Change of travel plans, now have a weekend in Manila. What to do?
May 25, 2016, 11:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: LIM and DCA
Programs: Delta DM, Lufthansa Miles & More
Posts: 237
Change of travel plans, now have a weekend in Manila. What to do?
As per the title, meetings postponed to Monday, so I get to spend the weekend in Manila. Staying in the Holiday Inn Manila Galleria, if that makes a difference. What would you do?
I am a foodie, if that helps.
Thanks for any suggestions!
I am a foodie, if that helps.
Thanks for any suggestions!
May 30, 2016, 1:26 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Programs: Frontier Gold, DL estranged 1MMer, Spirit VIP, CO/NW/UA/AA once gold/plat/comped gold now dust.
Posts: 38,151
The usual tourist circuit is heavy on places in the city of Manila itself, like intramuros, Rizal Park, maybe Binondo, and sunsets on the Baywalk. There's also the original Aristocrat on Roxas Blvd. as a major home of Filipino food (it's large, relatively inexpensive and very popular).
There's also a circuit of sorts with Makati and all the Ayala places, especially Glorietta and the Greenbelts. More malls, reallly, but Greenbelt also doubles as a rare park-like green space and a nice setting for lots of restaurants there. I've become a fan of John and Yoko (east-west fusion in Greenbelt 5), but it's also possible to try Chili's, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company or other transplants. On weekends the Havana Cafe in Greenbelt 3 becomes a nexus for musical entertainment and swells to double-size.
The problem with Ortigas is that you can easily spend an hour in traffic, even on weekends, to get to Ermita and the old-school attractions. With Makati you *could* try the LRT, but those rail cars can get very crowded.
Jun 1, 2016, 5:53 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 111
MNL
In Ortigas? Ewwwww....it's kind of an upscale ghetto a bit like Makati, i.e. malled-up and sterile compared to the rest of the area (for better or worse). You can walk to SM Megamall, one of the 10 biggest malls in the world.
The usual tourist circuit is heavy on places in the city of Manila itself, like intramuros, Rizal Park, maybe Binondo, and sunsets on the Baywalk. There's also the original Aristocrat on Roxas Blvd. as a major home of Filipino food (it's large, relatively inexpensive and very popular).
There's also a circuit of sorts with Makati and all the Ayala places, especially Glorietta and the Greenbelts. More malls, reallly, but Greenbelt also doubles as a rare park-like green space and a nice setting for lots of restaurants there. I've become a fan of John and Yoko (east-west fusion in Greenbelt 5), but it's also possible to try Chili's, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company or other transplants. On weekends the Havana Cafe in Greenbelt 3 becomes a nexus for musical entertainment and swells to double-size.
The problem with Ortigas is that you can easily spend an hour in traffic, even on weekends, to get to Ermita and the old-school attractions. With Makati you *could* try the LRT, but those rail cars can get very crowded.
The usual tourist circuit is heavy on places in the city of Manila itself, like intramuros, Rizal Park, maybe Binondo, and sunsets on the Baywalk. There's also the original Aristocrat on Roxas Blvd. as a major home of Filipino food (it's large, relatively inexpensive and very popular).
There's also a circuit of sorts with Makati and all the Ayala places, especially Glorietta and the Greenbelts. More malls, reallly, but Greenbelt also doubles as a rare park-like green space and a nice setting for lots of restaurants there. I've become a fan of John and Yoko (east-west fusion in Greenbelt 5), but it's also possible to try Chili's, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company or other transplants. On weekends the Havana Cafe in Greenbelt 3 becomes a nexus for musical entertainment and swells to double-size.
The problem with Ortigas is that you can easily spend an hour in traffic, even on weekends, to get to Ermita and the old-school attractions. With Makati you *could* try the LRT, but those rail cars can get very crowded.
Many good restaurants in Makati
Visit Manila Hotel and Corregador
Jun 3, 2016, 8:33 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
Corregidor is a must see for me if you have war history interests. You could easily go to Taal volcano one day and Tagaytay. Or head up towards the Pinatubo lahar flows. Go scuba diving or snorkeling towards Subic or the Southwest. All of those require some driving, and traffic can be bad.
Jun 8, 2016, 9:04 am
#5
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
Jun 12, 2016, 6:19 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: LIM and DCA
Programs: Delta DM, Lufthansa Miles & More
Posts: 237
Thanks guys, turns out I ran into an old friend and woke up way too early for a bike ride... but the recommendations have been filed for future reference.
Unfortunately the hotel is perfectly located for my business meetings (Asian Development Bank) so that takes the cake in terms of location preferences...
Unfortunately the hotel is perfectly located for my business meetings (Asian Development Bank) so that takes the cake in terms of location preferences...
Jun 26, 2016, 4:05 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,949
www.bambike.com for bamboo bike tours of old Manila.