Welcome To Manila

My first impression of Manila was unfortunately not a great one, as I was met by numerous taxi drivers at the exit of the airport trying to scam me. I had my esim ready before arriving, so was able to check grab for a price to the hotel, which was looking like it would be around 400 pesos. I was staying in Makati, at I'M Hotel. I thought if I could get an airport taxi for a similar price then I would just do that, rather than trying to navigate the grab pick up point. However, most of these guys were quoting me 4,000 - 5,000 pesos! So needless to say I stuck with getting a grab. The journey took about 20 minutes and ended up costing 385 pesos.

Exploring Makati

Makati is situated in central Manila and is one of the more vibrant & modern hubs. The area is full of high rise buildings, some cultural heritage, good nightlife and some decent shopping malls. I did find it quite chaotic and didn't think it offered anything particularly special if I'm honest. I feel there are better city's in Asia to spend time in ahead of Manila. I would see Manila more as somewhere to stop over for a night or two (before heading to one of the beautiful islands), but Makati would definitely be the area I would choose to stay, as there seemed to be a bit more going on.

There are some local attractions that are well worth checking out in Makati and the surrounding areas. If you enjoy history, then The Ayala Museum is definitely worth a visit, as it gives you a history of Philippines culture from different time periods, with archaeological and fine art exhibits. For shopping, the Greenbelt, Glorietta and Century City Malls are good and offer a wide range of international brands and various dining options. Additionally, if you wanted a break from the busy city, then you can take a relaxing stroll through Ayala Triangle Gardens and Greenbelt Park.

Choosing the Right Place to Stay

Makati offers a wide range of options, from high end luxury hotels like the Makati Shangri-La and The Peninsula Manila to budget friendly hostels and serviced apartments. For me, there was plenty of very good mid-range priced options to choose from and highlighted below are 4 that I feel are worth serious consideration for your stay;

I'M Hotel

7862 Makati Avenue, corner Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City

Overview

• Rating:

  5 Star

• Location:

  I'M Hotel is situated right in the centre of Makati. The Century City Mall and nightlife area of Poblacion's are both within walking distance.

• Design:

  Modern urban luxury hotel

• Facilities:

  Onsite onsen spa (largest in the Philippines). Glass bottomed infinity pool (located on 2nd floor).

  Meeting rooms and conference facilities. Gym.

• Rooms:

  Really good size rooms, with modern amenities. Smart TVs. Free Wi-FI. Some rooms include kitchenettes.

• Dining:
  All day buffet restaurant with international and Filipino cuisine. Antidote Rooftop Bar featuring a jellyfish aquarium.

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at I’M, it is an excellent 5 star hotel with really friendly staff, who were very helpful. I was impressed with the rooms, as they are a generous size, with high quality amenities and extremely comfortable beds. Location was perfect for me, as I was only there for 2 nights and wanted to check out the Poblacion nightlife in the evening and a couple of the shopping centres in the day, which was all in close proximity. I would add that the buffet breakfast was very enjoyable with a wide selection of food to choose from.

Price Range: $90 - $125 per night (rates will vary depending on time of year and room type)

Somerset Central Salcedo

Salcedo Village, 126 H.V. Dela Costa, Makati, 1227 Manila

Overview

• Rating:

  4 star

• Location:
  Situated in Salcedo Village, near Ayala Avenue and Salcedo Park.

• Design:

  Very modern hotel, with homely feel to it

• Facilities:
  Outdoor pool, gym, kids playroom, restaurant and meeting rooms.

• Rooms:
  Well designed modern rooms with fully equipped kitchenettes and plenty of storage.

• Dining:

  Kitchenettes in rooms. On site restaurant, serving continental breakfast.

Somerset Central Salcedo is a 4 star serviced apartment residence/hotel in Salcedo Village, which is a more upscale and peaceful area of Makati. The hotel is very modern with homely amenities, and is well suited for families and those looking for longer stays, as rooms come with kitchenettes and good storage facilities.

Price Range: $105-$135 per night (rates will vary depending on time of year and room type)

Citadines Benavidez

110 Benavidez Street, Legazpi Village, Makati, 1200 Manila

Overview

• Rating:

  5 Star

• Location:
  Central part of Makati, in the business district. Close to the Greenbelt Shopping Mall (10 minute walk).

• Design:

  Modern & stylish

• Rooms:
  Large modern rooms with full kitchenettes, washer/dryer facilities and living areas.

• Dining:

  In room kitchenettes and on site restaurant for all day dining.

• Facilities:
  Rooftop pool, fitness centre and function rooms for business.

Citadines Benavidez is another modern serviced apartment residence/hotel, located on Benavidez Street, in the business district of Makati. The hotel is very stylish and well suited for long term stays with fully equipped kitchens, dining areas and living spaces in the rooms.

Price Range: $90-$120 per night (rates will vary depending on time of year and room type)

Coro Hotel

8436 Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City

Overview

• Rating:

  4 Star

• Location:
  Situated in Poblacion. Close to nightlife, restaurants and Century City Mall.

• Rooms:
  Spacious and well furnished rooms. Plenty of storage and modern amenities.

• Facilities:

  Rooftop pool, spa, kids play area and a small but well equipped gym.

• Dining:
  On site restaurant and bar with a mix of local and international food.

• Design:
  Contemporary modern design.

  
  

Coro Hotel is a great mid range option, and a bit more budget friendly compared to the hotels above. I stayed here for one night, when I was stopping over in Manila. Great location for Makati’s lively nightlife area in Poblacion. Rooms are a good size with modern amenities, and feel the hotel strikes a good balance between comfort and affordability. Really good breakfast buffet is available, with a wide range of options.

Price Range: $60-$80 per night (rates will vary depending on time of year and room type)

Final Thoughts

For me, 2 to 3 days in Makati is enough. The nightlife around Poblacion is fun and there are some decent shopping centres to check out in the day, but I didn't really see much more that intrigued me to stay any longer. Manila is vast, with different offerings in each district, but Makati would be the area I would stay if I was to go back, as it is considered one for the safest areas in Manila and has a good range of shop and food options to keep you occupied.