large swimming pool,
pleasant t
errace
area, restaurant and a travel agency in
the lobby.
P2000
1
MAKATI
El Cielito Inn
804 Arnaiz Ave (Pasay Rd)
T
02 815 8951,
W
elcielito-makati.com; map p.77.
Small but clean glass-
fronted mid-range hotel close to Makati's
malls,
with
modern, carpeted a/c rooms and a coffee shop.
P3050
★
Makati Shangri-La
Ayala Ave at Makati Ave
T
02
813 8888,
W
shangri-la.com; map p.77.
If you fancy
a splurge, this is the best choice in town, a top-notch
establishment in the heart of Makati with chic rooms,
fabulous service, waterfall
s on e
very floor and a host of
quality restaurants on site.
P9990
Mandarin Oriental Manila
Makati Ave at Paseo
de Roxas
T
02 750 8888,
W
mandarinoriental.com
/manila; map p.77.
Five-star establishment that serves as
a good landmark in Makati, opposite Citibank and a short
walk from the shops. Rooms are spacious, with all
the comforts
you'd
expect from this luxury chain. Good
deals online.
P5500
Our Melting Pot Hostel
4/F Mavenue Bldg, 7844
Makati Ave at Guerrero St
T
02 659 5443,
W
ourmelting
potmakati.com; map p.77.
Friendly hostel with four
dorms and private rooms with shared bathroom, all with
a/c and free wi-fi. The rooftop is a chill
ed pla
ce for a b
eer, but
the streets outside can be noisy. Dorms
P550
, doubles
P1600
The Peninsula Manila
Ayala Ave at Makati Ave
T
02 887 2888,
W
peninsula.com/Manila; map p.77.
Ostentatious five-star that takes up a city block and has a
cheesily opulent lobby where people go to drink coffee
and to see and be seen. There are no fewer than seven
restaurants, running the gamut from Asian to French.
Rooms are as you'd expect
at this p
rice, with luxurious
furnishings and all mod cons.
P10,000
Robelle House
4402 Valdez St
T
02 899 8061,
W
robellehouse.net/Robelle_House; map p.77.
This
rambling family-run pension has been in business since
1977 and is still the most atmospheric Filipino budget
accommodation in the business district. The property is
old and the location isn't great though: it's a good walk
from the Makati shops in a desolate backstreet area. The
floors are polished tile and the wooden staircases are
authentically creaky, although the rooms are no more than
serviceable. Ask for one on the first floor overlooking the
small p
ool. Th
e cheapest have shared bath; en suites cost
P1560.
P1110
Pan Pacific Manila Hotel
M. Adriatico St at General
Malvar St
T
02 318 0788,
W
panpacific.com/manila;
map p.69.
This is the top choice in Malate for superlative
service (each room comes with 24hr butler service),
luxurious rooms and a buffet breakfast that could feed
an army. Passing from the chaos outside to the soothing
outdoor swimming
pool a
nd jacuzzi is a surreal but
pleasant experience.
P6500
Pearl Garden Hotel
1700 M. Adriatico St at General
Malvar St
T
02 525 1000,
W
pearlgardenhotel.net; map
p.69.
One of the best mid-range hotels on the block, with 83
small but clean and elegant boutique-style rooms. The main
downside (for non-smokers) is that the whol
e hotel i
s smoker
friendly, and the free wi-fi is a bit unreliable.
P3400
Pension Natividad
1690 M.H. del Pilar St
T
02 521
0524,
W
pensionnatividad.com; map p.69.
Spacious,
impeccably clean rooms (some en suite and with a/c) in a
quiet old family house that was built before World War II
and partially destroyed by bombing. The terrace café is a
good place to meet other travellers, and there's free wi-fi.
One of the best budg
et plac
es to stay in th
e area a
nd handy
for the airport. Dorm
P400
, doubles from
P1000
Sofitel Philippine Plaza
CCP Complex, off Roxas Blvd
T
02 551 5555,
W
sofitelmanila.com; map p.80.
If you
can afford it and want a luxurious room with a balcony and
a view of the Manila Bay sunsets, this is the place to stay.
The
Sofitel
is big, brash and has a number of pricey bars and
restaura
nts. Fir
st choice for many Japanese and Korean tour
groups.
P5850
PACO PARK
Garden Plaza Hotel
1030 Belen St
T
02 522 4835,
W
gardenplazamanila.com; map p.69.
Congenial and
well managed, the
Garden Plaza
is right next to Paco Park
and has adequate a/c rooms, a cute little swimming pool
on the roof and
the ex
cellent
Old Swiss Inn
restaurant.
Internet in lobby.
P1800
